That Short Story I had Published

Well I eventually got around to emailing the subscriptions manager of SpineOut Online Magazine last week, where my short story 'Walking to the Shop' was published in the March 2012 edition. I had decided it was time that I worked out how to access it, seeing as the link my school had provided me with wasn't working for me.

The link doesn't work because SpineOut only sells subscriptions to schools and libraries, so if your school or local library has a subscription, you might be able to view the full story via them! Although I'm pretty sure this is an Australian publication, so I'm not entirely sure if many schools or libraries outside of Australia will have a subscription.

The subscription manager, Bonnie Maher, was kind enough to attach a document of the page in the magazine where my short story was featured. I've zoomed in and print screened in the image below to make it a bit easier for you to read what it says:

All I can say is that I'm happy.  :)

- Bonnee.

Walking to the Shop - PUBLISHED!

So the good news is, I AM OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED!

By this I mean that someone at SpineOut magazine decided that a short story I had submitted to them, 'Walking to the Shop' was good enough to go into the latest edition. I am so excited by this... and it still doesn't quite feel real.

The bad news is, I have been unable to access it. Why? SpineOut is an ONLINE magazine, right? Well...

Let's start at the start. When I went to submit this story, I had to fill out a form, and some of the required information was which school I am from. I submitted this short story some time in December, if my memory serves me right. I hadn't heard back so I'd accepted that it hadn't been good enough. Today - three months later - one of my school teachers walked past me during one of my study periods and said:

Miss D: Hey Bonnee, I just read that story you got published online.

Me: Yeah? Which one? (this is me thinking that she had found my FictionPress or Wattpad account...)

Miss D: Oh the one about the kites and the homeless man.

Me: Wait... WHAT?!

She showed me the email with the link, and opened the link up for me, and there was my name and my story on the latest online edition of SpineOut magazine. I jumped on a computer and tried to access it myself... which failed. I couldn't get to it. So my teacher sent me the link. And it's not working.

So here is the flood of emotions: Overjoyed, because, hey, I just got published, this is brilliant! I want to cry, because I cannot for the life of me access it! And I'll admit I'm a little confused... why didn't they email me to say that they were publishing me? What was the point of asking for my email address in the submission form if they weren't going to use it? I found out through a teacher; they emailed the school. I didn't give them the school's email, I gave them mine... they only had the school's name... hey, I'm not complaining by any means, I'm just confused... and so excited... my head hurts... gah...

If anyone knows how I can access this stuff, please let me know, I want to be able to share a link that works with the world!

Lots of love and I'll let you know if I find access to it myself.
- Bonnee.

SpineOut Magazine Assistant Editor checked out MY MANUSCRIPT!

Back in 2010, while Evergreen was still in one of it's earlier, less-refined drafts, my wonderful English teach, Mrs Dianne Goulding, took the liberty of sending it to Bonnie Goodman; SpineOut Magazine's Subscriptions and Library Manager. Ms Goodman forwarded it to the assistant editor, Lizzie Riley, who wrote back to Ms Goodman about it, and Ms Goodman forwarded Ms Riley's reply to my teacher... who then showed me.

Lizzie Riley wrote (lazy people: just read the first paragraph):

We read Evergreen: A Fallen Star by Bonnee Crawford and quite enjoyed it. Although we've only read the first two chapters the story has good potential; it's an engaging read and a different concept from what you usually see. I think Bonnee could improve the story by trying not to focus on the little things as much - the trick with writing is often trying to find a balance between telling the story and keeping the story rich with detail. The characterisation of the main characters is good - each has a distinctive voice and personality that the reader can identify.

We would encourage Bonnee to keep working at it. We would also encourage her to try and write every day. Even if it's just a few hundred words or one paragraph, if you keep writing you will hone your craft. Try not to be too concerned about editing as she goes. Most authors recommend finish the story as a whole draft then finding parts that need work.

When Bonnee thinks she's ready to send the manuscript off, there is a small publisher, Atlas Productions that has a competition where the winner will have their novel published by the company. She can find out more here: www.atlasproductions.com.au there are other competitions for young writers as well.  

It might be worth considering looking into creative writing summer courses and uni courses if she thinks writing is where her future lies. often these courses are taught be experienced and published authors which is a great bonus. 

SpineOut will be published later this month. This will be a place Bonnee could submit her work. We will be publishing a selection of submitted work each edition. short stories might be a good regular writing exercise. SpineOut will provide information on writing competitions as well in each issue so if she keeps an eye on these. -Lizzie Riley