Category Archives: News
Want more insight on 34 ORCHARD? Read the interview at SIX QUESTIONS FOR…
Jim Harrington’s Six Questions For… blog, which focuses on interviews with literary magazine editors, has published an interview with me as editor of 34 Orchard here: https://sixquestionsfor.blogspot.com/2019/12/six-questions-for-34-orchard.html
If you’re a writer, this is a WONDERFUL blog to read—especially if you’re wondering what goes on in editors’ heads before you submit!
Read “Wrecking Malcolm” now at HALFWAY DOWN THE STAIRS!
My New Year’s Eve-set ghost story, “Wrecking Malcolm,” is now available to read–for free–in the literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs. The December 2019 issue is themed “The Calling.”
The issue is stunning, but I have to say — I cried when I saw the artwork they chose. Honestly, it’s what I saw in my head when I was writing this, just over a year ago. It’s almost like they were reading my mind.
You can read it here:
https://halfwaydownthestairs.net/2019/12/01/wrecking-malcolm-by-kristi-petersen-schoonover/
“Wrecking Malcolm” was inspired by a shipwreck graveyard that was discovered at Green Jacket Shoal in East Providence, RI. I learned about it last year at an archaeology lecture at my local community college, and was lucky enough to be able to visit, as it’s not far from where one of my friends lives.
Here are a few photographs of the actual graveyard.
“Wrecking Malcolm” accepted at HALFWAY DOWN THE STAIRS
The remains of sidewheelers the Bay Queen and the Mount Hope rest in peace at the shipwreck graveyard in Green Jacket Shoal in East Providence, RI, June, 2019.
I’m thrilled to announce that my short story, “Wrecking Malcolm,” has been accepted by the literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs for its upcoming issue, themed “The Calling.”
The issue is due to release on December 1–that’s Sunday!
“Wrecking Malcolm” is a personal favorite of mine, and I’m glad it found a good home. It was inspired by a shipwreck graveyard that was discovered at Green Jacket Shoal in East Providence, RI. There is much work being done to preserve the historic structures … and yes, I’ve visited it more than a few times.
I’ll post when it’s available to read. Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family!
“Last Christmas” posted!
My story “Last Christmas” –a flash piece I wrote for Crystal Lake Publishing’s Shallow Waters November Flash Fiction Challenge–is up today for Patreon Supporters of Crystal Lake Publishing! If you’d like to check it out, you can make a $5/month Fans of Fiction pledge (you can change this at any time) and vote. The first two stories posted were really good stuff, and I’m sure the remaining 10 are going to be great, too. Here’s where you can sign up, read, and vote if you like:
I’m celebrating: “Last Christmas” a finalist!
This is my favorite Christmas wine glass. I think I got it at Christmas Tree Shops, but it always comes out when I want to celebrate something holiday-related–even if it isn’t that time of year!
I’m pleased to announce that “Last Christmas”–a flash piece I wrote for Crystal Lake Publishing’s Shallow Waters November Flash Fiction Challenge–has made the final round! This month’s challenge was “creepy stories with a twist ending that take place in a graveyard.” My story shares the list with thirteen others.
Normally, I don’t announce when a piece is a finalist or is shortlisted–I consider that bad luck. However, this contest is a different animal. The winner will be selected based on the votes of the publication’s Patreon supporters, and so in that case, it truly is a crap shoot. I’m just happy I made it to the finals.
I had a wonderful time writing this piece–I’ve always loved a theme challenge. I’m hoping to do more in the future. It forces me to think outside the box as well as practice word economy and other skills. But mostly? Yeah, it’s just FUN!
I’ll be back Thursday with the link to my story.
Introducing 34 ORCHARD, a new dark literary journal!
Recently, I posted a quote that read “Decide what kind of life you actually want. Then say no to everything that isn’t that.”
Two weeks ago, I had an existential crisis—well, I suppose it’s safe to say, another existential crisis, because honestly, if you’re doing this writing life right, it happens more often then you might think. There’s a reason for the “tortured artist” stereotype. Questioning what you’re doing with your life, why you’re doing what you’re doing, is actually quite normal.
I’ve dabbled in many different things, but I’ve decided what kind of life I want: I want to write, I want to read, I want to surround myself with everything that’s connected to that. It’s what I’ve always wanted. They say you shouldn’t date anyone that isn’t ‘fuck yeah, you’re it!’ about you. Conversely, you really shouldn’t be doing anything in your life that doesn’t make you want to rocket from bed in the morning and go, ‘fuck yeah, let’s get started!’
I’ve been reading a lot of fantastic short work in literary magazines lately—in my opinion, there’s a lot of undiscovered genius out there—and I want to publish the stuff I enjoy reading most. So I decided to found a new dark literary journal that will pay its writers. It’s called 34 Orchard, and the first issue will launch in April of 2020.
I’ve edited a couple of journals, and I know how stressful and rigorous this path can be—where most small journals can fail, honestly, is in the area of balancing all of the work: eventually, it’s so much arduous work, so much struggle and pain to keep up with it or deal with the grief of daily business (which sometimes isn’t pleasant), that the passion just burns out (kind of like a toxic or one-sided relationship). I had to come up with a detailed plan for something that would be sustainable in the long term, and I did.
Yes, it will be a major time investment. But unlike a toxic or one-sided relationship, I’ve figured out how to manage things so that I can just enjoy it. It will be drama free, full of joy, and make me want to rocket out of bed every morning and go, ‘fuck yeah!’ 34 Orchard is going to be the love of my life.
Our website is LIVE, and our Duotrope listing was approved and posted fewer than 24 hours after we were ‘internet official.’ The journal will be free to read for the time being, but donations are accepted. You can also sign up for announcements to come right to your email (it won’t be a blog. There will be only a few scattered announcements when there is news to share) so you’ll know when our first issue is up!
I hope you will join me in celebrating, and I hope you’ll support the journal in any way you can—share it, read it, send us comments, send us your work, donate, tell a friend. Thank you!
Main Page: https://34orchard.com/
Publishing information: https://34orchard.com/issues/
Writer’s Guidlelines: https://34orchard.com/guidelines/
Duotrope Listing: https://duotrope.com/listing/27544/34-orchard
Favorite
I adore the simplicity and universal appeal of these lines by Sarah Doughty. Who hasn’t been in that place? If you haven’t, you are missing out.
“I didn’t know the true meaning of sleep
until I was in his arms.”
It was my favorite place to be. Head resting over his heart. Feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. Hearing the beat of his heart. I didn’t know the true meaning of sleep until I was in his arms.
© Sarah Doughty
2015
This was one of the
scenes from my first novel,
Just Breathe.
Though it’s not the
final draft version,
the moment was still the same.
GET READY FOR AUSTIN’S BAT FEST AUGUST 24!
Me posing with a new friend on the Congress Avenue Bridge at Austin’s Bat Fest, August 23, 2014.
On one of my many sojourns to Austin, Texas, I was lucky enough to attend the annual Bat Fest, which in 2019 will be held Saturday, August 24, from 4 p.m. to midnight on the Congress Avenue Bridge downtown.
What is that, you ask?
Texas is famous for its bat colonies, and the state is home to 32 species. In fact, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Read the rest of this entry
Looking for a quick little getaway? Join me at Howe Caverns this weekend!
I’ll be signing copies of my book The Shadows Behind up at Howe Caverns this Saturday, August 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main lodge.
Anyone who purchases a copy at the event this weekend will receive a bonus book—Twisted Routes—free! The book contains one special edition and one unpublished piece, set at Howe Caverns and at Paradox Lake (near Fort Ticonderoga, which also figures prominently in the story).
Beyond that, Howe Caverns is a wonderful place to spend a day or an overnight. Aside from the sheer beauty of the property, there are plenty of activities. The 90-minute traditional cave tour features Read the rest of this entry
Todd McGrain’s LOST BIRD PROJECT sculptures at Norman Bird Sanctuary
Here’s a collage my phone put together for me. I love this. I think the heath hen was my favorite due to its tragic final cry before extinction.
There is something about the overwhelming sadness of extinction that has always sucked me in.
So imagine how excited I was when, recently, I went to bird watch at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island and discovered something called Read the rest of this entry
