“We all come into this world with our little egos equipped with individual horns.
If we don't blow them, who else will?” –Addison DeWitt in All About Eve
I write a lot of short stories and poems. Many are dross, but a few really tickle me. I read those few to a small retinue of friends and relations—and of course, my critique group. Most of the time they respond favorably, offering comments that help me to improve a character, embellish a scene, or tighten an ending.
My best stories are 7,000-10,000 words in length, which is an enormous handicap for publication in a literary journal. Most magazines will only publish stories under 3,000 words. My stories are barely started at that point! The meager list of magazines that do publish ten-thousand-word stories often have lead times of a year or more. And the submitting process is laborious, slow, and, more times than not, disappointing. I count rejections rather than submissions, for each one marks a step closer to an acceptance.
I learned in April that storySouth had accepted my short story “Opportunities” (after Pet Shop Boys,) which comes in at about 6,000 words. storySouth is a quarterly online literary journal dedicated to showcasing the best in fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry by writers of the "New South." The magazine launched in 2001 and is a “contributing small press” for the Pushcart Prize.
In early May, the magazine’s fiction editor reached out with a few minor edits and a promise to be in touch with a publication date. At last the online issue is out!
I'm so delighted this story appeared in June. It's Pride month after all! I was in my early 20s when AIDs appeared out of nowhere, and a positive diagnosis was a death sentence. I was a straight woman in a committed heterosexual relationship, but my friends, and clients faced uncertain futures. Many were forced to make unbearable choices. So I celebrate June, in community with my LGBTQ+ family, and cheer as loudly as I can on their behalf—to honor the grit of those who survived and the memory of the people we lost. I want love to always be possible.
“Opportunities” was inspired by the 1986 Pet Shop Boys song of the same name. None of my characters are based on real people.
It takes about 15 minutes to read “Opportunities,” by Marjorie Dybec. I hope you will. Just click my name just above.
When you are done, you can leave your thoughts and reactions here. And please share the link with anyone you think might enjoy the piece. Celebrate pride and LOVE.
Congratulations! This story touched my heart.