The 2012 Waasmode Short Fiction Prize & Why I'm Even More in Love with Caitlin Horrocks

2012 Waasmode Short Fiction Prize

Caitlin Horrocks' stories have always punched me in just the right way. So that after reading "The Sleep" or "Sun City" or even "Zolaria" and especially "This Is Not Your City," I feel amazed and exhausted and alive and also a little bit in love with Caitlin Horrocks and her words. And so, when I entered a story - in the usual titled-with-no-author identification format given to most contests - in the Passages North short fiction contest, which announced CH as judge, I hoped she might find something in my words, too - if my story even made it passed the first readers.

This week I had my first phone call ever from a literary magazine. Yes, that's right. From Tim Johnston, the managing editor at Passages North. He was quite calm, and meanwhile I tried to stay calm, as he told me that my story, "We Are Here Because of a Horse," had been chosen by Caitlin Horrocks as the winner of the 2012 Waasmode Short Fiction Prize. I'm still surprised and ecstatic and occasionally mumble, "nah, that wasn't me," even though I know I should shout, "yes, that's me and that's my story!" That's my story about a girl and a boy and a horse, about drums and Tulsa and dreams. And then I can't help myself and I celebrate by jumping up and down and scaring the dog, because my stories are finally getting a chance to be read.

And that's why I'm even more in love with Caitlin Horrocks and this thing that she and I both do.  This thing called writing.

"We Are Here Because of a Horse" was published in Passages North, Issue 34, Winter 2013.

(Photo Credit: sheeshoo at Flickr - the chrome horse at the Natural History Museum in Fair Park in Dallas).

Third Coast's 2012 Jaimy Gordon Fiction Prize

Third Coast's 2012 Jaimy Gordon Fiction Prize has been announced, and I love the title of the winning story - "Abandoned Cars" by CJ Hauser. Perhaps inside her story is the old truck I've been looking for. Count me in as happy to have a story included among the Fiction Finalists.

http://www.thirdcoastmagazine.com/contests/

Virginia Woolf, Inspiration, & AROHO's Orlando Prize for Short Fiction

A Room of Her Own (AROHO), a foundation taking its name from Virginia Woolf's credo that women must find the space, means, and solace in order to create, holds a writing competition for women poets, essayists, and short story writers each spring and fall. That Virginia Woolf, a writer who has always inspired me, and a foundation for women writers and artists have come together in such a perfect and telling way is extraordinary. This spring I've had the honor of receiving AROHO's Orlando Prize in Short Fiction for the story, "The Geography of First Kisses." I'm in awe of this award and all it promises, and in receiving it, I'm further bolstered to keep writing and reading and being a part of the literary world.

The Orlando Prize Winners will be published in the Los Angeles Review, Issue 12, in Fall 2012.  Thereafter, the winning pieces will be posted on AROHO's website.

"AROHO is a transformational collective that changes the lives of creative women by honoring our artistic excellence and moving us out of isolation to a rich and whole community."

http://aroomofherownfoundation.org/the-geography-of-first-kisses-by-karin-davidson/

May in March

Spring!  We've got May flowers in March, with 80 degrees one day and 55 the next.  It's not every year the flowering quince is blooming under ceilings of redbuds, magnolias, and cherry blossoms.  Weird, crazy weather inspires weird, crazy stories.  No telling what the tiny two-page piece I'm working on at the moment will become.  One thing is sure: it is definitely surreal.  Meanwhile, Chloe is eating my tulips.  Chloe is a tuxedo cat, and all tuxedo cats are insane.  But still, I'm telling you, weird and crazy is the way the world turns this season.  I'm just watching the earth tilt a little more on its axis, and trying to enjoy the ride.

late at night, a message to my cousin

Now,

my intention was to write a nice letter and then send it with a stamp and all

Not happening.

And so

you get this email instead.

Well.

I did love your note about the shiny pine cone ornament 
and things being tricky
and having a family skate.

Now a skate with my cousin would indeed be a thing.
Can we please plan that please for the please future.

Please?

In skates we can write letters and notes
and stop on a stamp
and do tricky things
and hear the ice saying, between sighs,
oh, cousin this and cousin that,
how about a little figure 8?
a little spin
arm in arm
and laughing
and not even cold

especially because
you are laughing so much that I am, too.

haha ha ha haha  


- xox, K