Is there anything more exciting for a writer than the day you actually get to hold a published piece of your work in your hot, little hands? Maybe it’s a magazine; maybe it’s a web piece, and you just have to content yourself with lasciviously stroking your screen. Some days, though, it’s an actual, real-life BOOK. 

Well, dear readers, today’s another one of those days for me, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with my newly-arrived, absolutely gorgeous copy of Love + Lust, the final book in the Open to Interpretation series:

Ahhh. If I still smoked, I’d say I need a cigarette, but since I don’t anymore, a good, long “Ahhh” will have to suffice. Go ahead, open it up! There it is, right there on page 71, my story “The Navigator,” inspired by a beautiful photo from the very talented photographer,  Jennifer McClure.

I cannot wait to sit down with this gorgeous book, to gaze at all the stunning images therein and to lose myself in the amazing poetry and prose of the other writers chosen for this collection. I am humbled, honored, and, frankly, ridiculously excited, at having been included in their midst.

But don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll get over it (hahaha, yeah, right). For now, I’m just going to savor the moment. You see, days like this come few and far between, especially for indie writers, so please forgive me if you see me milking this one for every ounce of joy that it’s worth–it could be a long time until the next one.

My heartfelt thanks for this particular moment go to Aline Smithson, the photography judge; Dorianne Laux, the writing judge; and Open to Interpretation’s Clare O’Neill, who invited me to submit my piece. Thank you for including me, thank you for the exquisite book you’ve created, and Ahhhh. You have no idea how much I needed this today.

[To order your copy, visit http://www.open2interpretation.com/purchase.html, but be patient–they’re currently sold out, tee hee!)