I remember when the candle shop burned down. Everyone stood around singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ – Steven Wright
The Book Smuggler’s Den magazine has been up and running for a year now!
We’ve had so much fun reading writers’ short stories, essays, and poems submitted from around the world. The creative minds of writers always blows me away. I recently read Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert and she had a lot of interesting things to say regarding the writing process. She advocates for embracing your curiosity and letting go of all the “what ifs” artists have about sharing their gifts. Over and over she kept saying how lucky she got with the success of Eat, Pray, Love. I’d have to disagree. I think what really happened is she poured her heart out on pages that people related to. The story was interesting, traveling around the world to “find” yourself. She should give herself more credit! Her writing style, use of grammar, and descriptions all made for an enjoyable read.
You should do the same too! When your piece gets published, don’t think it was because you got lucky. It was because someone saw the piece as a whole and not one aspect of it. The reader enjoyed it because you are creative, talented, and a writer that doesn’t quit. Always remember that when one of your pieces is denied to not give up on it. Find a writing partner to critique it, and rework if it need be. Try and try again. It could be that the place you submitted it to was the wrong publication for your writing.
We are so grateful for everyone who contributes each month and hope that you all will continue to do so.
Happy writing,
Dani & The Book Smuggler’s Den Community
Fiction
The Belief Ritual, Edward Ahern
Stars and Sky, Ian Campbell
The One Who Leaves, Melissa Mark
Dawn Into Dusttown, McKinnon
Ọgbanje, Kasimma Okani
Star of the East, Edward Sheehy
King of the Sky, Jack Wildern
Smokes, Madeline Sexten-Yeatts
Poetry
Two Poems by Anastasia Jill
The Colour of January, Carol Stewart
Amour, Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang
Book Reviews
Maid by Stephanie Land, Reviewed by Dani Watkins