Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Patience and Published in Ladybug Magazine

Ladybug, October 2010
My short story is finally published in Ladybug magazine! October 2010!
Why the word finally up there? Cause I've waited a long time. You know how writers are told you have to have patience in this business? I signed the contract for this story in 2004.

I'm not particularly bothered by that, although it's always nice to see your work in print quickly. But I've been a magazine editor and I know that sometimes editors have to wait for the right issue to slot a piece into in order to ensure that each issue you put together is a pleasing and cohesive whole.

This story, published under the title "Katie Kicks," was inspired by my daughter and her first attempts at playing soccer. She was dressed in her lovely clean white team shirt and black shorts. She held her very own soccer ball proudly. She was looking forward to it. And then we arrived at the field and she wouldn't even set foot on to the small patch of grass they'd set out for her team. She watched her teammates but she was too shy to join in herself. It really affected me. I struggled with feelings of understanding where she was coming from as well as a tinge of embarrassment as a parent that my child wasn't out there like the others. So I went home and jotted down my thoughts about this and it eventually became a short story. From her point of view though, not mine.

Now that it's in print I'm very pleased. I can't wait to see it myself. I've combed the stores looking for the issue but it's nowhere to be found. So I will just have to be patient awhile more while I wait for my authors copies to arrive.

9 comments:

Rebecca Gomez said...

How exciting! Congratulations, Lizann!

Catherine said...

If you can't wait, Lizann, try the library. Every children's department in every branch of our library has Ladybug and Spider--I'm going tomorrow and I'll be sure to look for your story.

Unknown said...

Thanks, guys. Good point about the library, Catherine, but as far as I know, my libraries don't carry them--boo hoo. I hope you do get to see it. Squeal or something so I can live vicariously through you. But don't get kicked out of the library. :>

Ishta Mercurio said...

YAY, Lizann! This is exciting news! I'll look for an issue so I can read your story.

Woo-hoo!

Malcolm Robertson said...

Congratulations Lizann! I'm sure it'll be exciting to see it finally in print!

Read/Write/Run said...

Lizann,

Hello from Connecticut. I googled Ladybug publications and came across your information about getting your story published in Ladybug. I too have been waiting for publication in that magazine since signing a contract back in early 2005. It does take so long-doesn't it? I'm a relative newcomer to the field having been an engineer for the past 25 or so years. Anyway, congrats!

Unknown said...

Thanks Ishta and Malcolm. Your good wishes are much appreciated.

Congratulations on your acceptance too Read/Run/Write! Glad to know I'm not the only one who waited a long time. You've turned from engineering to the dark side, eh? Kidding. I married an engineer. Here's to a successful writing career for you.

Ken Major said...

Lizann,

Thanks. BTW, did you receive your complimentary copies of the October, 2010 magazine yet? Just curious to know about the relative time it takes for them to send them-and pay you too.

Ken

Unknown said...

Hi Ken. Yes, I did receive my copies in about the middle of November (and posted the photographic evidence here on the blog too :>). As for the other, not yet.