We at LongShortStories hope that all our readers are having a fabulous summer of 2010. Yes, some areas of the USA and other parts of the world are experiencing bad weather. Recently in Milwaukee, folks experienced some horrible flooding of residential and commercial basements. Ugh! Know this, dear citizens, that this too shall pass.

We are writing today to give our many readers a “heads-up” about something altogether NEW coming to these blog pages in mid-September, 2010. It will be a regular feature we are proud to call “Ask LongShortStories.”

“Ask LongShortStories” will be a column edited by yours truly, in which I will invite reader questions about the craft and the art of the short story form. And then I will share with you what I know and what other experts in the field know.  

Want to know why your short fiction keeps being rejected? I’ll give you some helpful answers.

Want to learn how to use power words to your advantage? I’ll give you some examples.

Want to learn about story arc and conflict resolution. Ask away!

These are but a tiny sampling of thorny issues that budding short story writers need to learn about and integrate into their own short stories. Please start sending me your questions NOW so that by mid-September we can kick off “Ask LongShortStories” with a bang.

Remember, dear readers and writers: there are no dumb questions in the land of LongShortStories — Where the Short Story LIVES! But spammers beware. We will delete you faster than  flash fiction. This is a MODERATED blog and we have  state-of-the-art junk e-mail filtration software in place, ready to defend the castle.

Please address your short story questions to Wayne C. Long, Writer/Editor/Digital Publisher via the “Contact Wayne” navigation button on our Home Page. Show Ask LongShortStories in your e-mail subject line. And try to keep your questions brief and on-topic. Thank you!

We look forward to hearing from you!

What? Nobody submitted a short story good enough to be considered for the three great prizes LongShortStories offers?

That’s right! Some came close and those will be held over into our second 2010 LongShortStories Short Story Contest, which, as we speak, is now accepting ORIGINAL, UNPUBLISHED (anywhere, including online e-zines, etc.) short stories. We check this and found some that have appeared elsewhere, which is a real shame, since they could have been contenders here.

Our judges first expect entrants to at least read the published Contest rules, found via the “FREE Contests” navigation button of this Web site.

Secondly, several of you should do more research into the proper punctuation of short story dialogue.

Thirdly, please make us really CARE about your protagonist.

LongShortStories was recently asked if we accept story submissions from all countries. Yes, of course! Let’s see what everyone’s got!

More and more and more we are seeing evidence of a resurgence in the fine art of short story writing. Is it a tsunami yet? Well, no, but it has once again lit the imagination of the reading public who, especially now, are strapped for time and may be experiencing negative effects from living and working in the “New Normal.”

Friends, LongShortStories is your ideal mental “getaway” in your harried life. Most of our short stories can be read in about 5 or 10 minutes. Perfect, we say, for the challenging times in which we live!

LongShortStories is keenly aware that publishing agents, film producers, and others actively engaged in the entertainment industry, are trolling LongShortStories for the next breakout piece.

Could that be YOURS?

We look forward with great excitement to your next submission to the LongShortStories Short Story Contest. And we welcome new readers to our global family of LongShortStories e-mail subscribers. Currently, there are more than 70 amazing short stories and flash fiction pieces in our subscription inventory.

Give a One or Two-Year subscription to a soldier.

Give one to a graduate.

Give one to yourself! It’s one of the best entertainment values out there!

Best wishes and thank you,

Wayne C. Long

Writer/Editor/Digital Publisher

www.LongShortStories.com

Where the Short Story LIVES!