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Born Again — A Little Magic Is Still Possible

Apr 04, 2018
by Caroline Miller
Digital Fiction Publications, Grimahlka, orginal fairy tales, Tales of the Talisman
2 Comments

It was a dark and stormy night…. Well, it was a sunny afternoon, actually.  I was browsing  through publishers’ listings for a short story I wanted to sell.  That’s when I saw a  call for original, but previously published, fairy tales.  Not what I was looking for, but I’d published one such story in 2007 in Tales of the Talisman — a periodical still in print, by the way.  If memory serves, I was paid $15 for it and was thrilled.  Early in my writing days, I was happy to receive a  free copy as payment from the publication in which my work appeared.  Of course, I spent the $15 ,and more, for additional copies of the magazine.  Like most writers, I was never in danger of making a profit.  Still, I was happy when Tales of the Talisman arrived and  Grimahlka, (Grim-all’-ka) was in print.

That Digital Fiction Publications was seeking previously published stories was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore. I submitted the manuscript and waited. When a contract landed in my email, I noticed I was to be paid through my PayPal account.  Unfortunately, not only did I lack a  PayPal account, but I didn’t want one.  I wrote to ask if a check would be possible.  The answer was  “No” and the contract withdrawn.

A writer faces many disappointments in life so I moved on.   Grimahlka, my fictional witch, however, refused to do the same.  “I want to be free.  I want to be free,” she kept insisting.

How was I do that, I wondered and kept typing.

“Give me away, you ulcerous toad.”  

For free?”

 “Yes!”

brimahlka

brimahlka

“Hmm.  Well, why not?” That was better than arguing with a voice in my head.

The publisher, curious about my offer, wrote back. “Why don’t you want to use PayPal?”

“Because I’m nearly 80,” I moaned.  “Because I don’t need another account.  Because I don’t want another password.  Please.  Take Grimahlka.  She’s driving me crazy.”

 The publisher responded.  “My mother is 80. I understand.  I’ll send a check.”

The episode taught me  a little magic is still possible in the world, or should I call it empathy?  Either way, Grimahlka lives and thanks to an understanding publisher, I’ll be a tad bit richer.  I’m also happy to announce  Grimahlka has been selected for a small volume of print fairy tales and so will be reborn a third time.

 If you believe in witches, click here.  (Click)  I love happy endings.

(Originally published, 9/30/16)

 

 

 

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2 Comments
  1. Sydney Stevens October 1, 2016 at 7:45 am Reply
    I love this post, Caroline! As an octogenarian writer myself, it's nice to know that fairy tales can still come true and that fairy godmothers exist in the world of publishing!
    • Caroline Miller October 1, 2016 at 8:07 am Reply
      Here's hoping more than a little magic is headed your way my fellow octogenarian author.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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