Woman As Art
Before we get to this issue’s installment of “The Sunday Flash Story,” the Old Soldier would like to share some good news with you.
The readership of the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette continues to grow. On 18 October 2012 this magazine got a little over 1,000 hits. On 19 October 2012 it got a little over 1,000 hits again. That is the first time in the four-year history of this publication that it has gotten back to back 1,000 hits.
Yesterday, it got over 800 hits and the magazine is averaging 794 hits every day for the month of October 2012.
You can’t beat that with a stick!
My thanks go out to all the readers and the writers who are a part of this online writing community.
*****
When the Old Soldier went back into the archives to dig out this old story of his and he read it over again for the first time in years, the memories came flooding back. I remembered what my life was like in 2008 when I first published the story in The Gazette and what I was going through.
This is one of the most autobiographical stories I have ever written. It is 90% true. I won’t tell you the 10% that I made up. I don’t want to spoil the story for you.
*****
An eMail To Zoe
I don’t know if I’ll be at Del’s for karaoke Friday night. I don’t know if we should keep meeting like this. I’ll be so glad when your divorce is final and we won’t have to sneak around. I guess I’m being a prude. Thank God neither of us have children but yes I think we would make fine parents. You have a talent for keeping your first, second and third graders engaged. If Bob doesn’t want children and you do what else can you do?
Well, I’m working for an organization called Public Interest Communicators. They’re fundraisers which is not as bad as it may sound. I was surprised at how well organized they are. They have two field offices: the one here in Pittsburgh and another on the West Coast. Their administrative office is in Virgina. Management is laid back and very supportive. If you succeed they succeed. There’s no cold calling. All their donors, which include companies as well as individuals, have donated before to PIC clients. The clients include public arts, environmental groups and charities. PIC is only three blocks from my apartment and that’s a definite plus. I’m still a trainee but regular callers average $10.95 an hour. You can work 20 to 35 hours a week and there are all kinds of incentive bonuses.
The company will evaluate my performance in three to four weeks. Believe you me, I have to apply myself to this the same way I applied myself to getting my MFA after being out of school for almost twenty years. Is forty three really that old? Since I’ve decided to try and make it as a free lance writer PIC is the perfect gig for me.
I don’t know if you’ve visited the website recently but I now have an image of the book cover on the site. Last month I got over 2,000 hits and the newsletter has over 47 subscribers. I also offer a short story critique and editing service; and the gogoed.com network said my flash fiction workshop will be up and running by the first of the year. I’m even kicking around some new story ideas. I’m sure my experience at PIC will give me several.
I see I’ve written a lot. It’s time to stop and get my clothes out of the laundry room and get ready for the Steelers. I wish you were here to watch the game with me. I’m sick of going to bars alone.
Listen, I’m being a fool. Of course I’ll meet you at Del’s Friday night for karaoke. “A fair maiden was never won by faint heart.” Or something like that; I can’t quote.
See you then.
Love
Greg
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Taiwan Loves Flash Fiction
Woman As Art
This online magazine has over 50 hits from Taiwan today. (Yesterday, the magazine got over 800 hits from all over the world.) But that does not surprise the Old Soldier.
Hello hello hello, my brother and sister bloggers, readers and writers from all over the world!
Welcome to the most exciting flash fiction publication on the Internet. Why do I think this publication is so exciting? Let me list some of the regular subjects (in no special order) that are covered:
And there is so much more. But don’t take my word for it. Just look at the front page.
Discover how good flash fiction can be as entertainment and as art.
*****
The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is an online magazine of serious writing and brazen sexuality.
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