Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Something Felt like Sky

Something Felt like Sky has sold. Yes, minor market but a very nice one. The editor was the first to give me a personal reject, an uncommon courtesy. His criticisms made me a better writer.

This time when I submitted to Residential Aliens, the editor responded within hours. He said: "I like it, but still can't figure the cloven hoof."

I replied "Tradition says the devil has cloven hooves, like a goat. It might come from Mosaic law where such meat is forbidden. Or, it may have been to discredit belief in satyrs. The whole story came to me when I really did see that kind of print in the snow and could not imagine how, what kind of shoe could make such a print."

I'll let you know when it's published.

7 comments:

Jodi MacArthur said...

Hey, I remember this story! Congrats. Great News. Funny his response about the cloven hoof. So odd what yuo saw in the snow.

Scott said...

Yup, been knocked around for awhile that one. Yes, I really did see that hoofprint, and no, I to this day have no explanation. I tried to imagine two high heels together maybe...in deep slush? Like Shawn Colvin says, at least I got a song out of it:
http://www.mp3lyrics.org/s/shawn-colvin/monopoly/
Speaking of music, the title was inspired by a song, remember? If anyone else reads this, they're in for a moment of perfect beauty. Turn on your speakers and click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEiaCHxA16g
Goosebumps. No matter I've heard it so many times before.

Marina J. Lostetter said...

Congrats! Sounds interesting :-)

Lyn said...

Actually, it's not that I didn't get the reference to the cloven hoof (I have a masters in theology, lol) - I just wasn't sure of its placement and wanted Scott's interpretation of his own story. ;) Congrats again, looking forward to publishing it. Thanks for the magazine plug. Lyn

Scott said...

Oh, that's wise, dissing your editor! I stand corrected, Lyn. I have a Bachelor's in philosophy but my real Bible education has come from teaching Sunday School. THAT'S in there?
Genesis, Chapter 19, Verses 30-38
Mon Dieu!

Scott said...

Update. The first story sent to this market, Isabelle, did at length sell. It's in Earthbound Sparks anthology, blogged about this year. So, thanks Lyn, you made it a better story.

Scott said...

Update. The first story sent to this market, Isabelle, did at length sell. It's in Earthbound Sparks anthology, blogged about this year. So, thanks Lyn, you made it a better story.