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Dear #writers , does Publication bring you joy?

I’ve spoken before about the experience of publication and how it affects a writer.

To quote myself from that article:

One of the joys of the writing life is to see your work in print. It isn’t really my greatest joy, because that really comes from finishing a story, or from going back and reading an old story and going, Ok, that’s not too bad. But I also understand that part of being a writer is to reach readers, to have a reader imagine your story in their heads.

The other day, while meeting a group of writers, I had this discussion on how important publication is to a writer. I think I was in the minority– publication livens me up, but doesn’t really give me a goofy smile all day long.

Thorax of a Blowfly: Illustration at Ducts.org

One of my stories recently got published at Ducts.org–a magazine run by the New York Writers Workshop, which is a dandy place to hang out at, from what I’ve heard, and a place to not just network with publishing professionals but also learn the brass tacks of writing.

For my story, I made the obligatory announcement on FB, thanked everyone, and went right back to writing. Of course, I’ll be happy if the story finds its readers who comment on it (including brickbats). But in the immediate aftermath of the publication, all I wanted to do was write some more.

In other news, my flash piece, Fire, Extinguished in Extinguished and Extinct, an anthology by Twelve Winters Press, USA got nominated for the Pushcart prize some time last month. Since I know I have no hope in hell in making it to the shortlist, I smiled and spoke about ‘a step in the right direction’, and continued writing.

At the end of the day, for a poor dummy like me, the only joy
I get from the writing process is the process itself. If I find readers, well, I’m bowled over by that bonus. Every time my stories are read, I’m grateful. It moves me that with all the good fiction in the world, someone sat down and read my words. That’s a blessing, I admit that.  But maybe I’m mean, or a nerd, or just plain weird– the joy of a ‘good’ writing day makes me feel on top of the world.


What about you– does publication bring you joy? What stories/ novels have you published recently? I’ve been reading all sorts of books from the library recently, and am in the market for some fascinating fiction for my bedside table. Fire away in the comments!

One
of the joys of the writing life is to see your work in print.

It isn’t really my greatest joy, because that really comes from
finishing a story, or from going back and reading an old story and
going, Ok, that’s not too bad.

But I also understand that part of being a writer is to reach readers,
to have a reader imagine your story in their heads. – See more at:
http://amloki.blogspot.sg/2014/05/what-have-you-published-recently-links.html#sthash.LHNnELxT.dpuf

One
of the joys of the writing life is to see your work in print.

It isn’t really my greatest joy, because that really comes from
finishing a story, or from going back and reading an old story and
going, Ok, that’s not too bad.

But I also understand that part of being a writer is to reach readers,
to have a reader imagine your story in their heads. – See more at:
http://amloki.blogspot.sg/2014/05/what-have-you-published-recently-links.html#sthash.LHNnELxT.dpuf

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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21 Comments

  • Much congrats on your recent success.
    It is joyful, a little victory that shows one was plucked from many for a refined talent.
    But it isn't everything. And it certainly always makes me want to write more!

    Where I've recently published —
    "I have a list and a map. What could possibly go wrong?"

    Short story contest winners, short-listed finalists, judges, invited award winning guests and CWI staff had fun answering that question. They produced 30 very different, thought-provoking plots. Genres include general fiction, humor, fantasy, romance, dystopian, horror and sci-fi.

    http://www.amazon.com/WRONG-themed-anthology-Deborah-Owen-ebook/dp/B00QX379ES (Kindle version- there is also a print edition.)

  • Hello Damianti
    Apologies for not stopping by in so long, a few health issues have somewhat restricted my writing and online efforts but slowly getting back in the swing now so expect to me cropping again more frequently and twitter et al.. Like John Hampton, I certainly enjoy posting on my blog, if as he says, that counts. Beyond that, I'm certainly overjoyed to finally be having my first anthology published this coming February, especially as funding from a local creative arts program mean that it'll also be available in print format too. Quite apart from the joy of seeing my only words in a more permanent format both physically and electronically, for me it's also an opportunity to raise funds for a charity as well as showcasing some guest contributions from some very talented writers, two of whom you already know, namely Tom Benson and Peter Nena and to thank in the acknowledgements a few people who helped and encouraged me when I first started my blogging and writing adventure… needless to say you feature most prominently there, so many thanks again for all your past help and encouragement…

  • Wow! That's really wonderful news, Damy. I can relate to the rest of this post too. At the end of the day, I continue writing, taking each small victory as a stepping stone toward wherever I'm supposed to end up.

  • The joy of writing, counts, but when my stories/writing help others, I find a greater joy in knowing the power of writing.

  • Congratulations!
    I just read Thorax of a Blowfly – fabulous story. It left me on the edge of my seat.
    Good luck in all of your writing endeavors, my friend.

  • klahanie says:

    Hey Damyanti,

    First of all, hearty congrats on your publishing endeavour.

    Personally, I couldn't care less about getting published. I write for therapy which I know, at times, can be a shared therapy for others. That's a positive outcome. As for publishing, every time I publish a blog, I'm published.

    Take care and good luck with winning the award.

    Gary

    • D Biswas says:

      Gary, you're a blogging hero– every time you publish and comment, you bring the blogging world so much joy.

      Hope Penny is doing better now.

      Thanks for your kind words 🙂

  • Birgit says:

    Congrats on the publishing and I can see why I would love it if I was published(I'd have to write a book first) but I think writers get their best thrill from actually writing otherwise you just wouldn't do it. Being published must be the cherry on top

    • D Biswas says:

      Yep, getting a story written is my high these days. Publication, though very pleasing, is second best 🙂

  • dolorah says:

    The joy of a good writing day can be repeated over and over. Getting published has its own set of stresses, all beyond the writers control. I loved getting my story accepted, then publication day; but the disappointment of not thinking anyone I know is reading my published work is greater than the Yay of knowing it will be published.

    Hope you get the Pushcart award.

    • D Biswas says:

      I'm sure loads of folks would read it, Dolorah. Just keep writing, and don't let anything get you down 🙂

  • Andrew Leon says:

    I like publishing because my favorite part is when someone reads something I wrote and comes and tells me about it (or leaves a review, which is the same kind of thing).
    Check out "What Time Is the Tea Kettle?"
    http://www.amazon.com/What-Time-Is-Tea-Kettle-ebook/dp/B00OZC4LT0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0XVNDWBVT3WSN708VA6J

  • shelly says:

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

    Hugs and chocolate!

  • cleemckenzie says:

    Publishing is always a two-edge sword for me. I love wrapping up a project. (I've done what I set out to do.) I hate wrapping up a project. (I have to come up with another one or work on one I'd set aside.) The process is bliss and angst all wrapped into a package.

    • D Biswas says:

      I can appreciate that. For me I have so many ongoing stories, I don't get that angst of having to start. But as I write longer projects, I guess I'd be like you.

  • Congratulations, Damy!! That's awesome.
    I think for me it is the joy of publication, and more specifically, the joy of finding others who enjoy what I write.

    • D Biswas says:

      Thanks Alex. I need to learn from you. My writing has become an almost meditative thing– I've kind of ceased to check if anyone is reading my stuff!