IT WAS IN MY CARDS…

For years, I wanted the space to write about supernaturalism in William Gay’s works. I have had the honor of lecturing at writing conferences and festivals, teaching, as well as writing short essays on this topic, but always within a word-count or a limited time to speak. Unless I wanted to self-publish (which I still may do), I would have to find an online journal or magazine willing to entertain my obsession. The beauty of online publishers is that they tend to allow for longer pieces. But even online publishers balked at what I was proposing. They have to be judicious because every page adds up or takes away from another author. I get it.

I realize I was asking a lot. I wanted as many pages as it took to cover this subject. I wanted colored images of Gay’s paintings along with passages of his prose that complemented those images on full pages. I wanted the cover. Did I mention I wanted a lot?

One thing I’ve learned over the years of writing and working with publishers is to ask for the moon first. They may not agree. They may laugh at you a little for your extreme ask. Typically, I find that if what you are writing about is unique and provides insight into something new or reimagined, they will try to make you happy. My advice is to go ahead and ask. If they say no, hey, you’re a writer and familiar with rejection. In my experience, the publisher will try and meet you halfway.

Well Read Magazine has given me the freedom to write this piece the way I wanted to write it. I got my wish list and William Gay got the cover he deserves. I couldn’t be happier. These are the moments where all those rejections and “thank you for your submission, but unfortunately…blah, blah, blah…you know the drill” makes it worth it. Don’t give up.

To read my article in full visit: Well Read Magazine. It’s a great read for Halloween. I cover Gay’s haunted forest, the Harrikin, ghosts, haints, fortune tellers, witches, necromancers, and so much more. If you enjoy my article, please consider sharing with others. Authors get known through social media and every post helps get their name out there.

Was Southern Author, William Gay, Writing Horror?

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