Guess What Arrived?

“There’s a parcel for you.”

My mind reeled to the places I might have ordered something from. Nothing! 

“From where?”

Surely it is some mistake. But, no it is not and my heart swelled with pride and giddiness when I saw from where the package came from. 

Tearing away the brown paper (carefully), I found the book I have had the privilege to have my work included in. Yes, I have read the e-book when it first was available; however, what I held in my hands was a signed copy from the series editor, Charli Mills. 

The Congress of Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology Vol 1 is like no other anthology I have read or been involved in. It isn’t just a remarkable compilation of stories, it enlightens us with the knowledge of how to build a community using words that challenge us. It shows how flash fiction can turn into lengthy prose becoming a short story or the beginning of something more robust. It is, in its own right, if you let it, a teacher, an instructor, a guide and entertainer.

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It’s a different kind of feeling to receive a book you have one or two pieces published in, versus when you write and publish your own book. You would think it’s only the few pages that are close to your heart, but it definitely isn’t. It’s humbling to know others have considered your work worthy of their project. A project that compiled written words from wordsmiths around the world.

It is an honour to have ones written work included in an Anthology. My story Crimson Sky has been included in the Expanded Flash section, Part 3. I wrote the original 99 Word story in 2015; and when it was chosen by the editors for use in this book, I was then asked to expand on the story. The final word count is about 1800 words. So, on page 87 of this Anthology, you can read the full version of Crimson Sky. 

Part 3: Expanded Flash

Original 99 Words - Crimson Sunset

A snippet from the expanded Crimson Sunset story.

But, oh how I love the feel of a real book in my hands! The smell of the pages, the knowledge that when I read it again and again, I will find something new at each sitting. It is not the glare of the screen staring back at me, but the comforting sound when you turn the page. When I want to stop and mark the page, I use my favourite bookmark designed and gifted to my by Donna Murray.

Will it be something I will make into more words giving it a book of its own?

Maybe . . .

Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
"Capturing moments others may never get to experience."