The thrill of seeing my story in the bookstore

I stalked the bookstore for days in advance, watching and waiting for the April issue of AHMM to appear on the shelves. I suppose I could have asked an employee when the magazine would be cycled to the current issue, but somehow the thrill of discovering it on my own was more important.
 
Tuesday, I entered the store, walking past readers of every age. As I neared the periodicals, the lovely tiger in bold orange and black prowled down the cover of the April issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Even though I had my author copies, I was compelled to buy the magazine off the shelf.

Those of us who put pen to paper to create fictional stories dream of seeing our work on the shelves of a bookstore. Publication has been a goal of mine for many years, as my family and friends can attest. As a writer, it is our primary means of validation.  

I have other stories. More projects to bring to fruition. Books to finish and edit and sell. But I'm going to savor this moment. My first sale. 

If you have a dream, whether or not it involves writing or bookstores, you must pursue that dream. Chase after it with all you've got. All those hokey sayings such as it's always darkest before the dawn? There's some truth to them! I had begun to think I would never see this moment. And here it is.   

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