One particular bright spot this week came on Monday, in the form of a check in the mail for my writing.

My first professional fiction sale.

My short story "Band of Sisters" will appear in an anthology from DAW Books, although the publication details are still pending. Naturally, I'll post the title and release date once we get word on when, in fact, it's going to be published.

Other submissions to other editors appear to be getting more favorable notice, as well, even if they haven't yet generated more checks. I've finally made it off the slush pile for two pro markets I've been trying to crack for years (ie, I'm being personally rejected by the editor with a thoughtful note, rather than with a form rejection note or an assistant editor's bounce), and I'm pleased to note that it's taking longer, in some cases, for certain periodicals to bounce me than they used to. Yes, it's a funny sort of progress, but progress, nonetheless.

It's taken a while to get to this point. Do you know what happens next? Now, I need to work on my second sale. It's a long process, but this is how one builds a writing career.