Rejection Never Felt So Good

So, I submitted my first writing submission to a magazine ever--a short story for Weird Tales magazine's website series of "One-Minute Weird Tales."

After about three weeks, I received a polite rejection notice. To my surprise, I felt... great! It was wonderful to know that I'd actually put myself out there and submitted something, and that someone had at least glanced at it long enough to say "no."

For the interested, here is my story:

"Master"

My cat, Schmoopie, had been reading.

Each day after work, I would catch her with a volume of the encyclopedia.

She would stare as I put it back on the shelf.

And the next day, there would be another.

On Monday, it was Delusion - Freon

On Thursday, it was Truffle - Zygote

Yesterday my key wouldn't open the front door.

I could see her little face in the window,
calm, and completely still.

When I went back to the car, it wouldn't start.

I live in the middle of nowhere.

Each morning since, I find bowls of water and cat food on the steps.

I am saving some until there is enough to get me to the next town.