How proud?
Last night
Shalini and I found ourselves at the latest
Meanjin launch. One of Shalini's pieces of short fiction was accepted for publication, so how could she say no?
Not so much exciting, or even stimulating, but very interesting - even satisfying.
We met old friends, new interesting people, new fans, and the directing editor of Penguin Publishing - Australia (who coincidentally, doesn't fit into any of those other categories.) Discuss publication, network, wine, repeat.
Why satisfying? Good question. I guess it was a little bit about vindication, and a little bit about acceptance, and receiving a little bit of both from the authors and publishing types there.
So why am I so proud of her? The first time she entered a writers pitching competition, she won. The first time she entered a national comedy competition, she won. The first time she submitted pieces to Australia's most respected literary anthology, she was accepted. That's why!
So with the fullest and juiciest meaning of the word, Congratulations!
