In a tragic turn of events, the short story I submitted to the Sword and Laser Short Story Anthology competition didn’t make the cut. Obviously I wish my story had made it, but I’m not too torn up about it — can’t expect to win the very first short story competition you enter, after all! That would just be silly. And awesome. But mostly silly.
For all wondering, the short story was a whimsical fantasy rambling of mine entitled The Numismatist. I was thinking of posting the entire thing here, but I think I might try entering it into a few more competitions, so you’ll have to make do with a teaser excerpt instead:
Pounding his fist against the dented metal door, Mr. Quimbly shouted, “Anyone in?”
“Just a moment, if you please,” a voice rumbled from inside.
The door squealed open of its own accord, and a huge, gleaming claw attached to a scaly green appendage nearly the size of Mr. Quimbly’s entire body reached out. Mr. Quimbly yelped, stumbling back and nearly dropping his file.
“Forgive my rudeness,” said the same deep voice, and the claw retracted into the darkness. “I didn’t mean to startle you, little manling. Do come inside. I’ve already put the kettle on.”
“I—I’d rather not, if it’s all the same to you,” said Mr. Quimbly, preparing to run.
“It isn’t, actually.”
The claw shot back out, hooked around Mr. Quimbly’s waist, and yanked him inside. Lying in the middle of the dimly-lit warehouse was a massive green dragon. Its iridescent viridian scales contrasted magnificently with the small mountain of gleaming gold coins on which it was nestled.
“Good heavens,” said Mr. Quimbly. “You’re a dragon.”
“Well spotted,” said the dragon.
The Numismatist — Michelle Proulx 2013
There you have it! As you can imagine, the situation rapidly deteriorates into silliness now that Mr. Quimbly is stuck in a warehouse with a dragon. I’ll probably give it another read through, maybe make some minor edits, and then send it off to another competition. I figure I have to win something one of these days if I keep entering things, right?
Never give up! Never surrender!
Unrelated link of the day:
This is so cool. Seriously. Go to this site and mess around for a bit. It’s really awesome.
Michelle Proulx - Author 
