Imagine my joy when "Meowy Christmas" took first place in the short story category! The judges who read the submissions also offer suggestions, when needed, to improve the work. As an example, their notations informed me that not everyone is familiar with an Austin Healy Sprite. I mentioned my 1969 British sports car in the story as I described trying to drive a stick shift from one city to another with two rambunctious kittens underfoot. (For those under thirty years of age, a stick shift is a vehicle that doesn't have an automatic transmission. The driver shifts the gears using a clutch to the left of the brake pedal. 😼)
I made the suggested edits to the story, then submitted it to Chicken Soup for the Soul for one of their Christmas books.
No response.
The following year, life sent me storms of challenges that rocked my world. The story sat idle in my computer until the tempests died down. I opened it up again, made a few technical edits, then submitted it again to Chicken Soup for the Soul for their next collection of cat stories.
A few months letter, Voilá! The long-awaited message from D'ette, the Chicken Soup for the Soul editor, arrived in my inbox.
As I read the other stories, I consider it an honor to have mine included in this collection with other talented, award-winning authors. "Chicken Soup for the Soul Life Lessons from the Cat" is available in bookstores, online from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through the Chicken Soup for the Soul website. I have a few in my personal stock for local friends.
They make great gifts. Enjoy! 😸
