Alan Bray's Blog

I'm happy to say my short story "The Underground" was selected as a top ten finalist in the 2019 Blood Orange Review Literary Contest. I'm proud to be among the finalists and offer congratulations to the winner."The Underground" concerns romance between Saul and Maria, who owns a bookstore in one of Lisbon's Metro stations.Many thanks to the Blood Orange Review.

My short story "This Year's Winner of the Starbuck's Prize" was a semi-finalist in Ruminate Magazine's William Van Dyke Short Story Prize. Congratulations to the winner.Out of 350 entries, "Starbucks" found its mooring among nineteen others, so I'm happy.For all you "Moby Dick' fans, "Starbucks" isn't exactly about Herman Melville's classic novel. It concerns a university professor who confronts the Dreamer crisis when a favorite student disappears..Many thanks to Ruminate.

I'm honored that my short story "The Porous Texture of Snow" has been long-listed in the Fish Short Story Prize for 2019. This is a big international competition, so I'm pleased. And congratulations to the winners.

I was really overwhelmed by the number of people buyingThe Hour of Paradeover the holidays. Many thanks to all who did, and I hope you enjoy it.On another note, I was able to re-publish the long short-storyThe Puppet's Tattered Clothesin print on Amazon. The original publisher, Bartleby Snopes, decided to close up shop.Puppetwas part of their flash novel series; there was a 10,000 word limit. I priced it as low as I could, given Amazon's rules. My wife, Dena Testa Bray, did a handsome new cover, and it's available. Thank you, Dena. Here's a link to the Amazon page:Puppet's Tattered Clothes

I want to thank all the people who have bought copies ofThe Hour of Paraderecently. This week is the three year anniversary of its publication. When I wrote it, my expectations were modest. I hoped some would read it; I didn't expect all the warm and generous encouragement I've received. Thank you.

Happy Halloween. My story "Already She Was Root" is live on theEclecticasite. The whole issue is great; many thanks to Tom Dooley and congratulations on 20 years.

My story "Refrain" has won Honorable Mention in Glimmertrain's Fiction Open Contest. I'm very happy, Glimmertrain is one of the top literary mags and competition is fierce. "Refrain" remains unpublished though—I'm working on it.

I'm delighted to say that Eclectica, an on-line journal, will publish my story "Already She Was Root" on October 31st—Halloween. Over the past year, I've been working on several stories—"Root" being one—and didn't want to publish them till they were ready. Ready as defined by me, in my stubborn, obsessive way. I'm really happy that Eclectica has accepted it, I've admired them for years. "Root" is about a troubled marriage set in a parallel time period where America is divided into Red and Blue States after civil war.When the story goes live, I'll post the link.

Publisher's Weekly just reviewedThe Hour of Parade, calling it "a rich and compelling look at four people seeking purpose." I'm pleased and surprised, but life's full of surprises, isn't it.The Hour of ParadePW

The New Hampshire Writer's Project has nominatedThe Hour of Paradefor outstanding work of fiction in the 12th New Hampshire Literary Awards. Okay, it's a small state, but we have a great literary tradition, and it's an honor to be among the other nominees. Thank you. Here's a link to their FB page:The Hour of ParadeNew Hampshire Literary Awards