Fall 2018 ♦ Volume 3, Number 2

Pearl S. Buck Literary Journal

 There are 20 contributions to this Fall issue of the 2018 Pearl S. Buck Literary Journal. The theme of this issue is Transformation. Submissions include essays, memoirs, poems, short stories, and an excerpt from a novel.

Our thanks to authors Dr. Anne K. Kaler, Sandra Carey Cody, David H. Werrett, Jane Bleam, Paul Teese, Joseph A. Vitella, John McCabe, Susan E. Wagner, Joel Mendez, Kat Cerruti, Meredith Betz, Linda Wisniewski, Archana Kokroo, and Bob McCrillis.

Anne K. Kaler, PhD
Professor of English Emerita
Gwynedd Mercy University

(Click title to read selection. Author’s biography at end of contribution)

Transformation

An Essay by Anne K. Kaler, PSBVA

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Shadows

A Short Story by Sandra Carey Cody

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Sunflowers

A Poem by David H. Werrett

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The Baby Squirrels

A Memoir by Jane Bleam

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The Naming Project

A Short Story by Paul Teese

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Jake Meets Nick Rossi

An Excerpt from a Novel
by Joseph A. Vitella

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Sidewalk Sanctification

A Short Story by John McCabe

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The Woman Who Bound Pain to Her Bones

A Poem by Susan E. Wagner

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An Hour and Forty Minutes

A Short Story by Joel Mendez

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From Walking Under Trees

A Poem by John McCabe

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Father and Daughter

A Short Story by Susan E. Wagner

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Mary Gertrude and the Alligator

A Short Story by Anne K. Kaler

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Daddy’s Little Princess

A Memoir by Jane Bleam

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A Lesson Learned

A Memoir by Kat CerRuti

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White Gloves

A Memoir by Meredith Betz

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Lake in the Woods

A Short Story by Linda Wisniewski

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Transformations

A Short Story by Archana Kokroo

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# Me Too?

A Short Story by Bob McCrillis

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Swimming Lessons

A Short Story by David H. Werrett

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Other People’s Shoes

A Short Story by Meredith Betz

Writing Rules – Part II

(Yes, I’m thinking of making this a series)

By Bob McCrillis

Who knew?

While poking around on the internet to find some of Ray Bradbury’s earliest short stories, I discovered his twelve rules for writing. Elmore Leonard wasn’t the only one – imagine. A celebrated author, presumably with a busy schedule, took the time to codify his rules and tips.  His willingness to share them with the world was, to me, even more shocking – why encourage competitors?

My much-boasted-about short story per week for a year effort came from the first of Mr. Bradbury’s twelve rules:

  • Don’t start out writing novels. They take too long. Begin your writing life instead by cranking out “a hell of a lot of short stories,” as many as one per week. Take a year to do it; he claims that it simply isn’t possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row. He waited until the age of 30 to write his first novel, Fahrenheit 451. “Worth waiting for, huh?”

Continue reading “Writing Rules – Part II” →

June Writers Guild Meeting Summary

By Anne K. Kaler

The June 17th meeting started at 1 pm in the upper area of the red barn. Cindy Louden (chair) and Anne Kaler (instructor) led the meeting where all seven attendees presented their writings which are summarized below.

Notice was given on several new sources for short stories and poems under the BookBaby ads. One of their downloads includes a list from Authors Publish Magazine of 180 journals who accept submissions of poetry and prose. Visit www.authorspublish.com. Continue reading “June Writers Guild Meeting Summary” →