Speaking of Vampires . . . Casket Suite Going to Ryder!

Those irrepressible New Orleanian vampiresses, the Casket Girls, are at it again. Last July the word had gone out that Bloomington’s THE RYDER MAGAZINE was planning a special fiction edition, similar to the poetry issues they’ve done in the past (e.g. May 3, April 18, et al.), to be edited by Justin Chandler and the Bloomington Writers Guild’s own Joan Hawkins. We’re looking for work by current and former Bloomington residents. Send your story, novel excerpt, or whatever you’re calling that thing. . . .

So something perhaps, then, a little unusual?

As Writers Guild “First Wednesday Spoken Word” habitues may recall, at about that time I’d been in the midst of reading, serially, a five part “Casket Suite” of the continued doings of those selfsame sanguineous ladies, arrived in NOLA from France in 1728, Aimée and her fellow filles à les caissettes (cf. September 6, et al.). The call had continued: Topics are open. Maximum word count is 5,000 words. But shorter pieces and flash fiction are very welcome. . . . And here, at a total of about 3300 words, was a set of five interrelated flash pieces.

You know the story. “Why not?” I decided. And so, earlier today the response arrived from Editor Chandler: I’m writing to let you know that we would like to publish “Casket Suite” in the 2023 fiction issue of THE RYDER MAGAZINE.

Last I’d heard they were looking toward December publication, but in between will be things like editing and proof copies (at request, I’ve already sent back biographical information). So, more to be here as it becomes known.