PUB DROP: A Long Overdue Update of Recent Publications by Lori D. Johnson

My apologizes for being so lax when it comes to adding new blog posts or sharing

news about my latest publications.  In some respects, my life these days resembles one

huge juggling act with balls dropping, left and right.  Even though most time I’ve

managed to keep a smile on my face, I can’t say that I’m always having fun.

But enough with the sob story.

I am proud and pleased to announce the following:

1) My short story “Shepherd’s Hell” is the lead story in Coolest American Stories 2022, an anthology that’s scheduled for publication in January of 2022.  Coolest American Stories includes stories by such heavyweights as S.A. Cosby (author of Blacktop Wasteland), Frances Park (When My Sister Was Cleopatra Moon) and Lee Martin (The Bright Forever).  The collection of cool stories is currently available for pre-order via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Itascabooks.

To be honest, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that a story of mine

is included in the lot.  A recent review of Coolest American Stories by Wayne Coster Cooper on the

College Standard includes a few highlights and descriptions of a few of the stories in the collection,

my contribution “Shepherd’s Hell” among them.

2) In May of 2021, An excerpt (chapters 2-3) from my unpublished novel

A LITTLE LIGHT was selected as one of 5 winners in the Novel Slices 2021 Contest.  You can read a portion of my excerpt as well as the excerpts of the other winners on Novel Slice’s website. 

The full excerpts are also available for purchase--$12.00 for Issue #2.

3) My essay  “Future, Past Present, And All of the Days of Infamy and Grace In-between” appeared in the May 15, 2021 issue of Adelaide Literary Magazine. 

4)  My essay “Loss of Contact” appeared in the March 3, 2021 issue of Storyboard Memphis. 

The essay is the same one that placed third in a 2019 nonfiction contest sponsored by The Charlotte Writers’ Club.

Have I covered all of the bases?  I think so.  If not, or if any additional late publication wins appear in my in-box, I will meet you back here with another update. 

NOMADLAND for the WIN!!!

I was hoping Nomadland would win for Best Picture.  The fact that it was based on a non-fiction title was a nice surprise (yes, another must-read for my collection) and probably accounted for it’s documentary-like feel.  Frances McDormand was wonderful as “Fern.” I’ve been enjoying her on-screen performances since HBO’s “Olive Kitteridge.”  McDormand’s female protagonists typically bring something other than their looks or sex appeal to the story, which is always a plus.

But what I enjoyed most about Nomadland was that it had the audacity to tell a woman’s story without allowing her to be mentally destroyed, physically hurt or killed in the process.  Fern was independent, adventurous, free-spirited and outspoken.  Typically, women like her don’t fare well on the screen.  It’s almost an unspoken or unwritten rule that such a woman will have to be shown having to pay for the crime of operating in the world, like a free woman with agency (you know, like men do most of the time). 

I promise you, I sat through that whole movie waiting for the moment when she’d be made to pay in the form of some sort of assault--whether sexual or physical--for having the gall to be a woman who called the shots in her life without answering to anyone.  At the movie’s end, I was shocked, relieved and to be honest--somewhat overjoyed that she’d survived without being harmed or stripped of her dignity.  I also knew at that moment that a smart, creative and talented woman must have been behind the making of the film.

I’m thrilled for Chole Zhao!  I can’t wait to see her next film and I truly hope she continues to be different and daring in her portrayals of woman.  For me, Nomadland was truly a refreshing and welcome change of pace. 

A Decluttering Find: Black Issues Book Review

Anyone else remember “Black Issues Book Review?”  I ran across this issue while decluttering last week. In a number of ways, this particular issue--with Kanye and his mom, Dr. Donda West on the cover--is sort of like a time capsule.

The issue came out in May of 2007 and by November of the same year Dr. West was dead.  2007 also marks the year that the author of Project Girl, Janet McDonald died of colon cancer (in April) and the issue includes an article about her life and work.  On page 8, there’s an article about Bill Cosby’s pending 2007 book release--Come on, People! On the Path From Victims to Victors.  Page 9 features a contest that involves reviewing Eric Jerome Dickey’s book Walking With Enemies, which was scheduled for release in August of 2007.  The magazine’s best seller’s list included 1 book by Tavis Smiley--What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America and another book introduced by him-- The Covenant in Action. 

The aforementioned were just some of the more notable authors/writers/creatives appearing in this issue who’ve since died, been incarcerated, sued and/or suffered a stunning fall from grace.

On a more uplifting note, one of the editors associated with the publication--Felicia Pride--has written several books and earned a number of film writing credits for TV series like Grey’s Anatomy and Queen Sugar.

In any case, as a faithful subscriber, I was more than just a little heartbroken when Black Issues Book Review suddenly ceased publication at the end of 2007.  I’d like to think, at some point, another publication like it will appear on the scene.  But deep down, I know that’s just wishful thinking.  Pretty soon, the only place you’re liable to find a real periodical--by real, I mean the type you can actually hold in your hands--is in a time capsule. 

 

NEW FICTION: STILL MY BABY . . . by Lori D. Johnson (SFWP Quarterly)

For those who’ve enjoyed my brand of humor in the past, the following is a link to a somewhat humorous girl-meets-boy tale called “Still My Baby.”  You can find my story in a special BIOPIC issue of the Santa Fe Writers Project Quarterly.   

The theme of this special BIOPIC issue of SFWP Quarterly centers around the concept of pleasure.  So, keep that in mind as you are reading and hopefully enjoying the work. 😉  Also, if you do enjoy, be sure to show a sister some love by either leaving a comment, by sharing the link, or depositing a bit of something in the tip jar (located on the site at the end of the piece), if you’re so inclined. 

The following is a brief excerpt of “Still My Baby” (by Lori D. Johnson).   See the most recent issue of SFWP Quarterly to read the rest of the story.

Thursday 9:47 p.m.

Her phone rings.  She contemplates ignoring the call, but a second before it rolls to voicemail, she picks up.  “Hello.”

“Hey baby, it’s me.  How’s it going?”

She smiles and shakes her head.  “I’m fine Darrell.  How are you?”

“I’m great, babe, but then, you already know that.”  His laughter is longer and louder than the joke warrants.  “Listen, I want you to go to this party with me tomorrow night.” 

“Sorry, I’m not--”

“Hold on, let me finish.  A lot of important people are scheduled to be there.  I could introduce you to some very influential--”

“As I was about to say,” she says, her agitation obvious. “I’m not interested. I already have plans.”

He’s silent for so long, she wonders if he’s hung up.  Finally, he says, “You know, I could do things for you.  You want to take a trip?  I’ll send you anywhere you want to go.  You need clothes? Shoes? Furs?  You name it, I can get it for you.”

“I bet,” she says.  “In exchange for?”

“I’ve got a Jag,” he says, leaving her question hanging.  “A nice apartment, a nice bank account and lots of friends in high places.  I mean, what more could any woman ask for?”

“A little humility might be nice,” she says. “Besides, since you already seem to have everything you need, what could you possibly want with somebody like me?”

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

“STILL MY BABY”