Cuffer II, Now Launched

It was about three weeks ago I received an email inviting me to a book launch for an anthology of Newfoundland stories. These stories were a by-product of a contest run by the local newspaper, The Telegram, about 16 months ago. Yes, July of 2009. There were apparently over 200 entries and last November the top three winners were announced, the cheques were presented and that was the last I heard of the matter.

Anyhow, the email invited me to last night's launch as my story 'The Inscription' had been selected from the losers non-winners to be part of the Cuffer Anthology II. This was fantastic news as I had pretty much written off the story and was considering where else it could be submitted. The story was originally written for one of my night school classes at the university and was submitted elsewhere a couple of times. Those of you who have followed my blog since its messy beginnings may recall this post from June of 2009 where I talk about the birth and rebirth of this story and of another I ended up posting as my first #fridayflash.

For a long time I pondered who to wear what to wear to the book launch as I have never attended such a function before. I don't own a tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows, but did, for a moment consider black pants and black shirt for their slimming effect. I ultimately decided against this ensemble as I didn't want to appear to be ripping off Johnny Cash's style.

The event was really for two reasons. First, to launch this anthology of stories with a Newfoundland flavour and second, to announce the winners from the short list for next year's anthology (which, regretfully, I did not enter). I received my complimentary copy which I will, of course, give to my mother...and I purchased another copy and a copy of last years anthology for myself.

*Sighs*

I have now started a 'collection' (shades of that Cabbage Patch fiasco from years ago) and I will have to continue to purchase one every year and place them all next to the 21 movie James Bond DVD collection on the family room bookshelf.

If anyone wants a sampling of Newfoundland Flash fiction, you can purchase a copy of the Cuffer Anthology, volume II from Creative Book Publishing or from Amazon.ca (though when I last looked they did not have any in stock). There are 34 short stories (1200 word limit) in the book: literary fiction, science fiction, humour and horror. This anthology has it all. The winning entry was 'Holes to China' by Chad Pelley of Salty Ink. His story is about a boy who spends a week digging a hole in his backyard as a means of coping with the fact his father is dying of cancer.

And if that's not enough to pique your curiosity, then perhaps the fact that a wonderful tale called 'Fledgling' by our own #fridayflash regular Laurita Miller of Brain Droppings also made the cut and is included in this anthology. Needless to say we are both quite chuffed to have made the ToC. Our stories were submitted before either of us knew of the other's existence.

A word of warning, though...both Laurita and I strayed from our horror comfort zones and got literary with our small-town tales. The Cuffer prize has proven a great way to promote writing within our province and some of the proceeds from the sale of the anthology goes to Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador.