TheThrill of Being Published by Verna Hill Simms

My fingers slid down the table of contents. An insert by the editor caught my eye—Glorious morning. Where’s the best place in Missouri to experience Easter morning? Verna Simms’ essay about a pilgrimage to the top of Clark Mountain would definitely make that spot a contender for the title—page 7.

“Howard,” I called to my husband. “Stop what you’re doing and come see what’s in the Grand Times.”

I flipped to page seven. With our heads together we studied the two pictures-- Pansy and the two of us holding hands on the highest boulder and one where we sat crouched on the ground between two giant rocks.

“That’s fantastic,” Howard said. “Of course, I always knew you had talent under that curly hair.” He patted my head. “Did you get paid for that?”

I laughed, “It’s in the mail. We’ll have dinner on me when the check’s cashed, if I don’t decide it would look better in a frame.” I teased.

“If only Pansy were alive to share this with us.” Pansy had been our neighbor, a dear friend and the owner of the property adjacent to the mountain. The accompanying essay was more about her childhood memory than our excursion that spring day.

I shook my head to erase sad memories and let my mind drift back to the day I joined the Jefferson County Writers’ Society—a branch of Missouri Writers’ Guild. Little did I realize that winter day I would start a new career at age eighty.

Books and the words that fill them have always been a passion for me. I’d enjoyed my work as a librarian but that was in the past.

“Howard,” I said as I sat holding the local paper. “There’s an invitation here for anyone interested in writing to meet at the library. They’re forming a writer’s group.”  I glanced to see if he was listening. “You want to go with me?”

“No thanks. You go. I’m not bored staying home.”

I joined the group and have never been sorry. The society gather together each month, with an extra critiquing meeting for those interested. It’s at this small group meeting in the library’s room that we learn how to avoid mistakes in writing and hear tips on publishing opportunities.

Members share—their knowledge, sample cover and query letters, writing tips, markets, their failures and successes—but most of all we listen, and encourage each other not to give up-- rejections can dishearten.

At one Saturday meeting Peggy Bess, managing editor for the Leader and Grand Times, spoke to the large group.  She mentioned several pitfalls in writing that discourage editors from accepting a person’s work—like using wonder in place of wander.

“Vary the length of your sentences,” Peggy said. “No one wants to read an article that goes on and on and on ...”

We laughed but I remembered. Several essays on my computer needed editing and I promptly drove home and made changes. The next Monday I printed each on snowy white paper, gathered them together in a yellow folder with Peggy’s name outside.  I put my courage in my pocket and marched down to the local paper and asked to speak to Ms Bess.

Peggy accepted the folder, said she was busy and told me next time to come on Friday—the day after the paper was printed.

I waited in eager anticipation for the monthly Grand Times to find its way to our door. No article from me. Disappointed but determined not to give up, I typed a serious essay and presented it to Peggy the following Friday.

“I’ve brought a different article,” I said. “If you don’t like the first stories perhaps you’ll publish this.”

“I liked the others,” she replied. “We didn’t have space last week but I’m planning to publish the essay about climbing Clark Mountain--for Easter.”

Over the next few months all of my original fond memories of years gone by were published, but my serious piece was rejected. Too much like asking for free advertisement for the Writers’ Society, I was told.

When a new member joins our group we endeavor to aid him/her all we can. If they succeed in being published for the first time, each of us glory in the good news. No matter how often articles we’ve written have been printed, we never forget the thrill of the very first one!

Happy writing, everyone!

Verna Hill Simms was born in 1921 in a deserted garage in Arizona. At nineteen she married Howard and they are still happily married. Verna is a retired librarian and has two daughters and several grandchildren.