by James Patrick Riser

No simultaneous submissions. Do not query. It was the last publication that still required paper submissions. A drop of your blood must be included on the very last page. No need to put your information in the header; Rich assumed they would know who he was.

He watched the white envelope slide down the throat of the mailbox. It landed with a hollow thump. The mailbox’s door slammed closed with a metallic scream. There. Done.

Three weeks later, during dinner, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. A dark hand squeezed his heart to a stop: the rejection notice.

James Patrick Riser

James Patrick Riser lives in California with his wife and daughter.