23 Comments

Fantastic prose and verse. So descriptive and immersive without being overly wordy. I listened to the audio and I didn't want it to end!

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Oh really? That’s great! I never really know if anyone is listening to the audio or not, so I’m glad you made use of it and liked it 👍 Thanks so much! I am very excited to read your story and the others from the contest

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I LOVE it when people include audio, because my day-job involves staring at a computer screen, I write my fiction on the same computer screen, and I often read ebooks, so my eyes need a break! (I also have three kids, so it’s great that I can listen while I do house stuff, although I have to be careful what I’m listening to if the younger ones are around!) Having said that, I’ve only added audio to one of my stories (even though I love reading aloud), as I haven’t got the voice for it. But yours was very enjoyable to listen to, as well as being an excellent story.

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Ah yes I totally get that. My job affords a lot of listening time, which is nice. Making the audio is definitely a lot of work, but I’m excited to have a full finished audiobook for my novel when I’m done — I think it’ll be more accessible then

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That's great!

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This absolutely deserves the mentions it's had! Brilliantly done and such an original idea.

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Thank you!🫶 I saw we both made honorable mentions, congrats!

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Thank you. Looking forward to some Keith Long short story collections!

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this is an astonishing piece of work. i was one of the silent, breathless people in the audience the whole time.

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Thanks, EJ. It means so much to hear stuff like that from authors who write my favorite Substack stuff

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Fucking stunning Keith. Ingenious premise - so imaginative and exploding with reality - and the lines of the play just effortless woven in, and an aching story underneath it all that rears a poignant head at the finish - I shall be most surprised if you do not take the trophy home sir!

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Oh wow, thank you! I am quite pleased with the way it turned out, though I will be most surprised (pleasantly) if I do take it home haha

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Goddamn, this is good. Really, really good. I tip my hat.

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👈🤠Thank ye much, mister.

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Wow this is such a unique story! I really enjoyed Deb as a character his dedication to the craft. The message behind his story becomes so much more meaningful after reading the twist at the end as well. Great job Keith!

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Thank you so much! I’m glad the mild twist actually works haha

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Yesss this is my favorite short story for the world I love it so much!

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Thanks! I added a decent amount to it and I think it turned out good — I’m happy with it lol

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Yes it’s amazing :))

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This is tremendous! I was swept away, and to find Deb’s lineage at the end of it … chef’s kiss!

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Thank you so much! I’m glad that part came out, because I wasn’t sure I was… sneaky enough haha

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You were the perfect amount of sneaky!

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Jan 30
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Thank you!! I tried to make it a minor reveal so I’m very pleased it turned out that way haha

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