Lost in the Mail, By Andrew Johnston

Lost

in

the

Mail

By Andrew Johnston

Upon removing the mail from its white, cobweb covered mailbox two Christmas card shaped envelopes emerged. One for Glenn and another tucked behind it amongst junk mail. Glenn set aside what was his, licking his chapped lips as he closed the door. The envelope which he guessed to be a Christmas card was addressed to someone else.

"I don't know where this street is," Glenn scratched his head, "But I do know it sounds familiar."

He left the living room making his way to the basement door. The steps creaked as he held gingerly between two fingers the Christmas card. A rattling came from the washer machine, signaling to Glenn he had no clean jeans. He sighed, slipped on a pair of shorts and put on a hoodie, capping off his head with an orange sky mask. There was the temptation to not wear the mask as a hat as the wind bit at his cheeks once through the basement and out the garage. But with it being the holidays he didn't want the neighbors to think of him as a robber. Glenn wasn't sure where his gloves were but the pockets of his hoodie were warm.

The garage door rattled until shut. Glenn made his way to the front of his house, thinking before even crossing the street that a blue mail box should be nearby. It would be quick and the mailmen checked them daily.

After three blocks there was none to be found. Glenn held tight to the Christmas card, more out of frustration than from the cold chilling his heavy frame. His legs felt as if they were ready to crack and split like kindling. Glenn made his way a few moments later into the neighborhood gas station. Warmth poured over him. He looked at the card and then to coolers along the walls. "I'll take care of this later."

Stuffing the card in his pocket the name and address on the envelope looked to be written with care. He ignored the bubbling guilt in his chest and purchased some energy drinks and a peach ice tea.

Once by the street sign, Glenn peered up toward his house. The drinks weighed in his right hand from a thank you bag. Glenn licked his lips. He was on no deadline like he wanted to be as a writer. There was nothing on the streaming channels worth watching. And a nap was the only thing that enticed him at the moment. He slipped the Christmas letter from his pocket, smoothing out some of the wrinkles.

"I'm cold. Its not my fault the mailman messed up. Why the heck am I out here?"

Ahead a street sign read fourth avenue. Glenn checked the address on the card. He gasped, clasping his reddened hand to his face. All he had to do from the start is head down his street and look left. Glenn marched down to the sign as the wind zipped across his cheeks. Screw it. Glenn pulled on the sky mask and popped his head through the face area. He smiled and felt like a carrot with the mask on.

It wasn't until at the lowest house number that he realized he was going in the wrong direction. Temptation crept up his spine once more to take care of delivering the Christmas card later, but then he asked himself. What would Spider-man do? Glenn collected Spider-man comic books and had just seen the recent No Way Home movie. With a sigh and turn on his heel Glenn went up the street, eyeing every house number as he went.

He stopped eventually at a house, rundown and grown over with weeds. Glenn grumbled. He wondered if the sender of the Christmas card had made a mistake.

"Hello there," said a man from the next house over. "Can I help you."

Glenn's eyes brightened. The man stepping upon his porch was old and balding, bundled up in a gray coat with keys in his hand.

"I'm looking for the Loraine house," said Glenn.

"It's not that run down trash heap." The man gestured to the house in front of Glenn. "Head two houses down the street to the one with green shutters."

Glenn smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

Dashing down the street, Glenn climbed the steps up to the house. It had a welcoming feel to it with the lawn perfectly cut and the bushes trimmed. He considered knocking on the door and surprising the Loraine's, but thought the better and slipped the card through the slot.

2021 Pittsburgh Writer's Workshop Review

 2021

Pittsburgh

Writer's

Workshop

Review

The workshop was held on December 11, 2021 virtually with classes on how to start your manuscript to how to write a query letter. It was the fourth workshop I had ever attended and it was my favorite of the four. I learned a lot and was able to pitch to an agent.

As far as the classes go each was informative and encouraging. The first taught you how to open your story. It gave examples of the over used openings and how to go easy on exposition. I write fantasy and have to agree that details such as people and worldbuilding should be spread throughout the story. We also learned to place our inciting incident be with the first chapter. I had always thought it should be on the first page but that isn't necessarily true.

The second class helped you find out what you wanted as writer, discussing traditional to self publishing as your options. There was also discussion of small publishers which from what I understood are like a combination of traditional and self publishing to some degree. I would like the control and greater income percentage spoken of for self publishing but feel I work better with a team. With traditional publishing you have greater distribution and help in advertising.

My favorite class came early in the afternoon. It was more a like game show with the title of Writer's Got Talent, and felt like it. Four agents listened to the workshop's host read the first page of randomly chosen manuscripts. The agents would raise their hand when they wanted to judge each page. My first page was chosen at the 2020 workshop, and let me tell you, I was nervous and excited. I didn't submit a first page this time, but learned a lot from what the agents said.

Approaching mid-afternoon the workshop had a class of how to get a literary agent. The two most stressed items in finding an agent were having your manuscript as ready as it can be and making certain you follow the submission guidelines. Beta readers and critique partners can help you ready your manuscript because submitting a first draft shows a lot of work will be needed. Following submission guidelines aids in knowing specifically what an agent is looking to represent.

The final class covered the structure of your query letter. There are many ways to set one up but the presenter recommended a way I highly recommend. Hook, Book and Cook. Hook catches the agents attention. Book reveals the protagonist, the world, and what's at stake if the protagonist doesn't succeed. There is also added a paragraph covering the title, word count and genre while also explaining more about the book. Cook is a paragraph about you, your writing back ground, profession, etc.

Inconclusion, I found every presenter to be warm and informative. They explained how things work clearly with a little personal touch and I hope to attend next years Pittsburgh Writer's Workshop.