Okay, I think I’m ready to have my short story read. 

(Of course, just saying that makes me sort of hyperventilate. … Sheesh. … I never really seem to have the confidence you’d think I’d have after writing all these years.)

Anyway, a few of you have offered, but if you’re still up for it — and can read this weekend — hit me up in comments or send me an e-mail.

This is a short one (seven chapters of less than 2,000 words each), so it should go fast. It’s a historical western, set in 1870 in California, post-Gold Rush, but right ahead of the silver-mining boom towns. These characters are on their way to one of the biggest, baddest boom towns of all: Bodie, California. (Legend has it that one little girl — on the eve of her family’s trip to the legendary town — wrote in her diary, “Good bye, God. I’m going to Bodie. …”)

What I’ll be interested in are how you felt about the characters, their goals, and their resolution. Also need to know if it’s “hot” enough (like fanning-self hot!), since this publisher requests that. …

I worry that the short-story format was too short for me to do what I really wanted to do, so curious about other opinions.

Let me know if you’re up for a read!