girls with... um... insurance

They often ask big time authors where they were first published - where did they catch their first break? Richard Ford, in a recent Poets and Writers mag, said he couldn't quite remember the name of the magazine. I have a hard time believing that, but maybe it was too long ago for Mr. Ford – and too many huge achievements.

I think a lot of us trying to break in to the career wonder about what they will say in those interviews. Maybe it sounds to school-boyish, like wondering who you will thank when you accept the Oscar. But the hell with it, I still like thinking about that sort of thing.

Smarty-pants interviewer guy: So, Mr. Terlson, do you recall your very first publication?

Me, looking stylish in tweed jacket and pipe: I surely do Bob, it was girlswithinsurance.com.

Sadly, I believe G.W.I. is on extended hiatus, perhaps permanently. I remember being a bit cautious in who I told about this first acceptance. While "girls with insurance" is a perfectly innocent literary zine with a focus on humour, the name does sound a little seedy. That's what I loved about it. Since then, I have been published in some other strangely named places - I wonder what agents and editors think when you are telling them you have written work for "Laugh it Off" or "Cezanne's Carrot" (also fine mags BTW).
"Well, at least he's not writing for girls with insurance."

Have a great weekend.