Here’s a blurb and some cover images about an anthology of short stories that was just published April 28.  One of my short stories appears in the anthology. Thanks, Barb

Barbara Lehtiniemi considers herself twice lucky.  Her short story “Alienation” has been published in the new anthology Will There Be a Sunset?, published by Chicken House Press.  The anthology includes eight fiction pieces from the winner and finalists of Blank Spaces Magazine’s 2023 Fiction Anthology contest. 

This is the second time Barbara was a finalist in Blank Spaces’ annual fiction contest.  Her short story “On Edge” was a finalist in the 2021 contest and was included in the anthology The Things We Leave Behind, which was published in 2022.

“It’s amazing to be included among the eight finalists in the same contest, two years apart,”  Barbara says. 

The annual Blank Spaces contest prompts entrants to submit stories related—closely or tenuously—to a given theme.  The theme then becomes the title of the anthology published the following year.

For Blank Spaces’ 2022 contest, Barbara served on the judging panel.  “That was a different experience, to play the role of the reader, instead of the writer.”  That contest produced the 2023 anthology, Small Town, Summer Nights.

While she enjoyed the role of judge, Barbara finds she prefers writing.  Both of her finalist-worthy stories arose from “what if” moments.   In “On Edge”, she explores “what if” someone tries to deliver a mis-directed parcel to its intended recipient.  In “Alienation”, Barbara explores “what if” someone suspects their spouse of reading a private journal.  The results are unexpected.

Will There Be a Sunset? was launched April 28, 2024, and is available from most book retailers, as well as directly from the publisher at www.chickenhousepress.ca/bookstore/p/will-there-be-a-sunset.  Barbara will also have a few copies available at upcoming CAGAC events.

As a finalist in the contest, Barbara doesn’t receive any prize money for her short story.  “But I receive royalties on any books sold, so buy lots!”