I really, really should be working, but it’s hard.

A story called “A Moment for Indra Singh” finished second in the noted contest. As a result, it’s going to be published on Monday. That’s what matters to me, that someone would take a risk on a risky piece like this, and expose it to the world. I keep saying that I never thought this story would be published, but here we are. I’m grateful. And a bit overwhelmed.

The judge of the fiction contest is Cody Caetano, a literary agent. He had incredibly kind words to say about this oddball piece: “A eulogy that doubles as an ode to storytelling before the opening sentence ends, the truly honorable mention that is “A Moment for Indra Singh” finds Arvinder tracing, channelling, and then ultimately accepting the lingering impression that the titular, vanishing Indra has left. Complete awe I felt through, between, and because of Indra and Arvinder, the former’s quest to figure out “what we were” straddling the line that separates reality from imagination. This pawing embrace of a stranger winks the reader off to Indra and Arvinder’s mesmerizing world, one that had me glowing after the end. A moment indeed.“

Every writer craves feedback, good or bad, though the reaction to both can vary in temperature and spice. I’m still processing this feedback. Is this really about something I wrote… I had to reopen the story and read it, and try to link it against the feedback. I’m curious what others have to say about it. I’ll post a link to the story when it’s published.

For now, back to work! I have to tell everyone about my COP28 experiences in a post at some point, and the redoubling of my verve before the climate fight. I roar. Just roar with me, we’ll form a chorus so that no one can ignore us.