For those of you who have followed the blog for a while, I’m sure that you have read about my aspirations as a writer. I’ve been a big reader and collector of outdoor literature for a long time and I would like to leave my mark on this genre. Recently, “Rooty,” a story about my first birddog, a GSP, was published in the March/April issue of The Pointing Dog Journal, which was a thrilling experience.
I’ve sent numerous other stories to other magazines and have been shot down a few times. One prominent editor/outdoor writer (who I’m sure many of you would recognize his name and work) curtly replied that my writing is “not really [this magazine’s] level writing.” Needless to say, that stung a bit.
If you have followed the blog, you may also recall my use of the phrase “Roadside Revelations” to describe how we bird hunters sometimes miraculously find great secret coverts by observing birds right off the road. Well, I wrote a story about some of the very experiences from which this phrase sprung and submitted it to The Upland Almanac. I am happy to announce that this article will be published in the fall 2009 issue of The Upland Almanac. Keep your eye out for it! 
Farley and I with two blues from Grouse Rock, a covert we discovered by a Roadside Revelation.
If there is any lesson to be learned from this post, it is that rejection is a big part of the writing process. Don’t let it get you down and don’t give up! Thanks again for all of your support!
Upland Ways 
Brother…You’re awesome, and I’m very proud of you!
Andy,Your an inspiration to me.
Andy,Wunderbar! Ausgezeichnet!Or in plain English, I am very happy for you. Keep writing, which is what I told you 6 months ago. You never know what they’ll take or when and if you’re not out there you have no chance.Since I don’t subscribe to either magazine I’m going to have to rely on another vehicle. How about sending me a Word draft of each?Good for Andy!
Great job! Can’t wait to read it.
Shawn, Eric and Walter, Thanks guys! After you get one published, you want to do it again to make sure it wasn’t just a fluke. All of you are good writers and should be publishing yourselves. Shawn, that last article you wrote on ptarmigan hunting is excellent and deserves to be published.
Matt, Thanks for your comment. I enjoy your blog. You should try to get some stories published too.
Andy,Nice work and I like forward to that issue.Please keep it up!
Wow, huge congratulations Andy!! My question is the same as Walter’s, is there a way to read these pieces if we don’t take the magazines??Thanks and way to go!!Kim
Go get em Andy! Next thing you know we’ll be coming to your first book signing!
Hi Andy, When the Editor said that your writing wasn’t of the “Right level”. Perhaps he meant that your writing was at “Too high a level !”, for his magazine. Had you considered that?!. Remember: Even Shakespeare got knocked back a time or two,(I’m British, so I know!). Keep up the good work.
Thanks Everybody! I appreciate the good words of encouragement.