I thought it worth noting that today at 10:03 am I made my first-ever short story submission for publication to Weird Tales. I suddenly decided, after having some more works underway, that perhaps that magazine would make a more appropriate home for that particular story. “Taken by Darkness” is a science fiction story for the most part, but is cast in the light of a horror story–inspired a great deal by my recent reading of Stephen King’s collections Just After Sunset and Night Shift. Anxious to become published, and set alight by King’s ingenious short stories, I set out to write my first horror story–somewhat of a departure from my usual preference for science fiction. But, as my story was transferred from the fairly fleshed-out draft in my head to the computer screen, I quickly saw the so-called “horror” story for what it was: another science fiction tale, only maybe a little weirder, and a little scarier. The story went through several revisions to create a more balanced, fulfilling plot progression; I think that it succeeded, at least to some extent. The ending is now far more creepy, and the reader is given a better sense of where the story is headed even after it is finished. I hope that Weird Tales decides to make the work at home, as that would mean professional publication in one of the oldest, most prestigious magazines of short horror fiction–one that began the careers of both Ray Bradbury and H.P. Lovecraft. The next six to eight weeks will tell. So, here’s to hoping!