I won something!

Let me start by saying I never win anything. Well, for the most part. There was the time we all went to the riverboat casino and my friend Lisa showed me how to play craps for the first time. I did win about $150 that time, but the next time we went I lost about the same amount. So I call that even. Except for that, I can't recall anything I have won. I've never won more the 20 bucks in the lottery, or anything on bingo night (not that I have gone to bingo night), no cool prizes at a carnival...you can see where I'm going.

Well, I won something cool this week. It started when Mary Robinette Kowal posted that one of her new short stories was up at Apex Book Company, called Scenting the Dark. So, of course, I read it that night. Before I go any further I should say you need to read the story. If you like your Sci Fi scary, and who doesn't, you'll like the story. So go. Read. I'll wait. Back? Cool story, right?

Anyway, the next day she posted a little contest based on the story. She wanted us to guess what all the names in the story had in common. I was one of the winners who figured out they were subway stops in New York. As a prize, I got a copy of an unpublished story called, Home Safety. It's a neat look at Hansel and Gretel. Now I can say I have a rare copy of an unpublished story from a Campbell Award winning author. Isn't that cool? I think so.

So I have to thank Mary, for having the contest, and giving out a neat prize. Also, Google. I was pretty sure they were subway stations; I heard of Penn Station before, but Google helped me confirm it. Not bad for a guy who has never been to New York City. (I know I need to go. My wife has been telling me for years.)