In each issue they also offer a Readers Challenge. They ask for submissions from readers usually within some sort of theme; hand stitching, city-scapes, recipes, or portraits, for example. Each issue I admire the readers submissions and shyly wish that I could/would submit something. I sort of react like a deer in the headlights and draw a complete blank when faced with creating something based on that issue's theme. I am also a little afraid of rejection. Until last Spring.
I mailed off the original art, and waited for my Fall issue of the magazine to arrive. Only it didn’t! In all of the many years I’ve subscribed, this was the first time my issue was not delivered. Ah! But how could this be, when this is the issue I’m actually in?? I was left with having to buy the issue on Ebay (I actually bought two because I was so excited.) Guess what? The Fall issue didn’t contain the mixed media portrait challenge. It had the results of a different reader challenge. So, I thought I’d just have to wait until the Winter issue. What seemed like the very next day, I received a notice that Cloth Paper Scissors was ceasing publication effective immediately and the Winter issue would be it’s last! Seriously? I had JUST renewed by “prescription” for another 2 years. And, what about my reader challenge? Would it appear in the final issue? Well, yes, yes it did and that is bitter sweet. It is so thrilling to see my work in my favorite magazine and yet so disappointing that the magazine is ending. I guess the lesson is, enter the damn Readers Challenges early, and often!
I’m working on putting myself out there more, and it’s paying off. More on that later…