THE CRONE

 Mt story titled "The Crone" is published in this volume of Downstate Story.

Downstate Story

www.downstatestory.com       www.wiu.edu/users/mfgeh/dss

 

___________________________________________

Elaine Hopkins, publisher ehopkins7@prodigy.net

1825 Maple Ridge, Peoria, IL. 61614

phones: 309/688-1409; 309/231-5758

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Further information:

Elaine Hopkins 309/231-5758

ehopkins7@prodigy.net

 

DOWNSTATE STORY VOL. 30 NOW AVAILABLE FREE ON THE WEB

 

Nine new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers are featured in the 2021 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria's only literary magazine for fiction. Downstate Story is now published only on the Web at www.downstatestory.com

 

The writers in this issue are: Jim Wilhelm of Peoria, IL, Pepper Bauer of Mapleton, IL.., Jim Courter of Macomb, IL.;  Jackson Courter of Urbana, IL., Jason Sibert of Maryville, IL.; Laura McPherson of Addison, IL.,  Audrey Carli of Iron River, MI.; Arlene Shovald of Salida, CO.; Elise Warner of Jackson Heights, NY.,  and Natalie Dale of Hillsboro, OR.,

 

Most of these outstanding writers have long lists of publications in other literary magazines, and some have authored books.

 

Published by Downstate Story, Inc., an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, the annual publication aims to present original fiction by Illinois writers and writers with ties to Illinois and the Midwest as a quality alternative to today's mass-market publishing.

 

Downstate Story’s Facebook page can be accessed at www.Facebook.com/downstatestory

 

EDITORS/PRODUCERS NOTE:

The magazine is available free on the Web. Interviews with the authors are encouraged and can be arranged. Contact us, or them. Their email addresses and other information are included below.

 

Please help us notify the public about this unique venture.

 

(continued on p. 2)

DOWNSTATE STORY, Vol. 30, THE FACTS

 

1. Politically correct. Contributors paid for their work. No government funds used.

 

2. Something for everyone. Stories reflect diversity of authors, and include romance, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mainstream fiction.

 

3. Promotes quality reading. Content realistic but not X-rated.

 

4. Promotes Illinois and Midwestern writers.

 

5. Unusual concept for the arts. Provides outlet for local writers and artists to reach

local audiences free.

 

6. Original work. None ever published before.

 

7. Quality work. Stories and art comparable to work in Harpers, Atlantic, The New Yorker and top literary magazines.

 

8. No poetry.

 

9. No advertising.

 

 

DOWNSTATE STORY, Vol. 30. AUTHORS

.

Authors: (Telephone numbers available on request)

Jason Sibert, Jasonsibert@hotmail.com

Jim Courter, je-courter@wiu.edu

James Wilhelm, IllinoisjamesP@comcast.net

Laura McPherson, lauralmcpherson@gmail.com

Jackson Courter, j.courter3@gmail.com

Elise Warner, elisewarnerb@aol.com

Arlene Shovald, witcharlene@gmail.com

Audrey Carli, audreycarli@yahoo.com

Natalie Dale, nataliedaleauthor@gmail.com

Pepper Bauer, pepperbauer@att.net

                                                       

***

HEROES, VILLAINS AND VICTIMS

   
     Why do some professions lend themselves to fictional heroes?

Others are thought to harbor villains. Several give us an easy or sympathetic victim. Royalty is chock full of victims and villains--Shakespeare's live on. Politicians? Many more villains than heroes. Perhaps we'd better stay away from politicians unless we intend writing a detective novel that features the Father of our Country.
     Most of John Gresham's lawyers are role models and professors can be exciting and even sexy--think of Harrison Ford chasing after the Holy Grail. But stay away from Colin Dexter's Oxford and a few of the professors who teach there. Those intellectuals keep Inspectors Morse and Lewis busy solving their crimes.
     There is the crusading newspaper reporter--our hero and his opposite--the gossip columnist who wrecks havoc with lives and careers. And what about doctors? In real life and most television shows we are filled with admiration and usually follow everything prescribed but in fiction? A doctor often falls off the pedestal he or she is placed on. And victims--Susan Isaacs in Compromising Positions used Dr. Fleckstine, a dentist, as a victim. Lawence Olivier as Dr. Christain Szell--a dentist, Nazi and former SS Officer made a splendid villain. I'm sure many movie patrons lived with hours of pain before keeping their dental appointments. I've never read about a fictional dentist as hero--fellow writers the character is all yours.

Bests,

Elise

New Crime Fiction

Crime Fiction group on LinkedIn has a special eBook promotion for those
readers who received book presents during the holiday season. People
with new eReaders or Book Vouchers are dying for new crime fiction! Come
and find a new-to-you author, visit the promotion at
http://www.reviewsbytdev.com/content/2013-New-eBook-Reader-Promotion.

Best,

Elise