My first published piece of fiction was a short story called “Waterweight,” which was chosen for 3rd prize in the Seattle Crypticon writing contest and published in the anthology.
Two scientists descend into the deep aboard a cramped submarine, but something is very wrong with one of them. As they descend into the dark, something from their past rises to the surface.
On a personal note, the convention itself was great. Meeting fellow writers and editors was invigorating. Seeing these wonderful creative people working in writing and publishing made the goal real for me. It seems obvious, but it’s a different thing to internalize it, to see it in practice.
More than anything, the publication of this story was encouraging. Editors, authors, and readers of the story were positive about the work. As far as first publications go, this was a very good experience.