Downstate Story Vol. XXV, December 2016
DOWNSTATE STORY
From the publisher: This fifth issue of Downstate Story to appear on the web shows our continued commitment to digital publishing, where readers from anywhere in the world can enjoy it.
People from far and wide read the first four web issues of 2012 to 2014, and even donated to help us pay the authors. Thanks to everyone who did that. We hope many will donate after they read the amazing stories in this 2016 issue.
There's a way to donate using Democracy Engine, a progressive site set up for donations to not-for-profits. Just click and give. Suggested donation is $10. We have posted reminders after each story.
The fiction presented here is so good that any of these stories could be in The New Yorker or other mainstream or literary magazines that publish serious fiction.
Many of the authors have won awards and published books and stories in prestige literary journals. Downstate Story is able to attract these talented authors because it pays them.
As always, the 2016 issue of Downstate Story has a fascinating collection of stories. Two stories are clever satires, from Pepper Bauer and Daniel Botkin. One is a touching memoir, from Connie Cook Smith about the bygone days in Canton, Il. Others involve a variety of topics that live up to our commitment to publish diverse works so everyone will find something interesting.
Downstate Story has been publishing quality fiction featuring mostly writers from Illinois and Midwest, since 1991. The printed copies, which also contain original art, can be purchased through the magazine's pioneer website, or by paying through Democracy Engine or PayPal. See the print purchasing information in the section 'Buy or donate to Downstate Story.'
The PayPal link is on the right for each section, and a link to Democracy Engine follows each story.
Now click on a story -- authors in the 2016 edition are listed in the column on the right -- and enjoy.
You also can comment, below. And visit our Facebook page, where you can comment and keep in touch.
--Elaine Hopkins
Update 1/15/17: Check out the story in today's Peoria Journal Star on Pepper Bauer's clever piece, "Cliche Caper." Here's the link: http://www.pjstar.com/entertainmentlife/20170114/ten-peoria-area-authors-featured-in-online-magazine-downstate-story
Publisher, fiction editor: Elaine Hopkins
Readers: Lucy McCrea and Jessica Frasca.
The comments and situations of the characters depicted in Downstate Story represent only themselves, and are not meant to reflect or characterize other people or groups of people. The characters are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual people is coincidental.
Published by DOWNSTATE STORY, INC., An Illinois not-for-profit corporation
1825 Maple Ridge, Peoria, IL. 61614-7915
email: [email protected]
original website: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfgeh/dss
Copyright 2016 DOWNSTATE STORY, Inc.
Permission to reprint must be obtained from respective authors.
ISSN 1066-1662