Photo by Art Lasovsky on Unsplash
She was sitting. That was all she was doing.
A table, a pen, her books - they were her only companions. She had been so excited about today. This is my moment, she thought as she bustled about. In a couple of hours, she'd be able to bask in the validation that she would receive.
Once sat, she'd patted the pile of her books perched invitingly, straightened her pen, preened her hair and prepared a smile.
But no-one came.
The only time a book was lifted was when she gazed at her hopeful, stupid face on the inside book jacket.
About the Creator
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
View more
Add your insightsOn-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme


Comments (21)
Yay Rachel!! Back to say congrats on third most discussed story this week! Way to go!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I agree with Lana this is so sad. Now I wish to go purchase her book. Congratulations on Leaderboard
Aww, that’s so sad. A writer’s worst nightmare, that no one would want to read their book. Now you need to follow up with a story of how her book went viral, Rachel. Don’t leave the author hanging, change her program.
Painfully real, Rachel. All too painfully real.
Oh, no. It's the stuff of nightmares.
Omgggg, I would cry my eyes out if I were her. I feel all of us have this fear inside us to a certain extent. Loved your story and your comment thread with Jason 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
If I wrote a book that would probably be what would happen to me. Imagine how disenchanted you would be.
Well shit... that was so exciting and inspiring, until it wasn't! Ouch!! Great work Rachel, I loved the twist/ shock!!
Oh damn - that would be so awful. Gosh if ever I publish a book, i am going to hire my family to stand around and look excited!! Again - I can't believe you've got so much into 100 words!
This comment has been deleted
This is a heartbreakingly poignant snapshot of disappointment and loneliness. "The only time a book was lifted was when she gazed at her hopeful, stupid face on the inside book jacket." -- That line is devastatingly effective. The simplicity of the scene amplifies the profound emotional impact, leaving a lasting impression.🌞🩶🤎
This is really good, Rachel, but man did it hit like a ton of bricks. I cringed so hard at that final line. Just ouch! Also reminded me of those couple micros you did a while back on the writer and the reviewer. Not that it's the same in any way, I just remembered some similar empathetic feels for disappointment in writing endeavors
Well, you certainly captured every author's worst nightmare! Judging from the plethora of comments and likes your stories always garner, I doubt this would ever be your fate. Nicely written.
Oh, yes, we know how that might feel. Agree with Cathy 100%.
Ugh. That poor author. 😢
Ach, this is all kinds of sad and it sums up, like others have said, those frustrations of being a writer. The highs and the lows. The dreams and the extermination of those dreams. Brilliant drabble, Chum. Sorry it's based on a friend's experience (actually, not sure if it was a friend...but read some other comments) Feeling it after an HM...which sounds a bit ungrateful...and maybe it is...but still feeling it. Have other reasons too because I think one of the entries that got Runner up in the letters challenge has a spelling mistake in the title. lol. Anyway, enough ranting! I shall check out more of your drabbling... autocorrect, hilariously kept correcting it to dribbling! You're not a dribbler are you, chum?
Made me feel so bad for the author, but you told a vivid story!
I don’t know of it’s your intention but I mean I guess it is, as it’s kinda irony right? But the last lines are quite blackly amusing!
Very well written. If you want, you can visit my profile, take a look at my writings and tell me how it is
Oh, this is a crusher, Rachel! And the day after another deflating Challenge results announcement too. Ouch!
So many author’s dreams and nightmares spelled out in such wonderfully heartbreaking prose.
This comment has been deleted