12.26/11–  I found yesterday, to my surprise and delight that some people–even businesses  do business on Christmas Day.

In 2009 I submitted a humorous essay, "Dancing On The Waters" to a publishing house in Tampa, Florida.  The editor of Tampa Publishing had sent out a call for essays suitable for an anthology he was planning to publish.  Within about two months I received notice that my essay was accepted for the anthology and that a check would follow.   It did within a month. Only $50–not much–but it was a credit and would add No. 10 to the number of anthologies in which my writing has appeared.  I didn't hear and didn't hear.  I moved in 2010 and did not think to send my change of email AND change of address to the Tampa editor.

Sorting through the list of new contests/new markets I receive regularly from the PWP Webmaster, I found Ocean Magazine listed.  Reading the guidelines, I felt that my essay would fit their needs.  However, if that anthology was still to be printed, I  needed to know what rights they claimed (first or all?)   I found the email of the Tampa Publishers–a "Bill"@ same. On Christmas morning (Santa was not due to arrive here until afternoon) I emailed Bill.  Surprise!  Surprise!  Within an hour I had his reply along with a return of the "Merry Christmas" greeting I'd included.  Apparently when the company suffered difficulties financially, he had notified all contributors.  His message had not reached me saying he was returning all rights.  Nice Xmas "present."  I packaged the essay and it went into the mail to Ocean Mag. today.  Until next news, Willma