Fiction Notice

Work in Progress: Taking a page for fiction

By Sonja LeDuc Nom de plume

In the beginning — which must be the three liveliest words ever strung together in an opening sentence in the entire history of literature — The Sopris Sun wanted to publish the work of local creative writers. We tried before. As anyone who creates something from nothing knows, it takes more than one attempt. We are going to try again. No pressure, but the literary page we are calling “Work in Progress” depends on you, the creative writer.

The title, “Work in Progress,” expresses the idea that The Sopris Sun is finding its way in this venture along with the creative writers who join the ride. We invite authors who want to have their words read even before they are polished to perfection. Work in Progress focuses on a moment in the creative process. Criticism is withheld.

Novelists, short story writers, poets, writers of haiku and seekers of truth in words can participate. Bring out the self-published novels and manuscripts stashed in a drawer. Parade these darlings before The Sun’s gentle readers. If a writer is concerned that readers won’t be gentle enough, they can feel free to adopt that age-old protection, that impenetrable veil of mystery, the nom de plume.

Local artists, crafters and musicians have many venues to publicly showcase the stuff of their imagination and skill, while creative writers have limited opportunity to do so.

Most writers are invisible until their published novel is proclaimed a blockbuster. This seems too narrow a definition for success. The Sopris Sun’s nonprofit status calls upon the organization to serve needs that are not met by other entities. One need in Carbondale is a published space for creative writers to be read. Our mission statement, “to inform, inspire and build community by fostering diverse and independent journalism” is our permit to provide this space.

The newspaper regrets that it is not able to pay creative writers. However, self-published authors whose work is published can mention their books and blogs at no cost. And, depending on how this experiment in community literary sharing goes, we expect there are charitable foundations we can apply to for funding someday. But that’s getting ahead of this story.

The Sopris Sun will not publish novels in consecutive installments the way all Charles Dickens’ were. We intend, however, to publish short stories in installments.

It’s rare these days for a print newspaper to publish original fiction and poetry. Since we will also accept original submissions of previously unpublished illustrations and cartoons, Work in Progress is a modest homage to The New Yorker, the most famous literary weekly in America. To that note, the magazine’s founder, Harold Ross, was born in an impoverished prospector’s cabin in Aspen in 1892 and lived in the Roaring Fork Valley with his family until he was eight years old. His father scraped by, moving from one rugged Colorado mining town to the next. Ross was reportedly embarrassed by his Rocky Mountain schooling in reading and writing and later taught himself from grammar books and dictionaries.

We chose April 21 for the Work in Progress launch date because it is the week of William Shakespeare’s birthday. It seems fitting since this date, and the bard himself, might be fictitious. Scheduling almost two months out also gives us time to cache an inventory of literary works, and for you to replenish it.

There is time to start, by sitting still in what Philip Roth called “the deeply uneventful business” of writing.

Work in Progress Submissions:

Fiction, short stories and poetry of up to 800 words can be accepted. We can also publish excerpts of up to 800 words from a single long work, such as a novel. Writers of all ages are welcome. Submit works to fiction@soprissun.com

The Sopris Sun is proud to host a candidate forum for the Carbondale Board of Town Trustees, in partnership with KDNK, on Wednesday, March 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join inperson at Town Hall, online, or by tuning into KDNK. If you have any question suggestions, please email them to news@ soprissun.com with "candidate forum" in the subject line.

Bear activity

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reports a 28% decrease in sightings and conflicts with bears in 2021 compared with reports over the previous two years. CPW attributes the drop in human-bear conflicts to “good monsoonal summer moisture,” assisting the grasses, berries, fruits and nuts that comprise a bear’s natural diet.

Immigration tips

Have questions regarding your or a loved one's immigration status? On Monday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m., Garfield County Public Library District, in partnership with Alpine Legal Services and Smith Immigration, will hold an online informational session regarding DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protective Status) and asylum eligibility requirements and tips on how to navigate the processes for each. Attendees can listen and participate in either Spanish or English. For more information and to register for this event, visit www.gcpld.org/rights

ReEnergize Garfield County

Garfield County is backing Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) with $150,000 to help residents earning less than 120% the area median income ($105,960 for a family of four) with home energy upgrades. Depending on income, your family may receive up to 100% the cost of recommended energy measures like insulation, air sealing, window replacement, heating/cooling system upgrade and LED lighting. For details, visit www.garfieldcleanenergy.org/ reenergize or call 970-704-9200.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, along with Colorado’s U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, visited Glenwood Springs on Friday, Feb. 25. The gentlemen were here to assess the progress and work that still needs to be done on I-70 in the Glenwood Canyon. They also got the chance to jump on an eco-friendly RFTA bus and speak with local Latino representatives including director of Protégete for Conservation Colorado, Beatriz Soto. “Latinos must be an integral part in elevating local transportation issues and helping craft solutions and identifying opportunities,” Soto told The Sopris Sun. As Soto explained to Secretary Buttigieg, “We need transportation solutions where housing and economic growth are at the center to achieve a just society that will not only have a smaller carbon footprint, but will uplift the working class of our community.” Photo by James Steindler (See page 9 for a photo of Soto with Secretary Buttigieg)

Exhibit at the Capitol

The Colorado State Capitol is seeking artwork for an exhibit honoring Colorado's 146 years as a state. Works by Colorado artists depicting places in Colorado should be submitted by April 1 at www.bit.ly/Coloradart

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners approved $26,500 in first-quarter discretionary grants for nonprofits, awarding community radio KSUN $5,000; West Elk Trails $3,000; New Castle Trails $1,000; Roaring Fork Leadership $5,000; GlenX Career Expo $2,500; YouthEntity $5,000; and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers $5,000. Additionally, the board approved $20,000 to Coventure to support economic resiliency.

South Bridge

Glenwood Springs City Council is poised to discuss the municipal airport and South Bridge Project, establishing a new connection between Highway 82 and neighborhoods on the southern end of Midland Avenue, on March 17. Persons unable to attend in-person may submit comments online at www.cogs.us/341/Airport until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. There you will also find relevant materials and a link to the related listening session held on Feb. 24.

Marble avalanche

An avalanche above Marble Quarry Road on Feb. 25 claimed the life of a 27-year-old man and his two dogs, Kenai and Bea. Nathaniel Smith, of Colorado Springs, was snowshoeing to a cabin along with three friends when the avalanche broke loose. Members of the West Elk Search and Rescue team, Carbondale emergency services and Colorado Avalanche responded to this incident.

They say it’s your birthday!

Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Barbe Chambliss and Bella Frisbie (March 3); Kurt Trede, Jr. (March 4); Matthew Bennett, Kelly Field, Amy Hadden Marsh and Meg Plumb (March 5); Gwen Garcelon and Bobby Mason (March 6); Carol Fabian and Diane Johnson (March 7); Greg Meredith, Gracie Oliphant, Karen Tafejian, Sidney Thomas and Jordan Tribble (March 8).