Sean Zinn’s story, A Selkie Love Story, is the longest in this year’s Folio and it’s worth your time and attention. If you’re looking for something to read that’s grounded in the here and now, but with a twist of something a little different, this one is for you.

What inspired you to write your story? How does that inspiration manifest in this work? 

I love stories about cryptids – Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, furry trout.  These stories revel in the notion that there might still be creatures out in the world that we haven’t yet discovered.  That liminal space appeals to me as a person, and fuels me as a writer.  I first learned of Selkies in January and by February I had a rough (very rough) draft of this story.  I don’t know exactly why my brain got so excited about this particular cryptid, but I’ve learned to write first and ask questions later.

What was the hardest part of your writing process? Do you think it will be easier for your next story? 

The revision is the hardest part for me.  I find it very easy to whip out a rough draft – once I get a sense of the ‘kernel’ of the story, I can sit down and just write and write.   The hard part has always been wrangling that mass of tangents and typos into something that is actually readable.  Over the years, I’ve written dozens of first drafts, but this is the first one  I’ve followed through all the way to submission and publication. I do think the next one will be easier – I’ve now got physical proof that I can do it.

What was your first thought after hitting the “submit” button for your Folio submission? 

“What kind of ice cream do we have in the freezer?” (I’m a very food-reward based person)

What was your first thought after being accepted? 

“Did they really mean to send this to me?  Or did autocorrect fill in the wrong address?”

What are you writing now (or next)? 

Every November, I work on a first draft for a novel.  In December: I read all the books and watch all the movies and let my writerly muscles recuperate from November,  In January, I’ll start editing two short stories that are pretty far along – I think I can wrestle one of them into submission shape for the next FIddlehead Folio.

How has the Guild helped with your writing and storytelling? What do you want other writers to know about writing communities?

I did my first NaNoWriMo back in 2010.  After that, I kept on writing, but with no intention of ever showing anything to anyone.  It just wasn’t good enough.  I just wasn’t good enough.  The Guild met me where I was and surrounded me with support.  They never demanded that I prove that I’m a writer – they just accepted me until I believed I was one.  

The launch of the Fiddlehead Folio will take place at the Literary Extravaganza and Book Bazaar on Saturday, December 2nd from 10am-3pm at the Writers’ Loft in Hudson, MA. If you live in Massachusetts, we would love to see you and share the Folio (along with so many other books on sale that day!) with you! Planning to join us? Let us know on Facebook or Eventbrite!