“When he laughs his happiness builds just like a normal person’s, but at the top his eyes go blank, as if there’s nothing there.”

That wonderful sentence is taken from May-Lan Tan’s short story “Legendary” which was published in the summer issue of Zoetrope: All Story.

“Legendary” is a powerful story about obsession, desire and the absence of love. I read riveted from the first sentence right through to the story’s last, hold-your-breath moments. The work brims with gorgeous prose and finely-wrought tension and is a delight to read. Congratulations, May-Lan Tan.

I received several surprising and wonderful responses to my giveaway offer for a copy of Zoetrope: All Story’s summer issue signed by Francis Ford Coppola. The note that most moved me was written by May-Lan Tan! It turns out that “Legendary” is Tan’s first published story. Wow. I know if I was her, I’d really, really want this signed copy of the issue, and I’d frame it!

So congratulations again, May-Lan Tan, the issue is on its way to you in London. In exchange for the issue, Tan will buy a book from the Center for Fiction in NYC, a non-profit organization dedicated entirely to fiction, where she’s currently renting a writing space. Tan will also write five postcard stories and leave them inside books at libraries in New York City and London. Five! My favorite and lucky number. Thank you, May-Lan.

I know several of you were disappointed not to be the lucky recipient of this signed issue and I’m sorry. I enjoyed hearing from all of you.

Have a good weekend, friends.