Digging around in my email archives just now, I found this note that accompanied the first draft of Shark Vs. Train that I shared with my agent three and a half years ago. I’d forgotten what it felt like to have this story come out of nowhere, but reading this note makes me want to experience that feeling as often as possible.

Hey, Erin,

Here’s something that came together just this past week. It’s barely 300 words, and [my seven-year-old] is beside himself every time he reads it. Enjoy, whenever.

Chris

***

Shark Vs. Train‘s official publication date is next Thursday, on (seriously) April Fool’s Day. That feels pretty good, too, and I’ll celebrate by sending out a new edition of my occasional Bartography Express newsletter. If you’d like to receive it, just sign up in the “Join” box on my home page.