I had been writing fiction since I was a kid, and I’d been published in numerous small non-paying publications over the years, but it wasn’t until August 21, 1992, that I finally received this:

A science fiction magazine paid me for a story!

I had done it! I cracked the code! I got my foot in the door. I had become a “professional” science fiction writer.

I can’t tell you how exciting this was.

It’s funny. I had completely forgotten the date. The only reason I noticed is that for the past 30 years I’ve had a framed photocopy of the $250 check on the wall, usually right next to whatever computer I was using to write. As I type this, it’s directly to the right of this screen, partially blocked by a stack of external hard drives. I glanced at it a few weeks ago and noticed the date.

Huh. 1992. Wow, I thought — that was 30 years ago. So I looked closer and saw that it was this month. Only then did I realize I had an anniversary coming up, one that I’d never celebrated before.

It had to be marked, to be celebrated somehow!

So I pulled out the copy of the magazine to look at the story, and only then did I realize that the artwork for the story was by someone I am a fan of, Larry Blamire, the genius writer, director, actor, and artist … the man who made my absolute favorite science fiction spoof: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

I think I was more thrilled by the art being by Larry Blamire than I was about the 30-year anniversary.

Anyway, to celebrate, I thought it only fitting to republish that story on my website and share it with you. In doing so, I ended up cleaning it up a bit and updating some of the details so that they weren’t quite so … ahem. Outdated.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s the link to the story:

The Penalties of Pirating

I hope you enjoy it!