I’m not really complaining here, but sometimes I do miss seeing my name in print. When I was a full-time journalist (mostly in college), I always had a byline. I used to love seeing “by Beth Ziesenis, Staff Writer.”

These days I write press releases with someone else’s contact info. I write brochure copy that looks as if it appeared on a page without a human behind it. I write electronic newsletter articles, with words that will never even see a printed page. And my byline appears nowhere.

Oh well. Such is the life of a freelance copywriter.

Sometimes I Google myself to see what pieces of writing are out there with my name on them. There are precious few, mostly fiction short stories. Here’s a sample…

Two really short stories I read at a monthly writer’s group last year (audio format):

“I’m Not Wearing Any Underwear.” (It’s not what you think)

“Leaving Melissa” (Published in a literary journal that died shortly thereafter)

My very favorite short story, later published in an electronic magazine, and soon after accepted for publication by a really nice literary magazine! But it had already been published! Ugh!

Decision By Bus

This one cracks me up. It’s an article I wrote in college about our homecoming election. Our newspaper supported a dog and a squirrel for king and queen.

Animal Kingdom