Tea Leaf...my first and only attempt with Cockney slang

A year or so ago I was contacted by author Simon Wood about writing a short story for an anthology he was putting together. I think his pitch was something like, "Every story will be inspired by Cockney slang...you in?"

I was intrigued but really had no idea how Cockney slang worked, I just knew vaguely that it emerged in 19th century East London, but everything else I knew came from reading British mysteries. 

Luckily, Simon directed me to some Cockney rhyming slang dictionaries. I settled on Tea Leaf, which is Cockney for thief. It inspired me to write a story about a premise that always intrigued me--What would it be like to be caught in the middle of a robbery and suddenly realize that you know one of the thieves? What if you were then named as an accomplice?

Like my other short stories, I took the opportunity to experiment with some new writing techniques. I find it fun to challenge myself (although writing a contemporary is already challenging for me). This is the first time I published anything in first person and in present tense. (I know, so incredibly innovative...) But it was challenging for me, and the prompt was so fun as a starting point

I was delighted and honored to be included in Simon's anthology, which includes these amazing contributors

•  Steve Brewer, Babbling Brook
• Colin Campbell, Trouble and Strife
• Angel Luis Colón, Bunson Burner
• Robert Dugoni, Pleasure and Pain
• Paul Finch, Mr. Kipper
• Catriona McPherson, Barnet Fair
• Travis Richardson, Lee Marvin
• Johnny Shaw, Dickey Dirt
• Jay Stringer, Half Inch
• Sam Wiebe, Lady from Bristol

Check it out! Read more here! 

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