That's the headline of my Slate story, just posted.

Long story of how it came about, but the short version is that last week I came to the conclusion that I may never revive my Columbine book project, and made a last minute decision to pitch the pretty big news I had uncovered researching it as a magazine piece during the media window of the five-year anniversary (today).

Slate really got behind it, and they will be moving it into the cover slot as soon as they get the graphic set. And they just notified me that MSN is picking it up as their cover shortly, too, which will mean a lot more exposure, which this story really needs.

And best of all, I really like the edit they did on it. Thank God. I always worry. We had to cull it down from 10,000 words to 3,000, including the sidebar--which is still extremely long for them--and I had nightmares about whether we could do the ideas justice. But I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. I really like my editor there, David Plotz. Really talented guy. Which is great, because that is NOT always the case with editors. He really made it better--trimmed the fat, kept the meat. How it's supposed to work.

I'm also really happy that they're going as aggressive with the conclusions as I believe they deserve. (So nice to have an editor believe in your story.)

The head of the FBI's investigation in the case and the other top shrinks they brought in don't believe the "why" of Columbine is not any great mystery at all, and they're ready to explain why.

I always get excited working on a big story (to me, and what I've spent a good chunk of the past five years on, it's a big story), and I was in this case as well, but I'm also incredibly relieved to get it out there, and off my chest. I have spent so much time with Columbine over the past five years--it really had an effect on me. And the frustrationg so many people felt about how it could have happened really bothered me, when I had access to a very different view and could not share it. I have never felt this kind of relief as a journalist before.

(God, I hope this doesn't sound self-serving. I'm just spilling my thoughts and feelings as I feel them--same as I ever do on this blog. Feels a bit weirder knowing strangers may come here after reading the story, though, and then see me blabbing like this about it. But that's what I do here. Blab like this. Heeheehee. I also have barely slept in the past 24 hours, so consider cutting me a little slack.)

And I'm eager to hear what you all think. I'll try to answer any questions here. I'm sure there will also be a discusson in Slate's The Fray.