The Harper Pen Award, formerly known as the Ham-Sized Fist Award celebrates short heroic fantasy fiction published in the previous year. "Slow Stampede" has been deemed short, heroic and fantastical enough to enter and I'm thrilled they chose it as a finalist.
Pretty good bunch of names on that list too... It's always good to keep good company.
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta writing. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta writing. Mostrar todas las entradas
jueves, 25 de marzo de 2010
sábado, 12 de diciembre de 2009
Two more stories and the fun is over
Way back when I started writing in 2006-2007 (can't remember which) I made a pact with myself: I wouldn't attempt to write a novel until I had written and published ten stories in professional markets. The idea was that by then I'd be a good enough writer not to be wasting my time and energy trying to make a novel work. I did try to write a novel after my fifth published pro story. Hubris! I said, and resolved to wait until I'd completed my goal.
Of course, it works both ways. My total pro stories now number 8 (some of them have been accepted but not actually published yet). I can hear the clock tick, if you know what I mean. The day of Novelizing is 'night, and I hate it.
But, but... (you're saying)... isn't this what you wanted? To write stories to learn the ropes and then write that fantastic novel you've had in your head all along?
Yes, and no. I do love writing stories and seeing them into print, and I have learned a lot since I started, but I'm nowhere near ready for the novel. Plotting is still a stranger to me. I still feel my way around a 5000 word story, spilling it out without logic or reason and then relying on my poor critiquers (sorry Mom, sorry Villa Diodati) to make suggestions. Then I apply their common sense and and think about the plot a bit and collage the stupid thing into some sort of shape. I am occasionally successful with this approach, but the most frequent critique leveled at my stories is still that "they just don't make any sense".
The thought of having to go this route with a novel makes me shudder. I have a monstrous case of cold feet. It's already hard enough to figure out why people do things in a 2000-5000 word story, my current project is aiming at 20000 words and I'm totally and irreversibly lost (or so it seems). How can I even think of spending a whole year (or more) drafting out a 90000 word monster to then have to reassemble it bit by bit?
So, am I happy I've almost achieved my goal? Sure! Will I be terribly sad if my next submissions come back rejected?
Eh--I'll go get some ice-cream now.
Of course, it works both ways. My total pro stories now number 8 (some of them have been accepted but not actually published yet). I can hear the clock tick, if you know what I mean. The day of Novelizing is 'night, and I hate it.
But, but... (you're saying)... isn't this what you wanted? To write stories to learn the ropes and then write that fantastic novel you've had in your head all along?
Yes, and no. I do love writing stories and seeing them into print, and I have learned a lot since I started, but I'm nowhere near ready for the novel. Plotting is still a stranger to me. I still feel my way around a 5000 word story, spilling it out without logic or reason and then relying on my poor critiquers (sorry Mom, sorry Villa Diodati) to make suggestions. Then I apply their common sense and and think about the plot a bit and collage the stupid thing into some sort of shape. I am occasionally successful with this approach, but the most frequent critique leveled at my stories is still that "they just don't make any sense".
The thought of having to go this route with a novel makes me shudder. I have a monstrous case of cold feet. It's already hard enough to figure out why people do things in a 2000-5000 word story, my current project is aiming at 20000 words and I'm totally and irreversibly lost (or so it seems). How can I even think of spending a whole year (or more) drafting out a 90000 word monster to then have to reassemble it bit by bit?
So, am I happy I've almost achieved my goal? Sure! Will I be terribly sad if my next submissions come back rejected?
Eh--I'll go get some ice-cream now.
jueves, 25 de diciembre de 2008
200 subs. Stats
I've been writing and submitting since 2006. I created an account in Duotrope and logged in my first sub on July 13th 2006. By that time, I'd been subbing for a few months and had sold my first story to Strange Horizons so the stats here are skewed. My 200th submission (to ASIM) came back rejected on December 16th. Anyway, in case anyone is interested, here's some juicy bits of statistical nonsense I thought I'd share.
200 subs, 17 accepted pieces, that's an 8.5% acceptance rate, assuming that all 6 of my pending subs gets rejected. Of course, many of those pieces were subbed multiple times before being accepted and some of them are reprints which get counted several times. I told you the data was wrong!
A total of 12 different markets bought my stories. One market bought 3 stories, 3 markets bought 2 and the rest bought one each. Six of these stories were (or will be) published online only, 7 went to print markets (these may have online pdf copies available, but they're considered mainly print mags) and 4 went to markets like Shimmer who favor neither print nor e-formats but offer both.
Three stories were sold in 2006, seven in 2007 and six in 2008 which shows just how little I've been writing in 2008 (new job, new home, new life basically).
I don't know how useful any of this is, but here you go, my end-of-two-years stats. Enjoy.
200 subs, 17 accepted pieces, that's an 8.5% acceptance rate, assuming that all 6 of my pending subs gets rejected. Of course, many of those pieces were subbed multiple times before being accepted and some of them are reprints which get counted several times. I told you the data was wrong!
A total of 12 different markets bought my stories. One market bought 3 stories, 3 markets bought 2 and the rest bought one each. Six of these stories were (or will be) published online only, 7 went to print markets (these may have online pdf copies available, but they're considered mainly print mags) and 4 went to markets like Shimmer who favor neither print nor e-formats but offer both.
Three stories were sold in 2006, seven in 2007 and six in 2008 which shows just how little I've been writing in 2008 (new job, new home, new life basically).
I don't know how useful any of this is, but here you go, my end-of-two-years stats. Enjoy.
jueves, 19 de abril de 2007
Apex Digest #9
As you all know (or should know), Apex Digest is the next big thing in Horror-SF. After much pleading and cajoling, I finally got the editor to set up an online issue at Fictionwise, making it possible for everyone who lives in the Wrong Continent or Other Axis to access the magazine. (There's a moderate amount of tongue-in-cheek here. I know you, Human, can tell, but there are a lot of confused Reptilian Humanoids and literal-meaning Nazis out there who don't always get it)
What follows is a review of what I've read so far of issue #9. I'm pacing myself to make it last. I'm not a reviewer and I'm not objective if I can help it, but I've read a bit and I know what I like.
The issue opens with The Sum Of His Parts, by Kevin J. Anderson no less. Playing off the Frankenstein monster theme, Anderson explores the origin of the monster's organs and their respective owners Although the ending is predictable, each character sketch is fascinating enough to make the story interesting.
In The End Of Crazy Katherine Sparrow shows us what happens when people don't study their pharmacology. Just kidding. This is a classic medical dystopia "meds gone wrong" story about a cured schizophrenic who has to stop taking the miracle drug when she gets pregnant. Horror readers will love the insanity theme, but what scared me was the subtext, dealing with loss of freedom and medical ethics.
Lavie Tidhar is everywhere these days, including Apex and his story Gunslinger of Chelem has that unmistakable Tidhar feel. A detective who polices people's dreams, a gunslinger gone amok who kills his victims in a dream only he controls... Perfect ingredients for a different kind of western. A great story full of that Tidhar whimsical groove that makes him editor's pet in so many mags.
Mary Robinette Kowal has a sick mind and Locked In, one of the shortest stories of this issue, is also the one I've found most terrifying so far. It's another medical dystopia about a paralyzed man who cannot communicate with the outside world. When his family finds a way to get through to him, the result isn't what he imagined.
Projector is a well written story by Daniel LeMoal. It's written in 1st person, which is clearly one of the main strengths of the story, since the protagonist is a sassy junky that readers will love, no matter what he does. The plot about drug addicts forced into a hit job is spiced up by the supernatural powers of the intended victim. Disaster is imminent, but when you're touching bottom, there's not much further that you can sink.
Today's last story is At the 24-Hour, by William F. Nolan. I have a strong feeling that it was written tongue-in-cheek, using traditional horror tropes to get a good smirk out of the reader. This subtext keeps the story moving despite the predictable ending.
That's it for today. Overall, this was my favorite issue of Apex (I haven't read all of them, so you're allowed to contradict me). Normally in a magazine you find three or four stories you love and one or two that don't do much for you. Not here. All of the above are strong stories, and if I were forced to pick one, I'd have a hard time. My personal favorites are Locked In, Projector and Gunslinger of Chelem, but I can't honestly say that the other ones are less good. This is personal taste, not reviewer objectivity. If you thought you were going to find objectivity in this blog, someone probably sent you here for it on April 1st.
What follows is a review of what I've read so far of issue #9. I'm pacing myself to make it last. I'm not a reviewer and I'm not objective if I can help it, but I've read a bit and I know what I like.
The issue opens with The Sum Of His Parts, by Kevin J. Anderson no less. Playing off the Frankenstein monster theme, Anderson explores the origin of the monster's organs and their respective owners Although the ending is predictable, each character sketch is fascinating enough to make the story interesting.
In The End Of Crazy Katherine Sparrow shows us what happens when people don't study their pharmacology. Just kidding. This is a classic medical dystopia "meds gone wrong" story about a cured schizophrenic who has to stop taking the miracle drug when she gets pregnant. Horror readers will love the insanity theme, but what scared me was the subtext, dealing with loss of freedom and medical ethics.
Lavie Tidhar is everywhere these days, including Apex and his story Gunslinger of Chelem has that unmistakable Tidhar feel. A detective who polices people's dreams, a gunslinger gone amok who kills his victims in a dream only he controls... Perfect ingredients for a different kind of western. A great story full of that Tidhar whimsical groove that makes him editor's pet in so many mags.
Mary Robinette Kowal has a sick mind and Locked In, one of the shortest stories of this issue, is also the one I've found most terrifying so far. It's another medical dystopia about a paralyzed man who cannot communicate with the outside world. When his family finds a way to get through to him, the result isn't what he imagined.
Projector is a well written story by Daniel LeMoal. It's written in 1st person, which is clearly one of the main strengths of the story, since the protagonist is a sassy junky that readers will love, no matter what he does. The plot about drug addicts forced into a hit job is spiced up by the supernatural powers of the intended victim. Disaster is imminent, but when you're touching bottom, there's not much further that you can sink.
Today's last story is At the 24-Hour, by William F. Nolan. I have a strong feeling that it was written tongue-in-cheek, using traditional horror tropes to get a good smirk out of the reader. This subtext keeps the story moving despite the predictable ending.
That's it for today. Overall, this was my favorite issue of Apex (I haven't read all of them, so you're allowed to contradict me). Normally in a magazine you find three or four stories you love and one or two that don't do much for you. Not here. All of the above are strong stories, and if I were forced to pick one, I'd have a hard time. My personal favorites are Locked In, Projector and Gunslinger of Chelem, but I can't honestly say that the other ones are less good. This is personal taste, not reviewer objectivity. If you thought you were going to find objectivity in this blog, someone probably sent you here for it on April 1st.
miércoles, 18 de abril de 2007
Name-dropping
David Kopaska-Merkel, fellow founder and writer of www.dailycabal.com, has been nominated for the Rhysling.
David also writes wonderful prose. Check out his cool microfiction at Daily Cabal My favorite is "Three Wishes".
David already won second place for short poem and first place with Kendall Evans for long poemin 2006, and I wish him as much luck this time round.
Man, do I hang out with cool people or what?
David also writes wonderful prose. Check out his cool microfiction at Daily Cabal My favorite is "Three Wishes".
David already won second place for short poem and first place with Kendall Evans for long poemin 2006, and I wish him as much luck this time round.
Man, do I hang out with cool people or what?
lunes, 2 de abril de 2007
I Loved Ophelia-- The Lorelei Signal
I Love Ophelia is a poem I wrote a few years ago, long before I took up prose. I didn't plan to submit it anywhere but last year in Paris I showed it to Richard and he loved it, so... here's the result.
Please do vote for the reader's poll. Think of it as a way to tell me that my writing sucks without being threatened by a blunt katana.
Please do vote for the reader's poll. Think of it as a way to tell me that my writing sucks without being threatened by a blunt katana.
domingo, 1 de abril de 2007
"Pretty Little Thing" up at Helix SF
My story "Pretty Little Thing" is up at Helix-SF.
www.helixsf.com
This story was easy to start but hell to finish. I wrote it last year in Paris. I got the idea returning home late-ish at night by Metro and then joined a party in my Residence where I talked to interesting people who helped me flesh it out. I had fun "researching" this one. Then I was stuck and it took me several months of tinkering to finish the story.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and tell me what you think.
www.helixsf.com
This story was easy to start but hell to finish. I wrote it last year in Paris. I got the idea returning home late-ish at night by Metro and then joined a party in my Residence where I talked to interesting people who helped me flesh it out. I had fun "researching" this one. Then I was stuck and it took me several months of tinkering to finish the story.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and tell me what you think.
viernes, 30 de marzo de 2007
The Daily Cabal
The Daily Cabal has now been running smoothly for five days. We've got good feedback and quite a few subscribers.
Today's story is mine :) Check out "Fairy Western". I can guarantee that at least the premise is original.
www.dailycabal.com
Today's story is mine :) Check out "Fairy Western". I can guarantee that at least the premise is original.
www.dailycabal.com
lunes, 26 de marzo de 2007
The Daily Cabal
My plan to World Domination is progressing nicely. The Daily Cabal is live. It's nice to see my story up there on the kick-ass website.
Wohooo!
Pass the link around and tell me what you think of our stories.
The Daily Cabal posts new, free, very short stories by up-and-coming science fiction and fantasy authors, one every weekday morning, at www.dailycabal.com . The site launches Monday, March 26th, with one story from each of the eight Cabal members: toasters will die, gnomes will be kidnapped, suspicious neighbors will concoct diabolical schemes, men will fly like ducks, air conditioners will make contact with humankind, ancient women will speak, and a commuter will be trapped forever ... and that's just the first day.
Cabal members' short fiction has appeared in Strange Horizons, Realms of Fantasy, Writers of the Future Anthologies, Interzone, Polyphony 4, Asimov's Science Fiction, Jim Baen's Universe, Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, and many other fine venues. A Cabal member runs the Codex writing group; other members are editors at such well-reputed publications as Dreams and Nightmares and Abyss & Apex.
You're invited to stop by the Cabal, see what strange things are happening today, and weigh in with your own comments. We hope to see you there, and then we hope to completely mess with your mind.
Wohooo!
Pass the link around and tell me what you think of our stories.
The Daily Cabal posts new, free, very short stories by up-and-coming science fiction and fantasy authors, one every weekday morning, at www.dailycabal.com . The site launches Monday, March 26th, with one story from each of the eight Cabal members: toasters will die, gnomes will be kidnapped, suspicious neighbors will concoct diabolical schemes, men will fly like ducks, air conditioners will make contact with humankind, ancient women will speak, and a commuter will be trapped forever ... and that's just the first day.
Cabal members' short fiction has appeared in Strange Horizons, Realms of Fantasy, Writers of the Future Anthologies, Interzone, Polyphony 4, Asimov's Science Fiction, Jim Baen's Universe, Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, and many other fine venues. A Cabal member runs the Codex writing group; other members are editors at such well-reputed publications as Dreams and Nightmares and Abyss & Apex.
You're invited to stop by the Cabal, see what strange things are happening today, and weigh in with your own comments. We hope to see you there, and then we hope to completely mess with your mind.
sábado, 27 de enero de 2007
Death and other funny people
Well, the big story I referred to in previous posts is now officially a very rough draft sitting around 8600 words. That's the longest story I've ever written, and I'm not sure if I'm in control anymore. It's developed its own mind, it's own stink, even. I'm a short story writer. Novels are great, and I plan to write one someday, but to have a treacherous little story start sprouting cancerous growth in plot twists and weird subtexts, really pisses me off. Little buggers, I'll teach you to stab me in the back.
On a lighter note: Estigma de Cain tagged me to write 5 things you don't know about me. Hmm, lemme see.
1. When I was a kid, I used to have short dreams strung one after the other like commercials. The setting changed every ten seconds and you never knew if the next dream you were going to get would be a nightmare. Surprise! Horror!
2. When I'm studying medicine, I imagine the various diseases and organs as having their own personalities and voices. It's the only way to stay interested in this crap after 8 straight hours of memorizing.
3. One of my best friends just had her fist baby today. It's the fist baby to be born in our group of friends and I can already feel the philotes twinning around her. Welcome to the conyugato!
4. The keyboard to my laptop is broken, so I write on an old plug-in keyboard. The battery is also broken which means my computer has as many cables coming out of it as a conventional desktop. Not very portable at all.
5. I like chocolate in anything but ice-cream. Everything includes Mexican mole.
Ok, so now leaf and beth, it's your turn.
My brain is busted today from that story/novel wannabe. Excuse the grammar, spelling, typos, and general lack of sense.
On a lighter note: Estigma de Cain tagged me to write 5 things you don't know about me. Hmm, lemme see.
1. When I was a kid, I used to have short dreams strung one after the other like commercials. The setting changed every ten seconds and you never knew if the next dream you were going to get would be a nightmare. Surprise! Horror!
2. When I'm studying medicine, I imagine the various diseases and organs as having their own personalities and voices. It's the only way to stay interested in this crap after 8 straight hours of memorizing.
3. One of my best friends just had her fist baby today. It's the fist baby to be born in our group of friends and I can already feel the philotes twinning around her. Welcome to the conyugato!
4. The keyboard to my laptop is broken, so I write on an old plug-in keyboard. The battery is also broken which means my computer has as many cables coming out of it as a conventional desktop. Not very portable at all.
5. I like chocolate in anything but ice-cream. Everything includes Mexican mole.
Ok, so now leaf and beth, it's your turn.
My brain is busted today from that story/novel wannabe. Excuse the grammar, spelling, typos, and general lack of sense.
sábado, 2 de diciembre de 2006
Acceptance! "Pretty Little Thing" to Helix
Helix wants "Pretty Little Thing".
It's nice to know that in this reptile ridden world, nice things can still happen that don't involve dismemberment of green individuals.
It's nice to know that in this reptile ridden world, nice things can still happen that don't involve dismemberment of green individuals.
lunes, 20 de noviembre de 2006
Postage and no-boots
I mailed a story to SF&F today and the postage was almost five euros--not dollars, euros (evil grin). So I've done the math and decided I can't afford to mail subs; it's either email or nothing. I'll allow myself one postal sub every couple months but with my current success rate I really can't start flinging euros around. The story wasn't even that long, imagine if I had to mail out 5000 and 7000 word stories on a regular basis.
Today I met my dream boots. They went up almost to the knee, flat-heels so I don't fall off, pretty but comfortable. The leather was soft as if an esquimo grandma had spent hours chewing it for some baby. Idillic until I looked at the price. What's with being a poor student today? Ok, a student supported by her parents, but still...
I could start a Christmas "get out the gifts" campaign, but it's only November and I'm not good at weedling for gifts. That's a family gene I didn't get.
Today I met my dream boots. They went up almost to the knee, flat-heels so I don't fall off, pretty but comfortable. The leather was soft as if an esquimo grandma had spent hours chewing it for some baby. Idillic until I looked at the price. What's with being a poor student today? Ok, a student supported by her parents, but still...
I could start a Christmas "get out the gifts" campaign, but it's only November and I'm not good at weedling for gifts. That's a family gene I didn't get.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)
