Let’s Blitz Again – Review Edition
Two more submissions have been sent to magazine markets, both new to me. They are both stories I’ve only submitted once or twice before, so I’m still not sure how they’ll be received.
At the same time, I received an e-mail regarding the upcoming release for one of my two acceptances this blitz. I should have more details to share here soon, when we get closer to the print release.
Since I finished the story I was working on yesterday, I decided to work today on a review of a book I just finished reading. Here are my thoughts:
Review – Ren Garcia’s The House of Bloodstein
I’ve always enjoyed Ren’s space opera books for their high adventure and detailed world building, with added elements of fantasy and steampunk, quite dark in some places thanks to shadowtech. But this new addition to his series leans even more into my favourite genre, horror, which made the read more enjoyable for me. This particular novel continues the story of his second generation of characters – the first generation appearing in the original League of Elders series. Kay, Sam, Phillip, and Sarah are offered the opportunity to participate in a game, not as players, but as collectors of some highly sought after game pieces. There is a twist to the invitation that inevitably leads into dangerous terrain, facing off with dastardly villains, a crazy gun-toting revenant and space zombies far scarier than your average zombie fare. Joined by King, an artifact creature crafted to assist and defend them and Thomasina/Rose, Phillip’s romantic interest, the characters encounter everything thrown at them with their usual bold flair, making for a wild ride with some incredible fight scenes. Overall it was a wonderfully fun read.
My only advice is that this book wouldn’t read very well as a stand-alone novel, so if you haven’t read the rest of Ren’s series – start at the beginning and work your way up to this. His series is definitely one of my favourites.
Time to start a new story – more from my blitz later.
Summer Excerpt – Theme “Coffee” #3
Yesterday was a shopping day for me, which included buying some coffee for a coworker and a t-shirt with a coffee slogan for me. Today is a national holiday here in France so there will be music, good food, wine and fireworks. I expect it will be a fun evening.
This will be my last “coffee” excerpt. I’m revving up for a wine fair this weekend and I am, after all, in wine country, so appropriately, the next one will be “wine”. This one is from my Masters & Renegades novel, Magic University:
Ebon was halfway to his destination when his map slipped away from his telekinetic grasp. This had never happened to him before, but he had also never put such a demand on his physical reach before today. He juggle the map with what little physical force he could still manage to muster, flipping it over so that he could at least memorize its contents.
He continued onwards, abandoning the map face up in the mud. He had not expected this would happen, and knew it meant that he would have to feed, something he rarely felt the inclination to do. This did not please him. Feeding took time and energy, and he had neither.
Arriving at what he believed was his destination, he began his search. He had no trouble locating the leather wallet that contained the token. He could pick out with ease the two glowing magical auras surrounding the purse, and they smelt absolutely heavenly, like the aroma of fresh bread or strong coffee. He salivated at the thought of absorbing all of that sweet, distinctly different energy. The one reminiscent of coffee was harsh and bitter, but strangely satisfying, the other somewhat bland, but slightly sweet and very substantial. That was the only one he intended to feed off of, absorbing what he could as quickly as he could. This was the plan, but once he started, he could not stop.
He had not recognized his hunger, had not realized just how ravenous he had become. He sucked back the spell’s energies, lost in the instinct to feed and absorb. Before he had realized it, he had completely devoured the first spell and had started in on the second. He had lost all track of time, and as the last drop of energy slipped past his ethereal lips, he stretched out, thoroughly satisfied and replenished.
Now I’m off to make myself some lunch. ‘Til next time 🙂
April Blitz 2016: And Two Pro-Rates Make a Dozen
I received my first rejection for this blitz today, but that didn’t discourage me from sending out not one, but two, pro-rate venue submissions, one fantasy and one horror (#11 and #12.) They are new venues for my submissions, but I sent them two stories I really enjoy, one of which has had “maybe”s from pro-rate venues in the past, and the other too new to know how it might fare. I had only sent it to one pro-rate venue prior to this, and they folded, cancelling that submission call as a result before I received a response. This is my first and only re-submission so far, so fingers crossed. The hubby described it as “disturbing” which is a compliment where horror is concerned.
On a happy note, I was informed of a tentative May release date for another anthology containing one of my stories, making it two for May. I’m still waiting for word on the other four nearing release. One is looking at July, but not giving a proposed date yet. The other three are up in the air.
I finished a horror story today and ran it past my teenage daughter. Reading aloud allows for better editing and if it gets better than a “meh” from her, it has potential. She liked it.
More blitz later…
April Blitz 2016 – Submission#1 and a Friend’s Sneak Peek
This year’s spring blitz has begun – a story that has been waiting for a response from a charity anthology for over a year. I’ve withdrawn that submission and resubmitted to a new anthology. Fingers crossed.
And while this blitz is going on, I’m waiting on not one, or two, but six anthology releases. One is scheduled to come out at the beginning of May, but the other five don’t have set release dates yet. All I know is “soon”. I’ll keep you up to date as I know more.
Also, to share some info on a friend’s release, here is a sneak peek from Shannon Wendtland ( Website/ Blog: http://shannonwendtlandau.wix.com/a-quarrel-called).
Shannon is a wife, mother, writer, database administrator and general pot-stirrer-turned-mystic. Her latest release is called Heliodor and considering my venture into steampunk, I thought it would be fun to share:
“The captain placed a kid-gloved hand over Malfric’s. “Walk a bit with me while I fill you in.”
Malfric got to his feet, leaving the barrel-stool behind and looped his left hand through the crook of the captain’s arm. As the captain led him towards the bow of the ship, Malfric tasted currant jam and warm biscuits on the salty sea air. His favorite.
He stopped the captain before he could take another step. “There’s no point in buttering me up, Finch. Just give me the details. If I agree, we can proceed straight to the repast you have set up in your quarters. Otherwise, just hand me your purse and we’ll call it even.”
Finch muttered beneath his breath. “Your infernal nose ruins everything. Fine then, have it your way. A job has come up ― not our usual fare, but the bounty was too good to resist. So I booked it. But I need a voyeur to get it done. Naturally, I thought of you.”
Naturally. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch.” Shifting floorboards belied the captain’s response.
Malfric frowned. “You wouldn’t have laid out my favorite tea if it were an easy job with no strings. In fact, you wouldn’t have sent for me at all…any novice voyeur would have done.”
A snicker came from his right. Ah, Quantex had followed them.
The captain’s arm tensed beneath Malfric’s hand. Though he said nothing, Malfric detected the shift and rustle of his silk coat as he turned to glare at his first mate.
“There’s an artifact. We were not the only ones hired to find it,” Finch said with a disgruntled sigh. “The other crew has a day’s head start.” His voice softened to a conspiratorial whisper, “but we have an advantage they do not.”
Oh? “And what, pray tell, is that?”
A sharp intake of breath, a faint whistle through his nose, and the captain answered. “A body.”
For purchase information, check out http://www.amazon.com/Heliodor-Shannon-Wendtland-ebook/dp/B01D7UQMKG/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
The Season for Waiting
I’ve had lots of news lately, but unfortunately not things I’m at liberty to share. I got a peek at an anthology cover but I have to wait for it’s official release. I recently received an acceptance and contract but mum’s the word until the official ToC is announced and I’m still waiting to spread joy about an earlier acceptance which I’ve been asked to keep quiet for now.
I’m also waiting on the release of three anthologies I’m in, two horror, one fantasy, that are supposed to be released soon, but I haven’t had word on any exact dates.
With all this waiting, I’m getting a little twitchy – kind of like a kid waiting for Christmas Day.
So I’m trying to keep myself occupied by enjoying my new netbook (with its 9 hour battery life -yay!) and writing and submitting a few short stories. That way, the waiting doesn’t seem so bad.
Twitch, twitch.
April Blitz – Day 12
I sent out a few more submissions while completing the first draft of an essay I hope to be submitting to a competition shortly. I haven’t gotten any feedback lately for the submissions from this blitz but I haven’t received a rejection so far. I usually have at least one or two by this point in a blitz.
I’m testing a lot of new ground, via new publishers. I’m not sure if I’m up for submitting any of my novels this month. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Women in Horror – Shared Pages: Lillian Csernica
I chose this female horror writer for my spotlight because her story “Dark Waters” in the Midnight Movie Creature Feature 2 anthology is a good dose of spooky and suspense. I like the phobic element and the mysterious air associated with the ocean and Bill.
In addition to being a woman in horror, Lillian is a mom, a history buff and a Japanophile. She writes fantasy and crafts jewelry as well.
Find out more about Lillian here: https://lillian888.wordpress.com/