Catch-Up in June
A post has been a long time in coming (sorry), but I have been well and truly busy. I’ve been working at setting a blog up for my pseudonym as well as prepping a couple of between blitz submissions, juggling proofing and marketing requests and participating in the voting process for one of my writer’s associations. It’s also gardening season, jugger season and I’ve been spending a lot of time with my daughter lately. So yeah – I’m busy.
That being said, the last few weeks have been pleasantly rife with story acceptances, payments, cover reveals and ToC announcements – so I have to play catch-up on those (or, at least the ones I’m allowed to talk about now.)
Compostela – Tesseracts 20 – containing my sci-fi short story “Better” is now available for pre-order here . Tesseracts is one of my “writer’s bucket list” achievements, so it’s a big deal for me. I’m sharing pages with some pretty impressive people.
Clockwork Canada, the Exile Editions steampunk anthology containing my short story “The Curlicue Seahorse” is on the ballot for the 2017 Aurora Awards, in the category of Best Related Work.
I have a new free read available too. My flash fiction, Pure Mime, has been published by Body Parts Magazine.
And you can also find me listed on two ToC announcements. The first is from Digital Fiction Publishing. My short story “Octavia” will be included in their all-female writer horror reprint anthology, “Killing It Softly 2” .
The second can be found on the blog for Mackenzie Publishing . Their “Two Eyes Open” horror anthology will include my period horror short, “Soul Cakes.” I’ve shared the lovely and intriguing cover above.
I’ll have more announcements coming soon as my last submission blitz proved to be quite successful. And I just finished a horror short for a themed anthology invite that I can’t discuss just yet. We’ll see how that goes.
I hope everybody’s year has been as exciting as mine has been so far. Now its off to work on some edits…
Spring Blitz 2017 – Hanging in There
I completed my 20th submission for April today, despite not keeping up with regular blitz blog posts. I blame mundane tasks that have gotten in the way, like helping with homework, chasing chickens (see the dastardly Pecan here to the left) and doing my taxes, and not so mundane tasks like being eyeball deep in Chuck Wendig’s Zeroes (which I hope to review on Monday.) I’ve been testing new venue waters too which has meant investing more time to broaden my call searches.
I’ve been waiting on a couple of new releases expected shortly. Forest Seclusion (adult content warning) is now available here, and there will be more to follow fairly soon.
I’ve also received a new acceptance – a year and four days in the making. I was on the brink of retracting that submission when the acceptance came through, but I was pleased to see the wait was worth it. I try to give a submission plenty of time before retracting, but I usually figure a year is enough. Sometimes I do let them sit longer though, if I’m not anxious to resubmit. At the same time I received a quick confirmation that another submission had made it through phase one of a three phase review process. Fingers crossed. 🙂
And, or course, this month isn’t without its rejections – 5 so far, with two of the submissions clearing the year long mark. It only pays to be patient some of the time.
I may not post again until Monday. I have a short story I hope to finish and then it’s back to working on taxes.
But at least gardening’s not that far off … right?
Let’s Blitz Again – October 2016 #9
Yesterday’s submission, a query to an agent, took longer than I had anticipated so I didn’t get around to blogging, but today’s is done with time to spare. It’s the second time out for this newer story, rejected once only by a pro-rate venue. A cheeky tale with a chilling ending, I’m quite fond of it – which often is a mark of doom for my stories because I have quirky, eclectic tastes, so the ones I don’t like as much often fare better. If I find them a little dry or ordinary, they tend to find a home quite quickly.
I’m working on a story, “Smiles All Around,” I hope to have finished by the end of the week. I’m writing it for a specific call. It is flowing nicely and ties in some of my work experiences. I also managed to squeeze in a bit of gardening, while the nice weather lasts. Frost will clear things out soon enough.
In the meantime, things keep growing and I keep picking.
Let’s Blitz Again – October 2016
After a lengthy hiatus thanks to an insanely busy post-vacation summer, I’m back to blogging my usual October submission blitz. My first submission was a query for a horror-themed charity anthology. I’ve already received a positive response. Today was a submission for a contemporary horror anthology.
I’m still dealing with my busy time at work and harvesting my garden, as well as fall/Thanksgiving/Halloween family activities, so I’ll be keeping my posts short. That and I’ve been wading through galleys for soon to be released anthologies. One is now available for pre-order, Killing It Softly, which contains a reprint of my horror story “Orbs”.
There are still many submissions ahead of me, so I’ll be blogging again soon. Enjoy the warm fall weather.
Snips and Stings
I’ve been on a bit of a blog hiatus thanks to a series of events. Prepping for summer vacations has kept me busy and we’re in full-fledged gardening season (my garden looks lovely so far), which also takes me away from my computer. Add to that jugger and some heavier than normal editing demands and making time to blog is not all that easy. I’ve also been waiting on some ToC information to share that has yet to arrive. But I’ve decided I‘ve delayed long enough for that.
So on Sunday, for a couple of reasons, jugger didn’t happen (we played in light rain on Thursday), and gardening was a no go. My daughter’s class trip has come and gone, and while I have some edits to check over and some submissions I hope to make today, I have a few moments to spare.
I had mentioned about my efforts to network, and while my efforts continue, I’ve found at least one of the forums discouraging. I see people trying to contribute in a rather brash or blunt way(some of whom are social filter-challenged), other people taking offense, some harsh remarks (downright vicious at times) and some apologies, a little joking around, some lauding of new successes with a round of congratulations, arguing over rules and regulations, and writers who are also editors complaining about submissions they receive, but very little of anything productive or helpful. And I’m physically not in close proximity to the majority of the people on the forum, so any discussions of gatherings or meet-ups exclude me because of the distance involved. I feel very much like an outsider because of this and because I am new there.
I was hoping I might see more discussions of calls for submissions, tips and suggestions, problems and advice, encouraging talk and interesting stories – there are some, but I’d have to say more negative or neutral posts so far, a few of them accompanied by a sense of superiority from some writer who thinks he’s better than another. After observing several threads, I’m loathe to comment for fear of being pounced upon and attacked, or at least drawing a passive-aggressive snide remark or two. Even quite innocent comments seem to be vulnerable. The introvert in me is telling me to start avoiding the forum because it is putting me off writing, rather than motivating me.
As much as I was looking forward to participating and broadening my contacts and knowledge, it’s pretty pointless if it deters me from writing. So I might give it a little more time, in hope things improve, but if not I’m going to go back to just doing things on my own again. Maybe that’s how it’s meant to be.
I think that’s why I like gardening. The only things there that stings are the fire ants.
April Blitz 2016: Into the Homestretch (#21-23)
Another shot at a pro-rate venue and a couple of new venues leaves me with only a week left to go in my blitz. I’m scurrying to hunt out new submission calls as I get to the last of my unsubmitted stories. A busy weekend hasn’t left me with much time: gardening (which will hopefully grow as nicely as last year’s), a well-needed shopping trip, a teenage sleepover, a weekend fandom event and tax time have me somewhat occupied this weekend – and next week isn’t any less busy. I’m looking forward to May, just so I can have a brief breather.
That’s all I have the time for — more later.
After a Long Pause
This year involved a lengthy summer hiatus from blogging for multiple reasons. Summer is always busy for me. The kids are home from school. I work overtime at my day job. Some of my focus is on gardening. This year also included double weekly doses of jugger, a trip to France with my daughter, and new puppy. All of these things proved to be time sucks, albeit positive ones. In summer, the things at the bottom of my priority list get bumped off by the things at the top and because I want to keep writing my fiction, blogging is often one of the things that goes.
And off it went
But I’ve been wanting/meaning to set aside some time to announce some of the good things that have happened over the last few months. I received an acceptance for another pro-rate (per HWA standards but not those of the SFWA) venue, this time for my first stab at steampunk. You can find out more about it here: https://www.blackgate.com/2015/07/30/see-the-table-of-contents-for-clockwork-canada-steampunk-fiction-edited-by-dominik-parisien/
This spring/summer has also been one of multiple releases including short stories in the anthologies Strangely Funny 2 ½ (Dead to Write) and My Favourite Apocalypse (Gaia’s Gift) and some non-fiction pieces in the Horror Addicts Guide to Life. I have other acceptances brewing for release I the near future, including a YA cyberpunk/fairy tale mash up, but those announcements will come later.
No news on the novel front. My series remain in limbo and no new acceptances for the yet-to-be-published, but I’m still writing and still hopeful. I have a test-reader working away at some of them, so we’ll see where that goes.
Until then, I hope to get back on the blogging track when my overtime is up, likely in time for my submission blitz in October.
Until then – if you need me, you may want to hunt me out in the jungle that is my garden this year. You’ll like find me digging up something for supper, pickling or freezing.
Turnip anyone?
Blitz Follow-up
I would happily take a handful of rejections over hayfever any day. Unfortunately, I’m afflicted by both right now. I haven’t received very many rejections yet, mostly from pro-rate or SF venues, and just the one acceptance as of yet, so it’s still a matter of waiting. I was a little disappointed that the “maybe” that had come back turned into a “no,” but at least they described my story as “high quality.”
As for the hayfever, that has proven to be a severe annoyance this year. I’ve only had to endure mild symptoms it the past but this year I swear these allergies are seriously out to get me. If the lack of sleep or oxygen deprivation hasn’t done me in before the end of the weekend, then I might survive gardening this year even if it means suffering to see it through.
A Current Endeavor – Quiet
I haven’t posted in quite some time, but that’s in part because I went on vacation for two weeks and decide to make it a true vacation in that I stopped any extraneous activities that felt like work to me – even regular posts on social media.
Blogging is definitely work. Like many writers I’m an introvert and aside from my stories, I’m not inclined to communicate. A relaxing day for me is writing, artwork, gardening, playing a few computer games or puzzles, reading or floating happily in the water at some beach. Note that these are all solitary activities. I like doing many of these activities side-by-side with my friends or family, but I don’t engage easily, sometimes to my husband’s irritation who I know expects more sharing. That is what a relationship is supposed to be about after all, but that’s just not me.
Even fun social activities, like parties, are uncomfortable for me. I used to enjoy them, but I don’t relate to old friends anymore. Many of them don’t have kids and certainly not autistic ones. Most of them don’t understand my obsession with writing. Most of them have more to their lives than work, family and writing. I end up talking about writing to the odd person who is interested, or maybe gardening to a few other hobby gardeners, but that’s about it. Otherwise I feel very much out of place at social gatherings. The typical extrovert just doesn’t get me.
I like the quiet…no, make that, I love the quiet, and after going offline, and tuning out, it’s difficult and even jarring to force myself to tune back in. I oftentimes wonder if it’s worth it, especially when considering I’m happier and less stressed if I just let things be, embracing who I am and enjoying that peace of mind. I don’t have a large following on my blog. I don’t receive much in the way of communication from folks who read my work. The effort necessary in order to reach out to people seems an awful lot for the size of the return.
But I have made commitments to people and as much as I prefer the quiet, I have to make the effort. I always try to make good on my promises, especially when someone has invested time, energy and/or money in me. So I’m jumping back into social media and I’ll be posting again.
BTW – I’m working on Chapter 16 of Endeavor and I received an acceptance for a fifth short story as the result of my submission blitz. My goal was 6, but I still have some pending a response, so I’ll keep my fingers-crossed that I’ll receive at least one more. I’m planning a second blitz in October.
A Current Endeavor – Summer Slacking
I have to admit, I have a hard time staying disciplined when it comes to writing posts for blogs in the summertime. I much prefer going to the beach and gardening to sitting huddled in my stifling living room or descending to the musty but cool bowels of my basement to type up something other than Sam’s latest (and rapidly darkening) adventure. Or sometimes I’d just rather hang around watching bad movies with a cold beer in hand. Nevertheless, while not posting consistently, I am posting. That must count for something.
I’ve also been working overtime and trying to hustle to get extra work done before I go on vacation next month. I’m sure many of you working desk jobs know what that’s like. There’s no one to replace you when you’re gone. If you don’t clear away more than you would on an average couple of workweeks beforehand, the backlog you come back to after “relaxing” will often seem overwhelming.
When I’m feeling overworked, I often tend to write more (but do less of the promotional things…like blogging – I feel like I’m doing enough work already.) The truth is, writing helps me relax, and as long as I’m not stressed to my breaking point, I’m better able to write when I need that escape. I’m happier to lose myself in the plot and characters. I find solace in details and background story. The fiction becomes more real for me.
So chapter 13 is coming along nicely and I can see the end of Endeavor quite clearly in my mind’s eye from here. The characters have been playing with me and I’ve had to rewrite parts of the outline, but I think it’s for the better. I have discovered plot threads that will lead me into book 6, Dominion, and beyond. I’m also laying the groundwork for the end of the series, which culminates in book number 9.
My conclusion? Summer slacking’s not so bad, and with regards to Endeavor, it’s proving to be reasonably productive.
