Short but sweet

I really can't say this is a slow week so I'm keeping my blog brief.  I've written a short story for submission and working on an idea for my next one. Plus, I plan to put 'Time Traveling Coffers' together and get it sent off to the publisher by Friday, the 20th, now that I have rewrites and bios back from all my authors. Got another rejection. Which is fine, that's the life of the writer. Next week, I have a guest blogger, Bryan Thomas Schmidt author of  'The Worker Prince' and 'The Returning'.

Open call - Different Dragons

Open call.

Most everyone has the same image of dragons and there are tons of Fantasy anthologies and series on the market following pretty much the same formula.

For ‘Different Dragons’ however, what is being sought are stories with a twist. While they can be Fantasy, the editor
is also seeking Science Fiction, Paranormal, Horror, Steampunk, Mystery, Romance, Humor, Christian Speculative
and just about any genre as long as it meets the guidelines.

Writers are highly encouraged to research dragon lore and use dracos from other countries. Yes, there will be stories
about the traditional European Dragons, but examples of others are: the Chinese Lung, Korean Yong, Frost Dragon,
Knucker, American and Mexican Amphithere, Lindworm, Wyvern, Marsupial, Tibetan, Dwarf Dragons and Sea
Serpents.

To give the contributor an idea on what types of different ideas the editor is looking for:

1. What if a multi-headed dragon had the abilities of Medusa?
2. Was the dragon the evolutionary step between dinosaurs and birds?
3. How would the outback be different if Marsupial Dragons had evolved instead of Kangaroos?
4. In the Antarctica Scientists stun the world by discovering the still partially skin covered skeleton of a Frost Dragon
and the remains of hatched eggs.
5. Perhaps a piece of jewelry inherited from some eccentric relative contains the spirit of a dragon and is left to a very
surprised and unprepared niece or nephew.
6. What would be the result if a dragon was part lion? Or a shape shifter?
7. Dragon angel anyone?

The ideas are infinite and the above list is just a springboard. Main characters can be the dragon his/herself, a human
going through some misadventure, or even a companion animal. They can be set in modern day, on other planets,
alternate dimensions, in the past, in the future, and even in a painting. The only condition is that a dragon must appear
in some form.

Not wanted are stories with graphic violence, excessive cussing, sex scenes, sorry, if you’re characters go to bed
together it must be behind closed doors and not shared with the reader, erotica, animal cruelty or FanFiction. Rating
for the anthology is PG13. Characters whose faith is an integral part of the plot will be accepted, but please, no
preaching.

All writers of all skill levels, published or not, and even teenagers, are encouraged to submit. Length can be from 1000-
6000 words. Times Roman 12. Standard Manuscript submission form.  Attach as a RTF document. Prefer original
stories. Query on reprints.

In the subject line please put: Submission: ‘Different Dragons’: Title of your story: Your name.
In cover email please tell the editor a bit about yourself, the genre of your story and a quick one line synopsis.

ALL writers are encouraged to submit. Doesn’t matter if you’re a pro with years of credits, a beginner just starting
out or a teenager - please feel free to send the editor a story. In your cover email, please tell the editor a bit about
yourself and a quick one line synopsis of the story. Include genre. If experimental, please explain the type or how so
the editor doesn’t edit out the form or reject it out of hand. Thank you.
In the Subject line please put :
Submission : Different Dragons : Title of your story : your name.
Attach as rft document.
Send to: Submissions@wolfsingerpubs.com

Payment will be $5.00 initial, plus an equal share of 50% of royalties.

Deadline will be 31 Dec 2012 // Because we are also reading for our 2012 Anthology – please do not submit for this
anthology until July 1st. Stories received before that time, will be filed in the Publisher’s email folder and risk getting
lost with all the other emails – we are hoping to release Spring 2013.

Bios will be requested is your story is accepted and should be written in third person.

As I'm telling everyone - I'm NOT looking for the traditional Fantasy story with a European dragon. Writers really need to think 'outside the box'. 

Time Traveling Coffers

Last week I spent most of my time editing stories that were accepted for 'Time Traveling Coffers'. I'm a picky editor, as those who submitted will tell you. I'm currently awaiting rewrites and will be sending out bio requests and contracts early this week. I have no intention of working on the July 4th. Planned release date is October just in time for MileHiCon - my local Science Fiction Convention. Sneak peak and tentative order" Time Con - Alan Lickiss The Locket – Nikalas Nowell Island Out of Time – Dave Withe Question Unresolved – Malcolm Cowen One Large Universe – Peter Wacks The Worm – Matt Chatelain Sins of the Father – Rebecca McFarland-Kyle Johnny Cache Steps Out – Sheryl Normandeau Seven Secret Minutes – Kessie Carroll The Story Within – Kaitlyn Wooley Eternal Escapes – Carol Hightshoe (Title) – Dana Bell Serval/dragon My story is a lead in for 'Different Dragons'. It is currently open for submissions. Guidelines are on the WolfSinger Publications site.

Camp NaNoWriMo - Week 4

I wish I could say that I'm dashing toward the 50,000 mark, but that wouldn't be the truth. There have been too many interruptions not to mention everything I have to do for the anthology I'm editing so it will be ready by the publishers deadline. On the up side my next novel has gotten a healthy start and I'll be able to get the first draft finished more easily. Not to mention the short stories I've managed to get submitted. So while I'm not hitting the final word goal, at least I had some limited success that will help me complete my next novel. One last thing I'll share - I did have a virtual pitch session with an editor for the Love Inspired line at Harlequin and she requested a synopsis. That's a huge win in my book.

Camp NaNoWriMo - Week 3

Week 3 already? Really wish I could say I was doing well and getting lots done on my next novel, but that would be an untruth. However, I have managed to get other writing and editing done. I've accepted two more stories for the anthology I'm editing. (Time Traveling Coffers) Plus resolved an issue with another story I'm considering. Attended our local ComicCon where my publisher informed me she sold all copies of my book she'd brought with her. Yeah! We also had out of town family visiting. Family is important. Something I'm learning the longer I live.

Camp NaNoWriMo - Week 2

Welcome to the second week of camp. Can't say I've done as well as I'd like. I had three days when I did not write at all. Got side tracked for a day of hitting neighborhood yard sales and then, since I'm editing an anthology, I spent two days reading the final submissions that came in right before the deadline. While my novel is behind, I have managed to write and submit two short stories with fast approaching deadlines. Today, finally, I'm hoping to get back to my novel and make up word counts since I'm lagging so far behind. Particularly since tomorrow, I have out of town family visiting and a local convention to attend on the weekend.

Camp NaNoWriMo - Week 1

Week one of CampNaNoWriMo and I'm already behind. I'm only at a little over 3000 words. However, since I elected to take the weekend off, partially be design and partly because of a horrific lightening and thunder storm - I turned off my computer to keep it safe - one could actually say I'm right on schedule. Several of my fellow campers have checked in and a couple still haven't posted. I'm hoping they didn't get lost during the wilderness hike or maybe they elected to stay around the campfire and eat s'mores. More on this wild summer adventure next week.