You Never Know

Last of the edits done for Different Dragons 2. Whew! Worked over eight hours my last day off to get them done and sent back to the authors.

Then, I contacted Bryan Thomas Schmidt and asked to reprint a story he submitted for another anthology I edited a few years back. He said yes, so I zinged a contract off to him and got the latest version to include.

New Table of Contests

The Dragon’s Keeper – David Lee Summers X

The Stalker – Lynn Donovan

Such is the Jungle – Quincy Allen

Changling – Rebecca McFarland Kyle

Suntosun Shipping – G.L. Francis

Of the Generation – Therese Arkenberg X

Dot’s Lunch – The Watchers along the Line  - Dave Withe

His Lucky Color is Gold – Rebecca Leo

Hargmir, Ghost of Dragons – David Turnbull

Space Wings – H.A. Titus

Asim’s Gift – Kathryn S. Renta

Mr. Long’s School for Girls – Rob S. Rice

Bessie Returns – Christine Hardy

Amélie’s Guardian – Bryan Thomas Schmidt X 

Will be finishing this project as soon as I get revisions back. Then, it will go off to the publisher, WolfSinger Publications.   

 Sunday night, I went to an artistic gathering at a church I keep loose ties to. Got to hear a great speaker and meet some new writers and artists. My editor ear is always looking for new talent. Didn't really find any possibles, but you never know.

New Release and more updates

Have read six more stories for Different Dragons 2. Four are accepted and two are iffy. Now have eight left to read, one of which is a novella. In fact, reading the pieces tonight, I've already picked my number one spot story. Nope, no spoilers until I finish reading and inform the authors.

Out this week, Dynamite and Diamonds 3, a gen fanzine. In it is my story Plan's Change. I'm already working on my third and final piece to finish out the series. If you like Stargate Atlantis, the film Change of Plans and Terra Nova, you'll have fun with this little tale. Best compliment I got was that I took the story in an unexpected direction. My readers thought I would go one route, and I went another.

Also this week, I presented 'How to do a Reading' to my writer's group, Words for the Journey. Everyone thought it informative. It even got several mentions on Facebook. 

Happy Editor

Wednesday evening, I got a request from an editor for a story. Luckily, I had a great idea, spent four days writing and revising, before I sent it off to her on Sunday evening. The tale was over 10,000 words.

Whoa! Wait a minute...how'd you do that?

Simple. Practice. Years and years of practice.

I'm a bit startled to discover that I write faster than many pro writers. I guess all that time I spent writing fanfiction, and then posting it online, paid off.

What was the fanfiction? Practice!

All I did was take everything I learned about writing in other people's universes and applied it my original work.

Hey, it worked. And I have one very happy editor.

Submissions, Reading, and just enough

This week's project has been to read submissions for Supernatural Colorado. Five stories later I was amazed at the talent and diversity of the writers and can't wait to read the last eight. There are seventeen in all and I've read four others previously. Though some need revision, I haven't read one I would reject - which is good since this was an invite only anthology and it looks like I'll have just enough stories to fill it.

I also submitted a story to Vampires Don't Sparkle. An anthology were there are rumors there might be a number two because the editor has received over fifty submissions - and the deadline isn't until March, 2014!

All in all - a good week. Now, if I could just come up with a zombie story...

MileHiCon post report

Over the weekend I attended MileHiCon, our local literary Science Fiction Convention. I was on three panels, one on each day, plus I had a reading during the final hour on Sunday. Most of the rest of the time I either attended panels, caught up with fellow writers and/or friends, or hung out at the WolfSinger Publications table in the dealers room.

A little about the panels, my first panel was 'What we want from the new Doctor Who'. It was a great discussion about favorite villains, companions, and yes, River Song will be back or so I was told, and questions about the choice for the new doctor.

Saturday I was part of a panel discussing food allergies and how in the world do you eat when away from home? It was called 'Eating outside the mainstream'. While such a discussion is not the norm for conventions, it was very informative about a growing problem in our society and how cooking for scratch is a life saver for those of us who have to watch what we eat.

I also attended the Spirituality & Spaceships panel which incorporated God or a higher being into SF/F/H stories and what authors have done this well. It was excellent discussion making both the panelists and audience think.

My last panel was Border Crossing:Non-Western Fantasy. It was made up of panelists all of which were using mythos of cultures that are not the normal medieval European. The moderator had great questions and it was a lively panel talking about why the authors used different cultural backgrounds in their work. I think this the best panel all weekend.

Finally, I did a reading with author Courtney Schafer. We had an audience and afterward we answered questions on our work. I sold three copies of my book 'Winter Awakening' and was complimented by Guest author Ian Tregillis for an excellent reading. I hadn't even realized he was in the audience.

Other outcomes: Got updated from various authors on where they are on their submissions for either 'Different Dragons' or 'Supernatural Colorado'. Some are doing both. Found a back up publisher for 'Supernatural Colorado' just because of the authors I have submitting to it.

Fellow author Julie Campbell and I pitched our collaboration to Carol Hightshoe for WolfSinger Publications. She said, 'When you get it done, I want it.'

Pitched an unfinished novel to Maggie Bonham from Sky Warrior books. After giving me some wonderful feedback, she told me to sent it when it was completed.

Had several folks drop by the WolfSinger table and say, 'When is the sequel to 'Winter Awakening' coming out.' Including my publisher so guess which book gets done next?

Found out 'God's Gift', my next book, will be be coming out either later this year or early next year.

Also, Carol told me she knows I'll be moving on up in the publishing world. First person who has told me that. While it scared me, I'm happy to know that at least someone has faith in my writing.

A lot of writers let me know that I am a wonderful editor and that they love writing for me. Wow! What a great compliment!!!!

All in all, a great weekend and I enjoyed reconnecting with folks I only see maybe once or twice a year. 

What's going on

Submissions are starting to come in for Different Dragons 2 & Supernatural Colorado. I won't actually be reading anything until after October 31st but I'm excited to see what wonderful ideas the writers came up with.

MileHiCon is also around the corner and I'm on at least three panels during the weekend. It's always fun to see friends, fellow writers, editors and publishers. Like a big family reunion. It'll be fun to see what new opportunities come from this time. I might actually manage to make the filk at least one night, sit in a circle and sing.

Life as an Editor

This has been a productive week for me. I've updated my Different Dragons spreadsheet preparing for Vol 2. The deadline is 10/31/2013. I'm looking forward to re-reading the stories I already have and reading the new ones that will be coming from invited writers.

I've sent out the email reminders and am pulling or keeping stories as the writers indicate. Replies seem to be coming in everyday.

Life as an editor is good. 

Uneventful week

Not a very eventful week. I spent time with my extended family, IE Denverfilk. We gathered on Saturday to share food, fellowship and song. Even had an out of town guest from Boston and skyped someone in from Tennessee. It was a wonderful gathering and we all enjoyed ourselves.

On the writing front I got a rejection. Wasn't really surprised. The editor enjoyed the story but it didn't fit the magazine. On the upside, it tells me what has to happen at the end of 'Winter Moon'.

 

Freelancing

One of the problems of freelancing is finding the time to write. I tend to end up working at least one full weekend day, which is what I did on Sunday.

What did I do?

Put together the complete Different Dragons anthology, including a Dedication, Introduction and Writer's Bios.
Edited four pages for a possible freelance gig. One that I now have to set a deadline when I can have it done for the author.
Returned a contract, picture, bio and tag line for an accepted short story.

Working for yourself is not easy and it takes sacrifice and persistence. I wouldn't be the success I am today if I hadn't understood what it meant.

Pet Peeve Words

 My major pet peeve as an editor are crutch words. What are those? Words authors constantly use to get them from point A to B because they have not yet learned how to do so any other ways.

 Most common offenders:
That
Then
As
Still
which
for a moment
but
to, with, of, 
and many, many others.

Why do I catch these? Because I have done and sometimes do this myself. I love it when an editor points this out so I can sharpen my skills as writer.

As an editor, I try to do this for my writers as well. My reward, seeing the improvement in their writing.

Closing 2012 and Opening 2013

I spent part of the New Year's day closing out my writing docs for 2012 and setting up my new editing project for 2013.

Findings:

Financially - I broke even. That was my goal this year. The previous two I lost money.

Submissions - Totaled 25, with 11 acceptances, 6 rejections, and 8 still pending.

New spreadsheets set up for 2013.

My 2013 editing project for WolfSinger Publications, Different Dragons 1 & 2, had 36 submissions which I will now have to spend my time reading, critiquing, returning for rewrites and then accepting or rejecting.

Oh, and let's not forget backing up everything on my thumb drive - JIC.

First though, I must rewrite a submission for an anthology because my deadline is sneaking up on me very fast. I'll talk more about that at a later date. 

Current Published List

For those who are curious, here's my publishing list, to date. Many of available either from Amazon or the Publisher

1. Novel

A. Winter Awakening
WolfSinger Publications

2. Edited

B. Of Fur and Fire
Behemoth & several poems
DreamZion Publishing
 
C. Time Traveling Coffers
Danger Said the Dragon
WolfSinger Publications

3. Anthologies

D. All About Eve
The Cat's Creation Tale
WolfSinger Publications

E. FTST#4: Space Horrors
Chosen One
Flying Pen Press

F. Throw Down Your Dead - An Anthology of Western Horror
No Trespassing
Sonar 4 Publications - Publisher closed their doors - Out of Pring

G. Frost Bitten Fantasies
The Storm
Dreamzion Publishing

H. Zombified - An Anthology of all things Zombie
Mighty Fine
Sky Warrior Boosk - ebook only

I. A Taste of Armageddon
Legacy
WolfSinger Publications

J. Women of the Living Dead - A Zombie Anthology
Mandie's Zombies
Open Casket Press

K. Tales of the Talisman (Magazine)
Welcomed Cast Outs  (Poem)
Rhysling Nominee
Hadrosaur Productions

L. FTST#6 : Space Battles
Isis
Flying Pen Press

M. Earth's End - An Apocalyptic Anthology
Smothered
Open Casket Press

N. Strange Summer Mysteries - A day at the Beach
Drip, Drip, Drip
Whortleberry Press

O. Tales of the Talisman (Magazine)
Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Hadrosaur Productions

P. The Undead that Saved Christmas
Bast's Christmas Presents
Rainstorm Press

Q. 31 More Nights of Halloween
Shadow
Rainstorm Press

R. Strange Halloween
Oasis
Whortleberry Press

S. Gunslingers and Ghost Stories
The Ruins
Science Fiction Trails

T. Strange Christmas
Best Gift
Whortleberry Press

I have several other stories accepted but they haven't been released yet.
 


 

Pondering Next Year's Goals

This has been a very busy year. I've had quite a number of short stories published not to mention editing Time Traveling Coffers.

Next year I'm already planning on what my goals should be. Tentatively they will be:

1. Edit Different Dragons. There could be two volumes. Have already talked with publisher about possible release dates not to mention compiling an invite list for the second.

2. Finish Winter Emergence. I have those who have read Winter Awakening wanting to know what happens next.

3. Pitch my romance Worth the Wait. I have a publisher in mind who is searching for books for the over 50 crowd.

5. Pitch a Tween/Young Adult series involving winged cats. I've already informed by two young collaborators I might have found a market for it. They're excited.

6. Several short story submissions. Although, I think I'll slow down a bit in this arena.

7. Shaking, terrified, I'm thinking of pitching a series to either Baen or Tor.

8. Possible collaboration with a fellow writer to see if her vampire hunting dog and my vampire cats might be combined in a story/series.

9. Taking advantage of anything that comes my way.

Now bear in mind, all these goals are in between life, my day job, caring for the cats and my spouse.

Roles of the Writer : Writer & Editor

At their heart, writers are writers. They enjoy playing with the words and putting together stories. If it was all they had to do, they would , so to speak, be in heaven.

However, in today's market, the roles writers play are more involved. Many also become editors working independently or for a publishing house. They help other writers become better at their craft often by correcting grammar or punctuation or finding plot holes you could drive a truck through. Some edit anthologies.

They also freelance for businesses as technical writers with assignments that can range from scientific documents, computer instructions, department procedure manuals, job descriptions, vendor letters and any thing else needing their special talents. Many make their living this way while they toil away at their own creative endeavors.

Definitely Sympathize

I got a good lesson over the weeknd on why it's important to give agents and editors a break during conference.

I'm editing an anthology called 'Different Dragons'. While attending MileHiCon, our local literary Science Fiction Convention, I spent most of my day Saturday taking pitches, or having my brain picked for information on writing. It got to the point that I went and hid at my publishers dealer's table, just to get away from writers.

It's not that I minded taking their pitches or talking with them. There just comes a point when I needed a break so I could talk with the next writer who wanted a bit of my time and experience.

This being said, the next time I see an editor or agent in the bar, or in the ladie's room or some other place, I'm going to be mindful that I need to respect their space and give them time to themselves.Yes, they're there to take pitches, as I was over the weekend, but sometimes, they need to be allowed to enjoy themselves and recharge their 'engines'.

Yes, I'd love to pitch, but I need to ask if it's a good time and if it isn't, arrange to talk with them later. In the long run, it will be better for me, or even you, the want to be published writer.

Gleeful Rewrites

One thing I've learned, if an editor likes a story well enough to ask for a total or partial rewrite, the writer should happily oblige and resubmit the piece. It's paid off in the past for me several times and I suspect many times in the future as well.

Stories that have been published by my doing so:

'Isis' in SFST#6 Space Battles, Flying Pen Press. I've gotten an invite for another anthology with the same editor - this one with several big name SF writers who will be contributing.

'Oasis'  in Strange Halloween, Whortleberry Press- not to mention a wonderful personal note from the editor for my creativity in finding a new angle for a vampire story. She also asked for a rewrite on a Christmas story currently submitted.

Take a Chance

Acceptance! The editor took my second story. Yep, that's right. After my first story got rejected I dared to submit a second. He liked it and a contract will be on its way sometime this week.

What I've learned in this business that many writers don't take a chance. They send one story and if it's rejected - before submissions close - they don't try a second time.

Take the chance. If the editor doesn't like the first tale. Try again.

One never knows. It might just pay off.

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.

World of the Writer

Today, I managed to rewrite chapter one of 'Winter Emergence', the next book in my trilogy. During Pikes Peak Writers Conference I had a read and critique session with Steve Saffel and he told me although it was well written, it didn't grab him. What did I forget? You always need a hook to grab the reader and pull them into your world. So, I rewrote the entire first page, moved information around in the chapter and did a much better job at 'showing' rather than 'telling'. The reader wants to experience the world through the character. A simple fact I had forgotten. Speaking of experiencing the world through the writer, I currently have a cat on my lap. She's purring, warming my legs, her gray fur is soft on my arms and her tongue rough as she tries to both bathe me and get my attention away from the keyboard. It's rather annoying. What first attracted me to bring her home were her vivid green eyes. Not to mention she took a toy away from a child who was trying to play with her. I decided then and there she'd be perfect to bring home and introduce to the 'boys' - my two senior cats. There was lots of hissing and 'why are you sniffing my tail?'In between her hiding under the wooden bench next to the carpeted stairs. What happened? Well, that's a tale for another day.