Low Impact Parenting

I got a really constructive rejection from Pseudopod on Friday. Two paragraphs of suggestions and some very encouraging words from the assistant editor, Shawn Garrett. Made my day.

On Sunday I had an (Op-Ed) editorial published in the Inland Empire's main newspaper, The Press Enterprise. I originally called the piece Low Impact Parenting, but they changed it to Put Down the Phone and Be a Parent. A little wordy, but probably works better. You can read or listen to it online at: Put Down the Phone an Be a Parent.

Rejection

Everybody hates rejection. When someone tells me I have fallen short, I can't help but ask the question - am I good enough? I ask myself every time I see that line - Thank you for thinking of (such and such publication.) Unfortunately we are going to pass.

Form letters are the worst. They mean one of two things. 1) the publisher was to busy (to many submissions) to respond individually or 2) your submission didn't merit anything more than a formulated response. Either way, no rejection feels as empty as a form letter.

But a more personalized rejection can sometimes leave you scratching your head. I got one a few years back from a leading (pro-rate) online horror zine, that said they were rejecting my submission because it was to much like what they publish.

Anyway - I got two rejections this week, the first was a form rejection for a short story for Comet Press's new horror anthology. But the second was from Fantasy Magazine, and Fiction Editor Cat Rambo wrote some encouraging words, saying my submission came very close and I should definitely try them again. A rejection letter like that will probably keep me going for the next six month.

On The Brighter Side - Mounting Fairies

A text version of my story Framing and Mounting Fairies, (first released in audio 11/2008 at the Dunsteef Audio Fiction Magazine) has just been released in the 3rd and final issue of On The Brighter Side. This is an online downloadable PDF publication, that had a very short life, but just one of many small press zines to bite the dust in this dismal economy.

Of the three issue the editors did manage to get out before its demise, I think the 3rd is by far the best. It is, or was, a publication dedicated to the genre of humor, a first for me, as most of my stuff finds its way into speculative anthologies and magazines. The R.I.P issue is available from their web site - On The Brighter Side.

Or download it directly by clicking HERE

Fairy Hunting

My story chronicling the very misguided life of fairy hunter extraordinar, Dr. Morgan Z. Vile, has inspired landscape and portrait artist Mitch Cudney to produce this, probably not Disney approved, image of Tinker Bell. The Dunesteef audio fiction magazine is using Cudney's image as the cover for their fall issue Vol. 1 No. 2.

Like the story, its a bit twisted, but based on the feedback I'm getting, it would seem that's what people like about the story.

So a little dark humor for the holidays seems a nice counterbalance with the sugary sweet warm fuzziness we're joyfully bombarded with this time of year.

Speaking of this time of year, its time to reflect a bit. I finished a novel, nearly completed a novella, had six stories published, had four stories produced in audio and got an editor interested in looking at a collection. Not bad, but as I glance at my goals for 2008 (yes I actually write them out) I'm guessing I achieved about 65-75% of them. Still unattained, is getting something published in Children's, MG or YA. It would be nice to get something published that I could let my kids read. Thus far my writing consists of material I don't ever want my kids to read, as they already think I'm odd enough as a dad. I can't imagine what my 6-year old daughter would think of me if she knew I penned a tale about capturing, killing, and framing the little creatures she has decorating her pink and purple bedroom. So more child friendly goals and stories for 2009. Happy New Year.

Framing and Mounting Fairies

The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine released my short story Framing and Mounting Fairies, yesterday. They did an amazing job with this experimental piece that reads like a How-to guide. Using my bug collecting experience as a kid and my background in How-To manuals to flesh out this twisted piece, I never really realized until listening to it how dark and sinister the tale is. Probably because my original intent was to be funny, I never really fully grasp the underlying darkness of the piece. I'm not really sure if that says something about me or just my writing, either way its an enjoyable piece employing a nice use of sound effects and really well thought out background music. If you enjoyed it let me know.

Framing and Mounting Fairies

Dunesteef - The October Scary Story Event

During the month of October, the Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine held a writing contest / promotion. I'm not sure if it was a contest or a promotion, but the idea was to write a scary story in the month of October, submit it, and they would pick several to read at a later date. Not sure how many were submitted, but one of the four stories they chose, "Halloween in July," was mine. I wrote it in a rush, and it needs some tweaking, but the Dunesteef editors said it will run next year sometime, so I have some time to edit. It was an interesting writing process. I don't usually write with deadlines, but with a submission cut off of Halloween, I really buckled down - something I should do more often.

I'm currently working on a novella and I've made a goal of having draft one done this year. So with 11,00 words in the can and 10,000 to go, its time to buckle down again. I hope self imposed deadlines will be as effective. We'll see.

Fear Factor - 4 FREE

Just before the weekend Anne over at Sniplits let me know that my story "Fear Factor" is going to be the free story of the week, possible next week. This is exciting news as it will allow it a much wider audience. Although royalties are nice I'd much prefer the story be widely listened to. As I mentioned before I believe its the best reading / performance of any of my stories.