Cool News (& Other Stuff)
Awhile back, I finally got back into submitting my short stories after not doing so for awhile because I was so frustrated with it in general. Then the end of last year and the beginning of this year, I really didn't do much of it because I was focused on other things. I did do some subs, managed a few small sales (like "God of Light" to Something Wicked), but it was nothing really concerted. In fact, most days, I'd rather ignore my short stories. I've not managed to break into the pro market, and most of the other markets just aren't worth the time. I take time crafting my work, so $5 for a story that's taken hours to get ready to put out there drives me crazy. And I get it. Not every market can afford to pay even semi-pro rates, and if they all closed because they can't, we'd have very few markets to submit to. But it really doesn't encourage me to be conscientious about submitting either.
And don't get me started on markets that don't pay anything but "exposure". 99.9999% of those markets SHOULD close. Unless they're a prestigious market with a lot of awards or for charity, the "exposure" isn't worth the website they're posted on. *shrug*
ANYWAY (*steps off her soapbox*), so it should come as no surprise that I've not sold anything this year. This past weekend, I did finally go through my submissions records, checking on the stories that have been out there, and realized I had a few available for sub, some because I'd been ignoring them in general, and others because response deadlines had passed months ago. So I flung 4 or 5 of them back out into the ether.
And yesterday, I got my first sale of the year. "Into Stone" has sold to Chamberton Publishing for the SFF anthology they're putting out (deadline to submit is the 1st). More info on the antho when I have it. They promise to have stuff for us authors to promote the antho available on the 1st. :D
In other news, Chef has agreed for sure that we need to see if there's any way to get a new mattress (preferably a real one rather than an air mattress) on Friday. He's still a bit put off by "everything we'll be doing" (looking at mattresses and going to 2 grocery stores), but when I said we could wait another week, he shut that idea down. Granted, he has ulterior motives, but hey, if it gets me a decent mattress and a full night's sleep? I'll deal. lol
Of course, there had to be a "down" today. Can't have all that good getting us feeling our oats, you know. Seems the car has yet another issue-a loose battery cable or something. Chef has no idea when he can get it fixed or how much it'll cost (guess we know where my short story money is going. :P). In the meantime, I can't drive the thing. Which is kinda okay. I don't drive it much anyway since he's never home and the car is usually with him. But I'm really hoping this isn't the beginning of the end for the car. I'd really rather pay the sucker off before it gives up and dies. Just can't afford two car payments. :P
Yesterday was another...slow? day for me. The day went quickly enough, I guess, maybe too quickly, but I pretty much felt stuck on slo-mo. No words, barely managed some editing. Hopefully tonight will start something of a better day since I can't go to bed for another 5 hours. I've moved myself back into the dining room away from the distraction of the TV and where I can work more comfortably. Hoping the move will help boost my productivity a bit. As well as keep me awake. And if it does, guess that's what I'll need to make sure to around 12:30 or 1 AM most nights after this.
New routines again. Yay. :P
~~~
most recent
whysper cars & timing :: journeys Coming Out Of Darkness
the chef's wife Cranberry Sauce
And don't get me started on markets that don't pay anything but "exposure". 99.9999% of those markets SHOULD close. Unless they're a prestigious market with a lot of awards or for charity, the "exposure" isn't worth the website they're posted on. *shrug*
ANYWAY (*steps off her soapbox*), so it should come as no surprise that I've not sold anything this year. This past weekend, I did finally go through my submissions records, checking on the stories that have been out there, and realized I had a few available for sub, some because I'd been ignoring them in general, and others because response deadlines had passed months ago. So I flung 4 or 5 of them back out into the ether.
And yesterday, I got my first sale of the year. "Into Stone" has sold to Chamberton Publishing for the SFF anthology they're putting out (deadline to submit is the 1st). More info on the antho when I have it. They promise to have stuff for us authors to promote the antho available on the 1st. :D
In other news, Chef has agreed for sure that we need to see if there's any way to get a new mattress (preferably a real one rather than an air mattress) on Friday. He's still a bit put off by "everything we'll be doing" (looking at mattresses and going to 2 grocery stores), but when I said we could wait another week, he shut that idea down. Granted, he has ulterior motives, but hey, if it gets me a decent mattress and a full night's sleep? I'll deal. lol
Of course, there had to be a "down" today. Can't have all that good getting us feeling our oats, you know. Seems the car has yet another issue-a loose battery cable or something. Chef has no idea when he can get it fixed or how much it'll cost (guess we know where my short story money is going. :P). In the meantime, I can't drive the thing. Which is kinda okay. I don't drive it much anyway since he's never home and the car is usually with him. But I'm really hoping this isn't the beginning of the end for the car. I'd really rather pay the sucker off before it gives up and dies. Just can't afford two car payments. :P
Yesterday was another...slow? day for me. The day went quickly enough, I guess, maybe too quickly, but I pretty much felt stuck on slo-mo. No words, barely managed some editing. Hopefully tonight will start something of a better day since I can't go to bed for another 5 hours. I've moved myself back into the dining room away from the distraction of the TV and where I can work more comfortably. Hoping the move will help boost my productivity a bit. As well as keep me awake. And if it does, guess that's what I'll need to make sure to around 12:30 or 1 AM most nights after this.
New routines again. Yay. :P
~~~
most recent
whysper cars & timing :: journeys Coming Out Of Darkness
the chef's wife Cranberry Sauce