It's time for a list
I've been a busy human, and I've neglected this journal rather a lot. Here are some highlights from the last little while.
- The Dictionary For Dreamers appeared at Diabolical Plots earlier this year.
- Borrower appeared at Strange Horizons in July
- My goal this year is to double the number of submissions from last year - short fiction and poetry publication is, in large part, a numbers game, and I need to get my stuff out there. Last year I only did 30 submissions. I'm at 38 so far this year, but I can definitely hit 60 before December ends! Just gotta keep at it. I have plenty of finished work - I'm just slow to send it into the world, which means I'm not being paid for it, which isn't so great. The tool I use to track my pieces and submissions is The Submission Grinder, btw. It's free to use, very versatile, and just generally great. I was using Duotrope, but honestly, it's just too expensive considering how low rates are.
- I'm still volunteering as a submissions editor for Uncanny Magazine. Which kiiiinda means I also won a hugo this year? Not really, but I do like being associated with such nifty humans and great work. And I enjoy reading slush.
- I helped to start a non-profit last year! And we're doing a contest this year! The Dream Foundry is a nonprofit which helps beginners in the speculative arts. Here are the contest guidelines: tada. To sum up though, it's a contest for beginners - if you've been paid professional rates for illustration or short fiction, this contest isn't for you. If you haven't, though, here are the things to know: there's no entry fee, no rights grabs, grand prize is $500, and the top three entrants in both categories will get professional critiques of their work. Deadline is October 13th, so if this sounds like something nifty please do send in a short story and/or a portfolio of your art. And if you have questions, I'm happy to answer. I'm the Secretary for the Dream Foundry and we're small enough yet that even if I can't answer your question it'll probably be really fast for me to talk to someone who can.
- I've got my own patreon now! It's right over here. I write new short stories and poems and send them out via snail mail, printed on pretty paper, signed and sealed with a nice wax seal. There's always a letter to my patrons included, and digital copies of the goodies too, so you don't feel obligated to keep More Physical Stuff if you don't want it. I also do media reviews, and post cat pictures.
- It's been a hard year in a lot of ways, but I'm doing pretty ok. I'm still writing, still revising, still editing, still making. I'm working on some crafty things for the Dream Foundry's fall auction now. I'm happy it's finally turning autumnal in my part of the world! And I'm looking forward to reading all the new entries that will be popping up on my list due to LJI starting up again. :)