Everybody say it with me in true Keanu Reeves-style: Waaaaaay.
So, yes, this means it is time for an Insecure Writer's Support Group post, hosted by the ninja, himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
My current insecurities concern time. Time for writing. Time for blogging. Time for visiting fellow bloggers. I've fallen so far behind, and I feel bad about that. I know that I will eventually get caught up, at least for a little while, but I feel a bit panicky about it in the meantime.
Gary Warning: Your eyes may burn, as A-to-Z is mentioned! You still love me, though, right? :(
I've not caught up on all my comments from during the A-to-Z, which means I also haven't caught up on current comments here on the blog. I intend to start going back and forth, replying to comments from my most recent post, then an A-to-Z post, and so on and so forth. I haven't gotten to all the Reflections posts yet, either, so that's not good. Some who I did visit, though, commented in their Reflections posts about people who hadn't visited them back yet, and how they figure those people didn't care or did the A-to-Z just to gain followers and not reciprocate. I feel bad about the fact that people may be viewing me that way.
So I'm here to say that I will ALWAYS visit back those who have commented on my blog. It just won't always be immediately. Well, I should curb that a bit by saying I will ALWAYS visit back commenters whose blogs I can FIND after they've commented. I'm afraid I have run into a few that I just plain can't find. Once I've caught up and am working my way through the A-to-Z list (Road Trip!), I'm sure I will find many of them. I sure hope so, anyway.
Now, before I get to links, I need to thank the lovely, devoted, spirited, and always awesome, Tina, at Life is Good, for the following award:
Thank you so much for thinking of me, Tina! Please visit Tina (after you're done perusing the below links and commenting here, of course!), and say hello for me. You'll never regret visiting the vivacious and entertaining Tina. Nope, nope, nope. (<---said in a Ducky voice, and I'm not talking about Pretty in Pink).
Now for some links. Please note, any links passed along are those I have discovered, and do not indicate sponsorship or recommendation. I have not vetted these companies, and cannot guarantee they are safe. Please always do due diligence in researching a publication or contest before submitting.
Accepting Submissions:
Shotgun Honey is seeking short stories in gritty crime for their second anthology Reloaded: Both Barrels, Volume II. Deadline is June 9. Pays $25 and a contributor copy.
Fringeworks is accepting submissions for several anthologies. Raus! Untoten! seeks short stories involving a combination of Nazis and the undead. Deadline June 10. Pays in 12% royalties. The Last Diner seeks gruesome short stories set in food establishments. Deadline June 30. Pays in 4% royalties. NeaDNAthal seeks short stories involving the reappearance of neanderthal man in modern day. Deadline July 20. Pays 4% royalties. Cadavers seeks short stories about dead bodies (not walking dead bodies, just dead bodies). Deadline August 19. Pays 4% royalties.
Kerlak Publishing has calls out for three anthologies. All deadlines are June 15. All pay $20, plus contributor copy, plus royalties. The topics are Steampunk Superheroes; Full Moon Mayhem (werewolves); A Tall Ship, a Star, and Plunder (pirates).
World Weaver Press has put out a call for supernatural short stories for their anthology Specter Spectacular II: 13 Deathly Tales. Deadline June 15. Pays $10, plus contributor copy.
Baird Speculative Fiction is seeking short stories based on Norse myths/legends. Deadline June 15. Pays using a tier system (see their website for more details on that.) Horror, speculative, fantasy, magical realism, slipstream, etc.
Contests:
The Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Writing Contest is returning this year, but first they need a name for it! So there's a pre-contest contest entitled the 2014 Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Writing Contest Naming Contest (see why they need help?). Submit your proposed name for the new contest. Prize is free entry into the 2013 PPW Fiction Writing Contest. Deadline June 15.
A&U Magazine has announced their first annual Christopher Hewitt Literary Award. There are four categories (fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction), with a $50 prize for the top entrant in each category, plus publication in their summer edition. All entries must have something to do with AIDS/HIV. Deadline June 10.
New Rivers Press is holding The American Fiction Prize contest. First prize $1000. Deadline June 15. They seek character-driven literary short fiction. Reading fee of $16. They are also taking general submissions through June 15.
Old Timey Hedgehog is holding a free fiction contest. They seek internationalist science fiction. Deadline June 15. Flash fiction and short stories. Pays $25 for short story winners, $10 for flash fiction winners, and publication in Old Hedgy Times. Opportunity for future publication in an anthology that will pay with royalties.
PRADA (yes, the fashion company) is holding a short story contest. Deadline June 18. Winner will receive 5.000 Euros. There's a lot of wordage on the site, so take care to read everything. For instance, it says that they will have the right to distribute your short story as an e-book and paperback (in their stores) without further monetary award to you.
Blog Hops:
Join Dani and Jackie in the Heroes & Villains Blog Hop, June 6.
Lisa L. Regan is hosting a blog hop to celebrate the release of her novel, Aberration. The Aberration Blog Hop will occur June 6 and 7.
Of Interest/Just for Fun:
Blogger Book Fair is a "blog hop" of sorts, intended to help get authors out there. It will involve giveaways. Fill out the form to find out when the next one begins.
Caldera's Artists in Residence Program is taking applications for their month-long artist residencies in the Cascade Mountains. Both visual and literary artists welcome.
(The following 2 links are a bit naughty. Well, one more than the other.)
Lovelyish posted 7 Famous Authors That Worked in the Nude.
This one is the naughtier of the two. There is strong language in it. It's dirty. You've been warned!!!! Don't get mad at me if you read this and are offended! Seriously, the "F" word is used several times. Disclaimer! Warning! Awooooga! This is an Onion piece that I found amusing: If You Wish to be a Writer, Have Sex With Someone Who Works in Publishing.
Anything to share? Any of these you're interested in? Any success stories? What are your insecurities?
May you find your Muse.
22 comments:
Want to play catch up with my comments instead?
That's why I like going back to my three days a week when it's over. Gives me an extra day to catch up. During the Challenge, I don't do anything else!
Yipes yes, finding time for things is always a challenge! Despite your feeling time-challenged, you certainly managed to find time to compile a pretty amazing list of links and submissions opps. Well done!
I want to make a "behind" joke, but I can't think of anything. It may be because today was the last day of school, a half day, it's not 3:00, yet, and my daughter is already driving me crazy.
Thanks for all those links. Awesome.
I hear you. I feel the need for a break coming on. We do what we can and I think everyone struggles so everyone understands that we sometimes just get overwhelmed.
Wow! I like the information on the links, I will check those out! I don't know if I will participate, but fun to read them and who knows?!
Never worry or apologize for not blogging. You are a busy person aren't you? I think so! I think people understand.
I set aside reading and tinkering around with writing for awhile because I have been busy with on line applications for work. That is a priority. That is on my mind, aging mother on my mind...eventually having to move on my mind, like where to without a job....so I went back to crochet so I could be busy and be alone with my thoughts! Ha Ha Life.
Hope this finds you well besides!
sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com
Catching up on comments can b a lot of work. Best of luck and it's great that you take time to include all these hops and submissions.
Blog: Queendsheena
IWSG Co-host
Don't worry about falling behind so much. Wake up and start a new day. If you have a chance to see and smell a blossom from yesterday, smile and enjoy. If not, keep moving forward.
Congratulations on your sisterhood award - well deserved for sure!
I'd love to have a few more hours in each day to play catch up. But don't sweat it too much :)
Whoo! Lots of information. Just awesome. Thanks, Doll!
I have finally made it here. I so understand, having been a shirker myself despite my best efforts to balance everything.
Chill out and don't feel too bad. The links are awesome.
I could only write in the nude if I was sitting in a bubble bath.
I was overwhelmed by the comments during the A to Z, too. I'm sure I missed a few people.
Hey, it's completely understandable to fall a little behind when you're busy. If it were up to me, I just wouldn't sleep. I don't have time for it. Unfortunately, my body says otherwise.
I'm impressed with all you do!
These are great links, thanks!!!
Great information! Appreciate the list. You'll get caught up, no worries!
Everyone gets behind. As long as you keep responding to the posts, you're doing good. As for your list, thanks! I wasn't sure what to do with a short story I've got written. Now I know.
LOL, I just commented on someone else's blog post about time management for writing/blogging/commenting/social media, etc. Gah, there's not enough time!!! So don't feel too badly. Reading your post I just realized I hadn't looked at the A to Z (sorry, Gary) linky in WEEKS, when I'd totally meant to work my way through it. Sighs. Baby steps, I suppose. :-)
Some Dark Romantic
"insecure writer" ...kinda seems redundant...isn't that all of us at one time or another? :) It seems that writing has a way of finding that lone hanging thread and pulling at it causing even the most confident writer to unravel at times. What an interesting journey it's been...and I'm hooked! May you grasp the hands of time my friend!!!
Heck no, Alex! That was my problem: April is conference month for me, plus the last month of contest, so I would have been legitimately busy on multiple front all on their own. Ugh.
Catherine, thank you! I hope they do someone some good.
Haha, Andrew, definitely feeling THAT pain!
Mary, a break sounds magnificent. I hope you get one and can recharge.
Sandy, I hope the crocheting helps you to relax your mind. There's a lot on it. Good luck with your job search!
Sheena-kay, thank you, and thanks, also, for mentioning me on your blog!
M.J., I like how you put that. Lovely.
Marcy, wouldn't a few extra hours be divine?
MK, hope you can use it!
Rekha, thank you!
L. Diane, it's rough to keep up. LOL at the bubble bath. I'd be afraid of getting paper soggy.
Bryan, I used to not sleep (insomnia since middle school), but now I fail to function well without enough sleep, and I've figured out how to conquer the insomnia at least somewhat. Now I wish I handled lack of sleep like I used to, and I'd totally skip it!
Rosaria, why, thank you!
Deb, enjoy!
Jennifer, some day I will!
Kristi, I hope you'll update on the submission progress!
Mina, we all need more time, don't we? Good luck in making progress!
DG, love it! I aspire to grasp the hands of time.
*Taps fingers* "Where is that incredibly nice guy, Gary? I so love his award winning, treasured and highly collectable comments!"
Hi Shannon, your wait is over. It's almost 1:30 A.M. on a Sunday morning and I've been commenting for several hours just trying to catch up. I do relate to what you're saying. How about that. Ah yes, the A to Z, the never ending blog fest. Reflections posts about reflections posts. Yes, a great way to accumulate followers, I mean, a great way to share positive interaction within the great blogging community.
Seriously, don't worry yourself about the time situation. You have to realise your priorities and people will understand. I do feel that way at times, but you can only do so much.
Yay for getting that sisters are doing it for themselves or whatever award from one of my most adoring of fans, the gorgeous and lovable, Tina. I hate awards! :) Please visit Tina. Please visit Gary.
Contests, blog hops, blog fests, blog parties, blog book tours and IWSG aka, "I Was Seeking Gary".
Arggggghhhhh!!! Thanks for the torture, Shannon. Of course, I still love you and I shall continue to support you guys with my satire, which ironically, actually promotes you.
See, you don't get a vague comment from me. A long comment and now, because I'm in such a state of euphoria, I must go and dance in the knowledge that the A to Z continues to bring further awareness of the alphabet!
May I find my muse, or something like that.
Your starstruck fan,
Gary :)
*hug* Ah, I can't lie... I'm a bit relieved I'm not the only one to have fallen behind. I've mentioned it in some of my posts, as I try frantically to catch up now that I am no longer doing daily challenges this month.
I've yet to go through some of the blogs I found during the A to Z, and feel terrible thinking I may be categorized as one of those just hoping to gank a follower or two.
I almost emailed you actually, curious about this topic and how you manage... then I was worried you were maybe noting I wasn't caught up with commenting on your blog and thus the cycle continued haha. You are are the first follower I had outside of people I knew IRL, I believe.
Just so you know, I don't get upset or anything when people aren't able to comment. I understand (first hand) it isn't easy to always find the time to.
Also, some prefer to comment, and I'd rather people comment only on posts they feel they really want to. Not just obligation. It's more meaningful that way :-)
I'm sure once you find time you will be able to visit back and comment on those blogs you've been behind on. If people end up mad or the like, you can't really control that. Can't please everyone.
I just try to do the best that I can and that sounds like pretty sound advice if I do say so myself.
And... Uh... I did...
Looks like I missed out on some sweet contests/submissions :( I have to bite the bullet and get on that fiction writing soon!
Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink
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