Hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, this once per month group posting lets us insecure writers talk about our insecurities, whatever's preying on our minds, or to offer comfort to our insecure brethren and sisteren (so what it's not a word...). This month's co-hosts are Krista McLaughlin, Kim Van Sickler, Heather Gardner, and Hart Johnson. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
My insecurities are much as they've been. Lack of time and energy to write, and rejections rolling in with nice comments, but no acceptances. Instead of dwelling, I'll give my 2014 numbers for the year, so far:
7 pieces out on submission right now
3 stories awaiting editing for submission
13 rejections in 2014
So I'm toddling right along and working on not letting it get me down. And I'm submitting a short story to my critique group every two weeks, which means I'm writing and editing.
Now for some links. Bear in mind that these are links I've run across online, and I am not personally recommending any of them. Always do your due diligence when researching publications and contests.
Accepting Submissions:
Kayelle Press has a all out for their romantic speculative fiction anthology. Deadline July 31. 3000-6000 words. Pay unknown.
Breathless Press is seeking entries for their October themed issue, Tales From the Haunted House. Anywhere between romance and erotica. Deadline July 31. Must be over 10k words. Pays in royalties.
Weird Bard Press is open for submissions to their anthology Torn Pages. They want stories based on social issues that elicit certain responses from you. Deadline July 31. 1000-5000 words. Pays $.02/word.
The Book Smugglers Press is looking for subversive fairy tale retellings for an anthology. Speculative fiction from MG to adult. 1500-17,500 words. Deadline July 31. Pays $.05/word up to $500.
Crossed Genres Magazine has a monthly theme. This month's is School. Must involve elements of sci-fi and/or fantasy. Deadline July 31. 1000-6000 words. Pays $.06/word.
The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk is seeking dieselpunk short stories, as defined at the link. Deadline August 1. Pays $.05-.08/word.
Unlikely Story is open to submissions to their issue with the theme The Journal of Unlikely Entomology. Deadline August 1. Up to 8000 words. Pays $.05/word.
Slice Magazine's open submission period closes August 1. They're looking for short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Fresh voices and compelling stories. The theme for this issue is Resistance. Up to 5000 words. Pays $100 for short stories/essays and $25 for poems.
Contest:
Garden State Speculative Fiction Writers is holding their 20th Annual Garden State Speculative Fiction Writers Short Story Contest. Deadline July 31. Come up with the wildest conspiracy theory you can. First prize gets $75 and publication. All entries will receive critiques.
Blog Stuff:
The Armchair Squid, Cygnus, and Suze are hosting the Songs of Summer bloghop July 11. Post five of your favorite summer songs and whatever memories they bring up.
What are your insecurities? How are you doing with your writing goals? Any of these links of interest to you? Anything to add?
May you find your Muse.
21 comments:
Despite saying you're struggling to find time, it seems to me you've accomplished a lot. Appreciate the links.
It sounds like you're making progress and moving forward - that's what counts. Hang in there!
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
You're a hero in my book. It's tough rolling out that many pieces in 6 months, and not to mention the pieces that you have yet to finish.
I love how you share your links to submissions!
You're one closer to an acceptance - don't let it get to you!
Well done, all that hard work will bring success. And many thanks for the links.
I admire how many submissions you've got out. Good luck and keep moving forward. :)
Stephen King and JK Rowling (as well as hundreds of other famous authors) both had people turn down their stories repeatedly. It took a lot of time and rejection for them to be published. So you know what I think? All great authors have to go through it, before they catch the break they've been looking for. Just don't give up.
I'll just say this:
Write when you feel like it,
and
Write when you don't feel like it.
You go! Woot woot! I'm going to keep cheering you on.
I'd like to get back to submitting shorts at some point...
Must feel good to have all that work out there to submit, more than I have. Good luck!
It'll happen when it's meant to happen. Keep your head up, Shannon!
It looks like you are doing well. Despite the apparent setbacks, you're still moving forward.
That's great that you have submissions out and some on deck. Keep the faith. :)
Hi Shannon,
Yep, it's "I Was Seeking Gary" time! Thank you, Shannon. I'm flattered beyond belief.
Of course, you will never let it get the better of you. Your determination with your writing will see you through. That and my um, support group :)
Bloghop? Make them all go away.
I could say that despite all my constant interaction and support in the blogging world, I don't have, relatively speaking, that many followers. Yet, I'm not insecure about that. Because I know that followers totals often have no bearing on it at all.
I shall add that I'm still a starstruck fan of yours, Shannon. What do you have to say about that?
Gary :)
Susan, true enough! I'd really like to be more productive, and these are mostly stories I'm editing that are already written. Still, I'm happy to be doing something.
Madeline, I am!
Tanya, thank you! I love hearing when someone gets a story accepted after seeing a link here.
Alex, always a good way to look at it!
Carole, I sure hope so! And you're welcome.
Julie, thank you! Just keep swimming.
Rachel, everyone's got to go through it. Always a good reminder!
Andrew, also very true. I was excited about getting into a rhythm finally, but when I finished the short story I was working on, I lost the urgency and the rhythm.
Mary, I hope you do!
Nancy, I am enjoying seeing them stacking up!
Chrys, I will, thank you!
Lynda, I am ever moving forward!
Kimberly, I'm definitely trying!
Gary, I'm happy to hear it. Even though I did throw out blog hop information. You have a lot of comments and feedback from folks, which is darned good.
It's been much the same for me. I had 21 rejections this year before I got one short story accepted. Keep on writing and submitting! Thanks so much for the links. Brilliant Flash Fiction just had their first edition, and now they're looking for flash pieces for their next quarter. Have a good weekend! :)
How awesome of you to keep track of your writing stats and publish them for us to see. We are rooting for you! Keep plugging away. You really haven't submitted to very many places yet...
I think I said this last month too (or maybe it was May?) but I really admire your continued dedication to submitting! That takes a specific kind of bravery (like a Warrior? hmm..). Keep it up!
~AJ from Naturally Sweet
I have one question for you, Shannon. Are you having fun? Sounds like you're a passionate person up to your elbows in success stories. I'm looking for an agent for a murder / suspense / sweet romance manuscript currently at 118,000 words. Publishers / agents willing to look at anything more than 90,000 are rare as hens teeth. LOL
Thanks for the visit Shannon, good luck with those submissions, you sound very busy and very positive.
You've got a lot out right now! I'd say you're do a great job.
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