Tuesday, January 15, 2019

2019 Goal Setting and 2018 Review

Yay, it's the new year! I'm hoping, like many others, that 2019 goes a bit better than 2018 in every way possible.

When I do this post every year, it's really just to look forward and consider what I intend to work on for the year. The goals are fluid, and can be changed or replaced at any time. I don't believe in resolutions for the new year, so much as using this time period to narrow my plans.

First, my submissions for the year:

I submitted 51 stories.
I received 43 rejections.
I pulled 9 stories from submission for various stories (including magazines appearing to have gone under and no longer responding to queries.)
I placed 9 stories.
I released my first solo collection of short stories!
I ended the year with 9 stories still out on submission.

Apparently, the number for the year was 9. Here's hoping I beat that number this year.








My goals for the year were:


  • Write a short story or flash piece each week (this is majorly pushing it for me, but I'm going to try.) hahahahahahahahaha!
  • Read at least one book each week. Some weeks I got more than one in.
  • Finish Novel #3. Not quite.
  • Start Novel #4.
  • Continue submitting short stories (aim for 100 rejections and 12 acceptances.) Marking it off because I did submit consistently, though I didn't reach the goals of 100 and 12.
  • Write short stories in at least three genres.
  • Write more nonfiction.
  • Query craft book. Not yet. I've been debating self-publishing it instead.
  • Self-publish short story collection.
  • Evaluated Novel #1 to see if I want to pursue or trunk (though it's obviously trunked for now.)
  • Take more pictures.
  • Send workshop proposals to one conference new to me.

My goals for 2019 are:
  • Finish novel #3
  • Finish novel #4
  • Make a decision on the craft book
  • Write at least 1 short story each month
  • Continue to explore other genres/styles
  • Go to one new conference/convention
  • Put out another collection
  • Take more pictures
  • Hike more
  • Query novel #2
Now for links! Bear in mind I'm not endorsing these, merely passing them along. Always do your own due diligence before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

Atlantean Publishing is seeking fantasy stories related to Clark Ashton Smith's writing. Pays one penny sterling per word. Deadline January 31. 

Nashville Review is seeking fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Up to 8000 words. Pays up to $100. Deadline January 31.

Freeze Frame Fiction is seeking flash fiction. Up to 1000 words. Pays $10 per piece. Deadline January 31.

Otter Libris is seeking stories for MCSI: Magical Crime Scene Investigation. 3000 to 10,000 words. Pays $25. Deadline January 31.

Flash Bang Mysteries is seeking mystery flash fiction. 500 to 750 words. Pays $20. Deadline January 31.

Death's Head Press is seeking stories about revenge. 3000 to 8000 words. Pays $10. Deadline January 31.

Atthis Arts is seeking stories of all genres for Five Minutes at Hotel Stormcove. 1000 to 4000 words. Pays $.06/word. Deadline January 31.

Did you set any sort of goals or look ahead to your plans for the year? How did you do on last year's goals? Any of these links of interest? Anything to share?

May you find your Muse.



8 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Your response to your first goal from last year made me chuckle.
Still good numbers for last year. Shows that it's all a numbers game.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your submissions and goals for the year.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

9 is your magic number. This year ends in 9 - maybe it's a sign?

I love the two Cthulhu covers.

The Cynical Sailor said...

I always enjoy reading your goal updates - they motivate me to try to do more.

Priscilla Bettis said...

My writing goals for 2018 went pretty well though I've discovered I had to drop some "fun stuff" to prioritize writing. This quarter I'm re-outlining and re-writing my first novel. It was horrible (but ya gotta start somewhere, right?), but I still like the premise.

Have a productive, fun 2019!

Christine Rains said...

You had a good year! You did fantastically with the short stories. I started off the year with good intentions in that realm, but faltered. I need to organize my unpublished short stories and start sending them out again. Good luck this year! :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I like how you come up with such specific goals. It makes it easier to keep track of. Good luck with your plan.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon - good luck with the books ... Blue Sludge Blues is such an interesting title. While your life is well planned ... and you can help us - cheers Hilary