IWSG - Finally Some News - New Release!

 It's time for the May Insecure Writer's Support Group!

Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG exists to give and seek support about our insecurities. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and enter your blog.

Thank you to this month's co-hosts: 

Erika Beebe, PJ Colando, Tonja Drecker, Sadira Stone, and Cathrina Constantine!

If you've read my last few month's IWSG posts, you know that I was struggling with not having sold a short story in a while. Well, guess what?! I sold one this month. And it's already out. I can't even tell you what a relief it was. I was starting to think I'd never sell another story again. That I'd somehow forgotten how to write.

I'm also on season break (just two weeks) from my podcast. We've reached over 1000 downloads, so that's an exciting benchmark. 

So I'm finally having a good writing-world month, even if I haven't written a word since April 1. Well, it had been a month until yesterday, when I rewarded myself for completing 12 credit hours of college classes in one month by taking a day off to go to a local cafe to write for a bit. It felt nice to let the words flow, for as long as I lasted there, anyway. It was a bit too busy for my liking, and I was highly distracted, but I did still get 1000 words down, which was nice. Plus, I treated myself to a Thai tea, a salad, and a lemon blueberry muffin. 

I've also gotten out on a couple hikes on nice days. I almost melted at the last one! It was mid-80s outside. Of course, this being Colorado, it snowed the next day, and we've had rain the last two days. Gotta' love the mood swings here. Sometimes I do, but admittedly, I'm done with snow for the year. I'm ready to be outside. I'm ready to be on the porch each night, relaxing with my husband.

I hope something positive has happened for each of you this past month, even if it was getting a bit of sun, treating yourself to something nice, or accomplishing something.

Before I jump to my submission stats, I figured I'd share my new release, plus one from Dancing Lemur Press. The publisher for my newest release gave each of the authors a personalized image to share with the info and our name, which was quite fun. They were quite pleasant to work with, and are taking submissions for the next themed books, as they're doing the entire alphabet. 

I is for Internet includes my story "Watched."

If you're interested in submitting, they have their next few themes up. J is for Jack-o'-Lantern is open for submissions through May 31. They must be horror short stories.

Dancing Lemur Press has put out the next IWSG Anthology, Dark Matter: Artificial!

Dark Matter: Artificial

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Discover dark matter’s secrets…

What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?

Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Goldim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

Release date: May 4, 2021

Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95

EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99

Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)

186 pages

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. A Writer’s Digest 101 Best Website for Writers and The Write Life’s Best 100 Website for Writers

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Links:

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Congratulations to everyone in the IWSG anthology!

Okay, submissions stats:

0 submissions

1 acceptance

3 rejections

8 short stories still on submission

2 novel queries out

Like I said last month, I'm kind of holding off on submissions until I decide if any of the current stories should be held back for the next anthology, which would likely come out in October. Until I make some decisions, which I need focused time for, I may only submit a story here or there if I see a specific, relevant call for a story like that one. Other than that, I probably won't submit much while school's going on solid fast forward.

If you haven't checked out the podcast, now's a good time to check it out or catch up! New episodes return May 19, with "D is for Dangerous." It was nice to have two weeks off from researching, recording, editing, uploading, and posting, but I'm ready to get back to it. You can always find episode information and the last few episodes at www.mysteriesmonstersmayhem.com, or find us on your podcast or music provider.

Any news to share? What are your insecurities? Are you submitting? What were your stats for April?

May you find your Muse.