[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Lego Fun & Links

Last week I posted some photos of an abandoned old farm in Olathe, Kansas, where I was on a family vacation. While there, we also went into Kansas City to check out Lego Land. They had a great mini-Kansas City set up, and in one corner was Oz. There were fantastic details on Oz, such as having the house in sepia toned Legos to begin with, then putting it in color when it's landed in Oz. The house also got lifted and spun like it was in a tornado. Pretty cool! 

Dorothy's House in Munchkin Land

The Emerald City

Downtown Kansas City

Downtown Kansas City

Western Auto...Duh

The cutest puffer fish EVER!

Perhaps you're wondering why there is a random puffer fish at the end of the photos? Because he was absolutely adorable, that's why! I know, you're thinking he isn't much to look at, but he was so excited by the kids. If he hadn't needed it to swim with, I'm certain he would have been wagging his tail. His little fins were going like crazy and he was swimming back and forth in front of the kids until we left. I thought about fishnapping him, but decided against it.

Now for some links.

Accepting Submissions:

Lamp Light Magazine is looking for dark fiction, both in short and flash form. Current reading period ends April 15. They pay a flat $150 fee for short fiction, $50 for flash fiction. 

Apex Magazine is currently open to submissions. Pays $.05 per word, with a chance of a podcast, which pays $.01 per word. They take short fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. 

Jamais Vu is seeking short fiction, book reviews, film reviews, poetry, and non-fiction. Payment is $.05 per word. Current submission window closes April 15. They are looking for dark subject matter.

Dreamspinner Press has an open call for submissions through April 14 for an anthology, A Taste of Honey. Romantic short stories. I don't see pay mentioned. There are several other anthologies with deadlines about a month apart, as well.

Audubon Magazine seeks journalists to write for them. Open submissions. Pay not mentioned. They expect a pitch first, not a story submission. 

Geek Force Five publishes five volumes per year, each with five stories. Speculative fiction. Rolling deadlines. Short fiction, photography, photo essays, illustrations, and comics. Pay is 10% share of profits. 

Contests:

The Good Life France 2014 is holding a writing contest with the theme of France. Whatever you want to say about France or having to do with all things French, they're game. No entry fee. Up to 1000 words. Deadline is April 11. First prize is a free 10 week online course.

Mash Stories is a short story competition. First prize is $100 and your story in podcast. No submission fee. 500 words maximum. They provide you with three words that have to be in the story. This quarterly contest ends April 15 this time around.

Blog Stuff:

L. Allison Heller is holding a giveaway: a chapter critique by her editor, Kerry Donovan, at Penguin. To enter, all you have to do is like her Facebook page (found at the link above) and comment on her giveaway post. Winner will be chosen April 11, so I assume you have until then to enter.

Of Interest:

If you're attending a conference or writing event, or planning on pitching anytime soon, Delve Writing is presenting a 2-session camp. Say it Like a Pro: How to talk about your book articulately and enticingly. Classes are this Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, April 12. 9-11 AM. Presented by Chris Mandeville. Cost is $25. This is an online class, so you can attend in your pajamas if you want to.

Anything of interest to you on here? Anything to share? Publishing or query news? Any rejections this week? Have you ever attended an online class? Have you been to a Lego Land?

May you find your Muse.