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The optional question is What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?
I don't know if I have an ultimate writing goal. I have a series of smaller goals, like getting a story in a Best Horror of the Year collection and getting a novel traditionally published. Looking at big future goals both excites me and scares the crap out of me. I want to be a recognized author, but I also know I lose some of my freedom then. Plus, I have this perpetual fear of having too much attention.
Speaking of getting attention, Blue Sludge Blues & Other Abominations was reviewed on The Horror Fiction Review. Check it out!
Each month I review my submission stats for the previous month to keep myself accountable. Here are June's stats:
Short Stories
0 rejections
0 acceptances
3 submissions
1 invitation to submit
Currently on submission: 12, with 2 short listed
Novels
1 rejection
1 request for 50 pages
Currently out to: 2 agents
Now for some links. Bear in mind I'm not endorsing these, merely passing them along. Always do your own due diligence before submitting.
Accepting Submissions:
Body Parts Magazine is seeking horror in the theme of Aliens, Apocalypse, and Armageddon for their fall/winter edition. Up to 8000 words. Pays up to $20 for fiction. Deadline August 1.
The First Line is seeking flash fiction beginning with the following sentence: The window was open just enough to let in the cool night air. Up to 5000 words. Pays up to $50 for fiction. Deadline August 1.
Jolly Horror Press is seeking humorous horror stories for Don't Cry to Mama. It needs to be about something your mama may have told you not to do. Up to 6000 words. Pays $25. Deadline August 1.
Cemetery Dance Publications is seeking short horror and dark fiction for their magazine. Up to 5000 words. Pays $.05/word. Deadline July 5.
Flapperhouse is seeking surreal works. Up to 5000 words. Pays $.01/word.
The Baffler is seeking humorous pieces. Pays a token amount.
What's your insecurity? Do you have long term goals you're willing to share? What are your submission stats for the month of June? Any of these links of interest? Anything to share?
May you find your Muse.
*Flourish One, Horizontal Clip Art by OCAL, clker.com
I hear you about fearing too much attention. I don't like being the center of attention at all.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all the subs!
It's weird. We want our books to do well, but we also want to hide in the shadows.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeletethat's a price we pay once we have become well-known and I think you will handle it very well.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks, Pat! I hope so.
DeleteI'm with you - I don't want to be that famous.
ReplyDeleteIt's nerve-wracking to think about.
DeleteI hear you about the freedom thing. Until you get out there, the world is full of possibilities. Once you start making tracks, the path narrows. We just have to be sure the path we're taking is one we can enjoy and embrace.
ReplyDeleteGood advice for sure. Be on a track you'd be willing to stick to.
DeleteYour comment about losing some of your freedom resonates with me. I'm in a cushy time of my life, no worries, and the energy it takes to self-publish and then work social media, and all the other endeavours that go along with it seems daunting to me.
ReplyDeleteIt's all definitely daunting. How much time does one spend on everything?
DeleteCongrats on that review! Awesome. I'm with you on the attention too. I am allergic to it LOL.
ReplyDeleteHa, I'm allergic to it, too!
DeleteI totally get what you mean about a fear of too much attention. I've got that same one :-)
ReplyDeleteA lot of us do, I think.
DeleteI've always liked reading your goals and accomplishments. It shows such clear thinking about the business of submission.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check and see if I was purged. I don't think I got my issue of the newsletter this month. Thanks for the reminder.
What a nice thing to say, thank you!
DeleteDon't let the big goal scare you. Just focus on the next little goal in front of you.
ReplyDeleteGood advice!
DeleteI'm reminded of the continual conversation between Pinky and The Brain...
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteThanks for sharing the publishing opportunities. I like your idea of a monthly report on goals and accomplishments. I may adopt that. Wishing you happy writing in July.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way to review the month and see where you are.
DeleteOooh! My fingers are crossed that you will get something into the Best Horror of the Year collection. I adore the horror genre. Cut my literary teeth on it, so to speak, and though I say I write primarily fantasy & science fiction YA, horror themes always weave into my narratives. Also, thank you for the submission links! I'm going to check those out. Thanks for the post, and happy writing to you. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Some day I will.
DeleteI completely get you about your fear of attention.
ReplyDeleteTrue for many of us!
DeleteGreat submission links. I have that fear of attention too and fear of expectations from others. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, fear of expectation is real.
DeleteThe series of smaller goals strikes me as healthier. I know people love the big picture, and we'd all like to wind up with enormous success, but we get there with individual steps.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Each big goal is accomplished through a series of small goals.
DeleteLike you, I fear too much attention.
ReplyDeleteMy main goal is too keep on enjoying the writing life.
It must remain fun, even when the going is not so good...
Happy 4th of July to you.
The fun is important. At the very least, it must be enjoyable.
DeleteI have a body of work that wants to be written, so I have veered towards self publishing to get that done. Would be good to have traditional editing support but the loss of control would bother me. Attention I can cope with, it's unlikely to be superstar level, though the expectations people put on you can be crushing!
ReplyDeleteTraditional publishing seems to be harder and harder to get into.
DeleteGlad to know I'm not the only author that fears getting too much attention. I'm with you - that's a scary thought! But at least you and I don't let the fear hold us back from out goals.
ReplyDeleteExactly! We can fear all we need to, as long as we push through and accomplish our goals.
DeleteAs always, thanks for the list of publications. We run a fine line between wanting to stay anonymous and being successful in publishing. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. Ultimately, what we need in order to accomplish those big goals is to be in the limelight.
DeleteI think as long as those smaller goals keep coming, there's no need to set the ultimate goal - you'll still get there.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Small goals get you to the same place with less self-abuse.
DeleteToo much attention? That is hard to imagine, but not something I have to worry about now, sadly.
ReplyDeleteNor do I. Ha!
DeleteI submitted my first short story and got my first rejection. It was expected, but I'm still glad I tried.
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations! And here's to many more.
Delete