IWSG, Fishy Post & Links

New Month + First Wednesday = Insecure Writer's Support Group!

Insecurity, shcminsecurity. Not to say I haven't been insecure this month, but I ended up so busy that there wasn't much room for more to make me insecure. Plus, I'm riding the high of having finished a story last night, with another ready to be queued up when I'm at a write-in tomorrow. No, I'm not doing NaNo (you can see my current writing goals here), but I do have goals for the month to help me get back into gear and writing, editing, and submitting like a fiend. And my year of focusing on short stories and ignoring my novels has nearly drawn to an end, so I want to get my short story process a little more honed before I add novel work back in.

The good news is that I'm actually sitting on my hands to avoid my WIP, so I'll be more than ready to go once the new year gets here.

The stats for this month are minimal, but here they are:

1 rejection since last month's IWSG post
21 rejections for the year
4 stories out on sub
7 stories needing to be re-submitted
4 critiqued stories needing to be edited and submitted

And one of those critiqued stories is at the top of my list since the market I want to submit to just re-opened. So that's number one on my list for tomorrow night.

I'd love to see a check-in of your goals, whether NaNo related or otherwise!

#

I never finished posting aquarium photos, so thought today was as good a day as any. Here are some of the little fishies that were cool to look at.

This guy's not so remarkable, but he has a really angry face, which amused me.

Every time we go to the aquarium, this octopus is stuck to this corner of the glass. Every time. I think he likes the company (It's where the face painting lady sits.)

Now for some links! I have not personally researched these, so always do your due diligence before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

Three-Lobed Burning Eye Magazine is seeking dark speculative fiction short stories up to 7000 words and flash up to 1000 words. Pays $.03/word.

One Teen Story is looking for stories on the teen experience. Literary fiction between 2000 and 4500 words. Pays $500 and 25 contributor copies.

T. Gene Davis's Speculative Blog accepts short stories in speculative fiction and magical realism, posting one per week. Pays $50. Must be family friendly content.

Volunted Tales is open for submissions. Up to 7000 words. Short stories, comics, graphic short stories, and artwork in science fiction and fantasy. Also some steampunk. Pays $10.

Buzzy Mag is taking speculative fiction short stories. Up to 10,000 words. Pays $.10/word ($.02/word for reprints).

Fantasy Scroll Magazine is seeking speculative fiction up to 5000 words. Pays $.01/word.

Argosy Magazine is looking for short noir fiction and illustrators. Always open for submissions. Pay unknown.

Despumation is looking for stories based on metal songs. 3000-5000 words. Pays $10 + a contributor copy or 2 contributor copies.

Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly has several anthology calls out. Their Mystical Bites anthology is open for submissions through December 7. 2000-10,000 words. Must contain mystical elements. Pay unknown.

Polychrome Ink is accepting submissions. They're seeking diversity in their writers and content. Reading period ends December 1. Pay unknown.

Any of these interest you? How are you doing on your current writing goals? Anything to share? Publication news? What are your insecurities?

May you find your Muse.

These Are Not Fish & Links

About two weeks ago, we took our kiddos to the Denver Aquarium. There are a bunch of interesting fish at the aquarium, but there are also creatures who have nothing whatsoever to do with what one might expect at an aquarium. Here are a couple examples:

Yes, there are tigers at the Denver Aquarium. I'm not certain how I feel about that. 

Now for some links!

Accepting Submissions:

Midnight Breakfast is open for submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and interviews. 1000-10,000 words. Open to all genres, but prefer literary and speculative. Pays $50. If you specifically want to submit to the October issue, the theme is "breaking down the barriers between the real and the unreal." The deadline for this issue is September 26. Otherwise, there is no deadline.

Tor.com opens for short stories and poetry in the speculative fiction genres September 30. It is preferred for stories to be below 12,000 words. Pays $.25/word for the first 5000 words, $.15/word for the next 5000, and $.10/word for all after that. They also have nonfiction specifications on the website, including blog posts.

Horrified Press is looking for submissions for their Malevolent Mansion anthology and their Something in the Woods anthology. Flash fiction, poetry, short stories. 2000-4000 words. Deadline October 30. Pays royalties. Not interested in these two themes? They appear to still have others open, so scan the page for more chances.

Chicken Soup for the Soul closes for submissions to Hope and Miracles on October 30 and Thanks to my Mom October 20. 1200 words or less. Pays $200 per piece.

Cohesion Press is seeking short stories for Blurring the Line. They want horror that blurs the lines between fiction and non-fiction. 5000 words or less. Deadline October 31. Pays $.08/word AUS.

World Weaver Press has two open anthology calls: Corvidae and Scarecrow. Speculative fiction. Up to 7500 words. Payment is $10 and a copy of the anthology. 

FireGoat Books is seeking holiday and winter tales for their Solstice Special Collection. No horror. Flash fiction and short stories between 500 and 6000 words. Deadline October 31. Pays $10.

Sixpenny Magazine wants your pocket sized stories. Engaging literary fiction. Six minute read/1000 words. Deadline October 31. Pays $100. It appears your story will be animated.

Blog Stuff:

The WEP September Challenge will have the theme Changing Faces. To occur September 24-26. While it has already started, you can still sign up. Write 1000 words or less of flash fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, or post photos and artwork. All must meet the theme. All genres accepted.

Tara Tyler, Heather M. Gardner, Christine Rains, Vikki Biram, CD Coffelt, M.J. Fifield, Elizabeth Seckman, Rena Rocford are putting on the Shelfie Blog Hop now through October 6. You're asked to photograph you and your books. They can be books you've published or just your favorites. The more you share your Shelfie, the more chances you have to win the bundle of books in the Rafflecopter.

Do you have an aquarium? Does it only hold fish (and other water creatures) or do you have extra critters there? Any of these links of interest to you? Anything to add? Publishing news?

May you find your Muse.