Epiphanies From Deconstruction - Horror

I did a workshop for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers recently that made me look at how I thought of horror and reanalyze it in an attempt to help others understand it more. As I've delved deeper into the genre, I've expanded my own definition of it. Problem being, I see the same original, narrow view that I've left behind reflected in others' views on horror.

I frequently get comments like "I don't read/watch horror" or "I don't enjoy horror." But then there will be an exception to that. For example, "I don't enjoy horror, but I really liked Coraline/The Handmaid's Tale/Hunger Games/Stepford Wives/Planet of the Apes/Flowers in the Attic," etc. Right now, some of you are reading this and saying "Stepford Wives wasn't horror." Wasn't it? If Get Out is horror, Stepford Wives is, as well. Both look at subjugation and internal, unconscious biases in a frightening way that puts others in harm of losing themselves.

We've pigeonholed horror by defining it by one aspect, and each of us has a different aspect we define it by. Some might think horror is all slashers and gore. Some think it has to involve a monster. Sadly, even known authors of horror deny writing it, because they fear turning off readers and limiting their audience.

Interestingly, the Horror Writers Association pinpoints when this narrowing of the genre definition occurred: the 80s. And they blame it on one specific work: Stephen King's Carrie.

You see, horror wasn't a genre until sometime in the 80s. Even now, it's just a subgenre of fantasy, technically, but then we've split fantasy out into subgenres like dark fantasy and urban fantasy, as well, both of which can contain elements of horror.

The real trouble began when the publishing industry started trying to pinpoint the formula that made Carrie such a big hit. They then tried to duplicate that success by seeking similar stories. Suddenly, literature that met the definition of horror was pushed to the side, targeting this very specific form of horror to make sales and get movies made.

If you want to read more about this, put much better than I can, go to the HWA site.

A second problem we writers, specifically, have is that we're taught to pigeonhole our own writing to sell it. Pick a genre. You can't put "historical romantic mystery with speculative elements" in a query letter; you have to narrow that down. Where is it most likely to be put on a shelf? Well, with true horror, in the widest definition possible, it can go on many shelves.

Where would you find The Lovely Bones? Not in horror. Not even in fantasy, even though there are speculative, even supernatural, elements. It's a touching story, but it's also horrifying. There is clearly dread and horror brought out in the reader. What is NOT horrific about a little girl being raped and murdered then forced to watch from beyond the grave as her killer and family become involved in an intricate dance full of risk?

Where would you find The Hunger Games? Not under horror. It's a YA dystopian. But guess what dystopians are? A form of horror. Again, I ask you what is not horrific about children rounded up and forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of the wealthy?

Horror, in its purest form, exists to elicit darker emotions from its readers. That does not always have to be fear, though that's a strong thread, and is frequently present. It can be despair, horror, alarm, terror, disgust. It can be existential dread. It can be unfulfilled hope, brought to a crushing end. It can make you question society, your neighbor, or even your own morals. What it does not have to do is make you fear the creature under your bed (though it's completely legitimate if it does so).

What you'll often find in horror is that the things that scare you aren't the monsters, even when they exist. In The Shining, the ghosts are the least frightening part. The fright factor in The Shining has more to do with Jack's backslide into alcoholism and mental illness. It has to do with the sense of isolation and helplessness his family feels. The horror of a man coming after his wife and child with an ax is far more impactful than a lion shrubbery or a naked ghoul in a bathtub. At our base, we fear those close to us being able to harm us. Even more so, we fear our capacity for violence and wrongdoing. We fear hurting our loved ones, whether by causing physical harm or mental harm.

I realize I won't convince anyone with one short post. But I ask that you think about the wider implications of horror and try looking at things with a slightly different eye. Just because it was not slapped with a label of HORROR, does not mean it does not play in that particular playground. You may truly not like horror, but you may also just not like the narrow definition of horror you've been presented with. Either is legitimate.

Even I, a longtime fan of horror, didn't see it in its full scope. If you've read any of my horror list review posts, you know that I've said about many of the stories that I didn't feel they were horror. Now I know that they were, and that they existed on that list because they impacted someone emotionally in all the right ways. As a result, I'll go forward with a new set of eyes when reading the stories from Nightmare Magazine's Top 100 Horror Books.

Link time. Bear in mind that I'm not endorsing these, merely passing them along. Always do your own due diligence before submitting to a market or contest.

Accepting Submissions:

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores is accepting flash fiction and short stories in the speculative fiction genres (minus horror). Pays $.06/word. Deadline June 28.

The Threepenny Review is accepting short fiction and poetry. Word counts vary per type of submission. Pays $400 for story/article, $200 for poetry. Deadline June 30.

Subprimal is accepting flash fiction and poetry. Up to 750 words. Pays $20. Deadline June 30.

Alban Lake is accepting horror short stories concerning the Ancient Ones for The Mad Visions of al-Hazred. 3000 to 10,000 words. Pays $25. Deadline June 30.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is accepting short pieces for My Crazy Family. Up to 1200 words. Pays $200. Deadline June 30.

Inklings Publishing is accepting short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for Perceptions: Bullies. This is an anthology for kids. Up to 5000 words. Pays $20. Deadline June 30.

Broken Eye Books is accepting weird fiction set in Miskatonic University. Must involve the Cthulhu mythos. 3000 to 6000 words. Pays $.08/word. Deadline June 30.

Contests:

Helen: A Literary Magazine is holding their Visual Prompt Quarterly Contest. Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or experimental. There are three images, and it can contain one or all of them. $25 prize. Deadline June 30.

How do you define horror? Have you looked at any of the mentioned stories as horror? Do you find yourself pigeonholing horror into narrow definitions? Are any of these links of interest? Anything to share?

May you find your Muse.

IWSG - Finish It! & Links

Spring is coming! But before we get there, it's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group, created by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

All are welcome to participate. Just sign up and post your writing insecurities the first Wednesday of each month, then go around and support your fellow insecure folks. Also, be sure to thank this month's co-hosts: Tamara Narayan, Patsy Collins, M.J. Fifield, and Nicohle Christopherson!

This month's optional question is: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

Yes, I have, but I must say it's harder to edit an old story than to just write a new one! It has worked out for me, though. Two of my recent publications were old stories I'd pulled out and rewritten. Still, it's not something I do a lot.

My insecurities have to do with finishing stories this month. I've started a bunch of stories, but I keep hopping between them and not getting them finished. I need a good dose of time and energy to actually finish. I can't submit a story that isn't done! And I'm going on a few months with nothing to submit to my critique group, which isn't like me. I'm determined to have one or  two stories to submit next month.

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Each month I do my submission stats to keep myself accountable. In February, I:

Submitted 8 short stories
Got 6 rejections (2 with personal feedback)
Got 0 acceptances (sob)

I currently have 10 submissions out

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Finally, links. Bear in mind that I'm not endorsing these, merely passing them along. Always do your own due diligence before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores is open for flash fiction and short stories in fantasy, fairy tale, and science fiction. Pays $.06/word. Current reading period ends March 28.

Sycamore Review is open for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. No genre pieces. Pays $25 to $50. Reading period ends March 31.

Chicken Soup for the Soul has two open calls for possible topics. The themes are Step Outside Your Comfort Zone and My Kind (of) America. 1200 words or less. Pays $200. Deadline for these two themes March 31.

West Branch is open for poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Pays $.05/word. Deadline April 1.

Splickety is open for the June issue of Splickety Magazine with the theme Medieval Mayhem. Historical, not fantasy. 300 to 1000 words. Pays $.02/word. Deadline April 7.

Contests:

Hermeneutic Chaos Journal is holding the Alice Sullivan Prize. Only those who have not had a novel or collection of short stories published may enter (published short stories is fine). 300 to 1500 words. No entry fee. Grand prize of $300. Deadline March 31.

Of Interest:

Sherry D. Ficklin posted The (Hard) Truth About Book Signings. She's got some great information and tips for your book signings, as well as some hard truths, just as the title says.

What are your insecurities? How are you doing with submissions? Any of these links of use? Anything to add?

May you find your Muse.

IWSG - Five-Year Plan & Links

It always throws me when the first day of the month is a Thursday. I almost posted my IWSG last week, but realized it wasn't December yet. Why am I in such a hurry, anyway? Guess I'm ready for it to be 2017, and to leave 2016 behind.

But for today, it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Ninja Captain himself.

The IWSG is here for anyone to participate by airing their insecurities or reassurances (or both.) Sign up here and post the first Wednesday of each month then visit your fellow posters to lend your support.

The co-hosts for this month are Jennifer Hawes, Jen Chandler, Nick Wilford, Juneta Key, JH Moncrieff, Diane Burton, and MJ Fifield!

In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what's your plan to get there?

In five years I intend to be a published novelist who also still publishes short fiction. I'm working the plan now, which is to say I'm writing when I can, submitting short stories, and I'm hoping to be querying one of my novels by April. It's out to beta readers now. I have a critique group, who mostly see my short stories. I'm working! Which is what we all need to be doing, whatever that may look for each person.

November was a good month, which you'll see when I post my stats. So instead of talking about my insecurities, I'll just say write, edit, submit/query! Work your plan. Work your business. You're not a writer if you don't write. You can't get published if you don't submit/query. Invest in yourself and believe in yourself, and you can get there. Like anything else, it takes time, practice, hard work, and persistence.

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One of my stories is free to read right now at Cheapjack Pulp. Just click here. Another story of mine will appear free online with Literary Hatchet on December 15, but I'll post that one when it's out.

I wonder if people will notice what book this short story is anti-fan fiction to? Meaning, I was inspired by this book to write a tongue in cheek response to it, and I was not a fan. If you read it, let me know what book comes to mind.

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Stat time! Each month I go over my submission stats for the month. It keeps me in line.

November Stats:

Submitted Stories - 4 (on top of ones already on submission)
Rejections - 6
Acceptances - 2 (Cheapjack Pulp and The Literary Hatchet)
Currently on Submission - 9

Two of these rejections were for themed anthologies, which creates a new issue. That issue being that I have to decide if they are too specific or if I need to modify them in order to be submittable elsewhere. One is currently out to my critique group to see what they think. The other I'm already fairly certain needs reworking before I try to submit it elsewhere.

I also suspect I'll be pulling one of the stories currently out on submission, because it's been removed from Duotrope due to being behind on its publishing schedule, and they haven't responded to people in awhile. Ah well. This is not the first time.

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Now for links. Bear in mind that I am merely passing along links I've found, not endorsing them. Always do your own due diligence when researching publications and contests.

Accepting Submissions:

Garden of Fiends is an anthology of addiction based horror. They are seeking 16,000-25,000 word stories. Pays $500. Deadline January 1.

Azoth Khem Publishing is open for submissions to their anthology Carnival of Madness. Psycho-thrillers. 5000 to 7000 words. Pays $25 plus a contributor copy. Deadline is after the New Year.

Inkubus Publishing is seeking stories with a male/male erotic fairy tale theme. Between 500 and 10,000 words. Pays $15 and a contributor copy. Deadline January 2.

The Wild Musette Journal is in its open reading period. Current themes are music and dance, fantasy and mythic fiction, women's fiction and consequential relationships, and environmental and earth-centered concerns. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art. 1000-7500 words. Pays $15 to $100. Deadline January 2.

The Twelfth Planet Press is seeing letters from speculative fiction writers, fans, editors, and critics written to Octavia Butler. 1000-1500 words. Pays $75. Deadline January 8.

The Flash Fiction Press is always open for flash fiction submissions. 250-1200 words. All genres. Pays $5.

Year 20XX is always open for submissions. 2000-10,000 words. Pays $10.

Worcester Journal is open to short fiction. 500-1500 words. Pays $15 to $80.

Contests:

Honeysuckle Press is holding the Honeysuckle Chapbook Contest. In their words, they are "seeking boundary-breaking chapbooks that evoke vivid truths." Poetry and prose. 20-35 pages. $500 prize with publication.

What are your writing plans? Your insecurities? Do you have a 5-year plan? 10-year? Did you make any submissions this month? Any of these links of interest?

May you find your Muse.

Straight to the Meat: Links

Accepting Submissions:

Horror Tree is taking submissions for Nightscript, Volume 2. Strange tales. 2000-7000 words. Pays $30 and a contributor copy. Deadline February 28.

Independent Legions Publishing is taking submissions for The Beauty of Death. Horror. There are already big names attached. 4500-7500 words. Pays $100. Deadline March 30.

Pentimento is taking submissions for their journal. Essays and fiction written by someone with a disability, or someone involved in the disabled community (family member, caregiver, special educator.) Up to 6000 words. Pays $25 to $250. Deadline March 31.

MiFi Writers is taking submissions for Revolution. Speculative fiction and art. 2000 to 12,000 words. Pays $.01/word up to $50. Deadline March 31.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is taking personal stories for Dreams & Synchronicities. Up to 1200 words. True stories only. Pays $200. Deadline March 31.

All the King's Men is looking for stories matching the theme "sometimes it's impossible to mend what has been broken" and the background. No length constraints. You must pitch, not submit your piece. Pays $.04/word. Deadline March 31.

Tree Lion Press is taking submissions of speculative fiction for The Land of Dust and Bones. Weird Western stories. 500-10,000 words. Pays $5 advance, plus royalties. Deadline March 31.

The ND Review is taking submissions of prose. They like it to take on big issues. Pays a small gratuity that is not specified. Deadline March 31.

Kaleidotrope is taking submissions of speculative fiction. 250-10,000 words. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and artwork. Pays $.01/word for fiction and nonfiction, $5 for poetry. Deadline March 31.

Contests:

DL Hammons has brought Write Club back. This is a writing competition where anonymous 500 word entries are put against each other, with readers voting on the winner. They're taking entries between February 1 and February 26. The contest begins March 7.

Anything to add or share? Any of these of interest?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Mammoth Skies & Links

We went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science this week, hoping to see the temporary Sherlock Holmes exhibit, but it was sold out. Luckily, we have a membership, so it didn't cost us anything (other than 2 hours worth of driving, round trip). The kids still had fun visiting their favorite exhibits (one on the human body and one about space,) and when we left, the sun was starting to slip behind the Rockies. Denver is farther from the mountains than we are in Colorado Springs, so the view is different than I'm used to. No spectacular colors, but it was still pretty. Canadian geese were flying around a nearby lake, honking and gossiping. The nearby clouds were backlit by the rays of the dying sun. And it was fun imagining the mammoth was really there. Could you imagine the sight of a real one of these beasts among the skyscrapers, trumpeting out its call?

Now it's time for links. Bear in mind that I'm not endorsing any of these, merely passing them along. Always do your own due diligence in researching markets before submitting to them.

Accepting Submissions:

The Lorelei Signal is open to fantasy. Because the twin magazine, Sorcerous Signals closed, they have changed to not requiring female main characters, though any female characters must not be window dressing. Short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. Up to 10,000 words. Pays $7.50 per short story, $3 per poem/flash. Current reading period ends February 15.

Lillicat Publishers is open for science fiction short stories for the anthology Visions IV: Space Between Stars. 3000-8000 words. Pays $25. Deadline February 15.

Lightspeed is open for science fiction short stories for People of Colo(u)r Destroy Science Fiction, a special edition. They are also running a kickstarter to finance this project. If they are successful and reach a certain point, they will open up People of Colo(u)r Destroy Fantasy and People of Colo(u)r Destroy Horror. Up to 10,000 words. You must be a person of color to submit. I'm not sure what the pay is, but it is paying. They're also seeking artwork, which will be paid for. Both the kickstarter and the submissions close February 19.

Ninth Letter is open for literary fiction, poetry, and essays. Up to 8000 words. Pays $25 per printed page. Current deadline February 28.

Blyant Publishing is open for short fiction of any genre for their quarterly anthology blAekk. The current theme is nationality. 1000-2000 words. Pays £10 to £20 depending on length. Deadline February 28.

SpeckLit is open for speculative fiction and reviews. Drabbles only, so 100 words. Pays $.05/word. Deadline for this quarter is February 28.

Vine Leaves Literary Journal is looking for prose, poetry, and script vignettes in any genre. Pays $5 AUD. Current deadline is February 28.

Nosetouch Press is open for horror short stories for the anthology Blood, Sweat & Fears: Horror Inspired by the 1970s. 3000-10,000 words. Pays $25, plus contributor copy. Deadline February 29.

Contests:

Escape Pod is holding a flash fiction contest. Science fiction. No more than 500 words. Three winners will be paid $30, and their stories presented on a podcast. Deadline February 15.

Blog Hops:

The WEP Valentine's Edition details have been posted. You can submit in all kinds of ways, be it flash fiction, poetry, non-fiction, artwork, or photos. Up to 1000 words. Sign up and post between February 17 and 19th.

What creature from the past would you most want to see now? Any of these links of interest? Anything to share? Publishing news?

May you find your Muse.

IWSG: Rejections - The Bark is Worse Than The Bite

It's the first Wednesday of January and 2016, so it's time for the first Insecure Writer's Support Group of 2016. Woo-hoo! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG is open to anyone who wants to participate. Simply add your blog to the linky list and post the first Wednesday of the month. Share your insecurities and/or your reassurances. Be sure to visit our wonderful January co-hosts: L.G. Keltner, Denise Covey, Sheri Larsen, J.Q. Rose, Chemist Ken, and Michelle Wallace!

My insecurities were really bad in November and December. It was hard to get to a positive place. I figure this is more a reflection of how I was feeling about myself over all, but a lot of it got directed toward my writing.

It wasn't the rejections, despite the title of this post. Well, no more than usual. It may be trite, but rejections do keep me moving forward, because they mean I'm working.

In November, I had a magazine I was supposed to be in come out without my story in it. I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Release day is always so exciting. To have it come out, view that cover, and then open it up and get that ugly surprise is unpleasant, to say the least. It was deflating.

It was an honest mistake. I've since spoken with the editor. But I realized this was a secret ugly fear that existed within me. And now that it's happened, I can move past it. It sucked, but the world didn't end. I spent an upset, sleepless night wondering what had happened. How had I been overlooked? Was there something wrong with my story? Did they drop me on purpose? I needed answers, and I'm not a patient person.

None of these concerns proved true. It wasn't about me. And that's what conquers that fear. In the beginning, I feared rejection. Not anymore. I'm still disappointed, of course, but I don't fear it. The rejections don't come with stamps that say "YOU SUCK." No editor has ever ripped my story apart, though I've gotten feedback from several.

It's part of what I do. I've learned some interesting lessons since I began submitting my short stories for publication. I've learned that you can do everything right, and still have things go wrong. You can do everything wrong, and still have things go right. I've had a magazine fold before it could print the story it had accepted. I've had a magazine fail to put my story in the correct issue. I've had a magazine publish my story, but not pay me. Multiple magazines have shut down while I had submissions out to them. There have been other disappointments, but they haven't stopped me. Eventually, they become fodder for stories, or something funny I can talk about, even if they don't seem funny in the beginning.

I still don't handle rejection well in real life, but short story rejections are survivable. Always remember that. Don't fear submitting because you fear the rejection that may come in response to it. That rejection is just a sign you're doing something right.

For those that are new here, I do a monthly roundup of my submission/rejection stats. I figured since it's January, I'll do my monthly roundup, followed by my numbers for the year.

In December, I:

Got 2 acceptances
Got 2 rejections
Withdrew 1 story when it was accepted elsewhere
Submitted 1 story (December was slow, and I already had stories pending)

I currently have 5 stories on submission, which is super low, but I have a couple stories I need to turn back around that were rejected this week, and I need to write some more to make up for the ones being accepted!

In 2015, I:

Got 9 acceptances
Got 60 rejections

Woof. That's a lot of rejections, right? But that means I submitted at least that many times. I guess I have a 15% acceptance rate? I'd love to improve that number this year.

On that note, let's hit the links.

I do not endorse the following, just pass them along. Always do your own due diligence before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

The Forge is a new literary magazine accepting submissions. 3000 words or less. Rotating editors, including our own blogging buddy Damyanti. Pays $.05/word up to 1000 words. No deadline, but editors change monthly.

Comet Press is accepting submissions for The Hardcore Horror Annual 2015, a new anthology. Short stories and novelettes. I'm unsure of pay. Deadline is January 30.

Fey Publishing is accepting submissions for the anthology Damsels in Success. Up to 10,000 words. Pays $5 per story. Deadline January 31.

The Overcast is accepting submissions for podcast. Speculative fiction. 2000-3000 words to make a 20 minute podcast, though they'll consider 1000-5000 words. Pay $.02/word. Deadline January 31.

Wordrunner eChapbooks is accepting submissions of fiction, memoir, and poetry. The theme for this submission period is Devices: Technology's impact on our lives and relationships. 1000-5000 words. Pays $5 to $20. Deadline January 31.

Dark Warrior Publishing is accepting submissions of serious science fiction. 2500-7000 words. Pays 1% royalties for a year, plus a contributor copy. Deadline January 31.

The Liz McMullen Show Publications is accepting submissions of essays and short stories for Laughing Out Loud: A Lizzie's Bedtime Stories Humor Anthology. 2000-4000 word essays or 3000-4000 word short stories. Pays $50, plus contributor copies. Deadline January 31.

Contests:

Elevate Your Pitch challenges you to post a powerful pitch paired with a musical track from Elevation. Four sentences or less. Winning pitch will receive the right to use an Elevation track in a book trailer. Deadline January 28.

Other:

Bent On Books posted a holiday wish list from agents. Thanks to Stacy S. Jensen for passing this along to me!

How many rejections did you get this year? Do you track your submissions? Have you looked at your annual numbers? Are you amped for this year? Any links to share? Publishing news?

May you find your Muse.

What do You See? & Links

Since I'm missing my hikes right now, I figured I'd post more pictures from my previous hike in Ute Valley Park.

It's impossible to get lost when you can always find Pikes Peak from the high points.

Now, what do you see in these rocks? Prairie dogs?

How about in this one? Do you see the smiley face?

Accepting Submissions:

Ideomancer seeks speculative fiction and poetry that are unique and non-traditional. Up to 7000 words. Pays $.03/word for fiction, $6 per poem. Submissions close July 31.

New Myths is looking for speculative fiction (but no graphic horror). Up to 10,000 words. Also take non-fiction dealing with fantasy/sci-fi and writing, and poetry. Pays between $20 to $50, depending upon story type. Deadline July 31.

Red Moon Romance is seeking submissions of short cowboy romance (American west or Australian outback) for an anthology. 3000-20,000 words. Can be mixed with other genres, such as paranormal, steampunk, sci-fi, etc. Pays in profit share and paperback copy. Deadline July 31.

WolfSinger Publications is seeking speculative fiction stories about trolls, gargoyles and other bit part fantasy creatures for an anthology entitled "Misunderstood." 1000-6000 words. Pays $5, plus royalties. Deadline August 1.

Dreamspinner Press is seeking short romance stories concerning end of year holidays (Christmas, boxing day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, etc.) Must have a happy ending. 5000-18,000 words. Pay isn't specified, but it's for an anthology, so likely royalties. Deadline August 1.

Helen Literary is open for submissions of short fiction with the theme "Animal." 500-5000 words for fiction. Lengths vary for poetry, non-fiction. Also take artwork. Pay is between $2 and $10, plus a subscription to the journal. Deadline August 1.

Contests:

The First Line is holding their quarterly contest. Use the first line provided (currently "The old neighborhood was nearly unrecognizable.") to write a story of between 300-5000 words. No entry fee. Winners are not ranked--they are published. Pays $25-50 for fiction. Pay varies for poetry and non-fiction. Deadline August 1.

Blog Stuff:

The Cover Girls started a new blog hop in May. Fast Five Friday is all about lists. Each Friday there is a new topic; you write down a list of five things in response to it. You do not have to participate every week--just pick and choose the topics that interest you.

Of Interest:

The Clarion 2015 Write-A-Thon is going on now through August 1. You can support other writers or be a participant. Participants ask folks to sponsor them in a write-a-thon.

Plasma Frequency Magazine is closing its doors after bank fraud wiped them out. There is little hope of them getting their money back. Hopefully they can do a Kickstarter or something, but I haven't seen that mentioned.

What do you see in the rocks? Do you play this game when you go for a walk or hike? Any of these links of interest to you? Experience with any of these publications? Anything to share? Publishing news?

May you find your Muse.

Linky-Dinky-Doo

Having a snow day confused me, and I almost forgot today was Wednesday! So directly to the links I go.

Also, there is a really good chance that my horror list book review will be next week instead of this week, because of limited reading time and having trouble getting into the next book I was going to review. We'll see.

Accepting Submissions:

Evil Girlfriend Media is putting together an anthology of strong females in fantasy: Women in Practical Armor. 2000-5000 words. Advance of $.06/word. Deadline April 1.

Hidden Clearing Books is accepting submissions for Shorties. Short story up to 1500 words or a poem up to 100 lines. Literary or speculative. Deadline March 31. Pays $15, plus a contributor copy.

Explicit Books is accepting erotic short story submission for an anthology. 3500 to 7500 words. Pays $.03/word. Deadline March 19. 

Darkhouse Books is seeking submissions for the anthology Destination: Mystery. These should be cozy mysteries set in vacation destinations. 2500 to 7500 words. Pay unknown. Deadline March 31. 

Crossed Genres Magazine has a monthly theme for submissions. This month's is Novelettes. Typically, they do short stories, so this is a one-time theme. Any speculative fiction. 6000-12,000 words. Pays $.06/word. Deadline March 31. You also still have a few days for the Success theme. Deadline February 28.

eSpec Books is seeking Weird Wild West stories for an anthology. 3000-9000 words. Royalty share and contributor copies, plus discounts on additional copies. Deadline March 31. 

Broken Eye Books wants your stories for Tomorrow's Cthulhu. 4000 words or less. Pays $.06/words. Deadline April 1.

Maxim Jakubowski and Constable Robinson need Jack the Ripper stories for The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Tales. 4000-7500 words. Pays $215. Deadline April 1.

Imaginate posts a photo prompt every quarter. The current prompt is up. Flash fiction up to 100 words, short stories up to 2500 words. Pays $.05/word. Deadline April 1.

Contests:

Brilliant Flash Fiction does photo prompt contests every few months. The current photo prompt is up with a deadline of March 15. Up to 1000 words. Prize is 100 euro.

Any of these of interest? Anything to share? How are you doing with submissions? Got anything out there? Any publishing news?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - ALS Walk & Links

The ALS walk was this past weekend. All but one of my siblings was able to make it, as well as a few friends. The best part was that a couple of our long-time family friends (who may as well just be family) flew out the day before the walk to surprise my parents and do the walk with us. There's not a lot of positive for people with ALS. There is constantly a new negative, a new element they weren't aware of, a new issue. So to see my parents so happy was amazing. Here's our team, Dad's Defiant Defenders, after the walk. (I'm the one with the red wig-Jean Grey/Phoenix, hubby is Magneto.)

The walk was on Saturday. On Monday, my parents opened the local newspaper to discover an article about the Ice Bucket Challenge their neighborhood put together on their birthday, including a picture of my dad and the dry pre-IBC neighbors, who did the challenge then stuck around to surprise my dad with cake and goodies for my dad's birthday. Here's the article.

Overall, it was a great weekend, with lots of friend and family time.

Mushy gushy stuff aside, it's time for some links.

Accepting Submissions:

A Murder of Storytellers is putting together an anthology about your childhood fears. Beyond the Nightlight is a horror anthology. Deadline October 13. 500-1300 words. Pays $15 and a contributor copy.

Jamais Vu's current submission window closes October 15. Short fiction, book reviews, film reviews, poetry, and nonfiction. Pays $.05/word and a contributor's copy. Horror, thriller, dark fiction.

Lamplight is looking for horror flash fiction and short stories. Deadline October 15. Pays $50 for flash fiction, $150 for short fiction.

Ticonderoga Publications is putting together an anthology of horror in an urban fantasy setting, entitled Bloodlines. Blood must factor into the story in some way. 1000-7500 words. Deadline October 15. Pays AUS $.02/word, plus 2 copies of the anthology.

Shooter Literary Magazine is open to submissions of short fiction for their new magazine. Theme of the first issue is "Pulling the Trigger." Deadline October 15. Pay varies depending upon type of story.

Lakeside Circus wants your short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. Speculative fiction. They also accept essays. They pay $.02/word for fiction, $.01/word for nonfiction. Additional for audio rights when requested.

Third Wednesday is seeking short fiction, poetry, and artwork. Rolling deadlines, but seasonal work should be sent three months in advance. Pays $3-5, plus a contributor copy.

Romance Flash is seeking your romantic stories of 1000 words or less. Token payment of $3.

Contests:

Mash Stories is holding their Mash Competition #4 right now. Deadline is October 15. Current keywords are "alphabet," "love," and "oxidation." Winner gets $100. Those who are short listed get audio podcasts of their work (I noticed a fellow blogger's piece listed as short-listed!) Up to 500 words.

Blog Stuff:

A bunch of Young Adult authors are holding Young Adult Reader Appreciation Week next week. Check it out! There's a giveaway and a whole lot of talented participants.

Any of these of interest? Anything to share? Publication news to share? 

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Goofy Asides & Links

For this week's photos, I figured I would post some random goofy pics I've snapped with my phone recently. I've previously posted a couple of these, but I was cleaning out my cell phone, so you get them again. (Disclaimer: I was not driving when I took ANY of these photos. I was stopped at lights for the three taken from my car.)

Sounds...tasty? (It says Colon Orchards)

On a bench in front of a restaurant in Estes Park

If you can read this, UR2CLOZ

They really take employment seriously here (Hospital Property)

No, thanks? (Teste the Sunshine)

Works for me!

Look for it in a town near you.

Hungry?

A good rule of thumb!

Now for some links! Bearing in mind that I am not personally recommending these, nor have I researched them. I pass along what I find. Always do your due diligence before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

Unsolicited Press is about to end their reading period for their autumn issue of The Fictioneer, their literary magazine. Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, op-eds, interviews, and art. Deadline is August 1. Pays in royalties.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking at putting together a collection of Christmas stories. 1200 words or less. Deadline August 30. Pays $200 per story.

Tacitus Publishing is seeking short fiction stories for their anthology, It's a Grimm Life. They want a modern look at the Grimm Fairy Tales. 1500-5000 words. Deadline August 31. Pays $.01/word and a contributor e-copy.

Less Than Three Press has a call out for their anthology, Lovely, Dark and Deep. Dangerous tales set in the forest. 10,000-20,000 words. Deadline August 31. Pays $200, plus contributor e-copies and print copies.

Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing wants your funny Halloween stories for their Funny Halloween anthology. 2000-10,000 words. Deadline August 31. Pay unknown. They are also taking submissions for their Hope and Love Charity Anthology (LGBTQ protag - deadline August 1) and Cogs in Time 2 (steampunk - deadline August 10).

Cleis Press has a call out for their gay erotica anthology, Cowboy Up. 2000-5000 words. Deadline August 1. Pays $50, plus 2 contributor copies.

Michael Matheson is editing This Patchwork Flesh, an anthology of LGBT western horror. 90% Canadian, but all are welcome to submit. <8k words. Deadline August 31. Pays $.05/word.

Photography:

Call for possible cover photos. You can submit up to 10 photos for the cover of Vine Leaves Literary Journal. If your piece is accepted, you will be paid 50 Euros.

Contests:

Writer's Digest and The Guide to Literary Agents Blog is holding their Dear Lucky Agent Contest. This is for Middle Grade fiction (this time around--the genre/niche changes each time). Submit 150-200 words of your unpublished book. Deadline July 30. Top 3 winners get a critique from Peter Knapp, literary agent, plus a one-year subscription to Writersmarket.com.

STOP READING HERE, GARY!

Blog Stuff:

Beth Fred, Lexa Cain, and Medeia Sharif are hosting the International Potluck Blogfest on August 12. You are asked to post a cover to a book you love and food associated with it.

Anything of interest here? Anything to share? Publishing news? Have you seen any funny signs or other items?

May you find your Muse.

Happy New Year & Links

Happy New Year, everyone! Now's when I struggle to write the correct year on my checks for the next three months. Woot!

I've got a bunch of links for you since I didn't do it last week, so why don't we jump right in and do those?

Please bear in mind that I am not personally vetting these publications and/or contests. I only pass along items of interest I come across. Please do your own due diligence in researching any publication or contest you find on this blog.

Accepting Submissions:

Jamais Vu-Journal of Strange Among the Familiar is seeking dark fiction short stories, book reviews, film reviews, poetry, and non-fiction. They pay $.05 per word in most cases, plus a contributor copy. Current submission window open through January 15.

The Kenyon Review is seeking short fiction, essays, poetry, plays, excerpts, and translations of poetry and short prose. Submission window closes January 15. This is a paying market, but specific pay is not mentioned.

Lamplight Magazine is seeking dark fiction in short and flash forms. They pay a flat fee of $150 for short stories, $50 for flash. Current submission window closes January 15. Personal recommendation: I haven't been published through them, but simultaneously submitted to them the story that ultimately got accepted by someone else (who then folded). When I wrote them to let them know it was accepted elsewhere, I got a nice, friendly email thanking me for letting them know and congratulating me on my acceptance with the other magazine. I thought that was nice of them, so wanted to pass it along. I hope to have another story I feel is appropriate for them sometime. Also, they accept reprints.

Chicken Soup for the Soul has several editions open for submissions. They pay $200 per accepted story. While I am going to list several deadlines for specific topics they're looking for, please note that they accept your heartfelt stories that are not geared toward one of the suggest book titles. Reboot Your Life closes January 30. The Cat/Dog Did What ends January 5. Check their website for specifics.

Lethe Press has several anthology calls out. Daughters of Frankenstein: Lesbian Mad Scientists closes January 31. 2500 to 12,500 words. Pays $.05/word. They are also looking for lesbian and gay fiction published in 2013 for their Best of Compilations.

Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly is looking for romantic sci-fi short stories. They only publish one quarterly. Must include steampunk elements, as well. Pays $25 per story. Current deadline January 31.

ChiZine Publications is putting out their Imaginarium 2014: The Best Canadian Speculative Writing collection. Deadline January 31. This is a best of anthology, seeking submissions of your work that was published in 2013. Pay is not listed.

Buttontapper Press seeks haiku. Cat & Dog Lovers Haiku closes January 31. Pays in royalties. Futuristic haiku closes same date, same pay. They are also reviewing novella-length ninja-themed manuscripts.

Great Old Ones Publishing is looking for horror. Can be other speculative fiction genres, but must contain an element of horror. $25 flat fee, plus contributor copy and discount on further copies.

Crossed Genres Magazine's current issue theme is "Food." Deadline January 31. Pays $.05/word. 1000-6000 words. Must be sci-fi and/or fantasy.

For the Love of Murphy is an anthology for Roane Publishing. They seek sweet romance stories with a twist born of Murphy's Law. Deadline January 31. Their erotic romance anthology, Bad Boys Rock, is open until filled. Payment not mentioned.

Contests:

Mash Stories will hold a contest every quarter. This competition is about mashing randomness into stories, so they give you three words/terms that you must wrap into your story. This cycle's are tennis ball, animal rights, and bunker. 500 word maximum. No submission fee. Deadline January 15. $100 reward, with shortlisted stories being published on the website.

Odd Contest, held by OdysseyCon annually, is open for submissions through January 15. Accepting speculative fiction poetry and prose. Adult first prize is $500, youth first prize is $50. Winners pieces will be read a the Con and published in the program and on their website.

Commonwealth Writers and the British Council are holding the BBC World Service International Radio Playwriting Competition. The winner will receive 2000, a trip to London to see your play being recorded, and an awards ceremony. Must be 53 minutes long, any subject welcome. No entry fee. Closes January 31.

Anything of interest to you? Anything you'd like to mention? Good news to share? How was your New Year's?

May you find your Muse.

To Contest or Not to Contest

That is the question.

I haven't entered a writing contest in a couple years and I've got a new novel that might be worthwhile to enter, but I'm not sure it's at the point where I should enter it or whether I actually want to. There are various reasons for and against it.

So how about a Top Ten?

Top Ten Reasons to Enter Writing Contests:

10. To get your arse in gear and get that manuscript polished
9. Practice for submitting things
8. Something to put in a query letter/bio/reference
7. Money
6. Acclaim
5. Writing experience
4. Feedback (general, plus scores)
3. Critique (formal critique)
2. To get an agent/editor offer from a judge
1. To win (duh)

I was tempted to arrange it in a much different order, because I don't think winning is the most important part of a contest. When I first entered a writing contest, I did it to win. Plain and simple. The second time I entered a contest I did it for the critique. At this time, I think the most important aspects are the feedback, critique, and experience. Each writing contest you enter means practice writing and practice submitting something. However, I don't think I'd enter another contest unless I felt I actually had a winner. A story isn't a winner until YOU think it is.

So what should a person look at before entering a contest?

1. That the contest fits with what you write/enjoy writing/your personality
2. The organization running it is respected and honest
3. The cost - Is it reasonable? is it worth it?
4. The cost versus the prize money
5. The status of your manuscript (for novel contests) - Is it ready? Polished?
6. An explanation of the entry fee - If there's a cash prize, it's reasonable to figure much of the entry fee is going to that. If there are "celebrity" judges, you can likely assume they are being paid some amount, which would come out of the entry fee. Is it being donated? Are they a non-profit? If they're a non-profit, they hope to have some portion of the fee to keep for funds to run the non-profit once they've met costs.
7. Will the winning entries be published in some way?
8. The judges - Are they known? Do they have publishing experience?
9. Is this their first contest or has this contest been around for awhile? If it hasn't been around for awhile, has the organization running it?
10. What do YOU want out of entering this contest? What's your main goal? Will this contest help you to achieve what you want from it?

I guess that's sort of a top ten, too, eh? But it's in no particular order.

Just a gathering of thoughts. I'm leaning toward not entering right now, but I've got some time to decide.

So what are your thoughts? Do you enter contests? Do you want to? Have you in the past? Why do or don't you?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Seal the Deal & Links

While we didn't make it to the sea lion caves in southern Oregon, we did see plenty of harbor seals hanging around Newport.  For today's [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday, meet my little friends (said in a bad Al Pacino accent):

 Sunning on the rocks at Cobble Beach (if you can call it sunning when there is no sun...)

 

 I suppose "basking" works even if there is no sun?  These little fella's are super basky.

 

 Look at that sweet face!  This little guy was playing in the harbor at Depoe Bay.

 

Before I get to the links, be sure to come back this Saturday, September 1, for an interview with Ian T. Healy.  He always has great information for writers, and is both traditionally and independently published.

Link Time!

Blog Hops/Fests:

Gearing up to Get an Agent Blog Fest & Pitch Contest is run by Deana Barnhart and sounds fantastic!  If you have a completed manuscript this is the blog fest to participate in.  Real pitching opportunities to agents and small publishing houses.

Carrie Ann is hosting the Romancing the Hop Blog Hop.  Bloggers and authors can participate, while readers can win one of hundreds of prizes.

Contests:

The Editor's Prize Contest is run by the Missouri Review.  $5000 prizes in fiction, poetry and essay, and possible publication.  $20 per entry.

The Olympia Unpublished Writers Contest from Clash of the Titles is aimed at unpublished writers.  No cash prize has been announced, but the entry fee is $10.

The 5000 Pound UK Sitcom Writing Prize is for UK writers only.  Try your hand at writing a sitcom for a development deal with Big Talk and Comedy Central UK.  Also, that's pound as in money.  I didn't look up how to do the symbol.

What's going on in your world?  Could you turn down a sweet seal face like the one above?  Ever seen a seal in person? 

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday-Zzzzebra & Helpful Links

So many people posted about zebras as their "Z" post that I felt compelled to share Zeke here. This photo was taken at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo:

And now for some helpful links:

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers is having their annual Colorado Gold Writing Contest, which is for unpublished novel-length works. Deadline is June 1. I entered this last year and got some fantastic feedback, so I recommend it.

Windmill Networking is offering a free e-book about using LinkedIn in networking, entitled 30 Minutes to Maximizing LinkedIn. I have not gotten a copy, so can't tell you if it's any good.

Screenwriters, Amazon is having a screenwriting contest.

This sounds like fun: Wordle.net creates a word cloud from your text. Use it for fun or as a tool to see what words you may be overusing.

The Writing Network supports and encourages self-published authors.

Fiction 500 is running a short fiction contest with cash prizes.

Anyone else having trouble getting back into the swing of things? Any links to share?
 
May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday 11/9/11, ShaNoEdWriMo Update & Contest

Before the [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday photo, I thought I'd do my penance and post an update on ShaNoEdWriMo really quickly. My current goal is 5000 words per week, 5 chapters edited. Of that, I got 0 chapters edited (I haven't even SEEN my office in the last week) and 2886 words written.

Yeah.

At least it wasn't zero words written, right? I intend to do better this week. I have to be home enough for that to be possible, considering all those words written were done so in snatches when I was somewhere other than home. Sigh.

I also wanted to remind people of the Pikes Peak Writers' Fiction Writing Contest. The final deadline is November 15. Details here. They are also holding weekly NaNo write-ins at the Citadel Mall, here in Colorado Springs. Check this page for more details.

Now, say hello to my little friend (said in a terrible fake Cuban accent because that's what I heard in my head a la Scarface).

This little guy is one of my backyard visitors. When I had cats he and his pals liked to harass them endlessly, throw things at them, taunt them with their tails, chatter at them about this and that, usually angrily. The magpies thought it was a ton of fun, too.

Did you know that, "relative to its size, the squirrel's jaws are the most powerful of any animal?" You can thank The White Squirrel for that factoid.

Did you know that, other than nuts and acorns squirrels eat "wheat, fruit, bird’s eggs, mushrooms, berries, oak buds, corn, insects, moths, nesting birds." That factoid is thanks to All About Squirrels. Did you read the nesting birds part twice? Because I did. Suddenly, they are not so cute!

How are your November writing goals going? Do you get squirrels around your place? Is that a good thing or a bad things?

May you find your Muse.