Status Update

I've decided to start a weekly (I hope) update of my works in progress in an effort to motivate myself to focus more. I've been jumping between stories and accomplishing very little of anything. Well, probably more than I think, but no where what I could be doing. So, here's what I've been working on for the past month and why I've been working on them.

1) Multi-cultural contemporary romance: This story is intended to be my first, full-length book. It is one of the first stories I wrote, and as such, in need of much revision. Additionally, I decided to emphasize the multi-cultural elements in an effort to make it easier to sell. I have Loose-Id in mind, but I worry it might not have enough heat. I work on it because I really, really, really want to finish a full-length.

2) M/M/F story set in the world of Elysia: This story was originally going to be part of the Mates of the Guardians series, but as I've worked on the series, I realized it is actually the beginning of a whole new series of potentially full-length books. I don't have any particular publisher in mind, but it is hot. I work on it to polish my erotica writing skills.

3) Eallair's story for the Mates of the Guardians: This story was rejected because of the opening scene. I have since rewritten it and like it much better. But, of course, I now have to go through the story in its entirety to see what needs polishing. I work on it because I'd like to get one more submission/contract for the year.

A List of Magazines

Since I have received a few requests for lists, here are three sites where I go when looking for magazines to submit to. Keep in mind, I'm primarily looking for sci-fi/fantasy, but other genres are included. It just takes some sifting through.

Fiction Submission Sites : http://www.smartamusement.com/pages/272.php (scroll past the Links to Links for Magazines)

Sci-Fi Factor - Science Fiction Pro Paying Market Listings : http://scifi.fictionfactor.com/promarkets.html

Towse's Links to Online Guidelines - Paying Markets for Writers : http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/markets/online-guidelinesEF.htm#EEE (this particular link is for E-F, but you can navigate around once you get there)

And for e-publishers, Piers Anthony's Internet Publishing : http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html (He has some pretty interesting comments about various publishers both from his personal experience and from communication with other authors and the publishers)

Hope this helps!

Rejection

First, thanks to Catherine Bybee for inspiring this post. (For those of you who have read Ms. Bybee's book, Kilt Worthy, available from The Wild Rose Press, Chase's story, Kilt-a-licious, is available from Cobblestone Press. Thanks to Ann Campbell for the info.)

Now, onto rejections...

I really don't mind rejections. I like receiving them because, at the very least, they let me know I can submit the story elsewhere, and I can finally stop checking my email like a possessed person...at least for that particular story.

I thought I'd share my most recent round of rejections for a sci-fi flash story I've written. 

"Thanks very much for sending this story... Unfortunately, it's not quite right for us. I found the concept interesting, but the world wasn't as vivid as I'd prefer, and I wished I knew more about why the narrator was living multiple lives.

We appreciate your interest in our magazine.  Please feel free to submit
again."

"Woohoo!" I thought. Interesting is a great word. And then the part starting with "but..." was a huge help in my next round of edits. As for the "Please feel free..." well I certainly will.

"Thank you for sending "Universal Truths," but we've decided to pass. I liked much about this one, and hung onto it through several rounds of reading.  Sorry it's not quite right for us!"

My first thought was "Aargh," but it was quickly followed by a "Woohoo!" This rejection inspired me to send the story out to a handful of readers to see how it struck them. I have to say their responses were more disheartening than the rejection letters, and they reminded me that not all readers like the same thing.

I received a form letter from the last place I submitted it.

"We appreciate your taking the time to send it in for our consideration. Although it does not suit the needs of the magazine at this time, we wish you luck with placing it elsewhere. Please excuse this form letter. The volume of work has unfortunately made it impossible for us to respond to each submission individually, much as we’d like to do so."

To which I just shrug my shoulders. Onto the next magazine!