That's right. I've sold another story this week.
My short tale, "Peter Piker the Pankin Man," will appear at Big Pulp later this year.
I'll let you know an exact date when it draws near.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Literary story sold
My short literary story "Steven Spielberg and The Magic Box" has been accepted for publication at The Ranfurly Review. Expect to see it in June of this year!
Every sale excites me, but this one has some unique things about it that's making me jump for joy.
First off, this is the first time I've sold a literary story. It's also my first sale outside the United States. And ... dun, dun, duuuuuu ... this is my first sale to a publication in Scotland, the home of my ancestors!
Every sale excites me, but this one has some unique things about it that's making me jump for joy.
First off, this is the first time I've sold a literary story. It's also my first sale outside the United States. And ... dun, dun, duuuuuu ... this is my first sale to a publication in Scotland, the home of my ancestors!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sometimes enough has to be enough
It's amazing sometimes to look back on once's writing. I've recently been putting together a package that contains some chapters from the first book in my fantasy trilogy, and when I checked the dates for each file on the computer I realized I had not worked on any of that first book in a year and a half. I've either been working on the second or third books, or more recently, short stories.
Some of that first book rang true to me. But some of it ... man, it stank.
I think part of this is that something like three hundred thousand words later, I'm a better writer. I'm not saying I'm a great writer, but a better writer.
It also dawned on me that I could sit down and rewrite parts of this first book, make it even better.
But I won't. At least not for now.
Why, one might ask? It's not necessarily laziness, though I am busy with other things at the moment. It's because that first book is already on its fourth or fifth draft, and while it could be better, I know I have to set it aside at some point. If I spent the next few months making that first book better, by the time I finished, I'd have to start over again.
I could keep improving that book forever.
So, for now, I'm saying enough is enough. That book is going to have to stand as it is for the time being because ... well, because it has to. Sooner or later you have to throw your babies to the wolves and hope for the best, and that's kind of what I'm doing.
Now, if an editor or publisher at some point wants me to make changes, that's a different thing. But until then, or by some miracle I run out of other writing project, I think that first book ("City of Rogues") is going to have to stand on its own.
Some of that first book rang true to me. But some of it ... man, it stank.
I think part of this is that something like three hundred thousand words later, I'm a better writer. I'm not saying I'm a great writer, but a better writer.
It also dawned on me that I could sit down and rewrite parts of this first book, make it even better.
But I won't. At least not for now.
Why, one might ask? It's not necessarily laziness, though I am busy with other things at the moment. It's because that first book is already on its fourth or fifth draft, and while it could be better, I know I have to set it aside at some point. If I spent the next few months making that first book better, by the time I finished, I'd have to start over again.
I could keep improving that book forever.
So, for now, I'm saying enough is enough. That book is going to have to stand as it is for the time being because ... well, because it has to. Sooner or later you have to throw your babies to the wolves and hope for the best, and that's kind of what I'm doing.
Now, if an editor or publisher at some point wants me to make changes, that's a different thing. But until then, or by some miracle I run out of other writing project, I think that first book ("City of Rogues") is going to have to stand on its own.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Short story at Every Day Fiction
John Dee sees publication for the very first time!
My flash story "Walking Between the Rain" is now up at Every Day Fiction. Check it out, rate the story, leave comments and enjoy!
My flash story "Walking Between the Rain" is now up at Every Day Fiction. Check it out, rate the story, leave comments and enjoy!
My first review ever
Jeff Draper is writing reviews for each short story in The Return of the Sword. Check out his review for my story "Deep in the Land of the Ice and Snow" right here.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Talebones could use some help
Talebones sci-fi and dark fantasy magazine is in the middle of a subscription drive. Apparently things aren't quite desperate yet, but they need some help. So, if you can, get a subscription. If you can't afford, at least try to pass along the word.
Read more about this from publisher Patrick Swenson.
Read more about this from publisher Patrick Swenson.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
No. 6 - The Ancient
by R.A. SalvatoreStarted: March 11
Finished: April 6
Notes: Been a while since I've read some Salvatore, so I'm in the mood. Also, this appears to be a sequel of sorts to his The Highwayman book, which I enjoyed a couple of years ago.
Mini review: The first half of this one is somewhat confusing because there are so many different characters, but they all come together in the last hundred or so pages for a pretty darn good ending. The main protagonist of this tale, Bransen (also known as the Highwayman), from time to time shows a few of Drizzt's more annoying characters such as overthinking about himself, but in the end Bransen would do any Sword and Sorcery protagonist proud. I wouldn't say this is Salvatore's best work, but it's far from his worst, and a decent read. I also like the Highwayman character quite a bit, so I'm looking forward to more tales featuring him.
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