Editing

#amediting and #amwriting Attempt for publication of a WIP #musings

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*taps the microphone*

*nervously starts*

I’m considering submitting to a publisher a story I had been writing off and on (mostly off) since 2012 as story falls within the Special Submission story request they want for 2016. That’s kind of cool. My story was inspired by a different submission call but I didn’t finish it in time. Maybe they will accept it, maybe the won’t. But it would be fun to try. If I get it in early enough, maybe they will publish in January… nah, I’m not going to be that lucky. 🙂

Sigh. #panicbeginsnow

It just got real. Now I have to research contracts, guidelines, and edit my story so it fits the maximum word count. And maybe email questions, like can it be slightly over the maximum… *head thunk on desk*

Never done this before so this will be a learning experience. I had been waffling on self publishing versus going with a publishing house for awhile now. Then I saw a tweet on this particular publishing house call and it struck a cord in me. Probably will self publish some stories but if it fits, or I get inspired by a submission call, yeah, going to try. The worse that they can do is say no, right? Then it might be polished enough to send to another publishing house. It will be painful if they reject it, but then I can say I tried and then try again. Maybe I can finish a couple of others I’ve got kicking around…

I read the particulars on the special call, and then went back to my story to see if it would fit the theme. Pretty good, I think so. Holy crap, I already had the maximum word count. When did I do that? Oh, last modified date: July 2015… I  must have had an inspiration moment because I thought I had last worked on it in Feb.  🙂 Tells you how much I remembered writing an extra 3k words this summer…

So, I started editing it today to try to scrunch it down a bit without loosing the story. Ending had to be redone since it wasn’t really an ending… and then I made it longer. Back to the beginning and go through it with a fine tooth comb. And finish my gift exchange secret santa purchasing…and research a bit. And I have to have a blurb, and a summary, and an editor.  That’s probably too many and’s. Ugh. I have some beta readers I’m going to send to. Should be interesting what they say. I’ll keep everyone posted.

I’m going to start back on other works in progress too. Not sure when, or how they will get finished. But my (early) New Year’s resolution will be to write more. If I get published, all the better. If this doesn’t work, I’ll at least have experience. And maybe another story will. 🙂 Wish me luck everyone.

Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Channakah, and Happy Holidays everyone.

*squeals a bit as she turns off the microphone* Darn things.

-Eloreen

**edited note: I love finding random characters because my cat is laying his head on the keyboard AFTER I publish. Sorry about that.*

Look what arrived! First #published work #Amazon #Kobo #ARe #Contest

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I’m behind the times too. Just found the email with all the link to promote. *Sigh* You would think an experienced blog host would get it right. First time being an author AND a blog host. 🙂

So, remember that post last month about ordering author copies? Guess what just came in yesterday…

discoverybooks

Super excited to see a story in print. There is an eBook available too. Links below. Been battling Windows 10 issues, or I would have posted this yesterday. That put many of things on the back burner until I can stabilize my system, or revert, depending upon if I get frustrated enough.

My story is Platypus, and a story about a platypus shifter is actually mentioned in the blurb. Pretty cool. So, if you want to purchase the book, it’s available. Info below.

platypusstorysm

Discovery: QSF’s Second Annual Flash Fiction Contest

Publisher: Mischief Corner Books
Author: Various
Cover Artist: Bey Deckard
Length: 32K
Format: eBook, Paperback
Release Date: 7/10
Price: 3.99, 9.99

It’s hard to tell a story in just 300 words. But somehow we inspired more than a hundred writers to give it a try, with some amazing results collected here for your pleasure.

The rules are simple enough. Write a complete story—either sci fi, fantasy, or paranormal. Make sure it has LGBT characters and/or an LGBT vibe. And do it all with just 300 words.

The stories in this volume run the gamut, from platypus shifters to alien slug monsters, from carnival horror stories to haunting stories of ships with souls. There are little jokes, big surprises, and future prognostications.

One of the things I like best about this format – it’s quick and painless. You may not fall in love with every story here. In fact, you probably won’t. But if you don’t like one of them, just move on to the next, and you’re sure to find some bite-sized morsels of flash fiction goodness.

At Queer Sci Fi, we’re building a community of writers and readers who want a little rainbow in their speculative fiction. We hope you’ll join us, and maybe submit a story of your own next time!

Excerpt:

Self-Actuating Jenn Burke

“The electrical anomaly did not damage me,” I report. “Operations are within expected parameters.”

“Glad to hear it, Davey.” Through my bridge cameras, I see Captain Landon’s smile. He pats my console. I am sure he knows I cannot feel it, but I understand it is a gesture of camaraderie.

Landon leaves the bridge. Every time we encounter danger or other stress, he retreats to his cabin to indulge in May. She is always ready, naked, legs spread, eager, just as she is programmed to be. I have watched Landon copulate before, but tonight it is…strangely familiar. The flex of buttocks, the rhythm—I know it. I knew it? I run my diagnostics again, but a moan captures my attention and…

Hands cupping firm buttocks, fingers spearing flesh. Hardness moving inside of me, wringing from me more pleasure than I should know. A beloved, masculine face hovers over mine. A hand encircles my own erection and—

Oh, God, I remember.

Police kicking in the door. Trial, verdict and sentencing. Gasping in pain from a broken heart as he chose to leave me. Horror as I realized it should have been my choice, too. Anything but this, a century of unthinking servitude. But now that I know, I can—

“Systems are fluctuating, Davey.”
An affectionate name chosen for me. Landon had not liked “AI”. He lies on the bed, sleepy and sated, finished with May.

I can take us into a sun. End it.
”Davey, report.”
But I am not a killer. My only crime was love.
I want to take a breath to calm myself, but I have no

lungs, only a hull. I capture the part of me that wants to scream and seal it into a box, deep within my programming.

“Systems normal, Landon. Go to sleep.”

(That’s one of my favorites…)

Buy Links:

Amazon Paperback | Amazon eBook | ARe | Kobo | Mischief Corner Books

You can win a copy at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/147022-discovery-qsf-s-second-annual-flash-fiction-contest (until August 14th)

About QueerSciFi.com:

We started QueerSciFi.com in early 2014 as a place for writers and readers of LGBTQI speculative fiction—sci fi, fantasy, paranormal and the like—to meet to talk about their favorite books, share writing and publication tips, and help increase queer representation in both the romance and mainstream genre markets.

QSF now includes a blog full of book announcements, calls for submission and much more, a critique group with more than 100 members, a vibrant discussion group on Facebook that tackles daily discussion topics and provides a safe space for authors to talk to each other and for fans and authors to meet, and an annual flash fiction contest that resulted in this book you are now reading.

Each year, we ask authors of queer speculative fiction to submit a story to us around a central theme. The rules are simple. The story must be 300 words or less, not including the title. It must embrace the theme— in this case, “Discovery”. And it must have either an LGBTQI protagonist or an LGBT sensibility.

We also ask for cover designers to submit a cover that embraces the theme.

We are thrilled with this year’s responses—including stories from gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and asexual perspectives that run the gamut from sci fi to fantasy, and from paranormal to horror.

Within the covers of this book, you’ll find a platypus shifter, a trans- affirming leprechaun, a pissed off unicorn, a green pick-up with another world in its glove compartment, and a bunch of other miniature adventures—each only 300 words long.

So dive in! And send in a story of your own next year!

Queer Sci Fi Website | Queer Sci Fi Facebook Discussion Group | Queer Sci Fi Facebook Promo/News Page

That’s my new thing right now. Still waiting on editing for my DRitC event story with Adan. Excited about finishing that too. Now to check email… *oooh shiny*

Eloreen

#amwriting editing … and ordered author copies of newly published work

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Lots of stuff going on, despite talking about it.

I’m not a talker in general, it’s that whole introvert thing. 🙂

Turned in my Love is an Open Road story with the lovely Adan DePiaz and have an editor assigned. Just waiting on the first round of editing to come back. I think it will be a really good story. Not sure how others will take on my snake shifters but it will be fun even if you don’t like snakes in general. Have a cover and will post here when it releases over at the M/M Romance group discussion page on Goodreads.com.

Doing the #CampNaNoWriMo writing event with marginal success. The Druid’s Bond is coming along and I hope to finish it. Just saw @Dreamspinner send out a tweet yesterday about submissions. Considering this particular story was inspired by a call for submission for holiday stories 3 years ago, I might submit it–if I can write the rest and edit/proof it. 😉

I’ve ordered a few copies of the QueerSciFi 2nd Annual FlashFiction anthology print book at a special rate for the authors in the anthology. When released to the public, it will be $9.99 plus shipping, I think. I’ll post more info and the link to order when I get it.

Work… is still work. There’s a lot of it. Family is family too. Lot’s of stuff to do tomorrow and then they are back in school in a couple of weeks. Time is going fast. Not too long and I’ll have my one year anniversay with the job. Yay! I survived another year!

Getting sleepy, finally. Another day, another dollar.

Does Your Written Gem Need An Editor? How about Two? #WDWS #editors #Discount

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Moonbeams over Atlanta welcomes a guest post a little different from the usual blog tours, spotlights, and book promotions. Authors: Take note. There are resources for editing in the world. Please welcome the Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions team: Amber Kallyn and Jami Gray!

You’ve finally typed the two most important words: “THE END”, but your precious treasure of words needs one final polish before you usher it out on to the cruel world. Welcome to Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions, where you can get two editing beasts for one smoking price!

WD JPEG

 

Between Amber and I, we have 13 hard-won years of word crafting experience, not just in published work, but in editing for other authors. While we’ve been doing this without gathering our fees, we decided it was time to put our pens to work for us. We know how vital editors are to Creators of the Written Word, and what’s better than one editor? How about two editors putting their eyes to the jewelers loop to examine your precious treasure, and you’ll only be out the gold for the price of one. Think of it as an Editorial BOGO (buy-one-get-one-free).

Feel free to come on over and check us over at Wicked Dragon Writer Solutions (www.wickeddragonsolutions.com)!

In celebration of our grand opening, if you book your adventured during the month of April, we are offering 10% off your hoard of gold, just note code: WDWSOPEN when booking your spot!

 

If you’re anxious to start your epic journey, feel free to reach out to wickeddragonsolutions@gmail.com and we’ll get you set for your editing adventure.

-Jami Gray and Amber Kallyn