writing

Musings from the Moon

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Or how it got to be almost a month since I had done a post.

Oops.

I’ll blame it on work. That’s what most of February went to. Working on not having to work so much. Slow process.

Well, you are not here to listen to my real life experiences. Well, maybe you are… After all writers, bloggers, and other people are human too.

Writing… Not so much this year. Started editing early Jan and then it fizzled because work. We’re back to that again. 🙂

Really, I’m not trying to make this a post about not enough time because of work. Except that I am. Sigh. I really need to get off my own soapbox.

I posted a review for Rhys since this is release day for Dirty Heart. Click here to see it. If you haven’t read the Cole McGinnis series, you should.

Currently typing on my Nook as I’m about to read to relax before bed. Going to be doing more reviews at RGR and here on MoA. It’s been two years at the end of this month since I started reviewing there. Here’s to another two years. Hopefully, I’ll add more books and stories to that mix that I’ve written. *smile*

–Eloreen

#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.*

#amwriting Really, I am. #NaNoWriMo 2015 #contest #giveaway

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So NaNoWriMo is back again and I’m working on a sequel for Coil Me Up with Adan DePiaz. Don’t know if we’ll get to 50k words or not, but it’s nice to try. *smile* Day Three (because I was sick Day 1 and worked Day 2, but I did get some writing in) is going and I might write some tonight. Adan is working on the Prologue from one MC’s point of view, and I’m working from the other MC’s point of view. Should be interesting where the scenes will fit. Not unusual for me to write out of order. Heck Coil Me Up’s ending started first.

Interestingly, someone commented on one of my blog posts last week asking about a sequel to Charon’s Dilemma, the DRitC event story from 2014. I did respond that I considered doing a sequel for that story but probably not immediately. Have to get through the month of November, and probably December before I can think of other stories. I’m multitasking on too many things as it is now. Writing is actually something creative I can do to counteract some studying I need to do before the end of the month. So, yeah. It’s pretty packed since I also host posts for authors and promotional book tours, review (for two blogs no less), and still read for fun.

And that doesn’t even count the things I do with family, especially weekends. Did I mention I work remotely with my full-time job? Best. Thing. Ever.

While I’m off being creative, and in the spirit of publishing, I would like to propose a contest. Comment on this post for a $10 Gift Certificate to the eretailer of your choice (B&N, ARe, Bookstrand, Amazon) and answer the following question.  Would you like to read a sequel for Charon’s Dilemma, Platypus (from Discovery) and/or Coil Me Up?

And yeah, eventually I’ll get back to my blog story Elf Magic too. 🙂

Signing off.

Eloreen

 

EDIT: I should really put a time limit on these contests…. It will be chosen by Random.org and you have until the end of November (11/30/2015 11:59 PM EST)

It’s out! Coil Me Up has been published.

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Get caught up in Real Life and Adan’s and my story on MM Romance Group Love is an Open Road event gets posted. 🙂

It’s located here. You must be a member of the MM Romance Group on Goodreads.com to view.

Also, you can go to http://www.mmromancegroup.com/coil-me-up-by-eloreen-moon-and-adan-depiaz/ to download an EPUB, MOBI, or PDF.

Let us know what you think by posting comments there or here. Also, please rate it on Goodreads. We’re thinking about a sequel and wanted to know if there is interest.

Thanks everyone for sticking around.

-Eloreen and Adan

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.

It’s done and submitted! My LOR story has been sent.

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After 2 months delay, taking on a co-author, and lots of late nights, Adan and I have finally finish Coil Me Up, the Love’s an Open Road submission for the Don’t Read in the Closet event over at Goodreads in the M/M Romance Group. Yay!

I could sleep for a week.

Now, I just have to go to work.

*sigh*

Life moves on.

On another note, I will be participating with the July #CampNaNoWriMo for another WIP that I hope to finish, or at least make a good dent into it, starting…tomorrow. *thunks head on desk* No rest for the weary. 🙂

Stay tuned for when Coil Me Up will be released and more musings on my progress with my Camp writing. And maybe I’ll restart my blog story too…

#amwriting

#amwriting LOR Story change

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So.

It’s been a year since January. I did get that Flash Fiction Contest over at Queer Sci Fi. We’ll see how that turns out.

I haven’t finished my LOR story with the M/M Romance Group at Goodreads.com yet. But I did get someone to help me finish it. 🙂

I would like to welcome Adan DePiaz. She will co-write the story that will come out this summer. Probably will publish later summer, early fall at this point, in the Love is an Open Road event topic. I’ll post the title and a little blurb after we get it finished and submitted. The posted stories are here.

You must be a member to read the stories until they post it to the website.

Now, I’m not feeling so well. I think I might curl up with a good story or two and see if I can get some shut-eye.

Night.

Eloreen Moon

A short message #amwriting

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Well, this is a short, quick post that I am writing again.

Good news is that I will probably get back to my blog story.

Bad news is that it might not be until after May 1st when my deadline for the M/M Romance Group Don’t Read in the Closet Even on Goodreads.com called Love is an Open Road will be submitted.  Well, I might be a little late in submitting since I have vacation planned for the end of April/beginning of May.  We’ll see. 🙂

So, if you don’t see me around except for Blog Tours and the like, you know why.

I told you it was short.

Eloreen

Another week goes by…

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Well…I planned to have another installment of Elf Magic ready for today.

Didn’t quite pan out. 😉

Instead, I scheduled a few posts, updated my nook, rummaged around Facebook, grabbed another book to review, updated stuff on Goodreads (see Charon’s Dilemma, my free read I published with Goodreads MM Romance Group), and posted a review on my blog.  There’s also work, backing up my personal computer because I’ve read about the horror stories on Faceback with losing your WIPs and writings.  I’m in IT, so I know better anyway.  Luckily, Dropbox or Google Drive is your friend. Evernote too. And, multiple redundant backup solutions. 🙂

I will have to see if I can post another installment this weekend.  However, being on call for work will either prevent or promote this endeavor. *grin*

Now, I’m going to be really geeky and play a computer game…

 

Eloreen