Monday, January 4, 2010

Goals 2010 and Other Updates

I suppose I need to put together a "goals" post or else I won't have anything upon which to reflect at the end of the year. Make sense?

Just like last year, there are things I want out of 2010. Some I can control; some I can't.

What I can do:

1. Always have at least one story in front of a pro paying market.

2. Finish my final pass of Loathsome, Dark, and Deep and have it ready to query/submit in February. (Get on this one, eh?)

3. Write my fifth novel*--a ghost/suspense/YA thing with no title but one hell of a first line:

When I was younger, I imagined numerous ways to kill my sister just to see if she'd come back and haunt me.

4. Write at least one high quality story a month (or 12/year). I've gotten better at letting my stories "age" before editing. I'll do even better this year.

5. Buy something from the small press every month. And read it. And review it for Skull Salad. More than one would be sweet.

I would like the following to happen as well, but these items require outside "assistance":

1. Land an agent/sell a book.

2. Sell another story to a pro paying market.

Speaking of that pro-rate sale, my first such sale is to Blood Lite 2, an anthology of humorous horror from the HWA edited by Kevin J. Anderson. The story: "The Unfortunate Persistence of Harold Francis Beamish". Why I'm stoked: exposure. Pocket Books is the publisher which means Blood Lite 2 will find its way to many bookshelves in genuine brick-and-mortar stores. I'm glad I took the chance and subbed.

Oh, and things are coming along with The House Eaters. My editor sent a "head's up" email that she was about halfway through. All smiles here.

Enjoy your week...and ignore the post-holiday blahs.

*good God...fifth novel?

18 comments:

Barry Napier said...

In terms of first lines, that one is a DOOZY! Well done.

Can't wait for the House Eaters!!!

Jamie Eyberg said...

Congrats on that pro sale. Barry is right, that first line is a doozy. Good luck in 2010.

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, Barry. The story has been brewing for a long, long time.

Jamie - Thanks. Good luck to us all.

K.C. Shaw said...

Woot, awesome pro sale! And I love that first line.

Carrie Harris said...

I like how you split your list into things you can control directly and things you can't. Might have to try that.

Oh, and the ghost/suspense/YA thing has me cracking up. But then again, I have a weird sense of humor.

Robert said...

Awesome news about the BLOOD LITE 2 sale. That's great!

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, KC.

Carrie - It kind of cracks me up, too. There has to be a little humor, at least sarcasm, or it's dead. Literally.

Robert - Thanks.

Elana Johnson said...

Excellent goals! I'll send good vibes into the universe for the ones you can't control.

And congrats on getting something pubbed that will be in brick-and-mortar stores! That's a major goal of mine that I have no control over. :)

Akasha Savage. said...

I love that first line of you 'fifth' novel! I'd buy a book that started like that. :)

Aaron Polson said...

Elana - I appreciate any vibes I can get, and gladly send them back out.

Akasha - Me too. I guess that's the goal: write a book I'd like to read.

Anonymous said...

HUGE congrats on the sale to Blood Lite 2! And good luck with your targets.

Fox Lee said...

"Beamish" is a great last name : )

Tyhitia Green said...

Aaron, hopefully we'll all do that agent thing this year. :-D

L.R. Bonehill said...

Congrats on the pro-sale, Aaron - that’s awesome news!

Cate Gardner said...

Congratulations on an awesome sale. :D

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, Michael.

Natalie - I've toured the Beamish Brewery. I understand if you are in awe. ;)

Tyhitia - I won't hold my breath, but it'd be nice.

LR - Thanks!

Cate - You're my inspiration for awesomeness. Thanks!

Katey said...

What a bad ass sale, Aaron-- I'm so excited to see it! I think your goals are both admirable and reachable, even the ones that require a little luck and assistance in the bargain. I have no doubt about them.

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, Katey. I'm pretty stoked. The story was a helluva lot of fun to write...a little Lansdale-esque.