More Book Trailerage

First, a new trailer for Fifty-Two Stitches...

Then, go read Robert Swartwood's lovely "Dead Weight".

Finally: start writing.

The submission window for year two starts on Halloween, 2009. Guidelines here.

Ghostbusters Scandal!

Plagiarism afoot? Duh...no. It's damn funny though.

Make sure to head over to Fifty-Two Stitches and read "Cat-Napped" by Paul Milliken.

Smiling? Who, Me?

Cate Gardner's wonderful school election story, "Nobody Smiling", is up at Fifty-Two Stitches today.

I saved this one for the start of school. Wear your gloves and aprons when you read, please.

Cover Art is Your Friend

I just posted the "draft" cover art for the Fifty-Two Stitches antho on the Strange Wire, so I thought I could let it fly here, too.

We'll make a few changes closer to publication (maybe some blurbage on the cover, etc.), but yes, he is looking at you.

WIP Wednesday. I Slack.

Before I start, check out "Everything in its Place" at 10Flash--a new online magazine of flash fiction. (It will soften the blow when I reveal the pathetic nature of my WIP...)

Okay, I'm joining the WIP Wednesday club.

My WIP? Um...

I did put together a site dedicated to all the freebies I've posted. Free is something I can really support. Free is the new cheap. Check out Dark Flotsam for audio, video, and free fiction. I've posted a new story, "Empty", that had originally appeared in Candlelight, #1 last year.

But that isn't a WIP, is it?

I wrote a synopsis for Rock Gods and Scary Monsters last night. I've been avoiding certain markets/agents because of the synopsis requirement, but alas...it would eventually come to this.

But that isn't a WIP, is it?

I resurrected a short story (an early, lame attempt at horror). It is now flash-length (500 words), not scary at all, and off to some literary-type markets in submission land.

But...well, you get the picture.

So my WIP? Tentatively titled The Neither, it stands at 300 words. I'm shooting for 80K. Guess I have some work to do, huh?

(Oh...and Cate won the guessing game. It was a bit from the cover art for Fifty-Two Stitches. I promise to post more later.)

This One Made Me Laugh...

...from the word-play of the title, to the interjections en Español. Read Kurt Newton's "Hector's Last Stand" at Fifty-Two Stitches today. This was one of the first pieces we accepted, and it still leaves me in (oh, pardon the pun) stitches.

Speaking of stitches...should we keep the title, Fifty-Two Stitches, for the anthology? Something different?

Daddy's Touch

I knew those trips to the natural history museum would pay off someday..."Daddy's Touch" is up at Flashes in the Dark today. Thank you, Family Dermestidae.

Speaking of flash fiction, stop by Fifty-Two Stitches and read "Something in Common" by Joshua Scribner today.

Enjoy the last day of May; I know I will.

The Great Electronic Debate Part 2

A cappella Zoo is opening an online archive of previously published stories. The editor, Colin Meldrum, sent an email asking for permission to publish/archive "A Sort of Honeymoon". I didn't hesitate in replying "yes".

I started this internal debate here. Today, I'm adding evidence in favor of online publishing.

During an average week at Fifty-Two Stitches, we see over 250 visitors. While this isn't an astronomical number, the count has been growing steadily over the past four months (thanks largely in part to the fantastic stories and buzz created by the author/contributors). Two points for online publishing: new content can be added frequently with less effort. Imagine a print magazine with weekly editions...imagine the cost involved (both in labor and actual capital). Online is cheaper and more cost effective.

Some write for themselves. Some write to be read. For some, writing is a blend of both worlds. I do write because the process of writing is important to me, but I want as many people as possible to read/understand/enjoy the products of my labor. I don't live in a vacuum. Another point for online.

Consumers (and here I use the word in its most general sense) are wary to give up their hard earned $$ for untested products. Give it to them free, however...and online wins another point. Even publishers stand to gain by giving away content: you build consumer trust and following. Another point for online. (this is turning into a rather lopsided affair)

I haven't even addressed the "green" issue. (online wins again)

In my previous post, I mentioned this as a head vs. heart issue. My heart still likes to see work in print, but my heart is also swayed by knowing people are reading and sometimes, on rare occasions when the planets align, even enjoying, my writing.

What was that Last Line?

The podcast of "The Eyes Have It" cut off at the last moment...I'm sure you can infer the last line, but for those of you who have to know:

"His old pocketknife sat on the table, alone, smeared and sticky with blood. The jar, the eyes, and Gina were nowhere to be found."

That's it. The end. Shuffle along.

Tomorrow: I offer my thoughts on The Between by Tananarive Due.

This Sunday: check out Fifty-Two Stitches for a lovely tale by Jodi Lee.

Beware the Ides of March

'cause that is the day I was born.

Celebrating my birthday today is a strange little story from Catherine J. Gardner over at Fifty-Two Stitches. Read "The Marionette Manipulator & The Headless Bride" and let her know what you think.

Update: Everything is working smoothly at RPM. Download away!
I have a new piece up at Ruthless Peoples Magazine. "Man Bites Man" is a horrid little piece of flash. It is probably the most foul and offensive thing I've penned to date. (Meaning most of my blog readers would probably like it.) Remember: this story isn't for the kids.

Oh, yeah...We went to see Watchmen on Friday. Loved it (mostly). Plenty-o-folks have already posted detailed reviews, so I'll skip that much. I originally the graphic novel back in '92, so this movie had been a long time coming for me. Of course they changed the ending (I never can understand why) and the music was a little wonky in places (um, the Comedian's funeral?), but overall it was a fun experience.

Cheers, all, and enjoy the day.

The Roar of the Man Cave

Well, Jameson kicked up the Man Cave ante. Impressive spread.

My personal writing space is currently under full roar. The reason: it rained all night last night, the first genuine thunderstorm of the spring. I love those thunderstorms, but it makes the sump pump in the basement work overtime. The poor thing has been pushing water all day. And roaring.

So I'll make it quick. Check out Fifty-Two Stitches this week for a dark piece from Barry Napier. The last line is one of those that lingers.

I'm juggling three manuscripts right now: the gutting of Springdale Saints and first passes on Rock Gods and Scary Monsters and The House Eater...and, I'm actually enjoying myself. Saints is really getting carved to bits. The prose is so much leaner, meaner, and ready for action.

Cheers, all.

Recovery Sunday

After three days battling a nasty stomach virus, I (think, hope, pray) it's over. I'll spare the gory details. ;)

Thanks to said virus, I've written 150 words in 2009. Not a pretty bit of production by any measure. Funny how my priorities change when I'm curled in a ball with a 101 fever. (That's Fahrenheit, of course)

Fifty-Two Stitches started today with Mercedes M. Yardley's "I'm Keeping it Light", a story that seemed made for the launch. I'm sure most of my dear readers have already devoured it, but if you haven't, it's a dark treat.

I breezed over a couple of stories and sent them out this afternoon. They were pretty much good-to-go already, but it felt good to have some sort of writing related production after the plague.

Have a productive and wonderful week.

Goodbye, October

Taking a break from NaNoWriMo and "slush"* reading to reflect on the last 31 days.

I wrote some flash in October:

"Spare Parts" - micro fiction / out with Flashshot
"Hollis Jones Transformed" - out with Drabblecast
"God's Creatures" - entered in Microhorror's Halloween Contest
"Hollow John" - needs revision
"To Make Things Right" - needs a market...

Two mid-range stories (between 1-2K):

"Fresh Produce" - out with Weird Tales (who knows?)
"At the Hall of Resurrection" - already spanked by Space and Time / now with Apex Digest (I don't know if there's enough "science" to be considered science fiction...)

Some longer fiction (over 2K):

"On the Dead River, Traveling South" - out with Dia de los Muertos
"The Demon Hustle" - still waiting to hear from The Book of Tentacles (tentacles crossed)
"The Thing in the Wall" - needs revision and a new title

Received a pile of rejections (why do they still hurt?). One was from Cemetery Dance with a personal note. That was nice, as far as rejections go.

Sold:

"Little Fingers" to Arkham Tales
"To Put Away Childish Things" to Kaleidotrope
and a poem, "She Waits" to Nocturnal Lyric

Finally, I made one more revision to The Last Days of the Springdale Saints.

October was a busy month.

*By the way, I hate the word slush. Ed and I have been impressed by some of the flash already sent in for Fifty-Two Stitches. Writing is never slush.

1,000 words down on my NaNo project. So far, so good. (Can I count blog entries toward my word count...please?)

Oh yeah, the NaNo project is going by the name Rock Gods and Scary Monsters.

New Flash Horror Publication

Strange Publications (http://www.strangepublications.com/) has guidelines up for a new flash fiction market (horror/dark fantasy). The listing isn't up at Duotrope or Ralan yet, but Ed said I could go ahead and toss this one out to the masses.

They are trying to publish a story a week during 2009-they aren't paying much, $3 a pop, but offering discounts on the book at year's end.

Anyway, I figured some of my dear readers might be interested. The direct link for the guidelines can be found at http://52stitches.blogspot.com/2008/10/guidelines.html