agilebrit: (Giggle)
And I shall post one of the results I wrote here for your entertainment, seeing as I haven't done a snippet in awhile.

One of the lectures was on "How to Scare People" with the handsome and hard-working Dan Wells. If you haven't read Dan's books, you should be, because damn. So he pointed out that you need to give the reader time to concoct the monster in their head--and then you have to outdo it. If they understand it, then they guessed what you're going to do and they'll be disappointed. Subvert expectations. Hannibal Lecter is scary because he's so normal. He could be your Uncle Phil. However, you guys don't get that one, because I'm entering it in the new 99Fiction contest (you may have to join the site to see the link).

We also had a "Writing Humor" lecture from the handsome and hard-working Howard Tayler. I believe the object of this exercise was to write a piece that was just dialogue, and also funny, that would tell us who these people were, where they were, and what they were doing, with no descriptors. So, I'll slide that under the cut because, while it's not really long, per se, it does take up a lot of space, because All Dialogue.

ExpandSee if you can guess who this is... )
agilebrit: (NOT a smile)
And to top off my day yesterday, I had two rejections. Looking over my spreadsheet, I realized that one of them has not yet been sent to F&SF, so I'll gin up a sub package for them and ship that off on payday, since there's a PO not far from the bank.

I entered the cow story in the Fantasy Faction Writing Contest. Deadline is tomorrow, folks, so if you've got 'em, send 'em. And now I have the fun of deciding where the other things that got rejected this month are going. I've been bad about flipping things lately. The quality of rejections I'm getting are better (editors are, at least, reading my stories clear to the end now), but they're still rejections and it's getting... wearing. Not to mention that one place has had one of my stories for over a year (and two queries have gone unanswered), and three of them have been out since friggin' December. One of those is a flash piece. Come on.

This is why RP is so damn seductive. Instant, positive feedback. And it loops in a very insidious way. And my brain has been complete mush since I finished Won His Soul; it's like I poured everything into it and now there's nothing left.

Hubby and Boy are gone on an overnight boy scout thing. I'm hoping to get some actual writing done today. I'm really not sure I will.
agilebrit: (Default)
When I should be writing. I poke Ralan's to see if there are new markets for...stories I haven't written yet. Hah.

Dark Recesses is running another Deja Vu horror contest. Theme is zombies, 1000-2500 words, deadline is April 30. No entry fee, pays 5 cents a word to the winner.

Eclipse Two, an annual print anthology, is open for subs during the month of February. No theme, anything between 2500-10000 words, pays 6 cents a word.

I have more words in the Giant Bugs story. Making very slow progress. But it definitely helps that I have a final scene in mind, along with the last line. Yay.
agilebrit: (Default)
When I should be writing. I poke Ralan's to see if there are new markets for...stories I haven't written yet. Hah.

Dark Recesses is running another Deja Vu horror contest. Theme is zombies, 1000-2500 words, deadline is April 30. No entry fee, pays 5 cents a word to the winner.

Eclipse Two, an annual print anthology, is open for subs during the month of February. No theme, anything between 2500-10000 words, pays 6 cents a word.

I have more words in the Giant Bugs story. Making very slow progress. But it definitely helps that I have a final scene in mind, along with the last line. Yay.
agilebrit: (Default)
2nd ANNUAL JIM BAEN MEMORIAL WRITING CONTEST

Announcing the 2nd annual Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest!

Since its early days, science fiction has played a unique role in human civilization. It removes the limits of what "is" and shows us a boundless vista of what "might be." Its fearless heroes, spectacular technologies and wondrous futures have inspired many people to make science, technology and space flight a real part of their lives and in doing so, have often transformed these fictions into reality. The National Space Society and Baen Books applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen.

CONTEST RULES:

Please read carefully, because we have made a few changes from last year's contest requirements.

  • Write a short story of no more than 8,000 words, that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned exploration.
  • No entry fee. But please only submit one story...your best one!
  • All entries must be original works in English. Plagiarism, poetry, song lyrics, or characters from another person's works will not be considered.
  • E-mail submissions only. Send entries as .rtf attachments to the above e-mail address.
  • Please put the word SUBMISSION in the subject line when sending a contest entry and QUESTION in the subject line for questions to the contest administrator.
  • Please include the following in the body of your email: The title of the work, the author's name, address and telephone number, and an approximate word-count. The manuscript should be an RTF attachment, in standard manuscript format and should be titled and numbered on every page, but the author's name MUST BE DELETED to facilitate fair judging.
  • 2007 Grand Prize Winner not eligible again. (Sorry Mike)
  • 2007 Second and Third place winners are still eligible.
  • Deadline: 1 April 2008.


    WHAT WE DO WANT TO SEE:

    Moon bases
    Mars colonies
    orbital habitats
    space elevators
    asteroid mining
    artificial intelligence
    nano-technology
    realistic spacecraft
    heroics
    sacrifice
    adventure

    WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE:

  • Stories that show technology or space travel as evil or bad
  • Star Wars type galactic empires, UFO abductions.

    JUDGES:

    Judging will be by Baen Books senior editor Hank Davis and Jim Baen's Universe editors Eric Flint and Mike Resnick.

    PRIZES:

    The GRAND PRIZE winner will be published in a future issue of Jim Baen's Universe* and paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submittals. The author will also receive a specially designed award, free entry into the 2008 International Space Development Conference, a year's membership in the National Space Society ($45 level) and a prize package containing various Baen Books, Jim Baen's Universe and National Space Society merchandise.

    SECOND and THIRD place winners will receive a year's membership in the National Space Society ($45 level), and a prize package containing various Baen Books, Jim Baen's Universe and National Space Society merchandise.
    Winners will be announced and notified no later than May 5, 2008. (only the winners will be notified) The winners will be honored at the 2008 International Space Development Conference, in Washington D.C., May 29-June 1, 2008. (though we would prefer the winner attend the conference, it is not required.)

    (* Note: Publication details will be worked out between winner and JBU. In the unlikely event that none of the stories qualify for professional publication, a cash prize, of an amount determined by contest organizers, may be substituted in lieu of publication.)

    Questions
    Submissions
    Baen Books Website
  • agilebrit: (Default)
    2nd ANNUAL JIM BAEN MEMORIAL WRITING CONTEST

    Announcing the 2nd annual Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest!

    Since its early days, science fiction has played a unique role in human civilization. It removes the limits of what "is" and shows us a boundless vista of what "might be." Its fearless heroes, spectacular technologies and wondrous futures have inspired many people to make science, technology and space flight a real part of their lives and in doing so, have often transformed these fictions into reality. The National Space Society and Baen Books applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen.

    CONTEST RULES:

    Please read carefully, because we have made a few changes from last year's contest requirements.

  • Write a short story of no more than 8,000 words, that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned exploration.
  • No entry fee. But please only submit one story...your best one!
  • All entries must be original works in English. Plagiarism, poetry, song lyrics, or characters from another person's works will not be considered.
  • E-mail submissions only. Send entries as .rtf attachments to the above e-mail address.
  • Please put the word SUBMISSION in the subject line when sending a contest entry and QUESTION in the subject line for questions to the contest administrator.
  • Please include the following in the body of your email: The title of the work, the author's name, address and telephone number, and an approximate word-count. The manuscript should be an RTF attachment, in standard manuscript format and should be titled and numbered on every page, but the author's name MUST BE DELETED to facilitate fair judging.
  • 2007 Grand Prize Winner not eligible again. (Sorry Mike)
  • 2007 Second and Third place winners are still eligible.
  • Deadline: 1 April 2008.


    WHAT WE DO WANT TO SEE:

    Moon bases
    Mars colonies
    orbital habitats
    space elevators
    asteroid mining
    artificial intelligence
    nano-technology
    realistic spacecraft
    heroics
    sacrifice
    adventure

    WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE:

  • Stories that show technology or space travel as evil or bad
  • Star Wars type galactic empires, UFO abductions.

    JUDGES:

    Judging will be by Baen Books senior editor Hank Davis and Jim Baen's Universe editors Eric Flint and Mike Resnick.

    PRIZES:

    The GRAND PRIZE winner will be published in a future issue of Jim Baen's Universe* and paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submittals. The author will also receive a specially designed award, free entry into the 2008 International Space Development Conference, a year's membership in the National Space Society ($45 level) and a prize package containing various Baen Books, Jim Baen's Universe and National Space Society merchandise.

    SECOND and THIRD place winners will receive a year's membership in the National Space Society ($45 level), and a prize package containing various Baen Books, Jim Baen's Universe and National Space Society merchandise.
    Winners will be announced and notified no later than May 5, 2008. (only the winners will be notified) The winners will be honored at the 2008 International Space Development Conference, in Washington D.C., May 29-June 1, 2008. (though we would prefer the winner attend the conference, it is not required.)

    (* Note: Publication details will be worked out between winner and JBU. In the unlikely event that none of the stories qualify for professional publication, a cash prize, of an amount determined by contest organizers, may be substituted in lieu of publication.)

    Questions
    Submissions
    Baen Books Website
  • Poor Hubby.

    Jan. 3rd, 2008 10:54 pm
    agilebrit: (Default)
    The (apparent) flu bug that went through me and Da Boy like a hot knife through ice cream has landed upon the Hubby's head. Of course, he's supposed to work tomorrow, but he had the wisdom to call in sick. He's miserable (TRY getting him to admit it!) and said, "This is no ordinary cold." I just nodded sagely, because I'm still coughing. And Da Boy put himself to bed right after dinner, before 7pm. This...never happens. Yep, we're getting our asses kicked here.

    Fortunately, he's got 11 days to recover, because he's got a week off after he was supposed to fly this shift. This month did not work out at all like he planned.

    In writing news, I've moved the plot of the Giant Bugs story forward microscopically. However, that one's going on a back burner while I work on one for a writing contest from the AKC that the lovely and effulgent [livejournal.com profile] mermaidrain pointed me at. I just have to figure out (a) what to write, and (b) how to keep it under 2,000 words.

    You know, I'm the one that writes funny werewolf stories. I shall ponder were-Poodles. None of your yappy little things; I'm talking Standard Were-Poodles. Or maybe Were-Brittanies... I can imagine the bird obsession.

    Poor Hubby.

    Jan. 3rd, 2008 10:54 pm
    agilebrit: (Default)
    The (apparent) flu bug that went through me and Da Boy like a hot knife through ice cream has landed upon the Hubby's head. Of course, he's supposed to work tomorrow, but he had the wisdom to call in sick. He's miserable (TRY getting him to admit it!) and said, "This is no ordinary cold." I just nodded sagely, because I'm still coughing. And Da Boy put himself to bed right after dinner, before 7pm. This...never happens. Yep, we're getting our asses kicked here.

    Fortunately, he's got 11 days to recover, because he's got a week off after he was supposed to fly this shift. This month did not work out at all like he planned.

    In writing news, I've moved the plot of the Giant Bugs story forward microscopically. However, that one's going on a back burner while I work on one for a writing contest from the AKC that the lovely and effulgent [livejournal.com profile] mermaidrain pointed me at. I just have to figure out (a) what to write, and (b) how to keep it under 2,000 words.

    You know, I'm the one that writes funny werewolf stories. I shall ponder were-Poodles. None of your yappy little things; I'm talking Standard Were-Poodles. Or maybe Were-Brittanies... I can imagine the bird obsession.
    agilebrit: (Jayne/Zoe manip)
    Why, yes, [livejournal.com profile] mermaidrain, I'm looking at you.

    CatsCurious Press is looking for 5,000-10,000 word retold fairy tales. The catch is that the entire thing must be in the protagonist's POV--and it has to be funny.

    And then, Jim C. Hines will take that story, and write a counterpoint to it.

    Not only that, but the winner gets paid pro rates. And you have ages and ages to write it; they're not taking subs until January, and will continue to take them through the end of March.
    agilebrit: (Jayne/Zoe manip)
    Why, yes, [livejournal.com profile] mermaidrain, I'm looking at you.

    CatsCurious Press is looking for 5,000-10,000 word retold fairy tales. The catch is that the entire thing must be in the protagonist's POV--and it has to be funny.

    And then, Jim C. Hines will take that story, and write a counterpoint to it.

    Not only that, but the winner gets paid pro rates. And you have ages and ages to write it; they're not taking subs until January, and will continue to take them through the end of March.

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