Out of It... And Getting Back Into It

It's been more than a year since I spent much time on short stories.  And almost as long since I paid much attention to the ever-changing landscape of short mystery/crime fiction markets.

No, this is not a post on why.  This is a post on lamenting how much work it seems like it's going to be to get back up to speed.  I have a new short story that I finished and polished up that is ready for a home.  But I don't even know where to begin looking at markets.  Most of my old-standby's are long gone.

I admit also having some of that new-writer trepidation, afraid that my work isn't going to be good enough.  It has been a good long while since I wrote and submitted anything new.  (And everything I did submit in the past year was soundly rejected.)  

It doesn't help that story in question is one of those hard-to-classify the sub-genre shorts.  It's a Bo Fexler story, of course.  I don't think it's either crime fiction or a mystery.  Just a 550 word short story that's maybe a little noir-- with a hot female detective as the lead character.  

It feels like I'm starting over, but I still have that taste of success from those two years where Bo Fexler was strutting her stuff through so many of the mystery & crime zines. 

Back in the Gutter for #6

Well, will you look at that... my name is on the list for Out of the Gutter #6. Yes, that does mean that the Sexploitation issue of said fine publication will contain a new Bo Fexler piece.

And, that same list of contributors also includes Albert Tucher-- as in, the author of Diana Andrews. Damn, you KNOW this is gonna be a publication that requires reading with one hand. And maybe a box of Kleenex nearby...





(Hey, you can see the girl's pussy... ;-)

Staying Busy

I work better when I'm busy. I get more done when I'm busy. I'm less prone to just puttering around the internet when I know that time is finite for said project.

Which is why the prospect of this next few weeks is quite daunting for me. For the first time in 12 years, I have several weeks off. School is out for the summer... I have summer school in July, but that leaves the remainder of June and most of August free. Like those lazy summer days of my youth.

I have a list of projects-- things that I would *LOVE* to do with this free time. Ironically, given the opportunity, I will probably work just as hard, if not harder, while I'm home than if I was working. Because, like any other 'vacation', time is finite. I have to cram all the enjoyment into my time off before it's done.

Though, I do hate that I won't be making any money (or barely any) during this time period. As much as I'd love to work on those projects, I'd rather do things that make me money. I wish I could pay my mortgage with the completion of a novel, but alas, they don't accept unpublished manuscripts in lieu of payment.

I'm currently passing the halfway point in the target word count for the novel-in-progress. Maybe if I get this novel finished... and published, then I can stay home and work on projects and get paid for it too. Ah, to dream. And for the next month, I might just pretend I'm a stay-at-home-writer. =)

(Oh yeah, the parts arrived and I fixed the broken I key on my laptop. =)

Tracking Submissions

Inevitably the joy and agony of writing a story comes to an end and something must be done with it. Seeking publication is almost a job in and of itself. Luckily I tend to read the same zines that I submit to, so that part of the research is done. (Though it does get awful hard to keep up with the turnover rate of zines!)

Usually, I have several stories in various states of completion (done, done and edited, and submission ready.) It is imperative to keep track of where these stories are submitted and when.

Surprisingly, I'm still old school on my short story submissions. I'm not sure why, but I just haven't moved to keeping track of them on the computer.

I created a table in Word with title of publication on the left, date submitted in the center column, and response on the right. There's room at the top for the title of the story and I usually write the word count on the bottom (for easy reference.)

I print these sheets out a couple at a time, keeping spares on hand. They're in a folder with those little prongs in the middle. I jot the information in where appropriate. Some stories are accepted early and easy. Others take a couple rejections. I've had a couple that filled the whole page. Once the story is accepted, I wait until publication. Upon publication, I move the tracking sheet to "The Binder" (insert trumpet fanfare) and print the story off in hardcopy.

As for novel submissions, it's all electronic. I have an Excel spreadsheet with the agent name, agency, any notes on preference, how to query (I admit liking equeries. As much as anyone can like queries at all!) and expected wait time for responses, especially for those that say "No response in 6 weeks means no." Then, I enter the date queried. I use a different color for each batch because I'm a little odd that way. I've been querying in batches of 5 or 6. Then, I log the response. (22 rejections out of 25 queries so far.)

And, looking back through these recrods, I see that it was early 2006 that I really started writing and attempting to publish short stories. It seems so long ago, and yet so short.

(Today's Demotivators are brought to you by 101reasonstostopwriting. =)

Markets

No, not a post on how hard it is to find markets. This one is on how hard it is to pick markets, sometimes.

Every now and again, I finish a story and have to pick who to send it to. Sometimes I could pare the list down by word count, but even then, I may still have to choose between several good markets.

For example-- do I send it to Powder Burn? Or Flash Fiction Offensive? Or maybe to Chris Pimental's Bad Things? Or I could submit it to Twist of Noir. Or, depending on the story, maybe Pulp Pusher, Beat to a Punch, or Yellow Mama. And there are others.

So I try to weigh the options-- exposure, layout, linkage, other authors. But really, I may as well just throw darts. Most of the publications are comparable in so many ways. Not a bad thing, as it's nice to have variety. It just makes it hard to choose.

Right now, with so many new zines, one of my top criteria has been that I have not had a Bo Fexler story appear in that publication. I figured that I would see if I can spread my name around some more. Break into markets that I've not been in.

There are worse problems to have, I suppose. It wasn't that long ago that it seemed like no publications wanted hardboiled crime. The main publications wanted no sex or violence. Now, the numbers are skewed the other way.

Finally, I'm not struggling to find places for Bo Fexler stories. Too bad I'm not writing as many of them as I did last year. (Mainly because I'm *trying* to get book series rolling!)

A New Bo Fexler Story

The short story "Least Favorite Son" is up at Darkest Before the Dawn this morning. A missing tree stand, a neighborhood feud, and, as the title suggests, a Least-Favorite Son.

This story has a piece of character development that is of great, recurring interest to me. I'm fascinated by who a person becomes-- because of, or in spite of, their past. Does the Least-Favorite Son try, still, desperately to gain affection? Or does he pretend he doesn't care? Or, a third option, does he try to return the favor of years of hurt?

Oh, one last note on this story-- it was inspired by a true case in my local paper. I ripped this story out of the police blotter some time ago. All the police blotter had was the bit about the missing tree stand. Without any witnesses or leads, the case was closed. That didn't seem right to me, so, fictionally, I reopened the case and solved it. ;-)

Anyway, enjoy the story. I've got a few others out on submission, so there is hope for new Bo Fexler short stories in the coming weeks and months.

Another Bo Fexler Story

Bo Fexler has made her first appearance in the new zine Crooked. You can click here for the PDF of Crooked #2 with my short story "Black and Pink and Blond All Over."

This is a longer one, but I think it's worth it. It's got a car chase, some seduction, and some clever investigation by a woman who's as smart as she is sexy. Another typical Bo Fexler story.

And while you're there, don't forget to check out the other stories. Patti Abbott's got one in this issue of Crooked. And she always writes great shorts.

State of Publishing is No Match for Ego

So there's all this bad news in the publishing world. Yeah, yeah, and you can't find a single job in Michigan either.

Generalizations are always false.

Just as there are still want ads long unfulfilled in Michigan, there are still agents and editors looking for the next great book that will make them money. That is what writing is ultimately about for publishers-- money.

So, with my ego still alive and strong (it's the rest of my brain that took a beating these last two weeks) I'm still fairly confident that my novel, my characters, and my writing are good enough to overcome the 'difficulties' of the current state of publishing. I have something different but still marketable... at least if my fans are any indication. I will find an agent and a publisher who likewise sees what I see in Bo Fexler-- fun stories with a strong, sexy, unashamed female protagonist.

On an unrelated note, ever notice that there's a fine line between dreams and delusions. =)

And Another One Down

It's end of the road for Muzzle Flash. It's all out of ammo, or something. DZ Allen shut the site down, so unfortunately, the archives are gone as well.

There's a string of zines that have died quiet deaths this year. Unfortunate, to say the least, though I understand wholly.

Like any writer who struggles to break into the ranks of the Big Name publications, I always get a little concerned when the online markets shift, change, or die. One less market that accepts my work.

If there weren't places like Muzzle Flash or the others, I might have long thought that I just wasn't a good writer. (There may be some editors who still think that!)

So long, Muzzle Flash. It was fun. Just too short.

Erotic mystery

I never paid much attention to erotica as a genre. I have nothing against sex and books full of it. In fact, I rather like sex. At any rate, I admit to dismissing erotica because I thought it would have little that interested me. I thought erotica was all about romance and happily ever after and icky stuff like that.

But it's not. So, I've been studying up lately, learning about the possibilities in this genre. Possibilities for Bo Fexler to find a home. I think many of her stories could be classified as erotica. I think her first novel would be an erotic mystery. I'm okay with that... even though it does narrow my publishing prospects in some regards. It opens new prospects I hadn't really considered. I will have to learn more, see where Bo fits in.

The only problem with studying erotica is that I get... distracted... easily. The sacrifices I make for my craft. ;-)

Networking

I'm very resistant to MyFaceTwitter sites. So far, no one has been able to convince me of the benefits of any of them beyond this nebulous "networking" thing. Though my cousin has been trying. (I think living and working in the D.C. area is affecting her brain. ;-)

I do see the benefits of networking. I troll along crime blogs and other places, looking for interesting things to read and places where I can hang out among other nut cases. This often brings a few folks back to my own blog. But would they read my fiction? If not, then what am I doing?

If I'm doing any sort of pimping, I want to pimp my writing, and someday my novel(s). That's my goal for this networking stuff. Especially since I'm about as social as a porcupine.

I also don't have any kids or marital stories that I feel make good conversation. Part of the reason why there aren't many such stories on here. (The fact that I don't HAVE kids is a seperate issue!) I honestly think that there is little in my life that is that interesting. And who the HELL cares if at this minute I'm baking bread or if I just finished rearranging the piles in my office into other piles or if I'm sitting down to watch a movie? I see some of those Twitters... and honestly, there is no one that I'm that intersted in keeping that close of tabs on. Including Hubby. Unless I'm trying to plan something with him. (And it's okay if you're mind goes to the gutter-- mine does. =D)

So what would I do with a MyFaceTwitter? I'm not going to spend my time trolling other profiles, looking for people. I'm not going to update it often-- I have this blog and that's really plenty. Sometimes it takes all day to think of something for my scheduled post. But I'm thinking, with a twisted scowl, that for networking purposes, that once my book gets a publication date, I will stake my claim in the anti-social networking lands. For promotional purposes. I may be resistant, but I'm not stupid. I know that I have to suck it up and think like a business person at that point. Schmooze and get my name out there to the masses who may or may not read my book.

Though I may just pose nude for my author photo. That would generate plenty of buzz for my book.

Wasted Opportunity

I remember, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... that books included advertisements in the front cover or in the last few pages.

I've not seen hardly any of these advertisements in more recent books. The most I often see are for the author's next (or sometimes previous) book. Usually the first chapter or something.

This seems like a missed opportunity for publishers to draw attention to their other authors who may write in a style comparable to the book in hand. Publishers could put a page or two at the back of the book with "If you like this author, try these books/ authors." I know that I'd take note, since I'm always looking for more authors that are like the ones that I really like.

If I opened the next Baby Shark book and saw an advertisement and teaser for another author who writes like Robert Fate or has a character like Baby Shark, I'd totally check that book out. It'd immediately be put on my 'books to read' list.

I prefer to spend my time reading things that I'm going to enjoy, but I have never been able to force myself to abandon even a boring or bad book. It's not easy to find more books that are in the vein I like-- anyone who's seen me hanging out on the internet has surely seen my pleas for more authors who write female protags that are akin to what I'm looking for. But not everyone who reads wants to research the stuffing out of books just to find the ones they like.

But I'm thinking that a reader who gets to the end of a book they enjoyed would take note of authors compared in short ads at the back. I would. Would you?

Quirky... books?

I'm pretty comfortable saying that I know what "quirky" means. I'd better, since I use it all the time. I'm pretty quirky.

Everyone has their quirks.

Like being unable to put a drink down on a bare surface because it will leave condensation rings. I MUST have a folded paper towel (or similarly absorbant item) underneath. If, for some reason I don't, I can become rather fixated on the condensation rings formed.

Or refusing to purchase clothing with obvious logos-- with a few exceptions for particular, favored brands. Hubby has finally learned that it doesn't matter to me how 'nice' a garment is, if it has a logo for a company not on the short list, it will not even considered. I will wear shirts with witty sayings, but not not logos.

Or setting the alarm to go off a half-hour earlier than necessary just to be able to hit the 'snooze' and get some stolen sleep. I love stolen sleep. It's the best sleep ever.

I am quirky. I understand what quirky means in regular usage.

But I do not have a clue what a "quirky" or "offbeat" book would be. Came across these descriptors in the ol' Agent search. Maybe I've just never read a quirky or off-beat book. I don't know.

I'm pretty sure that my novel would not be considered quirky. It's more along the lines of erotica disguised as a mystery. ;-)

But what is a quirky book? Any ideas?

• Query Status: 2 partials, 3 rejections
• Novel #2: 10.4k words
• Current Song: Little Things by Bush

Editing Other People

The longer I've been writing, the harder reading is. The off-switch on my internal editor is broken. I've tried duct tape and zipties, but it didn't work. Which is not a good sign-- in my world, anything that can't be repaired with duct tape or zipties is *really* broken and needs replacing.

So, unfortunately, while I'm reading, I find myself critiquing. I continually question the purpose of scenes, especially if it seems to be a couple of characters sitting around bullshitting. Character development is all well and good, but there have been scenes where I learned nothing knew about the characters. And it didn't advance the plot. My internal editor shrieks "Cut this scene!" In blue. Because my TrakChanges comments on Bo's Novel are primarily in blue.

This does cut down a bit on the enjoyment of reading because I get bored. Like many of them yunguns today, I get bored when I don't see the point of something. My only defense is that I'll go longer before I give up because of that boredom.

The other thing I find myself doing, especially if the story has hit a slower moving part (like that character development stuff), I edit individual sentences for clarity and flow. Yeah. It's a sickness. Especially dialogue.

I get this twitch when I read stilted dialogue. Stuff that looks great on paper, but isn't how people talk. On the flip side, don't do nunuv that vernaculah spellin', dawg. That pisses me off more than mousy, meek giggly girly-girls.

There are few books I've read in the past two years since I started *Seriosly* writing for publication that I have managed to read with minimal Internal Editor Commentary.

The up side of this is that I am hypercritical of my own writing. I'd like to think this has helped me get more stories published. I'm not lenient on my own writing and have been known to throw out whole huge amusing scenes because they failed the "what's the point?" question. But I would like to enjoy reading a bit more.

And don't even ask about movies...

Crime & Suspense Spring & Summer

The latest issue of Crime and Suspense is now available and it includes the Bo Fexler short story "Summer Highs." The theme of the issue was Spring Break and Summer.

It's a subscription site, though I think it's worth it.

It's nice to read some summery stories and think warm throughts. It hasn't reach fifty around here all week. And there was rumor of snow flurries, but that rumor was dispelled by temperatures that at least stayed up over the freezing mark. I'm not complaining. My optimum operating temperature is a much high range, but this is spring in Michigan. Usually it's "Sweater-weather", warm enough to leave the old winter coat in the closet. The sun is nice and warm. The grass is starting to turn green.

Everything looks good from the view out my office window. *Go* outside? Not likely. My computer is inside. Where it's nice and warm. With my supply of Diet Pepsi and my tunes.

• Novel Progress: 58k
• Current Song: Body and Soul by Tori Amos (this video is amusing, too.)

Now Bo's in the Back Alley

The third volume of The Back Alley Webzine is out today and includes the Bo Fexler short story "Missing, but Not Missed."

Don't forget to read the other stories while you're over there. Bo always travels in good company.

• Current Story in Progress: Bo Novel #1
• Reason for not writing: Finished reading "Baby Shark" by Robert Fate (more on that later)
• Current Song: Missing by Evanesence

Back in the Gutter

My copy of Out of the Gutter 4 arrived yesterday. Maybe I should call it my contributer's copy. My short story "Bad Dream" was plucked off Muzzle Flash and stuck into Out of the Gutter #4. Along side some other really great stories. Assuming one likes dirty, vile stories that are well written.

Such as the pieces by Anthony Neil Smith, Miracle Jones and Heather Waters. So far. I mean, I just got it yesterday. It's nice to be in such fine company.

• Story in Progress: Hit Woman
• Last Story Completed: Untitled Gangster Porn
• Reason for Not Writing: Chatting it up with my friend Mark Franchi
• Current Song: Bring me to Life by Evanescense

One Year

Today marks the one year anniversary of this blog. One year ago, I had 13 short stories published. Today, I have almost 40.

Last year, I was still worried that it was a fluke-- or a dream-- that I wasn't really getting short stories accepted. There's still a surreal quality to reading acceptances. I still open each one, steeling myself and thinking "Blah blah not right for us." But those responses don't come as frequently as they used to.

One year. It hardly seems like it's been that long. Maybe by this time next year, I'll have the novel done. Maybe I'll have one hundred short stories scattered across the internet like bread crumbs. Bitter bread crumbs.

It's been a great journey so far. I still love writing-- and I love sharing that writing with the world.

In a moment of temporary sappiness, I want to thank the editors of those publications that have taken my writing and I want to thank the fans who follow Bo through the dark alleys of the web. Writing is great-- sharing it is even better.

We now return to our regularly scheduled bitterness.

Everyday Evil

I've concluded a couple things in the past year as I've avidly pursued and moderately succeeded in being a published short story author. One of those is that my particular storywriting has trouble fitting into most publications.

Obviously, if you're reading this, you're familiar with Bo Fexler. She's not a terribly heart-warming character. She doesn't always do what's best. And she's quite fluent in profanity. Well, my readers may not realize that since many publications don't accept profanity. So, it's edited out or downplayed to meet the audience (or rather the publication's editors).

These are fine publications and I accept that profanity is still considered inappropriate speech in many forums. Hell, I'm a teacher. I'm regularly reminding my students to watch their language. (The irony is not lost on me!) My stories are usually not affected by lose of vulgarities.

Except some of the stories are not about good people doing good things. They're about people who are bad to varying degrees-- including Bo-- doing a variety of bad things. I don't often write about murders in my stories, but rather missing people, cheating spouses, and other everyday evils. But many publications don't seem to accept bad people doing bad things. Maybe because there's no redemption and no warm-fuzzies. Warm fuzzies make me gag.

On the other side are the hardcore crime noir publications. These are bad people doing horrible things. Everyone gets beat up. People are killed for fun or sport. Women are prostitutes and men are sleaze. The extreme. Now, I'm familiar with pulp fiction (both movie and genre.) Some of my work pushes into this ultra-gritty area. And in these ones my aptitude for profanity also finds its outlet.

Except most of my work isn't hardcore enough. Bo doesn't beat everyone up. She tries to walk the legal line. She's not willing to jeopardize her PI license since she really likes her job. But she's also not redeemed at the end of the story with a "happily ever after" and a "God bless us one and all." Bo's not hardcore crime noir. She's not literary detective/ mystery fiction. She's just an articulate dame trying to make her way in the world full of regular do-badders.

Now THAT is writing I can relate to.