Look Here

I’ve just read a terrific post by Jenn who, as I’ve mentioned before, is one of my favourite writers.

In it she says, “I like to write about odd things happening and try to make them realistic.” which, in my opinion, has hit the fiction writing nail squarely on the head.

For the whole post, go here.

(I also like very much that I’m listed as a ‘fibbing friend’ – marvellous.)

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I’ve been wondering today about sprucing up the blog – any suggestions?

That’d Make Sense

Well, I’ve just heard back from one of the editors I mentioned I’d emailed earlier. And I was almost right. I suggested there was a possibility that my sub/email hadn’t reached them; it was actually the other way round. For some reason the email they had on file as mine, um, wasn’t (goodness knows why, but I these things do happen). And the submission had reached them. And is still under consideration. This is all good, especially as I love the magazine in question. And I’ve got to say, credit to the editor for taking the time to sort it all out.

I am definitely more happy about things. As I say, these things do happen, that’s life; I’m just happy that, through good communication, I know where I’m up to now.

Fingers crossed they like it!

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And while I’m on…

I was thrilled to see the fabulous Vulpes Libris mentioned in this article from The Guardian.

Withdrawal Symptoms

I’ve withdrawn two short story submissions today. And that is disappointing. Really, really disappointing.

The first was sent last September. I received no acknowledgement of its receipt and heard nothing when I emailed to see whether it had arrived.

The other was sent this year, in April. Again, there was no acknowledgement of its receipt and I received no response when I emailed to find out if it had reached them, and this despite the fact that the guidelines encourage writers to email in if they’re not sure their submission has been received.

As writers we know we’ll most likely have to wait a long while for a decision on our stories and poems. It’s not ideal, goodness it can be really frustrating, but we know that that’s how things are. That’s the way it’s done. That’s fine. But to hear nothing, to not even have the piece of mind that the submission is there, with the editors and/or readers – and be expected to wait months for a response – or to not even get a decision when it’s made, I think, is unreasonable and unfair.

And do you know the worst bit about it all, what’s the most disappointing? The two magazines were ones I loved to read, and I would have loved my work to be in them, even though neither pay.

Sad. But, we learn and move on. I don’t hold grudges, but I also very much doubt I’ll be sending anything their way again.

As I say, sad. And avoidable, I think. Both of those subs could have got lost in the mail and my emails might not have got through to the editors. Makes what Tania mentioned in another post’s comments the other day of having an automated response sound like a very good idea.

Sorry for the moan, it’s not something I like to do on here. I just thought I’d share because it’s all part of what it is to be a writer. Warts and all!

I was Going To

I had planned to post an essay on doing school visits here today and even started writing it, but got to 300 words or so and decided that it really wasn’t happening and that I should probably try it some other time. And I will; it’s just a bit frustrating because I meant to do it ages ago.

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I’ve had a busy, yet distracting week. I’ve been wanting to get a synopsis done for my little novel while I’m in between drafts, but have been distracted by a short story that demanded to be written, various edits and some workshop planning. And all while feeling tired and groggy and irritable with this laryngitis. At least my voice has all but returned.

Anyway, it’s just started to rain lightly which, believe it or not, is really quite pleasant.

I hope to have something more interesting and cohesive for you soon. And I might mention the wonderful eye of certain editors – how fantastically, magically, wonderfully helpful they can be, and how frustrating it can be for a writer to not get acknowledgements of receipt or decisions on their submitted work.

Sh!

I’ve been meaning to mention the Sh project on here but have never been sure just how I might do so. And now I don’t have to because I have it straight from the Sh’s mouth.

The wonderful Jenn says:

“Sh: an interactive collaboration. A novel. A library. Some librarians, a computer techie and The Boss. Lost property, 500 squat thrusts a day and lots of Restricted Items. And some strange music. Submissions open – you decide what happens next.”

So, go on. Have a look. Get involved. If you do I think you’ll be a part of a very good thing.

Fairies in the Back Yard

When I went into the garden earlier it looked like it was swarming with snowy flies, or fairies or something equally as unusual. It wasn’t. The air was filled with dandelion seeds which, as well as being rather lovely, reminded me of my poem about fairies.

Um, so now you know.

ADDED 19:02. Actually, I’ve discovered that they were seeds which had been blown off catkins, not dandelions as first thought.

This Just In

Just received this email from Cheshire’s first poet laureate, Harry Owen:

“This is a warm invitation for you to celebrate with me the launch of my major new collection of poetry, called ‘Five Books of Marriage’. You can see a preview by clicking below on http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~50965~aspx

It is published this month (May 2008) and will receive its official world launch at Word Fest, part of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Venue: The Nuns’ Chapel, St Peter’s Campus, Rhodes University, Grahamstown Date: Thursday 3 July 208 Time: 2.30pm

If you can’t make that date, maybe you can be at the official UK launch in October. Venue: Bollington Arts Centre, Bollington, near Macclesfield, Chehire Date: Friday 10 October 2008 Time: 7.30pm You will be more than welcome at either – or both! – or contact me for further details.”