Dead Men Up and Walking

So late Sunday night I finished and emailed the final edit of The Snowy River Feral for what is referred to somewhat ignobly as The Dead Men antho in the contributor emails buzzing back and forth. The answers for my author interview to help promote the book went off over a week ago. The cover art has been finally finalised - looking good. I've been peeking at the other stories - they look good too. Things are falling into place and hotting up. Now I just have to sit back and try not to fidget too much as I wait for October (not so far away), for that is when the antho finally comes out in all its glory and with its full title rightfully restored. I feel like a kid gazing longingly at a bike-shaped package under the Christmas tree, itching to unwrap it and take it for a whizz around the block.

Given my glee, it was only to be expected that the Real World, which constantly, above and beyond the call of duty, I sometimes think, goes out of its way to keep me humble, tried to stuff up my good mood with a two-rejection Monday night. But hah, I can take it! There's a book full of zombie and vampire stories on the way with my name in it, so suck it up, Real World, suck it up!

Vamp Victory

I now have the go-ahead to announce that The Snowy River Feral, my Henry Lawson-style, vampire droving yarn set in the late 1920s will appear in the Return of the Dead Men (and Women) Walking horror anthology to be published by Bards and Sages Publishing. It's not just about vampires, but all manner of undead creatures. BSP's goal is to release the book October 1st.

I'm really pleased that this particular lovechild of mine has found such a good home. First sent out 1/12-2010, it took 18 months of patiently submitting this very Aussie story over and over whilst whispering 'I believe in you, I believe in you', to sell it. Not so long compared with some stories, but eons compared with others.

So yay, much news of both a vampire story and a werewolf story will soon be coming to this blog. It's so cool :)

Déjà Boo

So I'm washing and cleaning and getting stuff ready for the housesitters so I can head off to my sister's tomorrow. Then it'll be on to you know what again.

Please let this all be over and done with soon.

Making me feel more writerly: I worked on my recently accepted Aussie vampire story and sent it back to the anthology editor. I'm happy with the tweaks, and hopefully the editor will be too.

God Spede the Sub

My first submission for 2012 is off and away, and yes, it's my one and only vamp story.

Be strong out there in the big wide world, little story, weather the slings and arrows, keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, and stay the course etc etc etc. All that I ask of you is that you do your very best.

Funny Friday Refusal

I just, a few moments ago in fact, received a Traditional Friday Night Rejection, but one that was different in that it amused me. My one and only vamp story, which is still doing the rounds because I believe in it, though well received, was passed over because the Editor-in-Chief doesn't like vampires (and who can blame him/her in these hyper-vamped times?) The editor who broke the bad news somewhat dolefully labelled it 'undeadism'.

Ah, ya gotta larrff.

Anyway, I'm not too upset about this rejection (it was a long shot, I knew that going in) because I already have another market lined up - an undead friendly and vamp positive anthology that I'm absolutely certain will take it...

Running with the pack

So today I finished the first draft of a 2.5k werewolf tale. It is my one and only werewolf story. However, since the market is swamped with stories about these shaggy shapeshifters, it'll be close to impossible to find a home for it, but hey, there are some things you just have to do. Last year it was the vamp story, this year it's a lyco tale, and who knows what storytelling challenge 2012 will bring.

Anyway, I'm rather pleased with my vamp-human run Earth of 2175 and the werewolves who find a place to call home but do so in a most unwolvish way.

Hanging out for my hols

So I sent off the painted rabbit story for the first time today, then, after a spot of pruning, my one and only vamp story also went out. This will be the vamp story's fourth tryout (it was held for consideration by the last publication I submitted it to, but then released back to me because they couldn't find a place for it and it's not their policy to hold stories for longer than three months - drats!) I love my vamp story. I hope that eventually someone else does too.

The ideas are still coming, which is good, but I haven't really submitted much this month, and most of my writing has been done on the train on the way to the Arvo Job. This mid-year slump is normal. I usually slow down around May /June, then speed up again after the Annual July Winter Writing Break.

So bring it on. AJWWB here I come.

But first, one more looooong week of Arvo Jobbing.

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a fang.

This morning, with my wake up cups (3) of tea, I read the VWC’s magazine ‘Victorian Writer’, the 'Getting your writing out there' issue. The advice given by Melbourne poet Peter Bakowski particularly stuck in my mind - he says that the "three P's" are essential for any writer wanting to be published: practice, perseverance and positivity. People often go on about the first two, but forget to mention that you have to keep a gigantic barrel of optimism on tap as well.

Then, after a teeny bit of writing and a spot of shopping, it was off to the movies for ‘Daybreakers’, a vampire movie that bravely tackles intimate human topics such as greed, megalomania and fear of death, as well as big picture matters like evolution, ecological niches, the husbanding of natural resources, famine, political dictatorships, parental tyrannies, the making of civilizations and society's attitudes towards its disenfranchised citizens, all while giving us an insight into vampiric haute couture (1930s Blade Runnerish), kicking ass, wielding knives, firing guns, shooting crossbows, impaling vamps and driving very fast to get away from bad guys in soldiermobiles. Add combusting bodies, lots and lots and lots and lots of blood and gore, and you’ve got a fun, but deep (well, up to your knees, maybe mid thigh), movie.

Then it was cups of tea and bikkies and discussing vampire societies, gravity, time, branes and other scientific viscera.

Now it's time to close up the blogshop and get ready for a day of glorious writing tomorrow.