Back at the Grind

I submitted a short story for publication a few weeks ago for the first time in years. I used to submit all the time, but as my health has obviously taken over much of my existence. It was exhilarating to return to another of my passions!

Rejections are a part of the process, of course, but they’re still hard. I think we have heard all the advice about rejections – they’re not personal. It could be that your piece wasn’t a good fit for the publication, they already have something similar selected, the editor isn’t the right audience for your story, any number of things! The hardest thing for me is wondering if something needs to be changed in the story, or if I just haven’t hit the right publication yet. A good rejection encourages you to continue, perhaps even gives some personal feedback.

I took my good rejection and submitted to another publication that is a better fit within 24 hours.

I’m so excited to finish up a few more short stories and send them off!

The Publishing Cycle

Last week I wrote a little piece over on the TI blog about the sad news regarding Less Than Three Press. The loss of this publisher has been felt deeply by myself, and many of my friends.

LT3 filled an important role in romance publishing. They actively supported marginalized voices, and treated their writers well. It was wonderful to have a mid sized publisher like them around, especially for new and emerging writers.

I have one title with LT3. It’s old enough now that I’m not entirely sure that I’ll re-release it. I haven’t decided. I photographed my own cover for the novella, so I’d still have that! The perfectionist in me wants to go back over the story and polish things up. I feel so much more confident about my writing these days, and I’m sure the piece could use some work.

At least two other authors I know have opted to not re-release their work that was with LT3, primarily for the same reason. They’re older works and perhaps not as reflective of their author’s current work. I get it.

There are a few uncomfortable realities that go along with this. The first is that as of now, both publishers I’ve worked with have closed. It’s a worrying pattern within small and mid range publishers. What will we have when none of these can survive? Will it only be the big publishers and self pub, with nothing in between? That’s quite worrisome.

The other is simply that it reminds me how long its been since I’ve published anything. It’s been years. I’m not a fan. I’ve spoken with a few friends and my current goal is to have another novel finished by the end of the year so I can start shopping it around to publishers.

Yes, Chef release day

It’s book release day and I am so excited! It’s strange because I actually wrote this story over a year ago so it feels a bit distant. I’m still proud of it and of myself. It was a story that really grabbed me and I wrote a disturbingly large percentage of it in one go. I never thought I would end up writing something quite like that. It was enjoyable and freeing to do so! I couldn’t have done it without my devoted beta reader and personal cheer leader, CMR who did a quick read of it in less than a day for me! I had a fantastic editor help me through this piece. She was extremely helpful and it was a delight working with her. I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank the ladies of my writing group – Tickled Ink. Your ongoing support is absolutely invaluable.

Please buy my book! It’s a quick, sweet, m/m romance set in a busy Minneapolis kitchen. It contains a May/December couple with a problematic work dynamic, animal rescue programs, lots of delicious food and trans representation! And did I mention I shot the cover image? Because I totally did.

Thank you!

 

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Yes, Chef from Amazon

Yes, Chef from Less Than Three

Haunted Hotties Volume I

The anthology Haunted Hotties Volume I has been released! My story, Houdini’s Masquerade, is included in this anthology. It’s so exciting! This one went through editing and on to publishing so quickly, it caught me a bit off guard. September and October are really busy for me with my day job. One minute I was updating the “works” page of this site with the cover, and the next – it was available!

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this happen! I can’t thank you all enough. Everyone from my support at home to my editor on this project were wonderful. I love working in anthologies and hope to do a few more in the coming year.

Here’s a fun fact: part of my story was inspired by an episode of Drunk History I watched while folding laundry. Yes, really! Remember, inspiration comes from everywhere. I really love Drunk History…

Houdini’s Masquerade was reviewed on Rainbow Book Reviews. It was quite a pleasant surprise!

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Haunted Hotties at Torquere

Houdini’s Masquerade at Torquere

Haunted Hotties at Amazon

Houdini’s Masquerade at Amazon

Halloween Anthology 2015

I’m super thrilled to announce that a short story of mine, Houdini’s Masquerade has been picked up for inclusion in Torquere Press’s Haunted Hotties anthology. It’s so exciting! As a card carrying quasi goth, Halloween is close to my heart. When I heard about this anthology call, I knew I had to participate. This is the third story to be picked up for publication this year. More information to come as it is available!

Daphne Cover Reveal

It’s finally cover reveal day! I couldn’t be more thrilled. My short story The Ballad of Daphne and Leucippos is being released in the anthology Mythologically Torqued Volume II by Torquere Press. We have a cover for the anthology itself and a cover for my individual story. It’s a double cover reveal event! Let’s get to it, shall we?

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Mythology Anthology – editing finished!

I have finished all the editing on my mythology story for Torquere’s anthology. I’ll have the galley review shortly and then it’s done! Because it’s an anthology of course, I’m not sure where everyone else is in the process. Editing is a lot of work! I may have mentioned that elsewhere… As far as I know, they are still slating our release for August 19th. It’s almost here! I’m so excited I could vomit!