Back to life!

I'm pleased to say I was able to resuscitate 'Other Intelligent Life' this morning, adding 1,000 words to it when I'd pretty much given it up for dead. I think I needed to get Ghost Kiss etc out of the way so my brain could concentrate on the creative side of things again.

I'm especially happy because 'Life' is another light-hearted SF tale, which gives me something else to send to Andromeda.

'Blue Diamond Pool' is all but done - I'm going to let it chill for a week or so and then give it a final polish before I decide where to send it. On top of the three or four subs I have floating around in the market, it's helping me to feel active.

And in the 'nice news' category: I signed my first book the other night. The recipient was my first magazine editor who has remained a good friend over the years. It's proof that age and social differences need not hinder a friendship based on intellect and respect.

Second sub for 'Level Two'

After searching around for sci-fi mags that are open to humorous content (there aren't very many) I sent 'Level Two: Time Trial' to From The Asylum. I figure if it got to the third round of Andromeda it must be in with half a chance, although it's an American publication and The Town Drunk didn't seem to appreciate the humour.

Finished off 'Blue Diamond Pool' this morning (several months after starting it!) so over the next week or so I'll do some drafts and find somewhere to send it. Being a ghost/horror yarn it has plenty more potential markets than poor old 'Level Two'.

Don't want it? Fine!

Here's an original rejection: Chippewa Publishing's server appears to be down and their email keeps rejecting my submission. So I've sent it instead to Macmillan in the UK, which has a 'new writers' imprint. I doubt the contract would be very pecunious, but my name would be on the roster of one of the biggest publishers in the world.

I think I could live with that.

The Kiss of...?

Quicker than expected, Ghost Kiss is now in the Chippewa Publishing submissions inbox. Will it get the kiss of death? Will they think its kiss is sweet? Will I run out of kissing metaphors before I make my point?

Next project: 'Blue Diamond Pool'. I gave it a read through this morning and got very excited. Another 500-1000 words will probably get it to its conclusion. A busy week at work lies ahead (as do more social engagements) so it's probably going to be a train/weekend affair. Being a ghost story, its potential markets are many, which is a nice change from my usually hard-to-categorise fiction.

Well, time to kiss off.

Complete...

That's right, Ghost Kiss is as lean and mean as I can get it – and at 86,050 words (about 6,000 words chopped!) that's pretty frickin lean and mean. Doesn't quite meet the 10% rule, but it's not far off, either. Well under the 90,000 max. required by Chippewa Publishing.

Okay, now to format the manuscript to Chippewa's specifications (which thankfully doesn't involve much more than an adjustment of margins and the addition of some asterisks) and create a convincing cover letter and synopsis.

More soon!

Slowly, slowly

I'm getting there. Roughly 30 pages of corrections to go on Ghost Kiss, then a final revision of about 30 pages which I did not go through properly the first time. The impatience which is unfortunately part of my personality is again trying to make me rush things, but I think I have its measure.

Hell's Hangmen went on sale a couple of days ago on Lulu.com. Not exactly setting the world on fire with its sales thus far, but it's early days. Exciting nonetheless! :)

'Lest We Forget' – changed from the weak-kneed title of 'The Outdated Professor' – is now with Borderlands. On previous form, I'm settling in for a five month wait.

Halfway mark

Yeah, yeah, I'm miles behind where I said I'd be on Ghost Kiss by now. It's not my fault June has about 50 birthdays and a long weekend in it. I'm getting there though – I've been making some changes during downtime at work and I'm hoping to break its back on Saturday (as I finally have no social engagements). It's already been reduced to 88,000 words, so I estimate it will be down to 85,000 by the time I'm done.