Master's of Horror

A few weeks ago I started doing a small activity on The Eclectic Artist Cave called Flash Fiction Wednesday. I started with a simple premise. The Little Black Box. The idea was simple, write a piece of flash fiction, approximately 500 words, and send it to me in an email or a FB message. The flash fiction had to contain the words The Little Black Box.  I read them on the air.

The number of responses I received for it were overwhelming to say the least. The number of people that took the time to send in their stories was mind boggling. I carried it over the following week because there was just too much talent sent in and I had to share as many as I could.

The cool thing about all of this is that people are wanting to do it again. The topic this time is Dark Horse. The same rules apply. I already have started to received some very cool stories. The next one is going to be recorded and placed here. Also I'm working on getting permission from the writers to see if I can post them here. Their talent is amazing and the stories are cool.

I bet your wondering why I named this post Master's of Horror. It's because the small activity sparked an interest in the Masters of Horror series publishers. They have decided to host their own contest. The new anthology in the Master's of Horror series.

Here are the rules:
  
Submissions for FLASH FICTION now open for the upcoming GRAVE GRIMOIRE anthology. Must be 500 words or less, must feature the undead. Not just zombies and vampires (be creative). NO REPRINTS PLEASE. Winning submissions in the flash category are unpaid and not subject to royalties. Do you have what it takes to be considered a MASTER OF HORROR?

I must say I'm blown away by this. I love the thought of taking a small piece of flash fiction and including it in this series. The book is an internationally published book so the credit alone is worth it's weight in gold. I sent in my submission for the anthology. It's a short story, and that's all I'm going to tell you...he he he. I'm hoping I get in because that was one of the best pieces I have ever written. 


To all those who want to enter, just click on the Grave Grimoire title and submit. Good luck and have fun!!

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Feeling Introverted

The day before yesterday, I received a rejection. It par for the course. Still, with all the changes going on in the publishing industry today, I have to wonder what the correct course of action is.

The all illusive golden ticket is even more out of reach than I had thought when I first started this journey. My agent says, "No one wants you unless you're J.K. Rowlings, or Patterson,"

Here's what I have to say about that. They didn't start out as the stars of the industry. In fact they were where I am right now. They all played the waiting game and were all rejected at some point in time or another. I don't know what to think about the critique, because I didn't receive one. I do know that if I had just a single shot from a publisher, I would do what I needed to make sure it was worth having. I know there are a lot of writers out there who say the same thing and mean it as much as I do. I also know there is such a thing as crawling before you walk. Meaning, I know without a doubt that this part of the process is me crawling on my knees, through a patch of broken glass, up hill.

The latest news in the publishing world is all about Amazon. They have decided to also take on the role as a traditional publisher. Can you see what I mean about changes int he publishing industry? If you would have asked me a few years ago, I would have said no they aren't going to do something like that. Today though, with all the available technology, it almost makes sense to open up a publishing company in the middle of being a distributor.

What does all this mean for us lowly writers who just want to get our work out there for all the world to see? For one, it means the industry is going to freeze everything and those who can't keep up will fade away. It also means that one of the biggest distributors known to man when it comes to just about everything is taking over. I don't know what the guidelines are as of yet. I don't even know what it would take to become a writer through the traditional part of the company. What I do know is the self-publish section of Amazon is extremely successful and finds some wonderful writers who would otherwise go unnoticed.

Is it even necessary to have people like agents or even go through the traditional route anymore? I don't know. What I do know is everything changed the moment Amazon said we're going to traditionally publish novels. It is now even more difficult to become one of the J.K. Rowlings or Stephen Kings of the world. Hey how about this, I'm just going to do what I do and let the chips fall where they lay.

What I'm hoping happens is a small publishing  company that has a good reputation picks me up. It isn't because I think it would be easier, it's because right now, I feel like I would be so lost in the middle of all the names out there. Hell, what do I know, I'm already lost...I'm a writer, we live in the land of the lost.

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Writing Tip Tues

YEAH It's back!! Only this time I have a partner! The man's name is Jack Remick, author of Blood is going to be joining me everyother Tuesday LIVE on Fate Radio. He has been involved in the world of writing one way or another for a long time. I will be posting more about his blog at a later date, so stay tuned.

Tomorrow join Jack and I as we talk about new techniques and styles of writing. 

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Dream Horse Press

Today I had J. P. Dancing Bear on The Eclectic Artist Cave. We talked about a number of things including his company, Dream Horse Press.

One of the things I found to be so beautiful about his spirit was the reason he formed his company. He had a friend who had written a book of poetry and wanted to help him get it out to the public as a book. He stated when he formed the company, he didn't know what to do with it. It has now been in business for 15 years and is still dedicated to bringing to light the poets of today and tomorrow.

The one thing he had to say about up coming poets was to read a lot of poetry. Let yourself become immersed  in the words and the feelings that have been laid out. I loved that! It showed that creatively, the one thing you have to do to grow your craft is to read and write.

The fact is that writing, no matter what kind of writing you are into; is all about the feeling you put into the work. It is the same for poetry and for fiction. You have to let the words flow through you.

Another thing he had to say was not to give up on a company just because they turned you down once. What he meant by that was this- just because one story or set of poems doesn't fit that particular company at that time doesn't mean something else won't fit. It basically means to never give up.

Another cool thing he said was that he reads everything that comes across his desk. To hear that was a little more reaffirming in the path I'm on. There are times when I wonder if the waiting game is worth it. There are times I question what I have to offer as a writer. Hell there are times I question everything I do as a whole. It was nice to hear a publisher say that it is just a matter of finding the right fit for your work. I want to thank J. P, Dancing Bear for coming on my show and helping me without knowing that's what he was doing.

If you have a book of poem, please visit Dream Horse Press to see what they are up to and what their guidelines are. 

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