So winding down really is not my thing

Ten days have gone by and nothing to show for it.  I did write one story, and edited about a dozen more.  I have researched publishers of non-ficiton collections, and have also attempted to see if I can get a grainy idea of where I want the Z-boat sequel to go.  I know wherever it goes it has to open to a third one, then again maybe not.

I have two other books beckoning me to write them, one is a werewolf tale, the other is a different take on zombies.  So many ideas I wish I could hire people to type them all down for me, would be such a time saver.  Alas, I need to do it and the feeling of accomplishment is worth it.

Z-Boat should be coming out sometime soon, line edits are done, and apparently it is in formatting.  Not sure how long that takes, but am not going to complain as I want it to be the best it can be.

I have a few anthologies with stories of mine in them coming out, they were acceptances I received long ago and are finally seeing print, I am excited about them.

In the mean time I am trying to prioritize my short story submissions with working on my novel.  I have about 8 or so short stories, but only 4 that need to be done between now and mid-October..no stress, then again I work better when the deadline looms and I can see the minutes on the clock ticking by.

Not sure if most writers are like that, but I sure am.  The more pressure the better.

So I am off to try and get a few shorts off my plate so I can let the pressure start around the October 7^th or 8^th, just for fun.

Also looking forward to reading the stories in Read the End First, have about six of them in and they are great.  Really interesting takes on the apocalypse, I think people will be excited about this anthology, and as I said I have a great person doing the introduction.

That is all for now, need to type on my stories..or catch some sleep..or edit….or read..or something.

Winding Down

After being on a writing/editing kick for several months I am winding down for a bit. Perhaps it is the weather, the turning of the leaves, or just plain fatigue.  Either way I am going to enjoy taking a bit of a break and enjoy some reading for a change.

One thing I want to comment on..and maybe this is just me..since I am a woman after all. When I see an anthology call open there is always some author that gets an automatic acceptance because of their name. If you want to do that fine, but what I wonder is why that automatic acceptance never goes to a woman.

Am I saying this because it is not me? Nope, I know well enough I do not have the name or skills to be that person, but I do know others that do. Yet time and time again they get overlooked.

I heard about a panel at a recent convention in which they talked about women being a minority in horror writing, and yes that is very very true. I do not know the statistics. I do not know if there are just more men. What I do know was when they did a reading, they were unable to tell the difference between a male versus female writer.

I would like to start small and I dare an editor out there with a small press to brag about the well-known female author who will be in the anthology alongside them.

Anyone up to that challenge?

Z- Boat Cover

This is the almost finished cover for Z-Boat, have to say I am super excited...

Artwork done by David Naughton Shires and his company The Image Designs

About due for a real post

Been awhile since I wrote an actual update.   A lot going on which is a good thing.

I finally got to write my chapter for Collaboration of the Dead, glad to have that done. Now I just need to write a story for the Apocalypse anthology, All female zombie anthology, and a holiday zombie anthology, while working in my sequel.

I have hit the 30,000 mark and am putting it aside as I did the last one, some people get so absorbed they write a book so fast, as for me I like to do it in chunks then go back and read them over. When I write ideas are always bouncing around so it is a good thing.

I am waiting to hear back on - 

Reaper Virus, Father Grim, Coffee 3, Wolfology, Machine of Death, Humor antho, Strange Tales, and Doomsday antho to name a few..I know I am missing a few because there are 15 stories out at the moment.

My anxiety antho is about half full and have been working with the contributors on that, really looking forward to this collection. Hope to have it filled by the end of the month.

Getting in all the swimming and walking I can before winter hits.

Getting ready for my book to come out, which makes me a bit nervous, not sure how it will be received, hope well, or at least okay for a first time novel. On the other hand I am proud to have finished it, and have found a publisher, that alone is something which makes me smile.

Other than that, just writing various ideas down, and hoping to find the time to get all these stories in my head onto paper.

I am also planning on editing my non-fiction collection and begin the query process on that, will take a long time,  but I hope worth it.