Don’t get me wrong, the two have much in common, and may look much the same, but when it comes down to the wire editing is not writing no matter how you gussy it up.

Yet the one does improve on the other.

Mere minutes ago I finished the edit of [...]]]> Editing is not writing.

Don’t get me wrong, the two have much in common, and may look much the same, but when it comes down to the wire editing is not writing no matter how you gussy it up.

Yet the one does improve on the other.

Mere minutes ago I finished the edit of “Lords-a-Leaping”, you know, the story about the guy who does the thing?, and then stuffed the whole mass of words back in its electronic file to keep it out of sight and mind. I’ll take one last look once all of the Christmas tellings and talings have received a polish, then send them off to K.C. Ball, editor and Sandra herder of merit, for her deft consideration. (And if you haven’t checked out any of K.C.’s fiction, go to her site and hunt it down, says I. You won’t be disappointed. “The Night Bus Doesn’t Stop Downtown” is her latest at EVERY DAY FICTION. Creepy stuff.)

Between giddy bouts of “ZOMG! I’m going to be published!”, there are extended periods of “Am I out of my mind?” where I stare at the screen in a gray haze of doubt. What if I can’t do it? What if no one wants to read any of the stories? What if the folks at Hydra House come to their senses? What if? What if?

Then I slog through stories I can’t believe I actually had the gall to post the same day they were written, and I find a phrase, a description, a bit of dialogue and I think “Hey, that’s not half bad. No, that’s even better than not half bad. That’s pretty damn good!”

And it’s for those bits and pieces that I edit, polishing the rest of the words until the stories shine. That’s what editing is all about.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I have an appointment with eleven pipers piping.

First up is Michael Swanwick’s “The Dead”, the featured fiction for Episode #241 of THE DRABBLECAST. Michael Swanwich is a multi-award winning writer, reviewer, and all around splendiferous person with one eye on the future and the other one the road [...]]]> Time for another episode of some great audio fiction to entertain and amaze you.

First up is Michael Swanwick’s “The Dead”, the featured fiction for Episode #241 of THE DRABBLECAST. Michael Swanwich is a multi-award winning writer, reviewer, and all around splendiferous person with one eye on the future and the other one the road by which we’ll get there. “The Dead” is a dark, graphic tale of zombies and a zombie apocalypse you may not expect. The story contains certain adult themes, and is read by THE DRABBLECAST’S own Norm Sherman. Dark though it may be, this one is definitely worth your time.

PODCASTLE presents Samantha Henderson’s “Outlander”, a tale of politics, love, and an older brother’s consternation set in an intriguing and believable secondary world. Samantha has numerous stories in Year’s Best collections, and her upcoming poetry collection “The House of Forever” is due out later this year. “Outlander” is read by Graeme Dunlop, a regular presence on all of the Escape Artist podcasts and one of the driving forces behind CAST OF WONDERS, the YA Science Fiction & Fantasy Audio Magazine. “Outlander” is fun, and fast paced with all the swash you can buckle, and Graeme’s reading only makes the tale all the more enjoyable with his telling.

That’s it for this edition of HEAR THAT?. As always, if you like the stories you hear please consider throwing a few bucks towards keeping these podcasts up and running, or, if you can’t donate, drop them a line in their forums. Don’t forget to comment here as well. What do you think of my recommendations? What podcasts or audio books have you listened to lately?

Don’t forget to keep your ears open!

Larry came over with his drawing pad and computer earlier this evening and wanted my input on his progress with the cover. He showed off his sketches, we discussed fonts, sizes, colors, and arrangement. We searched for a few reference images, and discussed how the cover might differ [...]]]> I’ve had an out of manuscript experience.

Larry came over with his drawing pad and computer earlier this evening and wanted my input on his progress with the cover. He showed off his sketches, we discussed fonts, sizes, colors, and arrangement. We searched for a few reference images, and discussed how the cover might differ from what was shown. An interesting hour or so of creative collaboration.

And yet. . .

I’m five years old again.

Larry showed me his sketches, and discussed any number of technical aspects, and all I saw were pretty colors, curly lines, and a nifty-keen – okay, sorry, that’s still a secret.

Understand, my idea of visualization is to unwind strands of words from my imagination and arrange them on the page as sentences, paragraphs, scenes. There are no colors or lines but the ones you invited to imaginate with me based on those words. No matter how proud I am of those arrangements, there is always the tiniest hole in my heart where I long to create those colors and lines myself, to create them out of whole cloth. I’ve tried, I can’t do it, and I have a glorious and healthy envy and appreciation for those who can.

Today Larry brought over his preliminary sketches and we imaginated together, if only for a little while.

It was splendiferous.

Green ink on yellow paper, I scribbled outside the lines, made notes in the margins. Elephants, and robots, and calling birds. The storm that is Jupiter’s eye. Complete and glorious nonsense, and at the bottom of the page I drew a smiling flower.

I went outside and ate a [...]]]> This afternoon, I wrote a poem.

Green ink on yellow paper, I scribbled outside the lines, made notes in the margins. Elephants, and robots, and calling birds. The storm that is Jupiter’s eye. Complete and glorious nonsense, and at the bottom of the page I drew a smiling flower.

I went outside and ate a mango. Sank my teeth into its tart, turpentiney, peppery flesh, gobbled it up until the promise of warmer weather smeared my cheeks and bits of orange flesh stuck to the corners of my mouth. I licked the juice from my fingers, wiped my hands over my cheeks, and did it all over again just because there was no one around to insist I use a napkin.

I wanted to fly a kite, but the wind couldn’t come out to play, something about summer auditions, so I went for a walk instead. Saw green buds like M&Ms glued to the tips of spindly branches, cotton candy cherry blossoms, felt chill winter forgot on its way out. Big dogs lazed in curlicues on front porches, followed my steps with drowsy attention. Little dogs barked as I passed, proclaiming their big doggedness. Ever courteous, I waited for an ant to make its way across my path. I wished I’d saved a scrap of mango for a gift.

Then I –

No.

No, I didn’t do any of those things.

I hid in my bedroom. In bed, under the covers. The unrepentant color orange, the crash of an elephant’s steps, the terrible winds that goaded the trees into clawing at my windows. The barking of dogs. I squished an ant that crawled square to square over the tile floor, then hurried to wash my hands. Twice. And dried them with a napkin.

I wanted to write a poem.

Tomorrow.

I will write a poem.

Let’s have a show of hands (You, in the [...]]]> Based on the number of email inquiries, there is a growing horde of readers interested in the formatting for THE 12 WAYS OF CHRISTMAS coming from Hydra House Books in November. They weep, they wail, they smack me about the head and shoulders. Paper? Ebook? Both?

Let’s have a show of hands (You, in the back, get a tissue. Don’t wipe that on your pants.)

Interested in a paper copy? Ebook format? Both? More smacking around the head and shoulders?

Inquiring minds want to know.

First up we have Episode #238 of THE DRABBLECAST, Nnedi Okorafor’s “From the Lost Diary of Treefrog7″. Nnedi is a Professor at Chicago State University, the World Fantasy Award-winning author of “Who Fears Death” (also nominated for the Locus and [...]]]> Hello once again, gentle listener. Time to take another listen to some great audio fiction.

First up we have Episode #238 of THE DRABBLECAST, Nnedi Okorafor’s “From the Lost Diary of Treefrog7″. Nnedi is a Professor at Chicago State University, the World Fantasy Award-winning author of “Who Fears Death” (also nominated for the Locus and Nebula awards), and challenged my Clarion West 2010 class as our third week instructor.

“From the Lost Diary of Treefrog7″ is the story of two explorers cataloguing flora and fauna in The Forbidden Greeny Jungle, and what happens when they discover the plant they have long sought after, a mature CPU plant. The story is narrated by Veronica Giguere, who does a fine job capturing the fluxuating moods and discomforts of a pregnant woman in the jungle. I first read this story prior to attending Clarion West 2010, and while there are portions I preferred in the text when compared to the audio version, I can say I really enjoyed listening to the story as well.

Next is Steven Utley’s “Test”, published in LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE, and narrated by the man who is quickly becoming one of my favorite podcast narrators, Stefan Rudnicki. Steven Utley is the author of numerous short stories, including two upcoming collections: The 400-Million Year Itch and Invisible Kingdoms to be released in 2012 – 2013. I really enjoyed the plot, narrative style, and presentation of this story of a ship trapped in hyperspace and the desperate panic of the crew as they try to fathom what has happened and what, if anything, is out there. You can do a search online for Stefan Rudnicki and you’ll find any number of stories offered up in his rich, engaging voice.

That’s it for this edition of HEAR THAT?. As always, feel free to share this review with friends, and if you like what you hear on these podcasts drop them a comment or maybe a couple of bucks. Bringing us incredible fiction week after week takes time, money, and love, and the best way to show your support is to take a moment to listen and then share any/all of the above.

See you next time. Remember, keep your ears open!

From Tod at Hydra House books:

Dear Ms. Odell,

I am afraid that I must temper your good news with some business. The following items have been flagged on your expense report:

1 Slingerland Snare Drum – $40 2 Woodwind Students from the Steinhardt [...]]]> (*Sort of. Thanks to Brian Phillips for this very important message.)

From Tod at Hydra House books:

Dear Ms. Odell,

I am afraid that I must temper your good news with some business. The following items have been flagged on your expense report:

1 Slingerland Snare Drum – $40
2 Woodwind Students from the Steinhardt School at NYU 1 hour at a rate of 32.75/hr.
3 Barefoot men and one battery-operated hot plate – $152
4 Students from the Dance Theater of Harlem at a rate of $32.75/hour
5 Domestic worker/Members of the La Leche League – Union scale $60 hour
1 picture of Lynn Swann and six family members at the beach $48 (unsigned)
3 sets of geese in connubial bliss + Yohimbe – $17 + $77
8 Amber colored Toilet Gaskets – $8.27
Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby. Michael Clarke, Chris Hillman, Kevin Kelley, John York, Clarence White and Gene Parsons conference call to sing “Turn! Turn Turn!” – Normal cell phone rates apply
Mmes. Clara Cluck, Petite Poulet et bégueule – $39 + $722 in travel expenses
Mr and Ms. Harry Turtledove – $39 + $722 in travel expenses.
Danny Bonaduce $250
Pear Tree – $41
Pear Tree Chaise Lounge for Mr. Bonaduce – $14.99

We also received an extremely verbose (trust us, we’re publishers) letter from “Brain Phillips” (sp?) who sends (to summarize) his prayers, love and congratulations on your courage, wit, intelligence to you and your family and friends. He also goes on to state something about a “celebration on your lawn” and “getting the order wrong” (?)

Due to the above expenses we must continue with our plans to publish your book. We are quite optimistic that the ensuing brisk sales of “12 Ways” will put you at the break-even mark in no time at all.

From publisher to author, please confine future work to holidays with fewer (and less unwieldy) songs. Sweetest Day and Arbor Day are two under-served markets we’d like to suggest.

Sincerely,
Tod Hydra-House