Southern Writemares

Pill Hill Press Closed

2013-02-05T15:54:00.001-06:00

I received the Ralan newsletter this morning and discovered a surprise. Pill Hill Press closed up shop. Small publishers come and go all the time. Why would I take interest in this closure?

A couple of weeks ago, I received an acceptance letter from Pill Hill. My short short "Final Footprints" would soon appear in their upcoming anthology Daily Frights 2013: 365 Days of Frightening Flash Fiction. First sign of trouble was very few project updates. In the past, they were diligent with updates and response times. One starts to worry when efficiency starts to lag.

Around the beginning of January, I heard news the owner/main editor Jessy gave birth to twins (Congratulations!). By the end of January, Pill Hill Press had closed. The website and forum were shut down. The reason circulating is Jessy decided to be a mom instead of a publisher owner/editor. I'm not certain if that is the sole reason. Supposedly, there was a mass email sent out but I never received it. Learning this news rendered my acceptance letter worthless. It's sad but not the first time it has happened to me.

In other news, I completed my monthly Write1Sub1 goal for January...

Goodbye Duotrope

2013-01-28T12:00:00.000-06:00

If you haven't heard already, the fabulous market website Duotrope has gone from a free service to now available to paid subscribers only. For $5 a month or about $50 a year, you can enjoy all the features you use to get for free. I understand they put a lot of hard work in to the site and was having problems being compensated for it, but I feel they went about this switch up the wrong way.

The supposed "free" features still available are fairly nonexistent. I received the last shred of hope in my inbox this morning in the form of a monthly newsletter. It contained the first three listings for paying and nonpaying markets and not much else. Why go through all the trouble to provide almost no usable information for those who can't afford your prices?

This is me officially saying goodbye to Duotrope. The last couple of years have been fun but it seems you prefer your new/old playmates who have deeper pockets than myself. I wish you well.

Welcome my new best friend.....The (Submission) Grinder!!!

2012 In Review

2012-12-31T04:45:00.000-06:00

I wish I could say I came out of 2012 a Write1Sub1 winner but unfortunately not. Didn't write or submit anything for October and November. However, it wasn't a total loss.

For the year 2012, I submitted a total of 12 short stories: 6 rejections, 3 acceptances (received the recent one for Daily Frights Anthology which will be published next year before Christmas) and 3 pending. In 2011, I submitted 3 short stories and 1 novella with no success. While I may not be in the same league as some writers, that's a huge improvement for me.

I say W1S1 kept me on track for the most part. Will I participate in 2013? Definitely count me in!

W1S1 Update - Month 7

2012-08-01T03:16:00.003-05:00

I don't know how much joy July brought other than seeing my story published, but goals were accomplished.

Words were written. Not many, but some. Began editing a short story. I guess I've been doing flash fiction too long because I've forgotten how tedious it is to edit 5,000 words.

I can say I was quite the overachiever with my submissions. Managed to get a whole TWO sent off. Gave myself some gold stars, a pat on the back and everything.

"Final Footprints" is now in the hands of Pill Hill Press editors for their Daily Frights 2013 anthology. Can't say I have complete faith in it's acceptance but if they do choose it, I hope I get the day I requested. Of course, I chose my birthday. Couldn't think of any other one to choose.

The second story "Sealed With Anguish" hasn't had a lot of luck so far. I've submitted it to like eight different markets and no fish has been biting. Hopefully, this time will be different. The name of the anthology is Down the Rabbit Hole published by Wicked East Press. It's an alternate world type of theme like Neverland and Oz. My story fits the theme perfectly. So, hopefully they'll take it. The bonus would be the $5 paycheck with an acceptance. Got my fingers crossed.

RIP Gore Vidal

Rejection #6

2012-07-22T00:47:00.003-05:00

Received this one a couple of weeks ago:

Dear Andrea Allison,

Thank you for considering Haunted Waters Press. We appreciate the opportunity to read "Final Footprints." Unfortunately, From the Depths is not the right showcase for this piece. With regret, I'm afraid we must pass, but would be happy to review any of your future work.

Thank you again.

Best regards,
Susan Warren Utley
Editor, Haunted Waters Press

Visit Haunted Waters Press to view our open calls for submissions and to enter the Penny Fiction Flash Fiction Writing Contest:
http://www.hauntedwaterspress.com/Submissions.html

After re-reading the story, I realized why they rejected it. It would help if the entire story made sense...LOL! Working on the edits.

Weighing the Good with the Bad

2012-06-22T20:24:00.005-05:00

I know it's been awhile since I've updated this blog. A lot has happened.

There was a death in the family. Well, there's been several in the last few months. I've lost a few members of the Great Great part of my family, an aunt and uncle. My step-uncle passed away too. We're still uncertain as to what caused his death.

On the writing front, I've stuck with completing my Write1Sub1 goals. However, no more acceptances to report. But all is not sorrow. Remember my anthology acceptance I bragged about a couple months back? Well, it has been released!

No Rest for the Wicked, a collection of stories about haunted objects, is available for purchase on Amazon for $3.99. My story "Rod's Little Blue Wagon" is #18 on the list! A print version will soon be available through Rainstorm Press' website. No Rest for the Wicked also has it's own Facebook page!

Like....Buy.....Enjoy!!

W1S1 Update - Month 3

2012-04-04T03:07:00.004-05:00

Wrote and submitted a short short for the month, meeting my goal. But overall, it was not a good month. Hello April!

UPDATE: Received the rejection today. Sums up March pretty nicely.

Another Short And Sweet Rejection

2012-03-05T15:44:00.002-06:00

I think this email from Nanoism pretty much speaks for itself. On to the next...

Andrea,

Thank you for submitting. I'm going to pass on this one, but please do try me again.

Best,
Ben

W1S1 Update - Month 2

2012-03-01T18:43:00.000-06:00

So far, I'm staying on target. I can put February down on my goal achievements for the year.

Wrote a short short, currently an orphan with no name. Poor little guy. One of these days, I might actually start breaking the 100-word mark.

Submitted two stories this month. I was feeling spiffy and decided to be an overachiever. Sent "Intruder" to Nanoism. Wrote it for Tweet the Meat a couple of years ago. They didn't want it. So, maybe Nanoism will.

If you've read the previous post, "Rod's Little Blue Wagon" didn't make the list for Horror for Good. However, after sending it to another anthology market yesterday, I received word today that it was ACCEPTED! I'm so excited and I'm telling everyone. More details to come.

So far, enjoying my W1S1 success!

A Good Rejection

2012-02-13T17:38:00.001-06:00

I kind of expected this letter. Wasn't too confident about the length of my story. Oh well. I hope they raise a lot money for AIDS Research. You can follow the progress of the anthology via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/horrorforgood.

Dear Andrea,

I'm sorry to say this, but we're going to have to pass on "Rod's Little Blue Wagon."
We had a lot of submissions to consider and as a result we had to let a lot of good stories go. We feel you shouldn’t have a problem getting your story placed in another anthology and we can’t thank you enough for allowing us to read your tale.

We hope you will still consider supporting the anthology and its cause. Thank you again for submitting and we wish you luck in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Horror For Good Editors

Acceptance!!!

2012-02-08T12:28:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I've opened my inbox and found an acceptance letter. So, I'll definitely take this one!

Congratulations Andrea,

Your story, "Broke Down" has been selected as "Today's Story" on OneFortyFiction.com.

As you might know, we allow visitors to critique stories once they've been posted. If you'd like to follow the critiques our readers choose to make, you can do so at http://www.onefortyfiction.com/archives/broke-down.

Thanks so much for contributing, and please, don't hesitate to send us more stories in the future.

-
Editor@OneFortyFiction.com

Free Shock Totem All Week

2012-02-07T15:26:00.000-06:00

The all mighty Gods of Shock Totem magazine have been so generous as to offer free digital downloads. Each issue will be listed as free on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk from Monday to Friday.

You may have missed grabbing a copy of Shock Totem #1 yesterday, but you can get Shock Totem #2 today. Issue three will be free tomorrow, issue four on Thursday and the holiday issue on Friday.

It's a great magazine with excellent artwork and content. If you're a writer looking to break in to this market, I suggest you take advantage of this promo to see what they are all about.

W1S1 Update - Month 1

2012-02-01T17:50:00.000-06:00

The first month of the Write 1 Sub 1 challenge wore out its welcome and has since left the building. I am proud to say I have been knighted in to the League of the January Juggernauts!

While I did meet the goal for the month, I wish it was something more than just Twitter fiction. I'm in a procrastination funk. My to-read pile is growing by the day. I'm slipping on my blogging and writing duties. This is not the way to start out a year. But I refuse to give up. I have the next 29 days until the next goal to start proving it.

BTW, while I have your attention, J.A. Konrath, Black Crouch, J. Carson Black, Lee Goldberg, and Scott Nicholson are hosting a Big Kindle Boogie. They're giving away Kindle books, Amazon gift cards, Kindle Fires and library donation today and tomorrow. Please check out the website for a list of free ebooks and more information on the giveaways - http://bigkindleboogie.blogspot.com/.

What's Next

2012-01-10T08:50:00.001-06:00

I have to make a confession. I HATE this new Blogger interface...thing. The whole thing is a mess. I would like to switch back to the old one but the link has mysteriously disappeared. Sneaky bastards! They tricked me with pretty candy. It's the story I'm sticking with and no one can prove otherwise. Hopefully, with enough people complaining, they'll return the option but I doubt it.

I should be excited we are starting a new year but all this talk about apocalypses has made this year such a downer. Is it December 21st yet?

As you can see, I have signed up for the Write1Sub1 Monthly for 2012. I reviewed my writing productivity for last year. Long story short....it's nothing to brag about. Currently, I have a submission out from last month to a charity anthology. I'm anticipating the rejection. With every announcement of a well known writer joining the project, I'm losing faith in my little story. It's great that Jeff Strand, Jack Ketchum and Joe R. Lansdale are contributing. I was among the famous with the last charity anthology I was involved with. Not feeling confident the lightning will be striking twice this time around but we'll see.

An Expected Rejection

2011-12-03T17:46:00.002-06:00

I submitted my little short short to One Forty Fiction the Saturday before the week of Halloween. Actually, I may have sent it twice. My first attempt to send it ended with our power going out (It was raining). Sent it again when the power came back on...a few hours later. Since it was a themed week and my story wasn't chosen to be published, I was expecting this. Happy Saturday!

Dear Andrea:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to read your work. Unfortunately this particular story, "No More Cute," was not the right fit for One Forty Fiction.

Thank you for trying us. And we welcome any submissions you might make in the future.
-
Editor @ OneFortyFiction.com

One Day Left

2011-10-30T16:59:00.003-05:00

I can't believe Nano is one day away. October seemed to speed by pretty fast on his Harley. Somebody should give that guy a ticket and tell him to slow down next year.

After four years, I'm kind of burned out on Nano. I think I'll skip this year's fun. But I don't have a problem sitting on the sidelines with my foam finger, cheering everyone else to the finish line.

GO WRITERS!!! Woot! Woot!

Should I Nano?

2011-09-30T06:49:00.003-05:00

October is fast approaching. Some writers are starting, if they haven't already, to develop ideas and strategies for this year's National Novel Writing Month extravaganza. However, I have yet to determine whether or not I want to participate in this year's activity.

Of course, I made the same proclamation last year and ended up participating anyways. Will November be a repeat? In some regards, I'm an overachiever and will take on the challenge any day of the week especially since I know its an obtainable goal. This leaves me with the option of raising the bar. Push myself a little harder in to that horizon...

Or, I can spend the month watching True Blood and eating pie (gaining weight I certainly don't need). Maybe throw in a little Supernatural for good measure. I guess in 31 days (and counting) I'll surprise myself.

How Long Has It Been?

2011-09-19T02:36:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it's been several months since the last time I posted here. I'm totally slacking this year.

I doubt anyone was really holding their breaths over the results of the contest. As I predicted, I didn't win. I wanted feedback and feedback is what I got. Despite only a handful of entries, I didn't really receive a lot of comments on my novella. I'm not really reading in to that. The judge pointed out sections I already knew needed work (didn't have time to do extensive edits at the time). Overall, it was what I expected it to be.

I bow my head in shame for the lack of actual writing and submitting this year. I've been catching up on book reviews for Ghost Stories as of late. However, I have been doing a little market research. Hopefully, I'll get some submissions in before the year ends.

My birthday was Saturday. I received my gifts a week early in the form of a new DVD player (my old one was on its last legs), DVDS (including Season 3 of True Blood and a collection of other horror movies. Yay!) and a new flat iron to replace my old one. So, I wasn't really expecting much on the day of my birth other than birthday wishes from family friends and maybe a cake. The surprise came in the form of "Happy Birthday" balloons. I can't remember the last time I received "Happy Birthday" balloons. It was quite unexpected.

Happy National Camera Day

2011-06-29T14:01:00.004-05:00

It's amazing what people dedicate an entire day to: doughnuts, eclairs, fairies, doodles, etc.

So, it's been almost a month and an announcement hasn't been made concerning the AW contest yet. I'm not in the mood to put any added pressure on the judges. However, the wait seems to have gotten to a few participants. They've dusted off their torches and pitchforks and started a riot. All in good fun, of course.

In the meantime, it's National Camera Day. Enjoy the photo!

Short and Sweet Rejection

2011-06-08T02:02:00.003-05:00

Dear Andrea Allison,

Thank you for sending us "Sealed With Anguish". We appreciate the chance to read it. Unfortunately, the piece is not for us.

Thanks again. Best of luck with this.

Sincerely,
Jessy Marie Roberts
Pill Hill Press

Sigh.......sigh........sigh.....sigh........

Okay, on to the next. I wrote my first novella and submitted it to a contest. Despite there being three prize packs up for grabs and only nine entries, I doubt mine will be one of the lucky winners. I did this more for learning experience and feedback.

Happy Wednesday.

Bad Blog Friend

2011-05-02T23:11:00.003-05:00

A few things need to be highlighted first:

About 300 people were killed by tornadoes over several states - May they rest in peace

Prince William and Kate Middleton Got Married - Best wishes on a long and happy marriage

Osama bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs during a raid on his compound - Yay, finally! Much appreciation goes out to the men and women serving in the United States military

Now on to why I'm a bad a blog friend. I haven't been posting here very often as of late. I won't list any excuses for it. It is what it is. I also haven't been doing much blog reading much less commenting either. So, I offer you dear friends two things:

1. I promise to get back in to blog reading shape and visit your online homes on a regular basis. And,

Ah, come on. How can you say no cute little kittens? :o)

March Round-Up

2011-04-05T02:28:00.003-05:00

I fully recognize I haven't posted anything here in over a month. Not going to bore you with a long list of excuses. It is what it is.

I haven't jumped back in to the submission process just yet, but haven't been sitting on my thumbs counting zombies either. Pulled out several short stories from the dusty shelf pile. Began the first round of edits on them (or at least some of them). I've read through and made notes on four of them. Twenty or so more to go.

The Horror Hounds from the horror section of Absolute Write are holding a novella contest. There's a lot of cool prizes including a publishing contract with Black Label Books. What I like about this contest is the contract isn't set in stone. They seem to be very flexible. You don't have to accept the contract if you don't want to. Plus, if you don't even win, you still get feedback. I haven't been published in almost two years. I can use the feedback. The bonus is its a theme I'm quite familiar with. Spent the last seven years researching storylines like this.

So far, I have about 2100 words written but I can totally get it done by the beginning of May. Just gotta find two sticks and get the fire under my butt to blazing. More details on the 2011 Horror Hounds Contest: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206314.

I'm outta here! Happy Tuesday folks!

BTW - like the new look???

Mail Call

2011-02-24T16:12:00.004-06:00

Look what I got in the mail today. Of course, I ordered this before I found out the decision had been made to shut down Necrotic Tissue (You can read the details here). Loved the content, graphics and layout this magazine produced and was hoping to break in to it. Unfortunately that won't happen now. Just a darn shame.

Can we please have a moment of silence?

Myspace Divorce

2011-02-09T03:08:00.005-06:00

So, my relationship with Myspace was fair....at first. Last year, we commenced in a long separation due to a lot of change on its behalf. The funky new look. The logo change. A reconnection was attempted last month, but I knew it was over. *tear*

With divorce comes a lot of sadness and the tedious chore of dividing property. It has all been decided. I will take the hundred or so messages, blog posts, pictures, and well....my page (or rather dump it entirely). All of it will take weeks because Myspace insists on slowing the process. It can keep the rest.

My focus has been switched to the other side until Facebook stops being cool too. Then, I'll pray Twitter sticks to doing what it does best although it's new look is starting to give me doubts.

If I don't return by March, you'll know something went totally wrong with this transition and it'll be totally Myspace's fault no matter what it says. :o)

BBRRAAAIIINNNSSS!!!

2011-02-04T03:37:00.004-06:00

I could certainly use this book for translation purposes. The other zombies would get a hardy laugh at my expense if I don't get the pronunciations just right especially on a day like today. Although the snow may provide us with some safety. If we can't get through, surely they can't either. Anyways...

It's Tweet Like a Zombie Day!!! You know how quirky those zombies are about their twitter. Happy 71st birthday George Romero!

RAHHHhh...RAHHHhh....BBRAAAINNSS!!!