The very best site I’ve found for learning about anthologies and other publishing opportunities is duotrope.com. There, they let you search, sort, and track markets. Speculative fiction writers can also use ralan.com. Horror writers might find the Library of the Living Dead forum useful, especially Other Publishers if you’re looking for a mix of opportunities.

Usually writers looking to publish are in one of two situations. Either you have a story and don’t know what to do with it, or you’re looking for ideas of what to write that someone will want. Duotrope.com will help you in both cases.

If you have an existing story you’re trying to get published then do a search on duotrope.com. You put in the genre, length, and what kind of payment level you’re looking for (from non-paying, token, through professional rates) and it will find fits. Then click on each match and use the link to the actual website. Find the market’s Submissions page to make sure your piece is a good fit with that market. Always follow the submission guidelines. I don’t say this to make you freak out, and possibly drive you to not submit at all. That is not the solution. Just pay attention to what they want, and the closer you match their needs the more likely you are to be selected.

If you are looking for interesting markets to write stories for, then I suggest looking at the calendar of themed magazines and anthologies on duotrope.com. I subscribe to Duotrope’s weekly email that lists these by the date they close. That way, I can see what’s coming up that I might like to submit to. I’ve found that anthologies give you the best odds of being selected for publication. You know precisely what they’re looking for and need right now.

Duotrope is also the site I use to track all my submissions. Using the information provided by all the other authors tracking their submissions, Duotrope creates metrics on numbers of submissions, how long it’s taking to get replies back, and what percent of submissions are being accepted. It makes me feel more in control than just waiting forever and hoping they’re actually going to reply at some point. Duotrope tells me if my wait is unusually longer than what other authors are suffering.

This is how I learned about the Live and Let Undead anthology looking for stories about working zombies. I already had a short story about zombies working outside the protective dome on a poisonous planet, but it was too long to meet their guidelines. Once I cut down the word count to fit, I knew I had a good shot at being selected. Now my story “The Killer with Eyes of Ice” is one of 18 stories in the anthology that just came out on Amazon.com.

I’ll also be in a couple other anthologies coming out this Spring. In addition to what Duotrope tracks, I’ve created a spreadsheet listing all my works and all my dream markets.

Once you know other people in the field and start making a name, it is easier to be invited to write. And wouldn’t we all like to have the work come to us for a change?

(Not that I would do that. Heh.)

But within the surplus of information they agree on certain points:

Get Perspective

1.) Finish and then let the manuscript sit. Set it aside until you don’t recall each keystroke. Come back when you’re ready to question the choices you made. Several weeks seems ideal.

2.) Read fast, as if it is all new, and make notes about the story and characters. Note the awkward bits, but keep moving until you get to the end. Then think about the theme and how you can sharpen the story and characters.

Refine Your Perspective: What are you trying to say?

3.) Make the story, pacing, and character revisions so the manuscript feels complete.

Get Other People’s Perspective

4.) Give your text to a test reader or freelance editor. Several, if you can. Be specific about the kind of feedback you’re looking for (Do you want them to focus on story? Character? Or grammar and formatting? They don’t know if you don’t tell them.) Choose people who are constructive. Give adequate time for good feedback. Don’t nag, but be clear on deadlines.

5.) Consider test reader feedback and make changes.

Polish the Details so Nothing Detracts

6.) If the story and characters are nailed down, begin line edits.
[There's a great article with specific examples at Writers in the Storm]
Remove what isn’t necessary (words, paragraphs, even chapters)
Use powerful verbs
Remove adverbs and adjectives
Revised dialogue
Check grammar, spelling, and punctuation

7.) Print it. Read it out loud. Revise again.

Stop Editing. Yes, You Must Reach That Point

8.) Begin your query letter. Submit to a publisher or agent, or if you’re considering indie publishing then find a freelance editor and look at cover artists.

The same dough can make a loaf of bread or a cinnamon roll. You refine and bake it into its final shape, and that’s when it’s ready to be enjoyed.

Let me know how your editing goes.

An update on me: Using the outline method in A Simple Novel Outline, I wrote my newest book in 4 months. I’ve edited it, sent it to test readers, and have begun line editing. Everything seems to take so much longer than I expected, but I’m still excited about the book.

If you’re a fan of Fractured Horizon, or would like to read a short story set in that universe, check out Podioracket Presents-Glimpses story number 12 Future in Hand. It’s available as free audio on Podiobooks.com or an inexpensive text on Smashwords or at Amazon.com.

photo © 2010 joost j. bakker | more info (via: Wylio)

At Norwescon 2011 I sat in on a session called Outline Your Novel in 90-minutes led by Mark Teppo. I’ll give you the brief, readable, synthesized version. Answer 9 questions and create 25 chapter titles and you’re there.

Here are the 9 questions to create a novel:

1.) Why did you choose this particular protagonist? (What’s so special that it HAD to be this person for this story?)

2.) What is the protagonist doing right now?  (Enter the story as late as possible, as Kurt Vonnegut said. Don’t start with the back story, you’ll filter that in later.)

3.) What external stressor is applied to the protagonist? (What outside force changes everything for the protagonist?)

4.) What is the protagonists goal? (You must be clear on this. Honest.)

5.) What are the obstacles along the way? (Some structures say there should be 3.  Remember, things must get worse after every obstacle.)

6.) What qualities of the protagonists help or hinder him/her to overcome these obstacles (Your protagonist must operate at the best of their abilities, or the reader will call them idiot and bail. Are the obstacles truly hard enough to show your character’s best?)

7.) How will the protagonist change over the course of the story? (That is, after all, the story.)

8.) What are you trying to say? Why are you writing this particular story?

9.) What sacrifice levels the playing field? Remember, this journey is hard and the protagonist must demonstrate she/he is worthy to win. (Remember to show the protagonist’s reaction to the sacrifice. This is the moment of black despair– drag it out for all it is worth. Bigger the disaster, the longer you can extend it.)

Now, with those 9 questions answered to your satisfaction, try to fill in a 25 chapter, 75,000 word outline. Chapters 1-6 are the introduction to the world and characters. By chapter 5 the protagonists must have his goal (Q. 4). Chapter 5 is often the big obstacle.

Chapters 7-18 are the middle of your book. This is the fun, meaty goodness with your obstacles (Q. 5). Mark Teppo told us that if you get stuck while outlining, often around chapter 12, simply write “sex”. The chapter after that is, “things get worse.” and move on. He claims it really works. Let me know what you think.

Chapters 19-25 depict the heroic act to victory. Remember the sacrific at chapter 23 (Q. 9) and to demonstrate the change the journey of the book has brought about in chapter 25 (Q. 7)

Wasn’t that easy?

Okay, sure, the work isn’t done yet. But the right questions are being asked.

Using the idea that there are 25 chapters, I outlined my current work in progress. I noted each chapter event and how things are worse at the end of the chapter. Rather than notecards on the floor, I stuck post-its on my wall so I could move two storylines around and see how they fit best together. My last book, Fractured Horizon, was a time-travel story and I learned a lot from it. Mostly I learned to keep a straight-forward timeline. This may look more like a tree than a book, but the shape of my final work is in there.

I hope that was helpful. I know it was for me. If not, perhaps you’d like to try the snowflake method. I found that method a bit cumbersome and never tried the software this website promotes. If you really don’t know where to start, make sure you’re familiar with the Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Here it is as explained by Jordan Mccollum.

Tell me what works for you.

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photo © 2010 John O’Nolan | more info (via: Wylio)

Step 1: Write

Yes, if you want to be a writer you do have to put the work in. This is the difference between someone who says they want to be a writer, and someone who is. Don’t have time? Make some. There is no other way.

Step 2: Improve your writing

There are many ways to improve your writing, and depending on what you need and what you’re ready to hear, you can take several approaches. You don’t have to try them all; see what appeals to you:

A) Read books on writing, such as those by Jack M. Bickham, Orson Scott Card, Stephen King, and Dwight V. Swain. I know you want to write, not read, but these books give you greater control over what you already (think) you know from reading fiction. Learn the lingo. Know what scene and sequel are? M-R units? POV?

B) Join a critique group, because friends and family aren’t objective and shouldn’t be expected to give coherent appraisals of writing unless they, too, are writers. If they are, then you have the core of a critique group. If you aren’t that lucky then look on meetup.com, inquire at your local library, join an online critique group, or form a new one yourself.

Here are a few online critique groups. Warning, they do require a time commitment:

• http://www.critters.org/ – FREE. You give critiques and after a certain number you’re allowed to submit a work for crit.
• http://www.otherworlds.net/ – FREE. Again, crits get you credits toward putting your own work up.
• http://www.onlinewritingworkshop.com/- $49 per year but first month is free. They also use credits, as well as you having to pay. Might be work trying the free month.

C) Take a writing course either through local schools, conventions, or online. Keep in mind that the quality varies. So does the price. My own belief is that you should read up and join a critique group before investing. There is no shortage of writing courses. It seems as if the only thing writers like more than writing about writing, is talking about it. The most discussed in science-fiction and fantasy is Clarion, but the course is six intensive weeks, which is hard for most lifestyles and many marriages.

Step 3: Submit your writing

I realize that you’re still critiquing, researching, writing, and re-working. At some point, you have to just get over it and begin submitting. Some people want to start with this step. Others might never arrive there. I say, it’s a necessary part of your education. Take your fragile jewel and send it into the world. Better yet, send a dozen. Odds are, most will be rejected. Go into it knowing that this is likely. Not a short story or article writer but exclusively a novelist? Then submit your opening chapters to contests and agents at conferences. Get real world feedback. You’d be surprised how just having that goal, knowing a stranger will be examining your words, takes you to another skill level. And if you’re lucky enough to get feedback, or to sell a story or win a contest, even better!

It may feel like you’re at everyone else’s mercy, but there are ways to improve your odds. First, have more than one baby. Sure, if your one perfect story is rejected it hurts. You’re crushed. So make sure you are invested in several different stories. Even if they are all rejected, the blows are smaller and you can keep rotating rejected stories to new markets so you always have hope. Even if one market doesn’t like your story, another might. Heinlein sent out stories, got rejections, and sent the story out again. He never made changes unless someone requested them. Be like Heinlein.

Improve your odds by sending your stories to the right markets and meeting their requirements. Logical, right? And researching markets is easier than ever.

Find the right market:

• http://duotrope.com/- let’s you search for markets and track your submissions. Tells you how long it typically takes to get a response and their acceptance rates. I unequivocally love this site.
• http://www.critters.org/blackholes/index.html- This page shows publisher response times. In addition to telling you just how long your manuscript is likely to be held up, it’s a list of places other people are submitting to.
• http://www.ralan.com/m.pay.php- list of markets

Keep in mind that many contests are exclusively for amateurs. Enter them while you still qualify. Submit to markets where you have an edge, such as a special theme months for magazines, anthologies with narrow topics, or exclusive contests that you’re perfect for. Each small win adds to your confidence and the list of credits you’re keeping for that all-important query letter.

Step 4: Persevere

Everyone has to start somewhere. The key is to start and then keep going. Contact other writers for advice, write agents, and query publishers. If they won’t respond, consider self publishing, print on demand, and ebooks. Podcast your novel to find your audience. And above all, keep writing.
Writers persevere.

Hope this is helpful. This is a high-level overview and every step could be broken into more steps. Leave a comment or write me on twitter or facebook if you’d like to chat further. Like I said, writers love talking about writing. And I’m a writer. Are you?

Subscribe to H.E. Roulo’s blog on writing and podcasting.

photo © 2009 goXunuReviews | more info (via: Wylio)

Why Independant Publishing?

Authors work hard, with little acknowledgement, begging publishers to pluck them from the mob and tell them their work is valuable. So it is understandable that recent stories of ebook millionaires and how Barry Eisler, an established author, turned down half a million dollars to self-publish is a beacon of hope. We could be in control? And be paid for what we love?

Those eBook and Kindle stories, such as Amanda Hocking (who now has a 4-book deal), are accompanied by a lot of disagreement and, to be blunt, arguing. Traditional publishers feel threatened. I’d still love to use them, but I also am incredibly pleased that authors have more options.

But hearing about the option didn’t make me truly understand it. How does the market work, and if I choose to put my book up will it be difficult to format? To price? To understand it better, did a dry run with a previously aired short story to which I still own the rights. Reselling a short story doesn’t bring much money from a magazine, so I’m not taking a huge risk. Before publishing, remember to ask yourself what your goals are. Self-publishing may bring in money if you are willing to promote it, but it can make selling to a publisher much more difficult.

Publishing on the Kindle

Now, if you haven’t tried this, publishing to the Kindle is far easier than you may think. Assuming that you have a cover and a polished text it takes only the amount of time needed to create an account, write up a blurb, and upload your cover and word document. Simple, but you do have to wait up to 24 hours for the book to appear online. It’s so easy, there’s a five minute youtube video you can follow along while you submit.

Publishing on Smashwords

Submitting to Smashwords took much more preparation and time. I followed the instructions in a very long guide to format my document according to their specifications. My story was simple text with very little formatting. I cannot imagine the headache of books with elaborate tables or special fonts. I’m especially glad I tried this with a short story and not my novel. After a few struggles, I loaded my story and it entered a queue to be formatted that took several hours. Still, Smashwords will make the story available on many markets (e.g., .pdf, Mobi, ePub) so I consider them well worth the time. See it here.

Pricing my Ebook Short Story

For me, the hard part was pricing. Should I offer Undergrowth, my science-fiction/horror short story, for $0.99 or something higher? I chose the lower option, even though it makes only 35% royalties, since this was my first work and relatively short. Even so, I had self-doubt and second thoughts. Had I been pricing my novel, I know my qualms would have been much worse. Debates rage in online forums and over twitter about pricing. Are authors devaluing their work? Will a lower price get more downloads and therefore a higher income, or at the very least drive enough sales to move you up in the ranking? But aren’t royalty percentages lower at low prices? In other words, the same questions that have driven markets since time immemorial.

Putting a single short story on Kindle for $0.99 isn’t going to have much of an impact on my income, but if it goes well I’ll use stories I already have for an anthology. And hopefully that will lead readers to the important purchase, my next novel. I’m working on it now, and I value it highly.

I hope others will also.

Fractured Horizon H.E. Roulo cover alternate

Artwork

Apparently I love to post when I have new images, and this month is no exception. Here’s another take on the Fractured Horizon book cover. Keep in mind, it’s a virtual book so the cover can be anything I want. How do you think this one compares?

Re-opening the Fractured Horizon Archive- Short stories coming up! 

The universe of Fractured Horizon, populated by feisty genetically engineered Adams and ambitious mystic Royals, along with our struggling heroine Kay, has been sadly neglected recently. But I’m booting up my ancient laptop, pulling up the old folders, and sorting through it for a hidden gem. I need just a small idea for the Podioracket Presents-Glimpses anthology. This is the second anthology we’ve edited, and this one will be available in both audio and ebook formats.

I haven’t settled on what story I’ll contribute to the anthology. I have a lot of material already available, including scenes from the near future when Kay awakens, when she sees David in the future (oh please, that isn’t a spoiler, you have to have expected it!) and about the rift and Ants. Alternately, I could explore side-stories with some of the other characters. Want to hear more about the Adam encampment? A particular character’s history?

If you have a preference, speak up now!

New Horror Short- Shockingly out there

I’ve been working on short stories for the last year, and it has been very rewarding. I’ve gotten published, and I’ve expanded my range. The latest piece, which will air on HorrorAddicts.net for their Valentine’s Day special was a huge stretch. It’s a shocking tale, intended for mature audiences, and may not appeal to all listeners. Feel free to check out this graphic horror story, or wait and know that I’ve got more of the sci-fi that you love coming soon.

Cover for Stripping the Zipper by H.E. Roulo

Here’s the blurb: Stripping the Zipper is the tale of an everyday woman who submerges herself in a world of latex and hidden obsessions only to discover that once she sees beyond prescribed normality even she isn’t what she thought.

I asked Devlin Donnelly for a cover in the new, minimalist style he’s adopted, for Stripping the Zipper and he really delivered. I think it’s very stylish.

Reader Response

I had a few GREAT comments come in, and your interest in Fractured Horizon makes me turn my attention back to that project as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to come to the site and comment. This comment by Robin I’m going to quote in full because it makes me so happy:

Heather, I just finished reading/listening to Fractured Horizon. I have to give you MAJOR KUDOS!!!

I’m usually disappointed by Sci-Fi novels written by women…not sure why, mostly I just feel they’re not technical enough & perhaps a bit too ‘mushy.’ But NOT YOU.

I love, Love, LOVED this book!!! I AM very excited to see you are considering a sequel. I will be EAGERLY monitoring your sight watching for it!

Thanks for sharing Your Talent,
Robin

Oh Robin, that’s music to my ears! I wrote Fractured Horizon to please myself. There have been, and will be, more changes as I come to accept the market that I’m writing for. It has been suggested that I need more of the ‘mushy’ stuff so that the reader understands what motivates Kay on her journey. I happen to like sentiment, and I’ve written several short stories for romance anthologies, but I want to make sure that it is appropriate. Fractured Horizon is, first and foremost, a sci-fi adventure.

You guys rock! I’ll be bringing you more as soon as it is ready. Keep reading.

Heather
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The worthy Rhonda R Carpenter was crowned the new Most Wicked. It’s great to pass along the honor and responsibility to my fabulous Podioracket.com partner. I’m sure she’ll have a blast running next year’s contest. Congrats, Rhonda!

This year’s contest inspired fan art for my winning story from a year ago, and I don’t want to miss a chance to post this great image by Devlin Donnelly.

If you remember, my story was about a guy who keeps re-burying a coffin which may or may not contain his lovely wife– a woman who sent heart shaped sandwiches and Twinkies in his lunchbox.
I like the art. What do you think?

You may also have noticed that on October 17th I added a short story to the Fractured Horizon Novel feed. It is the short story Great Asp & Little Death, which first appeared on HorrorAddicts.net. I thought I’d add a little fanfare and mention it here, in case you missed it on Horror Addicts and aren’t subscribed to the novel.

In the fantasy story Great Asp and Little Death, Death stalks a woman-warrior of near mythic proportion fresh from battle and dealing with her husband’s death and her own imminent demise. Will she achieve hero status and be made immortal? Or will the wounds to her heart and body give her over to Death first?

Waiting to hear about the new stuff? I’ll do another post before the end of the year talking about upcoming projects and responding to the FANTASTIC COMMENTS some of you have left. Love it!

As Most Wicked 2009, I helped host this year’s contest. Six horror short stories by the lovely but cruel Wicked Women Writers appear on HorrorAddicts.net for listeners to vote on by November 16th. Contest rules are at the end of each story. You could win prizes donated by each of the women!

Emerian Rich and I add our comments at the end of each story.

Each story is very different from the last, so if you enjoy horror please check them out and remember to vote.

Thank you for valuing on my work. You inspire me to continue writing.

The Pirate gives you sci-fi with a sense of fun. Much more optimistic than the horror shorts you may have heard from me recently.

The Blurb: What do you do when you are born in a paradise, that has never heard of the profession you born into?  You go with it, you play it to the hilt and you live you life by no ones rules but your own.

Want to know more about Flagship? Here’s how the editor, Zach Ricks, explain what they’re looking to put together:

With our first magazine, FlagShip, I wanted to hearken back to what some have called the Golden Age of Science Fiction. The people we regard as the grand masters of genre fiction, or a lot of them anyway, got their start writing in the “pulps”. There was a sense of optimism and hope in those old stories that I miss in more recent science fiction. Fantasy has been largely immune from this trend, so far as I know, but I worry about the negativity, the cynicism, and the pseudo-sophistication of the culture. In response to that, I have some specific things I want to accomplish.

He goes on to list 3 goals.

I love the optimism and the pulpy goodness of past masters and knew I had the perfect story. I’m glad that Flagship Magazine agreed.

The magazine is $1.99 for audio or etext versions, and $2.99 for both.