Angel Zapata's Blog, page 7
November 9, 2012
Friday Reading Recommendations (11/9): 3 Featured Writers
Twelve Steampunk Sonnets
by
Roz Kaveney
, published at
Tor
. These beautifully-crafted sonnets blew my mind. You better believe I was inspired to create my own.
An Otherwise Quiet Planet by Erin Entrada Kelly , published at the author’s blog. This is a delightfully lighthearted story about weirdo neighbors. Funny thing: sometimes we’re the weirdo neighbor.
The World in Rubber, Soft and Malleable by Aaron Polson , published at A Fly in Amber . This is a quietly creeping tale of adolescence and loss. It was published a few years back, but I only recently stumbled upon it. I also did not know Aaron lost his wife earlier this year. He’s confronting the pain as we writers often do, through the written word. Read his genuinely honest outpourings on his website. My heart goes out to him and his children.
If you like what you read, please make sure you let these talented writers know.
Enjoy!
An Otherwise Quiet Planet by Erin Entrada Kelly , published at the author’s blog. This is a delightfully lighthearted story about weirdo neighbors. Funny thing: sometimes we’re the weirdo neighbor.
The World in Rubber, Soft and Malleable by Aaron Polson , published at A Fly in Amber . This is a quietly creeping tale of adolescence and loss. It was published a few years back, but I only recently stumbled upon it. I also did not know Aaron lost his wife earlier this year. He’s confronting the pain as we writers often do, through the written word. Read his genuinely honest outpourings on his website. My heart goes out to him and his children.
If you like what you read, please make sure you let these talented writers know.
Enjoy!
November 5, 2012
Rejection and Acceptance Letter Etiquette: An Update
About three weeks ago I posted a query to writers and editors alike: Should a writer respond back to acceptance and/or rejection letters? You can read the original post
here
.
I had never read any articles about it nor had I ever discussed it with fellow writers. I felt it was a subject that needed to be addressed.
An issue that arose regarding my post was there needed to be a distinction between writers having work accepted for an online publication versus print. Correspondence with an editor for a print publication won’t end with the acceptance letter. There are contracts to sign, galley proofs to review, royalty negotiations, etc. In general, and this is my personal experience, online pub acceptances are more akin to “handshake” agreements, based on writer guideline rights, and require less follow-up.
As most of the responses I received were on my Facebook post, I thought I’d share these opinions here at the blog as well.
ACCEPTANCES:“I usually respond to acceptances, just to say thank you and to let them know that I am still interested because I find a lot of acceptance notices request confirmation of this.” - Chantal Boudreau (Writer)
“I respond to most with a thank you, looking forward to publication, etc, or with requested information.” - Erin Cole (Writer)
“I always respond to an acceptance with a thank you.” – Thomas Pluck (Writer)
“I usually send off a ‘thank you’ for acceptances...” – Chris Allinotte (Writer)
“It is extremely important to reply to every acceptance. The editor has liked your work. You really need to let them know you have read their acceptance letter. To not respond is in very poor taste, and grounds for an editor to never accept anything else from the writer. We editors want a response when we accept your work. If we don't get that response, however short ("Thank you!" etc.) then we are left feeling you couldn't care less.” - Scathe Meic Beorh (Editor of The Bradburyesque Quarterly)
“As an editor, I don't expect a reply to anything other than a revision request. That said, I think the whole editorial staff at Every Day Fiction does one of your "butt chair wiggles" when we hear back from writers (accepted or rejected) thanking us for the time we put into our responses. As a writer, I always respond positively to both acceptances and rejections. It might just be a little drop of good karma, but every drop helps."- J. C. Towler (Writer and editor at Every Day Fiction)
“Editors are inundated with mail, and unless they’ve written something that warrants a reply, etiquette demands I stay quiet. If it’s a book, the acceptance leads to a steady flow of mail, understandably.” - Rumjhum Biswas (Writer)
“I do, always, reply to acceptance letters. Usually it’s just a little note that expresses my happiness at the acceptance and anticipation about working with them/seeing my work in their pages/whatever. My reasoning is a) I want to establish a relationship with that editor since I'll be working with them, and also for potential future projects b) sometimes letters don’t say when publication is expected, I like to get an estimate at least c) it seems like the right thing to do. As an editor I appreciate it when the writer responds to an acceptance letter because it helps make them real to me, rather than just some nebulous form around a pen name. Also, since we’ll be working on edits and stuff together, it’s nice to get started in a friendly-type way.” - Rhonda Parrish (Writer and editor of Niteblade Magazine)
REJECTIONS:“I hardly ever respond to rejections. The rare time I do, it is in response to useful feedback provided with the rejection (they get a thank you to let them know I appreciate their time and consideration) and in one case I responded because one publisher sent me a rejection notice more than a year after I had submitted a short story.” - Chantal Boudreau (Writer)
“Editor rejected story but gave feedback on why. I responded to ask, if I changed the story in that way, would she like to see it again. Only done this one once, though she responded that yes, she did want to see the next draft.” John Wiswell (Writer)
“I never respond, unless like you, they have taken the time to give me valuable feedback.” - Erin Cole (Writer)
“I have responded to a few rejections when they had nice things to say but it wasn’t a good fit for them. I do not see a downside to being pleasant and professional. It is an investment which costs nothing.” – Thomas Pluck (Writer)
“... like you, if the rejection comes with helpful notes of any kind, I thank them for that too. Beyond that - no. The editors have sent out their letters and are now on to building the book/issue/etc, and most likely don’t want extra correspondence at that point.” – Chris Allinotte (Writer)
“Replying to rejections? Sometimes, if the editor has said something important. I have noted this through the years: query letters for short stories get them published far quick than without them. This is because the editor is developing a relationship with you as an actual person.” - Scathe Meic Beorh (Editor of The Bradburyesque Quarterly)
“Book rejections, if a form rejection, does not require a response."- Rumjhum Biswas (Writer)
“I always respond to rejection letters with a hand written note thanking them for their time and consideration in regards my story. I also include a $2.50 Visa gift card with a note saying ‘this cuppa Joe is on me.’ And at a convention a woman walked up to my booth handed me her card and asked if I knew who she was, when I told her no, she reminded me that I sent her a thank you note for a rejection letter. She bought two of my books and said she wasn’t surprised to see me doing well. This is not what I thought would happen when I sent those thank you notes, there was no ulterior motive. I sent them because I wanted to say thank you.” – Crystal Connor (Writer)
“As a writer I never reply to rejection letters for reasons that are probably obvious. (As an editor) I never expect or want replies to rejection letters though, even to personal rejection letters. There’s nothing wrong with them (so long as they aren’t arrogant or argumentative) but they aren’t necessary either.” - Rhonda Parrish (Writer and editor of Niteblade Magazine)
*
In his memoir ‘A Simple Act of Gratitude’ author John Kralik writes about how sending ‘thank-you’ notes changed his life. Based on the responses above, maybe it’s time I made this very same change.
Thank you to all the writers and editors who took the time to share their views.
-Angel
I had never read any articles about it nor had I ever discussed it with fellow writers. I felt it was a subject that needed to be addressed.
An issue that arose regarding my post was there needed to be a distinction between writers having work accepted for an online publication versus print. Correspondence with an editor for a print publication won’t end with the acceptance letter. There are contracts to sign, galley proofs to review, royalty negotiations, etc. In general, and this is my personal experience, online pub acceptances are more akin to “handshake” agreements, based on writer guideline rights, and require less follow-up.
As most of the responses I received were on my Facebook post, I thought I’d share these opinions here at the blog as well.
ACCEPTANCES:“I usually respond to acceptances, just to say thank you and to let them know that I am still interested because I find a lot of acceptance notices request confirmation of this.” - Chantal Boudreau (Writer)
“I respond to most with a thank you, looking forward to publication, etc, or with requested information.” - Erin Cole (Writer)
“I always respond to an acceptance with a thank you.” – Thomas Pluck (Writer)
“I usually send off a ‘thank you’ for acceptances...” – Chris Allinotte (Writer)
“It is extremely important to reply to every acceptance. The editor has liked your work. You really need to let them know you have read their acceptance letter. To not respond is in very poor taste, and grounds for an editor to never accept anything else from the writer. We editors want a response when we accept your work. If we don't get that response, however short ("Thank you!" etc.) then we are left feeling you couldn't care less.” - Scathe Meic Beorh (Editor of The Bradburyesque Quarterly)
“As an editor, I don't expect a reply to anything other than a revision request. That said, I think the whole editorial staff at Every Day Fiction does one of your "butt chair wiggles" when we hear back from writers (accepted or rejected) thanking us for the time we put into our responses. As a writer, I always respond positively to both acceptances and rejections. It might just be a little drop of good karma, but every drop helps."- J. C. Towler (Writer and editor at Every Day Fiction)
“Editors are inundated with mail, and unless they’ve written something that warrants a reply, etiquette demands I stay quiet. If it’s a book, the acceptance leads to a steady flow of mail, understandably.” - Rumjhum Biswas (Writer)
“I do, always, reply to acceptance letters. Usually it’s just a little note that expresses my happiness at the acceptance and anticipation about working with them/seeing my work in their pages/whatever. My reasoning is a) I want to establish a relationship with that editor since I'll be working with them, and also for potential future projects b) sometimes letters don’t say when publication is expected, I like to get an estimate at least c) it seems like the right thing to do. As an editor I appreciate it when the writer responds to an acceptance letter because it helps make them real to me, rather than just some nebulous form around a pen name. Also, since we’ll be working on edits and stuff together, it’s nice to get started in a friendly-type way.” - Rhonda Parrish (Writer and editor of Niteblade Magazine)
REJECTIONS:“I hardly ever respond to rejections. The rare time I do, it is in response to useful feedback provided with the rejection (they get a thank you to let them know I appreciate their time and consideration) and in one case I responded because one publisher sent me a rejection notice more than a year after I had submitted a short story.” - Chantal Boudreau (Writer)
“Editor rejected story but gave feedback on why. I responded to ask, if I changed the story in that way, would she like to see it again. Only done this one once, though she responded that yes, she did want to see the next draft.” John Wiswell (Writer)
“I never respond, unless like you, they have taken the time to give me valuable feedback.” - Erin Cole (Writer)
“I have responded to a few rejections when they had nice things to say but it wasn’t a good fit for them. I do not see a downside to being pleasant and professional. It is an investment which costs nothing.” – Thomas Pluck (Writer)
“... like you, if the rejection comes with helpful notes of any kind, I thank them for that too. Beyond that - no. The editors have sent out their letters and are now on to building the book/issue/etc, and most likely don’t want extra correspondence at that point.” – Chris Allinotte (Writer)
“Replying to rejections? Sometimes, if the editor has said something important. I have noted this through the years: query letters for short stories get them published far quick than without them. This is because the editor is developing a relationship with you as an actual person.” - Scathe Meic Beorh (Editor of The Bradburyesque Quarterly)
“Book rejections, if a form rejection, does not require a response."- Rumjhum Biswas (Writer)
“I always respond to rejection letters with a hand written note thanking them for their time and consideration in regards my story. I also include a $2.50 Visa gift card with a note saying ‘this cuppa Joe is on me.’ And at a convention a woman walked up to my booth handed me her card and asked if I knew who she was, when I told her no, she reminded me that I sent her a thank you note for a rejection letter. She bought two of my books and said she wasn’t surprised to see me doing well. This is not what I thought would happen when I sent those thank you notes, there was no ulterior motive. I sent them because I wanted to say thank you.” – Crystal Connor (Writer)
“As a writer I never reply to rejection letters for reasons that are probably obvious. (As an editor) I never expect or want replies to rejection letters though, even to personal rejection letters. There’s nothing wrong with them (so long as they aren’t arrogant or argumentative) but they aren’t necessary either.” - Rhonda Parrish (Writer and editor of Niteblade Magazine)
*
In his memoir ‘A Simple Act of Gratitude’ author John Kralik writes about how sending ‘thank-you’ notes changed his life. Based on the responses above, maybe it’s time I made this very same change.
Thank you to all the writers and editors who took the time to share their views.
-Angel
November 2, 2012
Friday Reading Recommendations: 3 Featured Writers
Thought I’d take a moment to share links to some recent favorite reads of mine. These stories are intense and do not disappoint.
Judith of the Lions by R.S. Bohn, published at Three-Lobe Burning Eye. This beautifully apocalyptic story is truly haunting and tears at the heart.
7 Seconds by Erin Cole, published at All Due Respect. You are going to love how Erin captures so much gritty action in a second by second portrait of terror.
Thirsty? by Jennifer Ripley, published at Every Day Fiction. It’s a nasty little zombie tale that’s stomach-churning yet satisfying on the palate.
If you like what you read, make sure you let these talented writers know.
Enjoy!
Judith of the Lions by R.S. Bohn, published at Three-Lobe Burning Eye. This beautifully apocalyptic story is truly haunting and tears at the heart.
7 Seconds by Erin Cole, published at All Due Respect. You are going to love how Erin captures so much gritty action in a second by second portrait of terror.
Thirsty? by Jennifer Ripley, published at Every Day Fiction. It’s a nasty little zombie tale that’s stomach-churning yet satisfying on the palate.
If you like what you read, make sure you let these talented writers know.
Enjoy!
October 31, 2012
Halloween Horror: Lost Soles at Thrillers, Killers ‘n’ Chillers
Thrillers, Killers ‘n’ Chillers recently held the 2012 Halloween Horror Competition. To my delight, my story Lost Soles won first place! There’s no better day than Halloween for a writer of horror to be published.
Three runner-up writers were also recognized for their brilliant works of horror. Please show your support by dropping by, reading, and if you can, provide some feedback.
The Granny Farmer by Lee Hughes The Perfect Wife by Allan Watson Gabriel’s Reflection by A J Humpage
Many thanks to the accomplished authors/editors of TKnC: Lily Childs, Col Bury, Matt Hilton, and David Barber.
Happy Halloween!
October 19, 2012
Rejection and Acceptance Letter Etiquette: When should a writer respond?
WRITERS and EDITORS,
Should a writer respond back to acceptance and/or rejection letters? I’m not sure if there’s a true standard practice, but here’s my take on the issue: Acceptances— I do not reply to 97% of manuscript acceptances. I do smile and sometimes perform a happy, ‘wiggle my butt in the chair as I read it’ dance, but I won’t respond unless I need to sign and return a contract. My 3% exception is for those acceptance letters that are more than just a form response. If an editor takes the time to communicate specific passages from my manuscript they liked or loved, I want to make sure they know I appreciate it.
Rejections— I do not reply to 99% of rejections. The remaining 1% is reserved for editors who provide an unsolicited critique with the rejection letter. This is a rare, invaluable opportunity for honest-to-goodness feedback, and in my opinion, deserves— at the very least— a sincere thank you for their efforts and time.
So…
Editors— What are your expectations?
Writers— What is your practice?
Should a writer respond back to acceptance and/or rejection letters? I’m not sure if there’s a true standard practice, but here’s my take on the issue: Acceptances— I do not reply to 97% of manuscript acceptances. I do smile and sometimes perform a happy, ‘wiggle my butt in the chair as I read it’ dance, but I won’t respond unless I need to sign and return a contract. My 3% exception is for those acceptance letters that are more than just a form response. If an editor takes the time to communicate specific passages from my manuscript they liked or loved, I want to make sure they know I appreciate it.
Rejections— I do not reply to 99% of rejections. The remaining 1% is reserved for editors who provide an unsolicited critique with the rejection letter. This is a rare, invaluable opportunity for honest-to-goodness feedback, and in my opinion, deserves— at the very least— a sincere thank you for their efforts and time.
So…
Editors— What are your expectations?
Writers— What is your practice?
October 13, 2012
MicroHorror 2012 Story Contest: The Blood Worms
Editor Nathan Rosen is accepting submissions for the
MicroHorror 2012 Story Contest
. This year's theme is "Art."
My piece, The Blood Worms , was published today.
Thanks, Nathan!
My piece, The Blood Worms , was published today.
Thanks, Nathan!
October 5, 2012
New Poetry: Brood and Mass and Mirrors at Mused
I’m happy to report my poems,
Brood
and
Mass and Mirrors,
have been published in the latest issue of Mused: BellaOnline Literary Review. The
Fall 2012 Issue
is loaded with new poetry, fiction, non-fiction, art and photography, and interviews.They are currently accepting submissions for the Winter Solstice 2012 issue. You can find the guidelines here.
Thanks to publisher/editor Lisa Shea and all the staff at Mused.
October 3, 2012
New Poetry: Snowmouth at Every Day Poets
My dark/thriller poem,
Snowmouth,
is featured today at
Every Day Poets.
The staff at EDP work very hard to continually present readers with new works of poetry every single day of the year. Let them know you appreciate their efforts by spending some time on their site. Read the work of poets and, if their words move you, let them know by leaving a comment.As ever, thanks to editors Oonah V. Joslin, Kathleen Cassen Mickelson, Constance Brewer, and Jeff Jeppesen.
October 1, 2012
Penny Fiction at From the Depths
Haunted Waters Press
has released their latest issue of
From the Depths.
This is a very slick online horror magazine. Do yourself a favor and plunge into its bloody pages.
They also include a Penny Fiction microflash feature in every issue. The Fall 2012 Issue showcases 13-word horror stories. I’m thrilled to report my story, After Lovemaking, was one of the chosen tales.
Many thanks to editors Susan Warren Utley and Penny Dreadful. Guidelines for open submissions can be found
here.
They also include a Penny Fiction microflash feature in every issue. The Fall 2012 Issue showcases 13-word horror stories. I’m thrilled to report my story, After Lovemaking, was one of the chosen tales.
Many thanks to editors Susan Warren Utley and Penny Dreadful. Guidelines for open submissions can be found
here.
September 25, 2012
Simon Comes to Life at Flash Pulp
Flash Pulp
has released an audio presentation of my weird tale,
Nothing Simple About Simon
. The story was originally published in the
Devilfish Review.
Jessica May and Opopanax did a wonderful job. Thanks to Jrd Skinner for the open invitation. I'm quite pleased. There's just something so special about hearing stories read aloud.
Jessica May and Opopanax did a wonderful job. Thanks to Jrd Skinner for the open invitation. I'm quite pleased. There's just something so special about hearing stories read aloud.
