S.L. Viehl's Blog, page 68
February 1, 2015
2 Sub Ops
I spotted this double op over in the Paying Markets forum at AbsoluteWrite.com:
"We love anthologies. Can’t get enough of them. So what are we doing about it? Well, Broken Eye Books is preparing to unleash two new anthologies, following up on this past year’s By Faerie Light.
It is our pleasure to announce the new anthologies Ghost in the Cogs and Tomorrow’s Cthulhu. The first is alternate history steampunk ghost stories and the second is transhumanist near-future science fiction tales of the Cthulhu Mythos.
If you would like to submit a story for one of them, we are having an open reading period for original fiction submissions from March 1, 2015 to April 1, 2015.
We are paying six (6) cents per word for up to 4,000 words. Publication requires first rights for the print and digital versions of the anthology. No reprints. You may submit one submission per anthology. Please, no simultaneous submissions."
Get more details on the anthos from Broken Eye Books here.
"We love anthologies. Can’t get enough of them. So what are we doing about it? Well, Broken Eye Books is preparing to unleash two new anthologies, following up on this past year’s By Faerie Light.
It is our pleasure to announce the new anthologies Ghost in the Cogs and Tomorrow’s Cthulhu. The first is alternate history steampunk ghost stories and the second is transhumanist near-future science fiction tales of the Cthulhu Mythos.
If you would like to submit a story for one of them, we are having an open reading period for original fiction submissions from March 1, 2015 to April 1, 2015.
We are paying six (6) cents per word for up to 4,000 words. Publication requires first rights for the print and digital versions of the anthology. No reprints. You may submit one submission per anthology. Please, no simultaneous submissions."
Get more details on the anthos from Broken Eye Books here.
January 31, 2015
PBW's Book of the Month
Reading is a pleasure I had to give up for most of the second half of last year, and since my eye surgeries completely reversed my vision I've also had some trouble adjusting to the changes. The good news is that I can finally focus well enough to read regularly again, and managed to knock out seven books in January:
As promised I picked one of my reads to be my book of the month for January, and (probably to no one's surprise) it is First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen, the long-awaited sequel to her enchanting novel Garden Spells.
First Frost takes the reader back to the magical little town of Bascom, North Carolina, home of the Waverley sisters. The story takes place some ten years after the events that unfolded in Garden Spells, so a great deal has changed -- both Claire and Sydney Waverley are married and settled down, and the next generation of Waverley women are growing up fast. Trouble in several forms has been brewing or blown into town, and the challenges all the Waverleys face are not of the common, contrived purely for conflict variety. Commercial success has distracted Claire so much that it's shoved her into the realm of self-doubt, while Sydney has been valiantly trying (and failing) to give her husband a son. Sydney's daughter Bay has come into her unique gift but it's causing her nothing but heartache and trouble. And then there's the old carny drifter, and the secrets he's brought with him to Bascom as he watches Claire from a discreet distance.
I chose this book as my January pick as it is a wonderful, beautifully written story that did not disappointment me in the slightest, and it's been a awhile since I can say that about any book. It's definitely one of the wisest sequels to a beloved novel I've ever read, and demonstrates in innummerable ways just how talented the author is, and how great her affection for her characters has grown over time. I also adore the subtle, magical cover art; whoever at St. Martin's Press is responsible for it deserves a huge hug and a hefty raise. Those of you who are devoted Allen readers will enjoy this one a lot. Those of you who haven't tried this author should first read Garden Spells because it makes reading First Frost that much more enjoyable.
So what book did you read in January would you pick as your book of the month, and why? Let us know in comments.
As promised I picked one of my reads to be my book of the month for January, and (probably to no one's surprise) it is First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen, the long-awaited sequel to her enchanting novel Garden Spells.
First Frost takes the reader back to the magical little town of Bascom, North Carolina, home of the Waverley sisters. The story takes place some ten years after the events that unfolded in Garden Spells, so a great deal has changed -- both Claire and Sydney Waverley are married and settled down, and the next generation of Waverley women are growing up fast. Trouble in several forms has been brewing or blown into town, and the challenges all the Waverleys face are not of the common, contrived purely for conflict variety. Commercial success has distracted Claire so much that it's shoved her into the realm of self-doubt, while Sydney has been valiantly trying (and failing) to give her husband a son. Sydney's daughter Bay has come into her unique gift but it's causing her nothing but heartache and trouble. And then there's the old carny drifter, and the secrets he's brought with him to Bascom as he watches Claire from a discreet distance.
I chose this book as my January pick as it is a wonderful, beautifully written story that did not disappointment me in the slightest, and it's been a awhile since I can say that about any book. It's definitely one of the wisest sequels to a beloved novel I've ever read, and demonstrates in innummerable ways just how talented the author is, and how great her affection for her characters has grown over time. I also adore the subtle, magical cover art; whoever at St. Martin's Press is responsible for it deserves a huge hug and a hefty raise. Those of you who are devoted Allen readers will enjoy this one a lot. Those of you who haven't tried this author should first read Garden Spells because it makes reading First Frost that much more enjoyable.
So what book did you read in January would you pick as your book of the month, and why? Let us know in comments.
January 30, 2015
Alphabet Art
This short film demonstrates how artful (and strangely sexy) the alphabet can be (with background music, for those of you at work):
Textures from We are Maniacs on Vimeo.
January 29, 2015
Just Write
Today I'm off to write something new and post it online before midnight. Everyone inclined to do the same is invited to join me.
My link: More on Club Denizen , with new material beginning on page 19.
For more details on Just Write Thursdays, click here to go to the original post.
Image credit: windujedi
January 28, 2015
No to the Shingle
Last month I mentioned that I'm currently working as a writer-for-hire and copywriter, and that's been going quite well. So well, in fact, that I'm able to get by on what I'm making out of the limelight, so I will likely be doing it for as long as it continues to be as congenial, easy and pleasant as it is.I also talked about setting up a page for my WFH services, and I even wrote one up, but every time I consider posting it on the blog something in me digs heel-in and refuses to do it. While I know everyone would understand (and it would definitely help me out financially) I didn't create this blog to turn it into a personal money maker. I appreciate all the readers who come here and support me by purchasing my novels, but PBW isn't about me making a living. It's the one place where I can talk shop and share resources and feel that I'm part of a community that geuninely cares about books and writing.
Btw, this is not me snotting on everyone who does generate income from their blogs, so please don't take offense if you do. This is just how I feel about what has been my labor of love for a decade. It's selfish and probably stupid, but I want PBW to stay a labor of love. That means more to me than making a buck.
January 27, 2015
Free Pics
If you're looking for free stock photos to use for your blog or non-profit-making projects, you may find what you need over at StockPhotosforFree.com. To download any of their images all you have to do is create an account (which is also free).
Here's a slideshow of some of the neat pics I found on my first visit:
Here's a slideshow of some of the neat pics I found on my first visit:
January 26, 2015
Sub Op
SF Romance Quarterly has an open call for their upcoming issue #6: "All sub-genres of science fiction will be considered. Any heat level, from sweet to erotic, will be considered. Original, previously unpublished fiction only. No fan fiction, please. All stories must contain elements of science-fiction, include romance, and have an upbeat ending." Length: 2-7.5K; Payment: "2.5 cents/word (US) paid upon publication, promotional biography with two links, and a complimentary quarter-page advertisement." See editor's post for more details. Deadline for Issue #6: February 28th, 2015.
January 24, 2015
Off to Write
I'm bailing on you guys for the weekend to catch up on some work. So that your stop here was not a complete waste, here's a very interesting video from PBS that takes a look at three forms of steampunk as art:
Off Book: Steampunk from PBS Digital Studios on Vimeo.
January 23, 2015
Start with Fun
If your creativity needs a kick in the pants, the next nine minutes may be the David Beckham of boots (narrated, with background music, for those of you at work):
The Creative Life from Shawn Blanc on Vimeo.
January 22, 2015
Just Write
Today I'm off to write something new and post it online before midnight. Everyone inclined to do the same is invited to join me.
For more details on Just Write Thursdays, click here to go to the original post.
Image credit: windujedi
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