Aaron Polson's Blog, page 40

The Tiny End of the Long Tail

Yesterday marked the N+1 time I officially wanted to give up writing. Or quit. Or however you want to phrase the term stop. A few factors contributed to my poor attitude, including a nasty head cold (which is still hanging on) and a rejection. Yes, I've had plenty of rejections. No, they don't usually bother me (much) any more. The story had been short listed (which is great) but the rejection cited factors such as limited space and fit the theme of the issue. Sometimes it's not about a story being good enough.

Here's the truth: there aren't enough quality venues for good stories, let alone those that pay. You can call it sour grapes; I don't mind. Those who have been around the proverbial block will understand.

I also read "What Publishers, Authors & Journalists Can Learn from Indie Rock and Music Blogs" on GalleyCat. Let me quote a few eye-openers:

"Most successful indie rock stars earn a teachers' salary through record sales, touring, and merchandise. For publishing, that means we have to adjust our expectations."

Wait...a teacher's salary? (um, speaking of that...your apostrophe is in the wrong place, GalleyCat) I already earn a teacher's salary, plus benefits. Indie rock stars don't have health insurance plans.

"You have to work for every fan, from blog interviews to hanging out in bars after the show."

I'm trying, I'm trying. How does one fight obscurity? That, to me, is the real question.

And from the Music Blogs side:

"Let your readers create on your site. "

Hmmm...wheels turning...thoughts forming...I'll get back to you on that one.

The bottom line, really, is I'm at the very tiny end of the long tail.* I assume I'll stay there for my career (at least somewhere in the long tail). I'm pretty happy with that, but it does effect the kind of writing I'm willing to do.

For example: you know I love short stories. Writing short stories, especially genre stories of the kind I write (horror, fantasy, magical realism), won't boost one's position in the long tail much, even if a writer publishes in the biggest genre mags. I'm okay with that. I'm okay with anything which allows me to hang around and share stories. Anything which kills my desire to write...well...

Have you read Natalie Whipple's post about her harrowing journey toward publication? (she used to be one of Nathan Bransford's clients) Um, sorry. Not for me. She does follow up with a nice take on what she's learned. The truth: even after you win, you haven't won anything. Kevin J. Anderson (genre writer extraordinaire and editor of Blood Lite II) wrote about "False Summits...and Careers in Writing." Read it. Another eye opener.

I'll end my little ramble with this: Ten years ago, Aimee and I took a trip to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park. On our last day in the Tetons, we took a short hike into Paintbrush Canyon. We were exhausted after a week of exploring and day hikes. Aimee was sure the big Paintbrush Canyon payoff was just around every corner. She expected something big, the summit, the epiphany, the very mustache of Zeus. We stopped at one point, and the epiphany struck. We'd been surrounded by the big payoff the whole time if we'd just stopped to look around. The lesson: if you focus on a distant shore, you'll miss the journey. Enjoy the journey. It's all you really have.

*Don't know what the "long tail" is? Here's a primer from Wired Magazine and writer Chris Anderson (who basically coined the concept).

Weird and Creeepy Shopping List

As promised, I bring you a small shopping list for the weird reader on your list. (click on the images for purchasing info)

Yes, it may seem a little self-serving (being a Strange Publications book and all), but Cate's collection is wonderful. Check out www.strangemeninpinstripesuits.com and read the reviews.



I'm a big fan of just about everything Kim Paffenroth has written. If you haven't taken a peek at Valley of the Dead yet, you should grab a copy (or buy two and send one to a loved one). Smart horror, folks.

When I was seven, my sister gave me one of the best gifts she could: a subscription to the Star Wars comic book (then produced by Marvel). How about giving that fantasy lover a subscription to a nice small press mag like Shimmer?


Or, for the horror fan on your list, a subscription to Necrotic Tissue, a magazine which never fails to entertain.


Okay, so some people like poetry. Some people like their poetry weird (and somewhat dark). Stuff A Mouth for Picket Fences by Barry Napier in their stocking.


I'll wrap up with a gift which never fails to put a smile on my face: old EC comics from the '50s. Reprints (and some originals) are readily available on eBay. You might even snag one of the increasingly rare hardcover reprints.

What reading material do you plan on buying for the ghouls on your holiday list?

Friday Loves the Library

When I was a child, the public library was a haven. I knew where to find the books I wanted by memorizing their relative location on the shelves in the basement (the kid's section). With glee, I took the "secret entrance" hidden behind bushes in the front of the building. The haunted second floor called to me with its dark woodwork, high ceilings and creaking floors.

School libraries were always special places, especially during junior high after we found all the "dirty words" in the urban dictionary.

When I was in college, I'd walk through the stacks just to be surrounded by books. I studied in the stacks, finding the quietest corner I could: a desk tucked in an out-of-the-way niche. The library was safe. Peaceful. Alive.

I love the public library now. Its a place to find books to feed my ravenous second grader, new authors to explore, comedy DVDs to watch with my wife and prove I'm not all "ghosts and cobwebs".

Libraries are our friends. As a writer, I can think of no better monument to the written word. (Used bookstores are pretty awesome, too, but that's another post).

So here's the call to action:

This holiday season, think about a "gift" donation to a library (public or school). Libraries (almost always) take cash donations, and most won't turn away a book. Think about buying a copy of your favorite novel, collection, or biography (if the library doesn't already have one). Better yet, introduce them to something from the small press and help support writers who might not be on the "radar".

Our school library is running a campaign through Book-Boosters to raise money (www.book-boosters.com/bulldogbooks). I think its a great idea.

On Monday, I'll mention a few "gift ideas". Let me know if you have a book you'd like me to include (aaron.polson(at)gmail.com).

Have a safe weekend.

WIP Wednesday: Winning and Winners

First things first...

Thanks to our good friends at Random.org, Alan W. Davidson has won the grand prize in the Very Loathsome Contest ($25 bucks to spend at an online bookstore of his choice, Heart of Darkness, and Robert Frost's poems) and Gef Fox has landed second prize (Heart of Darkness and a copy of 52 Stitches 2010). I'll be in touch soon, gentlemen. And as a big thank your to anyone who played along, I'll send those singed bookmarks soon (I just placed the order yesterday). If you entered the contest and I don't have your mailing address, please drop me a line at aaron.polson(at)gmail.com.

Wait...did the Canadians just sweep the prizes? I think they did. I'll post rules for another opportunity to line your pockets with cash next week. Until then, thanks for playing along and getting the word out about Loathsome, Dark and Deep.

Speaking of winners, Erin Cole is a big winner with her Holiday Book Blog Catalog. Check it out and support some small press folks. I'm thinking about putting one together...suggestions from the cryptkeeper and all that. Extra signal boost never hurts a small press author (or any author). The time frame is short as I'll post my holiday buying suggestions on Monday, December 6th. (I don't have a snappy name yet) Interested? Drop an email to aaron.polson(at)gmail.com with a cover art jpg, blurb, and buying info. Deadline is Friday, December 3rd.

Yes, and I have a real WIP, too. I hope to wrap up How We Die in a Hungry Town by the end of December. Astute visitors will note the title is a wee bit longer now.


Just a little way to the river. A short drop.

[Mike] climbed on the edge of the railing. His sister smiled in the darkness and held out her hand.

"It's easy," she said. "Just a little jump and we're both free."

"Free?"

"Out of here at least." She smiled.

Did I mention Mike's sister is dead?

That's a Big...Pencil

This picture is for Karen Schindler:


I received the "big" pencil as a gift when I was nominated for Kansas Teacher of the Year in '06. The smaller (regular scale) version with my name is an artifact of my childhood. My dear mother ordered a box of personalized pencils. The red specimen might be the last survivor from that box.

I'm not teaching a class on hunting monsters. Yet.

But I do have the pencil.

A Loathsome Cyber Monday (Wink, Wink)

I don't know who invented the term Cyber Monday, but I'm happy to say Loathsome, Dark, & Deep made it to Amazon just in time. Even though pre-orders are finished, you can still enter the "Very Loathsome Contest" until midnight (CST) tomorrow.

(or you could just buy five or six copies...that'd be a good idea, right?) If you do shop online this Cyber Monday, make sure to grab wonderful books published by your favorite small presses, many of which almost exclusively sell online via Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, etc. Keep supporting the small press to make this a better world.

WIP Wednesday: I Can Has Plot

Yeah...okay...sue me. I think the LOL cats or whatever-the-hell they're called are kind of lame, but I had a black cat like the one in the picture when I was growing up, and well, I miss him sometimes. Cat's can be so primal, y'know? Like, if they were bigger, they'd eat us.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow here in the "States" (yum), so I'll just leave you with this (it's not as plot spoiling as the black cat):

"You been up to the cemetery tonight?" Deputy Harrison's black mustache froze, and his tiny eyes punched two holes in the pale sheet of his face. Dry ice pumped into my stomach at the mention of the cemetery. The ghost of limestone gates flashed past as Megan and I drove home. It'd looked quiet. A breeze cut across the yard, rattling limbs like old bones. Harrison scratched the side of his face, but he never even shivered.

Attention Spans My Arse

In the U.K., they're celebrating "National Short Story Week". I wish we'd adopt the holiday across the pond.

One blogger posted: "It's a week to celebrate short attention spans!" (I've happily lost the link...sorry.)

Loving short stories has nothing to do with a short attention span. I'm sick of hearing it.

Here's what short stories can do (which you rarely find in "successful" longer fiction): they can push boundaries, take chances, and experiment. Each word becomes more important, every sentence a movement in the symphony, each paragraph a fist to the jaw. Yes, there are novels which do as much, but they seldom sell well. Novels are the commercial medium. That's their anchor, their curse.

It is my contention (based on several years of experience as a writer and reader) professional short fiction markets seek stories with grit, voice, and originality while the best selling novels are formulaic, trite, and easy on the brain.

Maybe it's the novels which cater to short attention spans...or, at least, simple minds?

Disagree? I'm glad you do. Let's hear it.

Edited to add: Read the wonderful "Principles of a Story" by Raymond Carver, one of my short story heroes.

Plot Wrangling & The Bradbury Year

I've struggled with my WIP. Some lines have jumped, fully formed, from my brain like Athena from the head of Zeus. Beautiful lines. Someone else's lines.

And then I sat back this weekend and wonder what the hell it was all about.

My plot needed a unifying theme, something to bring all the bits into line. I think I found it, but I'm not showing my hand. Yet. Let's just say there's something worse in town than the dead coming back to life. (Should I mention the dead are afraid of the "something worse"?)

I really want to finish this novella/novel/whatever-the-hell-it-is before the end of the year because...

I'm participating in Write 1/Sub 1 next year. (Thanks to Milo James Fowler and co.)

Here's the rationale:

1. I love short stories. I love writing them and I love reading them.

2. I love Ray Bradbury.

3. It's an opportunity to spend a year doing something I love and following in the "footsteps" of an author I respect.

How can I lose?

People preach that writers need to have a platform, a message, a central "thing". If I do, mine is the sheer love of storytelling. I believe in short fiction. I think it can save the world.

First Line(s) Friday

First line of "Upon Leaving the Candy Factory," a short story in which zombies shovel sugar while wearing bio-hazard suits:

Times are tough all over.

First line of "Soul Marbles," a flash story which has seen several short lists but no home:

Mom had already been crying when she found me sitting on the concrete floor of the garage with a hammer in my hand.

First line of Kij Johnson's wonderful "Ponies" at Tor.com:

The invitation card has a Western theme.

First line of Grace Krilanovich's The Orange Eats Creeps (a novel which I will read before the year is over):

The sun is setting.

May your weekend have many first lines.