Aaron Polson's Blog, page 78
May 29, 2009
Triangulation: Dark Glass (Thus Far)
Triangulation: Dark Glass will be released in time for the PARSEC's annual Confluence convention, on the weekend of July 24-26, 2009. The anthology includes the following stories (in no particular order):
"The Milton Feinhoff Problem" -- Mark Onspaugh
"More Things in Heaven and Earth" -- Jason K Chapman
"One Touch to Remember" -- David Seigler
"Deadglass" -- Lon Prater
"Souls on Display" -- Kurt Kirchmeier
"Imaginal Friend" -- Ken Chiacchia
"Saint Darwin's Spirtuals" -- Dave Thompson
"Windows to the So
May 27, 2009
You're Sh#tting Me?
Reprint?
The debate is over.
My head won, convincing me that it was my heart, too. The stories started talking to me, and they want to be read. (Nods to Katey for the Konrath link yesterday). I'll still take a high-profile print mag any day, but the truth is, most print mags aren't as high profile as they once were.
I have a few (maybe a dozen) published stories that I'm pretty happy with and for which the rights have reverted to me. What to do, what to do. The reprint options are woeful. (Nods to
My head won, convincing me that it was my heart, too. The stories started talking to me, and they want to be read. (Nods to Katey for the Konrath link yesterday). I'll still take a high-profile print mag any day, but the truth is, most print mags aren't as high profile as they once were.
I have a few (maybe a dozen) published stories that I'm pretty happy with and for which the rights have reverted to me. What to do, what to do. The reprint options are woeful. (Nods to
May 26, 2009
In the Trenches
Do you "get" the internet?
Read this article: "Four People Who Don't Get the Internet", and add to the list. The same idea (with different examples) has been jostling around inside my head for a while. Mr. Miller (the author) uses the term "wild west" to describe the 'net, and I think the comparison is valid. The landscape is constantly changing...and lawlessness is the law of the land.
So, 1. what does any of this have to do with writing? 2. With the title of this post?
1. The democratizing
Read this article: "Four People Who Don't Get the Internet", and add to the list. The same idea (with different examples) has been jostling around inside my head for a while. Mr. Miller (the author) uses the term "wild west" to describe the 'net, and I think the comparison is valid. The landscape is constantly changing...and lawlessness is the law of the land.
So, 1. what does any of this have to do with writing? 2. With the title of this post?
1. The democratizing
May 22, 2009
Why I Begin with the End
Barry Napier planted the seed with a post about deus ex machina ("god from a machine"), KV Taylor watered the garden with a a nod to Hitchcock, and now I add my nickel's worth to the discussion. (it was two cents but inflation kicked in)
Why I Begin with the End
Two things need to happen before I write a story:
1. The seed, the spark, the idea. This usually involves a character and a conflict.
2. A resolution for that conflict--somewhere I'm going with the story. This resolution often changes as I w
Why I Begin with the End
Two things need to happen before I write a story:
1. The seed, the spark, the idea. This usually involves a character and a conflict.
2. A resolution for that conflict--somewhere I'm going with the story. This resolution often changes as I w
May 21, 2009
A Picture is Worth at Least a Few Hundred Words
Writer's block? Need inspiration?
Try a random assortment of pictures from the last seven days at Flickr to inspire your writing.
Try a random assortment of pictures from the last seven days at Flickr to inspire your writing.
"Baba Yaga" from designer and folder Victoria Serova
May 19, 2009
The Great Electronic Debate Part 2
A cappella Zoo
is opening an online archive of previously published stories. The editor, Colin Meldrum, sent an email asking for permission to publish/archive "A Sort of Honeymoon". I didn't hesitate in replying "yes".
I started this internal debate here. Today, I'm adding evidence in favor of online publishing.
During an average week at Fifty-Two Stitches , we see over 250 visitors. While this isn't an astronomical number, the count has been growing steadily over the past four months (thanks
I started this internal debate here. Today, I'm adding evidence in favor of online publishing.
During an average week at Fifty-Two Stitches , we see over 250 visitors. While this isn't an astronomical number, the count has been growing steadily over the past four months (thanks
May 18, 2009
Submitted for Your Approval
While doing a warm-up for one of my classes last week, we discussed the Latin roots mitt, miss, and mise (meaning lead, bring, draw).
Students had to match words with these roots to their correct meaning. One of the definitions was "to yield control". The matching word: submit.
I had one of those little epiphanies. When I submit a piece for consideration (even a query letter), I'm yielding control. For some reason, I felt a sense of peace after this revelation. (May has been a rough month fo
Students had to match words with these roots to their correct meaning. One of the definitions was "to yield control". The matching word: submit.
I had one of those little epiphanies. When I submit a piece for consideration (even a query letter), I'm yielding control. For some reason, I felt a sense of peace after this revelation. (May has been a rough month fo
May 15, 2009
Ellen Datlow Interviewed at Nossa Morte
Ellen Datlow (yes that Ellen Datlow) has a wonderful interview up at
Nossa Morte
. I think all aspiring writers need to read this one.
I want to find a way "around the slush pile" (from her answer to a question about a recent open call for submissions). Sounds like the only way to do that, my friends, it to produce a quality body of work and catch the attention of someone important.
I can control some things in life (e.g., writing every day); others, I must leave to the fates.[image error]
I want to find a way "around the slush pile" (from her answer to a question about a recent open call for submissions). Sounds like the only way to do that, my friends, it to produce a quality body of work and catch the attention of someone important.
I can control some things in life (e.g., writing every day); others, I must leave to the fates.[image error]
New Story at Every Day Fiction (with an interview)
"To Make Things Right" is up at Every Day Fiction, followed by an interview from little ol' me.
I must say the story was inspired by one of my favorite short stories of all time (and one that still leaves me scratching my head), "The Assembly of the Dead" by Chet Williamson. Find a copy and read it. I know you can in 100 Hair-Raising Little Horror Stories .
Enjoy![image error]
I must say the story was inspired by one of my favorite short stories of all time (and one that still leaves me scratching my head), "The Assembly of the Dead" by Chet Williamson. Find a copy and read it. I know you can in 100 Hair-Raising Little Horror Stories .
Enjoy![image error]
