Wendy Darling's Blog: Wendy's Author Blog - Posts Tagged "editing"
Attention Wraeththu-ites: Call for Submissions
It's that time of year! Yes, Storm Constantine and I are looking for submissions to the new, THIRD Wraeththu short story anthology, which we're calling Para Kindred. Here's the official announcement from Storm:
Storm Constantine's Wraeththu Mythos
Para Kindred: Enigmas of Wraeththu
Call for Submissions
Following on from the Paragenesis and Para Imminence anthologies of Wraeththu Mythos stories, this new collection will focus upon the enigmas that might be found within the disparate tribes of this androgynous race – how Wraeththu might have – or will – develop in strange and unimagined ways.
We are calling for submissions to this anthology, of stories between 3,000 and 10,000 words. As with the former anthologies, we are mainly looking for pieces that do not involve characters from the original Wraeththu books, although such characters may have 'cameo appearances' if it suits the story. Writers who were included in the previous collections may also expand upon characters (or their descendants or ancestors) who they created for their earlier stories, if they so wish.
This collection gives writers a broad canvas for their ideas. Contributors can explore how the mutation from human to har might have unforeseen consequences; how new strains of hara might have come into being with unusual attributes; how tribes might have developed in hidden corners of the world that are vastly different to the mainstream population. Or even within 'regular' Wraeththu communities, harlings might be born who are different in some way, who might have additional mutations to their parents, thus taking them further away from their human progenitors.
Are hara as they exist within their world the 'finished product' or are they perhaps a stage on the way to further evolution? Or would some harlings born to hara be throwbacks to their earlier human roots? They are many avenues to explore, no matter how strange.
Please let us know if you are interested in contributing and provide a short synopsis of your idea, by mailing Storm at the above email address (editorial@immanion-press.com). The deadline for completed submissions is 31st August 2013. As before, there will be a one off payment of $25 per story. Contributors are welcome to
submit more than one.
If you know of anyone who might like to contribute, please feel free to pass this document to them.
Storm Constantine
P.S. from Wendy Darling: You can also contact me either via GoodReads or by email, wdarlingweb@gmail.com.
Storm Constantine's Wraeththu Mythos
Para Kindred: Enigmas of Wraeththu
Call for Submissions
Following on from the Paragenesis and Para Imminence anthologies of Wraeththu Mythos stories, this new collection will focus upon the enigmas that might be found within the disparate tribes of this androgynous race – how Wraeththu might have – or will – develop in strange and unimagined ways.
We are calling for submissions to this anthology, of stories between 3,000 and 10,000 words. As with the former anthologies, we are mainly looking for pieces that do not involve characters from the original Wraeththu books, although such characters may have 'cameo appearances' if it suits the story. Writers who were included in the previous collections may also expand upon characters (or their descendants or ancestors) who they created for their earlier stories, if they so wish.
This collection gives writers a broad canvas for their ideas. Contributors can explore how the mutation from human to har might have unforeseen consequences; how new strains of hara might have come into being with unusual attributes; how tribes might have developed in hidden corners of the world that are vastly different to the mainstream population. Or even within 'regular' Wraeththu communities, harlings might be born who are different in some way, who might have additional mutations to their parents, thus taking them further away from their human progenitors.
Are hara as they exist within their world the 'finished product' or are they perhaps a stage on the way to further evolution? Or would some harlings born to hara be throwbacks to their earlier human roots? They are many avenues to explore, no matter how strange.
Please let us know if you are interested in contributing and provide a short synopsis of your idea, by mailing Storm at the above email address (editorial@immanion-press.com). The deadline for completed submissions is 31st August 2013. As before, there will be a one off payment of $25 per story. Contributors are welcome to
submit more than one.
If you know of anyone who might like to contribute, please feel free to pass this document to them.
Storm Constantine
P.S. from Wendy Darling: You can also contact me either via GoodReads or by email, wdarlingweb@gmail.com.
E.S. Wynn
Yesterday I received a package of stories I will be editing for the next Wraeththu Mythos anthology,
Para Kiddred
. As always I was eager to jump in a see what Storm Constantine had sent over. I'm pleased to say that one of those stories is by E.S. Wynn, the author of two stories I edited for Para Imminence: Stories of the Future of Wraeththu (or more like, slightly tinkered with, as they didn't need heavy editing at all). So I picked up the story, printed out, and very rapidly it blew my mind. I haven't read any of Earl's many, MANY other stories, and books, beyond the Wraeththu stuff, but I think I need to put some on my To Read list stat. Very cool speculative science fiction with a philosophical bent.
Para Kindred Updates
Over the path month I've been editing stories submitted for the next Wraeththu anthology, Para Kindred, and as of now I have two stories totally in and three I've done first edits. I should be getting a couple of them back this week and the one I just edited probably in a couple of weeks. I'll also be editing my co-editor Storm Constantine's stories, though "editing" is really an overstatement when it comes to her stuff, which is polished and pretty unassailable except on small points. Not flattery but truth! Oh, and then I have to do /my/ stories, but I'm convinced that now that I've swept the deck clear, so to speak, I can get that done in a jiffy.
Finishing Up Para Kindred
Just sent off one of the last stories I'm editing for the anthology.
The process of editing went smoothly as usual. Here's a summary of how I do it:
I receive the manuscript as a Word file. I then print it out and for my first read, read it on paper, often making marks on it indicating punctuation and other mechanical issues, plus scribbling in questions, suggestions, etc. I also put a lot of check marks down next to lines and paragraphs I especially like, so later on I can give the author feedback on my favorite parts. (You need to make sure to offer positive criticism.)
Next up, I take the original file and save it as a "B" version. I turn on Word's "Reviewing" tools, so I can track changes. Then I start going through from start to finish, starting with a general spell-check, then reading it carefully, often out loud. Reading out loud really helps to make sure the punctuation, especially things like commas and em-dashes, are correct. I also add in comments and questions, attaching to specific words or sentences. Often these are questions asking for clarifications or wondering if I've understood something correctly or perhaps saying there's some inconsistency. Something else I do while editing is keep a text editor or notepad open so I can write down extended comments, questions, compliments, observations, etc.
Once I have the finished "B" document and my text file of comments, I email it off to the author. I'll start out with my overall impressions, then share some of the things I most enjoyed about the story. Then I will list out some of the specific areas that could use some improvement, whether it's something more technical like the tense or something like a whole element of the story that has to be brought out more. I also include comments on pacing, whether or not the story feels "done," or whether it instead feels like there's something missing.
After days, or weeks, I get back an email with a "C" version of the story from the author. Usually all my technical corrections have been accepted and often authors will go along with most of the comments or suggestions. If they don't, they leave counter-comments explaining why not. They also explain in the email.
At this point I go through the story again, using the "Reviewing" tools to accept all the changes remaining and get rid of all the comments (after I've read them). I also make additional corrects, which unless they're major, I accept. Sometimes I end up reading parts of the story out loud again, to be sure of pacing, commas, and that I've not missed anything. And at the end of all this, voila, there's a clean copy which I can save as version "D."
This is the third anthology I've worked on (previous are Paragenesis: Stories from the Dawn of Wraeththu and Para Imminence: Stories of the Future of Wraeththu) and I've probably worked with eight or nine authors so far, and I've used this method for all of them, with really no problems. This is mostly a testament to the professionalism of these mostly "amateur" authors who understand how to deal with editing and won't freak out if they get back a file with a lot of corrections. It doesn't mean I "hate" your story, but that I'm trying to help you make the story the best it can be. These writers understand that.
Meanwhile, back to the anthology work, I still have one last story to go through, one of Storm's, but because it's one of hers, there's really no need for the whole process. Her work is already polished when it arrives. With her stories, I generally just do one edit and send it over, along with comments. The first story I got from her for this, she did do a rewrite to one part of it, because I had a more major concern, so she sent me the file back and I read through it again. Now it's perfect, I think.
Besides editing stories for this anthology, I've edited the revised Wraeththu Chronicles and also was a pre-editor on the Wraeththu Histories. I also was the editor on Fiona McGavin's A Dream and a Lie, originally published as a trilogy. Hopefully I get to edit another novel again soon, as working with an author on a larger work like that is quite a fulfilling project.
The process of editing went smoothly as usual. Here's a summary of how I do it:
I receive the manuscript as a Word file. I then print it out and for my first read, read it on paper, often making marks on it indicating punctuation and other mechanical issues, plus scribbling in questions, suggestions, etc. I also put a lot of check marks down next to lines and paragraphs I especially like, so later on I can give the author feedback on my favorite parts. (You need to make sure to offer positive criticism.)
Next up, I take the original file and save it as a "B" version. I turn on Word's "Reviewing" tools, so I can track changes. Then I start going through from start to finish, starting with a general spell-check, then reading it carefully, often out loud. Reading out loud really helps to make sure the punctuation, especially things like commas and em-dashes, are correct. I also add in comments and questions, attaching to specific words or sentences. Often these are questions asking for clarifications or wondering if I've understood something correctly or perhaps saying there's some inconsistency. Something else I do while editing is keep a text editor or notepad open so I can write down extended comments, questions, compliments, observations, etc.
Once I have the finished "B" document and my text file of comments, I email it off to the author. I'll start out with my overall impressions, then share some of the things I most enjoyed about the story. Then I will list out some of the specific areas that could use some improvement, whether it's something more technical like the tense or something like a whole element of the story that has to be brought out more. I also include comments on pacing, whether or not the story feels "done," or whether it instead feels like there's something missing.
After days, or weeks, I get back an email with a "C" version of the story from the author. Usually all my technical corrections have been accepted and often authors will go along with most of the comments or suggestions. If they don't, they leave counter-comments explaining why not. They also explain in the email.
At this point I go through the story again, using the "Reviewing" tools to accept all the changes remaining and get rid of all the comments (after I've read them). I also make additional corrects, which unless they're major, I accept. Sometimes I end up reading parts of the story out loud again, to be sure of pacing, commas, and that I've not missed anything. And at the end of all this, voila, there's a clean copy which I can save as version "D."
This is the third anthology I've worked on (previous are Paragenesis: Stories from the Dawn of Wraeththu and Para Imminence: Stories of the Future of Wraeththu) and I've probably worked with eight or nine authors so far, and I've used this method for all of them, with really no problems. This is mostly a testament to the professionalism of these mostly "amateur" authors who understand how to deal with editing and won't freak out if they get back a file with a lot of corrections. It doesn't mean I "hate" your story, but that I'm trying to help you make the story the best it can be. These writers understand that.
Meanwhile, back to the anthology work, I still have one last story to go through, one of Storm's, but because it's one of hers, there's really no need for the whole process. Her work is already polished when it arrives. With her stories, I generally just do one edit and send it over, along with comments. The first story I got from her for this, she did do a rewrite to one part of it, because I had a more major concern, so she sent me the file back and I read through it again. Now it's perfect, I think.
Besides editing stories for this anthology, I've edited the revised Wraeththu Chronicles and also was a pre-editor on the Wraeththu Histories. I also was the editor on Fiona McGavin's A Dream and a Lie, originally published as a trilogy. Hopefully I get to edit another novel again soon, as working with an author on a larger work like that is quite a fulfilling project.
Storm Constantine on Writing and Editing
Over on Fantasy Cafe, which is marketing Women in Science Fiction & Fantasy Month, my dear friend, fav author and Para Kindred co-edtior Storm Constantine talks editing and writing. Some great advice for writers: "Women in SF&F Month: Storm Constantine".
My Next Wraeththu Project: The Moonshawl
Just a quick note to announce that my next Wraeththu project is editing Storm Constantine's latest novel,
The Moonshawl
. This is Storm's first full-length novel in several years, although it is the third in a series begun with the novellas
The Hienama
and
Student of Kyme
. Storm has been immersed in writing this for many months and I recently received the first draft, which I started reading today. I am sworn to secrecy on content but I can say that the experience of reading has been pleasant so far.
More about Storm here:
More about Storm here:
Breathe, My Shadow
The latest of Storm Constantine's Wraeththu novels is out! I can highly recommend it because I was the co-editor.
Breathe, My Shadow
It's a really lovely stand-alone novel that goes back to a place that really hasn't been mentioned since The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit: Book One of the Wraeththu Chronicles, Ferelithia. Starting with the arrival of one har, a pastry chef by trade, the plot winds its way through layers of history to uncover buried relationships and proverbial skeletons in the closet. There are some great characters along the way as well as one familiar one.
Recommend!
Breathe, My Shadow
It's a really lovely stand-alone novel that goes back to a place that really hasn't been mentioned since The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit: Book One of the Wraeththu Chronicles, Ferelithia. Starting with the arrival of one har, a pastry chef by trade, the plot winds its way through layers of history to uncover buried relationships and proverbial skeletons in the closet. There are some great characters along the way as well as one familiar one.
Recommend!
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