Kurt R.A. Giambastiani's Blog, page 55

Fifty Shades of No

Rejection: a small message written in fog and tea leaves from which a writer tries to extract any clue as to where the hell he went wrong. I’ve got ‘em–a big thick stack of ‘em–and now that I’ve re-entered the fray of short story marketing, I’m getting more. Unfortunately, as cryptic as were the rejections […]

Submit

I’ve never liked the word “submit.”To Submit, to place under, to capitulate, to yield. Nope. Never liked it. When I started writing, I learned a new meaning for the word “submit”: to send for consideration a manuscript, born of sweat and tears, wrapped in prayers and orisons, in hopes that, against overwhelming odds and counter […]

Globe Trotting

Some people (you know who you are…Ari) feel that Kenneth Branagh’s cinematic version ofMuch Ado About Nothing is the gold standard. I admit, though Ken’s version is one of my favorites, I cannot find it within me to apply that labeltoanything with Keanu Reeves in it. Sorry. Ain’t gonna happen. Then there is Joss Whedon’s […]

Self-Flagellation, Follow-Up

Pursuant to my earlier post on self-promotion,I want to share what happened to me yesterday: a prime example of what NOT to do. I am very well aware that, these days, writersmust promote their work. I also know that, for the self-published, all promotion is, by definition, left solely to the author’s efforts. But there […]

The Other Half

When I visited my school guidance counselor to discuss myfuture careers, the term “creativity scientist” never came up. Then again, neither did “musician” or “novelist” or even “computer programmer,” all of which I have used to describe various aspects of my “career.” But “creativity scientist?” Wow, that sounds like a good gig. Of course, “zookeeper” […]

A Moment of Silence

–k

Visiting the Echo Chamber

There are times when sticking your neck out can make a difference. Then there are times when all you get is your head handed to you in a burlap sack. Last week, a Facebook friend began to post vitriol against ISIS (or ISIL, or the Islamic State…choose your moniker) and against President Obama. He started […]

Self-Flagellation

Self-Promotion: the crude and unappealing practice of marketing one’s own work; in British slang, oftencalled “flogging.” I’ve only met one writer who actuallyenjoys flogging his books. He travels up and down the coast, reading excerpts, glad-handing, meeting people, building an impressive network. For every other writer I’ve met, mention the word “promotion” and watch them […]

Redefining Mystery

We’ve had some tough times, lately, so when I looked at my TBR pile (composed primarily of history, science, and literature), I sighed. I just didn’t have the verve to crack one of those. I needed something fun, something fresh, something…easier. So, when a friend recommended Emily Arsenault’sThe Broken Teaglass as a fun, engaging read, […]

Don’t Gild the Lily

It seems to me that Hollywood–andentertainment in general–can’t come up with anything new. Sequels. Prequels. Spin-offs. Reboots. The so-called “summer blockbusters” are nothing more than tasteless CGI pastries injected with a gooey filling made of bantering superheroes, giant robots, zombie fighters, and sparkly vampires, all which we viewers scarf down while speeding past fiery explosions […]