Matt Moore's Blog, page 8

The Ottawa shootings and changing the world

I live in Ottawa, Ontario, and as you’ve no doubt heard we had a shooting here on Wednesday where a soldier was killed. As the dusting is settling, it is apparent what we first thought was a coordinated attack by multiple gunmen was the act of a single man with the element of surprise, surprising speed and a gun. Less than ten minutes (based accounts) after killing Corporal Cirillo, the gunman was shot dead inside the Parliament Building.

Yet for hours this city was gripped in fear as armed soldiers and police moved throughout downtown, warning bystanders and journalists to run or take cover. We now know there was no threat, but at the time we had no idea how many gunmen were out there and, after shootings at the Cenotaph and Parliament Buildings, we did not know when or where someone else might strike.

Now that reflection has begun, my thoughts turn to how one man could have had such an effect on this city. Debate has already started over whether the reaction was prudent or paranoia, justified or an overreaction. I will let others who know more about these things slug that out. But what I keep coming back to is the effect one person had on a community, a city, a nation and the world simply through sheer will. His motivations will be speculated on for some time, but it is clear he meant to kill and injure.

Malala Yousafzai, who will not be silenced.

But what if this same kind of determination was used toward a positive goal? It’s no small irony that Malala Yousafzai—a young woman who refused to be silenced—was to receive honourary Canadian citizenship that same day.

My friend and fellow Ottawa writer Hayden Trenholm said “When you experience something like this, the human urge is to turn it into a story about yourself.” This is a natural, human reaction in order to internalize and process trauma, and I recommend you read Hayden’s account of witnessing the murder of Corporal Cirillo. But he also realizes these events are not about us, but we must still react to them.

So the question I pose to myself and to all of you is: How will you change the world? What do you believe in, what skills do you possess, and will you draw on your own force of will to make it happen? Even changing one person—including yourself—for the better changes the world.

Unfortunately it is easier to create fear than hope, to destroy than to build, to discourage than inspire. But we must persevere, work together, and agree that we can make a difference not because we hope or want to, but because we will.

There is plenty you can do: give blood, donate to a charity, volunteer.

For me, I will continue to do what I do best: write, organize (i.e., the Ottawa Chiaroscuro Reading Series), promote and network. While not in the league of curing diseases, helping bring the Ottawa specific community together has helped a lot of fans know they are not as isolated as they may have thought. That is where my skills lie, and I will continue to press forward.

What are you going to do?

Never give away work so someone else profits

If you know me or have read this blog, you probably know I focus on the business side of writing as well as the artistic. Recently, I had a troubling experience I want to share where someone wanted to reprint my work for free.

Since I only have suspicions, I am not going to name this person or the market. This isn’t like Mandy DeGeit’s experience, which deserved calling people out by name. For this story, I will call them Editor and Magazine. And the title of Magazine is aimed clearly at writers.

So, I received an email stating:

I really loved your post on publishing short stories here:

http://mattmoorewrites.com/2011/04/06/how-to-publish-a-short-story-know-your-markets/

I edit a magazine called (Magazine)… and am working on my next issue. I was wondering if I could reprint that post in the magazine? If you would like me to promote something for you, maybe the book or a specific web page you want me to point people to I would be more than happy to do it. Because it is an interactive magazine, once people have read the article they can be directed straight to a web page of your choice.

 I wrote back with enthusiasm and asked for a contract. The reply was:

I don’t actually do a formal contract.  Just a ‘verbal’ agreement.  How does that sound?

Since I did not know Editor, I wanted to protect myself. I wrote back, asking for specifics (i.e., what rights were being sought) and payment (i.e., per word, flat fee, contributors copies). I have not received a reply and, frankly, I am not surprised. Because during this exchange, I researched Magazine. Here is what I found:

It is only available as an app for iPad and iPhone that downloads the latest monthly issue automatically. That is, Magazine cannot be easily shared like a PDF or even pay-walled site.
Each issue costs $3.99. And Magazine is electronic-only, so there are no printing or production costs.
While the covers are look good (they have that literary magazine feel to them), no contributors are listed.
On Magazine’s site, social media profiles and iTunes listings, no contributors are listed.
A Google search turned up two other contributors who had also been approached to reprint their blog posts.
A search for Editor’s name did not turn up anything not having to do with Magazine.

This has me thinking: Is Editor’s business model to scan blogs for good posts and bundle them in a magazine that makes him (and only him) money? That is, he makes his money off the work of others? Editor might make the argument that the blog posts are already out there for free, so exposure to Magazine’s subscribers is just compensation. But this is the non-fiction equivalent of magazines and anthologies that pay in “exposure only” while the editors reap all the profits. I don’t discount the effort in laying and producing a magazine, but that is only part of the effort. The content within the magazines and books is what drives sales. And if Editor is sincere in promoting contributors, why not list them by name on the cover, on the site, etc.?

Granted, my blog post is available for free and maybe I might gain a few new readers by appearing in Magazine. But the blog post is on my site with my content easily available surrounded by my branding. Considering Editor has no physical costs in producing Magazine, I don’t think it’s too much to expect that Editor pay his contributors, even if a token amount.

It’s ironic that new and emerging short story writers need to learn the lessons of (1) never give your work away for free, and (2) always know what rights are being purchased. It seems that Editor is asking me to do just that for a magazine aimed at those new story writers.

If you know who Editor and Market are and have had dealings with them—good or bad—please let me know in the comments. But, I may edit out the names since I am only working on suspicion here and don’t want to unfairly tarnish someone. Editor could be writing me right now!

Schedule for CAN-CON 2014

Here is my schedule for CAN-CON: The Conference on Canadian Content in Speculative Arts and Literature, which is taking place in Ottawa on October 3-5. If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late: http://can-con.org/2014/registration/.

I’m looking forward to my Saturday reading, the ChiZine Publications party on Saturday night, and catching up with people I do not get to see often enough. Hope to see you there!

Friday

7PM: Readings: New utopian anthology Hieroglyph

Kathryn Cramer, Madeline Ashby, Ranylt Richildis, Robin Riopelle, Matt Moore

8PM: How to get traditionally published

Matt Moore (m), Max Turner, Matthew Johnson, Alison Sinclair, Julie Czerneda

Saturday

12:30PM: Reading

I’ll read some selections from Touch the Sky, Embrace the Dark plus a bit from my story in Postscripts to Darkness: Volume 5 and maybe a work-in-progress that has conditional acceptance.

1:00PM: Reading Horror: What is scaring the $#@% out of you?

David Nickle (m), Sandra Kasturi, Sean Moreland, Matt Moore

2:00PM: Speculating specters: The history and evolution of the ghost story

Sean Moreland, Matt Moore, Derek Newman-Stille, Robin Riopelle

3:00PM: A feminist exploration of the female villain

Matt Moore (m), Derek Newman-Stille, Madeline Ashby, Liz Strange, Ranylt Richildis

9:00PM: ChiZine Publications room party

Sunday

2:00PM: Stephen King’s influence and legacy

David Nickle, Madeline Ashby, Matt Moore

CAN-CON 2014: Your guide for getting coffee, food, booze, etc.

The CAN-CON Logo

If you’re coming into downtown Ottawa for CAN-CON, our local convention on speculative fiction, in early October, navigating downtown Ottawa can be a challenge. Even for its residents, what’s a bustling central core during on weekdays becomes abandoned and closed over the weekend. Here’s an attempt to let you know where you can find services in downtown Ottawa.

If you’re not sure about CAN-CON, they’ve posted their schedule on their site. You can register for CAN-CON here.

If I’ve missed anything or you have something to recommend, please let me know in the comments!
Understanding downtown Ottawa

The streets are laid out in a grid, but in reality they run northeast-southwest and northwest-southeast. But if someone gives you “Go north” directions, remember that Parliament Hill is considered north.
The downtown core is built around public servants, so some places might not be open on the weekends.
Like everyplace else, we are undergoing construction—closed lanes, blocked sidewalks, etc.
Like most downtowns, there are one-way streets, no turns at certain intersections, and other traffic rules that make no sense.

The hotel

The Sheraton is right downtown at the corner of Albert and O’Connor. (On Google Maps.) It looks like there are always taxis out front. When I went by their was a sign for valet parking only in the hotel’s underground garage.

Across Albert Street is the World Exchange Plaza, which takes up an entire city block. There is a food court inside, but I do not know if it will be open over the weekend. But there is a Shopper’s Drug Mart right across the street for your con-crud needs. (Friday until 9PM, Saturday 9AM-6PM, closed Sunday).

If you are driving in for the day, parking at the World Exchange Plaza is free on the weekends. Get off the Queensway (Highway 417) at the Metcalfe exit and go north toward downtown. You will want to get into the left-hand lane as you approch downtown. Go straight across Albert and down the ramp into the underground parking garage. There is also an entrance off Queen Street between Metcalfe and O’Connor. (Hat tip to Natasha E Bertrand!)

You are also only three blocks south of Parliament Hill. We take it for granted in Ottawa, but if you’ve never seen it it’s worth the walk.

Restaurants & bars

There’s a bar and restaurant right in the lobby with seemingly sane hours. Hopefully we won’t need to go to far afield for a drink.

If you feel like going out, there are usually food trucks and stands all over downtown. But, on a weekend and with fall coming on I don’t know how many you’ll find.

Two blocks north is Sparks Street, a pedestrian mall that has number of shops and restaurants. There are too many to list here, so check out the Sparks Street website to get an idea.

If you are meeting a prospective agent, see if they will take you to Hy’s Steakhouse, one of the swankiest joints in the city. It’s on Queen between Bank and O’Connor (one block north, half a block west).

At Sparks and Bank (two blocks north, one block west) you’ll find 3 Brewers, a huge place that brews its own beer. Not great, but very good.

There are also Subways, McDonalds, shwarma, sushi and other places to get a quick bite, but too many to list here (though I can’t promise what will be open).

LCBO and Beer Store

There is an LCBO across Albert Street and at the east end of the block.

Friday: Open until 8PM
Saturday: 10AM-6PM
Sunday: 12PM-4PM

Unfortunately, there is not a Beer Store in the downtown core and you’ll need to cab it or drive to The Beer Store at Rideau and Waller.

Coffee

There is no shortage of coffee places. Just pick a direction!

Metcalfe and Slater (one block east, one block south)

Tim Hortons (6AM-7PM daily)
Starbucks (Friday until 8PM, Saturday 6:30AM-7PM, Sunday 7AM-7PM)
Second Cup (Friday until 9PM, Saturday and Sunday 7AM-7PM)

Bank and Albert (one block west)

Bridgehead (Friday until 9PM, Saturday and Sunday 8AM-8PM)

Bank and Slater (one block south, one block west)

Starbucks (Friday until 8:30, Saturday 7:30AM-8PM, Sunday 7:30AM-8PM)
Second Cup (Friday until 7PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM, closed Sunday)

O’Connor and Laurier  (two blocks south)

Starbucks (Friday until 7PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30AM-6PM)

Banks

Most major banks have locations within a block or two, so if you don’t mind a quick walk you can save a buck or two at the ATM.

Gyms

The hotel offers an exercise room, but there is also a GoodLife Fitness at Queen and Bank (one block north, one block west) that is open until 10PM on Friday, and 7AM-7PM Saturday and Sunday.

Like I said above, if I missed something feel free to let me know if in the comments! See you all in a few weeks.

How Celebrating Robin Williams’ Life Might Encourage Suicide

(If this sounds familiar, it’s an expanded version of something I posted on Facebook.)

[ADDENDUM: Since posting this to Facebook, I have seen this message spread. The idea of "just whisper" has caught on, so if you post this, please tag it with #JustWhisper. Maybe we can spread this idea. Maybe it can help.]

The apparent suicide of Robin Williams hit us all pretty hard yesterday. For a man we never met, he had a profound impact on several generations for making us laugh, cry and ponder. I think we were all blinded-sided by Dead Poets Society, which had been marketed as another Good Morning, Vietnam but was something else entirely. We are trying to cope with this, to process it, and in doing so have expressed our love and admiration for this man.

Williams in Good Will Hunting in a scene that revealed how powerful an actor he was.

But in our outpouring of grief, appreciation and love for Robin Williams, I can’t help but wonder if we are promoting a terrible side-effect: the idea among those in the grips of depression’s falsehoods and deceit that the world will celebrate you in death more than they appreciated you in life. That is, people will only love you after you are gone.

THIS IS BULLSHIT.

We mourn and grieve this man, who most of us never met, not because of his effect on our lives, but that there will be no more. We mourn what was to come. We want one more laugh, one more performance, one more touching moment.

And that applies to anyone reading this who thinks no one loves them, the world would be better without them, they have no value nor talent, and they cannot deal with the pressures of everyday life. If you choose to end your life, we will mourn you and celebrate the life you lived, but wish for one more day, one more chance to get to know you better. But secretly we will wonder why you did not ask for help. How we failed as your friend. Why you did not confide in us.

You will leave us hurting, angry, confused and alone.

A lot of people have been posting numbers for suicide prevention hotlines and helplines. These are good things. Keep doing it. But we also have to recognize those dealing with depression, even if they want help, are afraid of the stigma they think will come with admitting they have a problem. They might fear involuntary commitment to a hospital or being ineligible for insurance, security clearance or certain jobs. Perhaps they think that if they confide in a friend that they are suffering from horrible thoughts, a lack of energy and an inability to take joy in life, someone else will reply with their own “Oh, I know! I am so tired lately” and mistake this very vulnerable request for help as an excuse to kvetch about the occasional blue moods. Or they just don’t want to be forever known as that guy or that gal who you have to watch what you say around because… well… you know.

Do not listen to these fears. They are more lies.

And while tremendous work has been done to remove the stigma of mental illness, I wonder if the pendulum has swung too far. With celebrities coming forward to declare they have fought mental health issues, could those struggling to come to grips with their heads being filled with such darkness feel something must be profoundly wrong with them if they can’t seek help like these others have. And with a thought like that, their depression gains an even strong hold.

You have a problem. You must! We woudn’t make all these pills if you weren’t so completely fucked up.

Because our culture has come to a point where not feeling happy all the time is an indication of something wrong. Even grief in the wake of a loved one’s death can be considered a mental disorder. Like we must be all smiles and good moods. I am not talking about sadness—just “doing OK” is an indication you need to go on meds to perk you up.  To feel worthless, like you have no talent nor real friends, like you are unworthy of love, like you don’t even have the energy to tie your child’s shoelaces—culturally, this is the worst of the worst. A self-perpetuating cycle that there is something wrong with you, and if there is something wrong with you there is something seriously wrong with you. It is not something you can just snap-out of. It is a gravity that sucks you down, gets stronger the longer it goes on, and will not let go without outside help.

Which is why I want to suggest something more personal, more private. If you can’t face talking to a stranger over the phone, but know you need help, email the one person you think understands you and express your feelings in a sentence. “Sometimes I wish I was dead” or “Sometimes I think everyone who says they are my friend just tolerates me.” Not a long diatribe that might make you feel vulnerable or sappy. Just a small release of all that anger, frustration, resentment and vitriol.

Just a sentence.

See what happens.

If you think the outpouring of emotion over the death of a celebrity we never knew was something, the response from those who love you will overwhelm you. We will help you, we will lift you up, we will trample those lying voices that pursue you in your sleep and shout at you in your private moments.

WE are stronger than they are. Let us prove that you are stronger than they are, too. Please.

If you can shout you need help, shout it. If all you can do is whisper, just whisper.

We’re listening.

Volume 5 Launch!

Matt Moore:

I have a story that will appear in Volume 5 on Postscripts to Darkness, and will be onhand to read it. Hope to see you there!

Originally posted on Postscripts to Darkness:

Artwork by Cherry Valance

The hour is finally upon us. We’re launching our fifth volume on July 31 in Ottawa at the venerable Raw Sugar Cafe in Chinatown (7pm). It will be another amazing literary event that will bring together the city’s speculative fiction crowd and put another notch in Ottawa’s belt as a fast-growing hub for fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Authors will be reading their wonderful weird tales, books will be available for purchase, and great coffee, tea, desserts and (most importantly) spirits will be on hand. Our inspiring cover artist, Cherry Valance, will be selling the artwork she created to front Volume 5, as well. We hope to see you there. No cover charge.

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More About my Writing Workshop on Narrative Tension

A little bit more about the all-day writing course on creating tension in your writing that I’ll be teaching. It takes place June 22 here in Ottawa.

The cost is $45. Send the payment by Paypal to can.spec.lit@gmail.com. They’ll confirm your registration within 24 hours by email.

Part of the funds raised will go to support ChiSeries and Can-Con.

 

Support Bundoran Press’ new anthology Second Contact

I know I have asked you before to support a publisher’s Kickstarter campaign. Luckily, it succeeded and I thank those of you who contributed.

Now I’m asking you again to support another campaign, this time an Indiegogo campaign from Bundoran Press for its anthology Second Contacts.

So what is Second Contacts?

The description on Indiegogo says:

Second Contacts will seek stories, from the best writers in the field, which explore the consequences of first contact, for us, for them, for our shared future. The possibilities are endless — conquest, collaboration, assimilation, or separation. On earth, in space, or on alien planets, what will happen to individuals and societies after two generations or more of staring into alien eyes?

First Contact stories and novels are a staple of science fiction but few SF writers have explored the long term consequences of meeting ET. Second Contacts will explore a multitude of outcomes and, maybe, by doing so, find new ways to understand our history on this planet and how we might build a better future.

Bundoran is running an Indiegogo to fund a marketing campaign as well as offer professional payment rates to attract top talent to the project. Like all the anthologies Bundoran has done so far, there will be an open submission process, which means anyone can submit.

Why are you supporting Second Contacts?

I support this anthology because it deals with one of my favourite themes: the spaces in between.

One of my favourite novels is It by Stephen King. It’s long, overwritten in spots and has more unneeded subplots than The Towering Inferno, but I love it because of the 30-year gap in the Losers’ memories. Who were they between the time they were scared kids and terrified adults. What stories would they tell about changing, growing, learning?

Brent Hayward’s Filaria is similar. It follows four characters as their world falls apart, none of whom fully understand what’s happening. But if the reader can put the pieces together, they can find the true story in the spaces between these characters.

Michael Marshall Smith’s “This Is Now” falls into this space as well, where four 40-something friends reminisce about their past, and how the terrifying moment that defined their lives is long past. And the horrifying realization this brings.

Second Contacts takes a look at the space in between. Most alien contact stories deal with a mysterious first contact, violent invasion, or are set years later when things have normalized. Second Contacts looks like it will explore the disruption that a second contact with alien life will bring. The ripping away of a comfortable denial that first contact was an isolated incident. Or, the boundless joy of the return of wondrous creations the current generation was not yet born to see.

For me, this theme could present disruption, panic, thwarted utopias, power-hungry villains, and the face of humanity as noble, brutal or both.

I can’t wait.

Why do they need the money if anyone can submit?

Today’s top writers of science  fiction are professionals, meaning they make their living writing. Short fiction usually doesn’t pay as much as novels, so to attract the best writers it needs to be worth their while. Lower payment rates won’t attract these writers.

As for why top writers still need to submit like everyone else, I will assume that it is an issue of fairness for award-winning editor Hayden Trenholm. The best fiction will be published at rates it deserves.

Aren’t you and Hayden friends?

Yes we are. I have known Hayden going on five years.

So doesn’t this benefit you?

No, probably not. I have submitted to Hayden’s previous two anthologies: the Aurora Award-winning Blood and Water and then Strange Bedfellows. Both stories were rejected. I tend to lean toward horror, even when writing science fiction, which doesn’t line-up with Hayden’s vision.

Based on its description, Second Contacts is likely to focus on hard science fiction, which I tend not to write. I will likely not even submit to Second Contacts.

But I have contributed. I hope you will, too, so we can attract the best stories we can.

Writing Workshop: Keeping Readers on the Edge of Their Seat (June 22, Ottawa)

I’ll be teaching an all-day writing course on creating tension in your writing on June 22 here in Ottawa.

Narrative tension is that element of writing that keeps people turning pages, saying “one more chapter”, and keeps them reading until dawn. But sometimes, we authors find our stories just can’t get up a head of steam, flag in the middle, or the that big pay-off is not so big. Hey, no worries. There are structures, tools and techniques that can help with this without devolving into “formula”.

Part of the funds raised will go to support ChiSeries and Can-Con. Here’s the official blurb:

Narrative tension keeps your readers turning pages and builds to that powerful ending we all want. This full-day workshop will show the techniques to establish, maintain and pay-off tension through characters, setting and conflicts.

Particulars are:

Sunday, June 22, 2014

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

University of Ottawa

Arts Pavilion – Room 509

70 Laurier East, Ottawa, ON

Derek Künsken will be helping me out and keeping me in line.

The cost is $45. Send the payment by Paypal to can.spec.lit@gmail.com. They’ll confirm your registration within 24 hours by email.

I’ll be Teaching a Writing Workshop on Narrative Tension on June 22 in Ottawa

I’ll be teaching an all-day writing course on creating tension in your writing on June 22 here in Ottawa.

Narrative tension is that element of writing that keeps people turning pages, saying “one more chapter”, and keeps them reading until dawn. But sometimes, we authors find our stories just can’t get up a head of steam, flag in the middle, or the that big pay-off is not so big. Hey, no worries. There are structures, tools and techniques that can help with this without devolving into “formula”.

Part of the funds raised will go to support ChiSeries and Can-Con. Here’s the official blurb:

Narrative tension keeps your readers turning pages and builds to that powerful ending we all want. This full-day workshop will show the techniques to establish, maintain and pay-off tension through characters, setting and conflicts.

Particulars are:

Sunday, June 22, 2014

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

University of Ottawa

Arts Pavilion – Room 509

70 Laurier East, Ottawa, ON

Derek Künsken will be helping me out and keeping me in line.

The cost is $45. Send the payment by Paypal to can.spec.lit@gmail.com. They’ll confirm your registration within 24 hours by email.