Phoebe North's Blog, page 15

Two Years in the Life of a Short Story

I recently had a short story, "Elsie and the Wild Boys," accepted by the Young Adult Review Network. Hooray!

No word on the run-date yet, as I'm still working with one of their editors getting the story into tiptop shape. But I thought it might be interesting to share my submission statistics for this story. I know I always find such information interesting, at least.

I wrote "Elsie . . ." in 2009, shortly after my graduation from MFA@FLA. It was the second short-form fiction piece I wrote in t...

September Phoebe-Writing!

This month I:

Discussed how writing helped me get over my fear of public speaking at YA Highway.
Launched the Intergalactic Academy, which featured my articles on Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Sci-fi, Space Opera, and on 3 Star Trek: TOS episodes that feel like YA Novels.
Reviewed The Pearl Wars by Nick James, Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan, and Tankborn by Karen Sandler.
Dropped an exercise bike on my foot. Ouch!

Terra Nova: Exactly as Good and as Bad as You Thought It Would Be

Remember when I said I'd be doing more real-life blogging? Apparently lately my real life involves lots of television. Sure, there's been some other stuff: editing, socializing, reading, crock pot stews, Renaissance Festivals, rainboots. But nothing is nearly as pressing as talking about the fall line-up.

(Oh, autumn television premieres. I love you.)

I tried not to get my hopes up very high for Terra Nova. Not after LOST let me down in a big way. But television has, lately, been gently...

Strange Horizons Fund Drive!

As you may or may not know, for the past two years or so I've worked for the speculative fiction magazine Strange Horizons, first as a copy editor and now as an Articles Editor and reviewer. A few crass (nosy? curious?) folks have asked what I've gotten in exchange for this; the answer is only deep and abiding satisfaction. Strange Horizons is, in fact, staffed entirely by volunteers–a fleet of absolutely tireless workers who, despite empty pockets, nevertheless have managed to produce some o...

The Woman Who Waited

Spoilers. Clearly. Also long and ranty. Probably also clearly.

I'm upset with Doctor Who. I wish I could say that this is solely for apolitical reasons. Oh, they figure into it. I think the storytelling lately has been painfully contrived and the plotlines largely don't stand up to Fridge Scrutiny and why was Mels so awkwardly retconned into a show that's usually so fantastic about continuity and why have River even regenerate if you're only going to let her use that power once or twice and...

Revision Junction, What's Your Function? (Fixin up plots and characters and . . . other stuff)

In case you were wondering, I'm still hard at work on revisions for agent Michelle. At some point, hopefully soon, I won't be–though I won't say anything when that happens and we go on sub. Mum's the word, and all that. But for now, she's still helping me nudge my book into shape.

When we had our first phone call, she asked if I thought I was done revising. I think that every author hopes–on every draft!–that this version is the final version. And Daughter of Earth had been revised more than...

September Rainy Day Pick-Me-Ups

Scented candles.

Crock pot stew.

New red boots.

Phoebe-Writing Updates and General Musings on Social Networking

Happy Labor Day, Gentle Reader!

With the launch of the Intergalactic Academy, I've been struggling a little bit with what to do with this blog. Oh, don't worry–I wouldn't dream of abandoning you. Still, as time has gone on, my writing has become more . . . diffuse, spreading to different corners of the Internet like YA Highway and Strange Horizons. As I'm now reviewing both at the Intergalactic Academy and Strange Horizons, phoebenorth.com will no longer be the home for all of my reviews. I...

OMG OMG Launch Day!

Hi guys!

You may have noticed that I've been quiet for the last month. That's not because I suddenly developed a social life (ha!), but because I've undertaken a new enterprise with my droogie Sean. Today, we're launching the Intergalactic Academy, a blog specializing in YA sci-fi. Today's just an introductory post; we're getting started in earnest on Monday, but head on over and check it out! And don't forget to subscribe via RSS reader or Google Friend Connect. You know, if that's your...

On Irene, Agnosticism and Miracles

I wake up to a morning that can only be called "surreally beautiful."

The weather is cool, autumnal, and breezy. The sun comes down all slanted through the trees. Our yard is dappled. Overhead, the leaves are yellow-green. The water in our creek rushes by, overflowing its banks.

Besides the mud, and the algae that drips from my neighbor's swing set, that's the only sign that yesterday was very, very different.

Yesterday, I woke up to the sound of branches cracking in the distance. The power...