Newsletter for 8/13/2024
I had an absolutely lovely weekend at GenCon. My panels were pretty excellent – I did have one where there was only one audience member, so we just waved him up to sit nearer and then we all just talked about what new books and games and such we were really enjoying lately. If you’d like to see what panels I was on, you can find them here.
GenCon is always one of my favorite conventions, because I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons since I was 12, and I remember some of the early GenCons, back in the day when it was held up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I did pick up some books while I was there but I resisted the urge to get games because with three cats, games with lots of pieces are less feasible to play than they used to be.
The workshops I did were on horror subgenres and how to write them, story fundamentals, and writing magic systems. I thought they went pretty well, but there’s always a horrible moment in every class where I become worried that I’m not making sense. God bless the people who smile and nod, and let you know that you’re still on course.
Now that I’m back, my writing focus this month is finishing up this draft of Sahalah to give to beta readers and two stories that came to me recently, and which I’d like to get written before they fade. (Patreon supporters can read the first two chapters here.) I’m also prepping for a new workshop I’ll be giving in September/October. Details are in the next section!
Got a science fiction, fantasy, or horror novel that you want to start (and keep) writing? This is the workshop for you. In this six session workshop, I will guide you as you plan out and begin writing the underpinnings of your book as well as develop a process that will enable you to keep writing and complete your book.
In this workshop you will:
Figure out the emotional heart of your book, and how it connects to the journeys of the main characters.Perform pre-work and exercises designed to help you figure out the deeper motivations of your characters, nuances of world-building, how to drive action, and other information that will keep you on track.Brainstorm and discuss in a supportive group setting.Develop a plan and schedule for writing it – and get a solid head start on that writing.Receive guidance at one of the most crucial stages of novel writing – the beginning.Six sessions on Saturdays, 12:30-3 PM Eastern time
Sept 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, 19 (we skip October 12)
Cost for Patreon supporters and community members: $499; otherwise $599. Scholarships are available. I’ll announce this publicly at the beginning of August if there is space left after Patreon sign-ups. To register, mail me at cat@kittywumpus.net and indicate how you would like to pay. All scholarships have been awarded.
If you haven’t read my first space opera, YOU SEXY THING, it’s on sale right now for $2.99 on the Kindle. https://www.amazon.com/You-Sexy-Thing-Cat-Rambo-ebook/dp/B0879HBYB2/ The second book, DEVIL’S GUN, appears in paperback this month, and next month, the third book, RUMOR HAS IT, will be released on September 24. You can preorder it here! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CQHK7FQJ
I did an interview with Paul Semel about Devil’s Gun. I also talked with C.M. Caplan for the Before We Go blog. Here’s a nice mention of upcoming Rumor Has It in Reactor Mag. My next face to face appearance will be at the Surrey Writer Conference in late October but I will be at virtual gatherings Flights of Foundry and Virtual ICFA.
Jennifer Brozek and I appeared on Tea Time with Miss Liz. Watch it here!
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been working on a new website with clear navigation, organized drop-down menus, and an online payment option. It’s scheduled to go live on September 1. So it seems like a good time to revamp my Patreon levels, with some new rewards and new tiers appearing at the same time.
Here are the new tiers:
Free members
Weekly “Prompts Used” write-up and monthly “Rabbit holes” posts.NEW! Each month one session of the (weekly or monthly events) will be open to free as well as paid members of the community.$2 per month: Campus Pass Lite
Consider this a chance to tour the campus. This level lets you take part in the community and gives you class discounts, advance sign-ups, and cat pictures!
Access to Discord server, including the #motivation (weekly goal check-in) and #critclub (story critique) channels.Friday coworking – come chat for the first ten minutes, then do three half hour work sessions with check-ins between each session.Daily feral co-working.Posts: Cat (BabyBear, Bruce, and Clark) and travel pictures.Advance sign-up and discounts on live classes and workshops.$5 per month: Campus Pass
This level gives you access to a variety of craft-oriented events, each with its own custom Zoom background, and gives you a monthly video with a writing tip.
Everything from previous level.UPDATED: Wednesday Writing Games is now “Writing to Prompts,” with a different theme for each week throughout the month.Week 1: Prompts are tailored to current market calls.Week 2: “Get Lit” where we will focus on practicing a specific literary device.Week 3: Musical and other aural prompts.Week 4: “Tell Me Something Good,” prompts that add a little something to delight your readers.After each session, “prompts used” will be posted on the Discord under “Local Announcements” and on Patreon the following Thursday.
Short story discussion – come and discuss classic SF stories. We meet twice a month, once on a Wednesday and once on a Sunday, to discuss that month’s story. We will continue to have bi-annual visits from the authors, as we have had in the past. These will be recorded.Craft book discussion – come and discuss a chapter from a craft-focused book each month. We’ll meet twice a month, once on a Wednesday and once on a Sunday, to discuss that month’s chapter. These will be recorded.NEW! Monthly writing tip video on the 1st of each monthNEW! Rambo Academy Zoom backgrounds and other digital swag$10 per month: Campus Pass with Library Card
For those who want more, here’s access to the library of recordings from past events and speakers as well as motivational sessions and goal-setting.
Everything from previous levels.Recordings from discussion groups, workshops, and special speakers.Submit questions in advance for groups, workshops, and special speakers.NEW! Quarterly planning sessions will meet at the beginning of the year and then every three months to help you plan and execute your goals.NEW! Monday motivation sessions at 12:30 PM Eastern every Monday. Come check in about your weekly goals and obstacles and get the week started right.NEW! Patreon thank you credits on website and monthly writing tip videos.$25 per month: Campus Pass, Scholar Edition
Enjoy the new book club discussing recent F&SF with the authors (Mur Lafferty will be the first one on October 22) as well as a writing class every three months.
Everything from previous levelsNEW! Quarterly book club. Get a chance to read something new and interesting and then discuss it with the author. NEW! Quarterly class. (Free at $25 level, otherwise $49 for Patreon members, $59 for non-members)$100 per month: Schoolhouse Rock Edition Campus Pass
Ready for more than group discussion? Here’s a level with a monthly coaching call or developmental edit.
Everything from previous levelsA 15-30 minute coaching call OR developmental edit of a story up to 4,000 words each month$300 per month: Super Extra Deluxe Campus Pass (3 month minimum; by application only)
Enjoy a 45 minute coaching session, as well as suggestions, encouragement, and prompts tailored to your needs.
Everything from Scholar Edition levelsNEW! Monthly 45 minute coaching/planning session, which can include 10 page review and feedbackNEW! Random encouragement and promptsNEW! Personalized monthly challenges and reading suggestionsNOTE: Discord memberships will continue to be available to everyone via Patreon, Paypal subscription, as well as invited members. Free memberships are available to folks who can’t afford the paid subscription. *If you are interested in sponsoring a membership for someone or contributing to the rolling scholarship fund, I’d love to hear from you.
Additional Details on Live Workshops
Quarterly single-session classes will be free for Patreon supporters at the $25 and up level; discounted for all other Patreon supporters ($49), and otherwise $59. Those classes will be:
Sep 15, 2024, 12:30-2:30 PM Eastern time: Fixing the Broken StoryDec 15, 2024, 12:30-2:30 PM Eastern time: How to Finish StoriesFeb 16, 2025, 12:30-2:30 PM Eastern time: Ins and Outs of OutlinesMay 11, 2025, 12:30-2:30 PM Eastern time: Everything You Need to Know about TitlesIn 2025, I’m also planning another international Wayward Wormhole in an amazeballs location with stellar instructors. 
Community Links
Pauline B has a new story, “Ten Easy Steps to Boost Your Civilization’s Kardashev Rating” in the Offshoots: Humanity Twigged anthology https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8CVYDMY , and another, “Unraveled” in Flashpoint SF. https://flashpointsf.com/2024/07/26/unraveled/T.B. Jeremiah has a Flash piece, “Learn to Count with the Doomed Expedition” in Drabblecast. https://www.drabblecast.org/2024/07/25/drabblecast-491-learn-to-count-with-the-doomed-expedition/Priya Sridhar has an article on Medium, “’Accountable’ Shows the Consequences of Racism and Harassment. https://medium.com/counterarts/accountable-shows-the-consequences-of-racism-and-harassment-25395ae426a5Here’s the prompts we used in this week’s writing games.Market & Related Links
Uncanny Magazine will be open for submissions Aug 5 to Sept 2 (750 to 10,000 words) This is probably their last submission period for the year. https://www.uncannymagazine.com/submissions/ as per Edgard WentzThe Commuter is open for non-fiction articles related to SF and paying $100/piece. https://www.chillsubs.com/magazine/electric-litAliens Among Us (SpeKulative Stories Anthology Series) https://www.omicronworld.com/anthology-submissions?fbclid=IwAR1m_D2BRxnFH5VIOQeiCCFGdOtU5sA4uFeh4i0d9mQZiWzHAMey1HONhiAUtopias Science Fiction is open for Flash under 1000 until Nov 1, 2024 https://www.utopiasciencefiction.com/submitFor people writing novellas, here’s a list of publishers taking them: https://blog.reedsy.com/publishers/novella/Strange Horizons is looking for a nonfiction editor – https://x.com/strangehorizons/status/1820914543020609741Small Wonders Magazine is looking for more first readers! This is a volunteer position. If you’re interested, please fill out this form: https://airtable.com/applzdlHLTpefTmE7/pagZEtdaca1eg1FK5/formInformative Links
The Olympic Games in 1908I don’t sparkle, I sharkle.Are you Author type A or B?Daily Life pictures
It’s like he’s emerging from his cocoonThis handsome boy knows he’s secretly my favorite.Couldn’t leave the dealers room without picking up a few books!This is his latest thing.
