I've been sitting on some very good news for the last couple of weeks while I delved into blog chains and awards posts. Now that I have some time to write a theme-free entry, I figured I ought to share it with you folks. Perusers of my twitter machine and brand spanking new facebook apparatus (which, by the way, is in desperate need of "likes") have already heard the news, but I'm not quite ready to cease my akimbo brag pose just yet.
Those of you who've been following my writing exploits for a while know I've been focusing on short stories since the end of last year when I decided to put my novel on pause. When I made that decision, I had to adjust some of my short-term goals to accommodate the shift in gears. As one might expect, the first milestone on that list was to make a bona fide short story sale to a paying market. I can now cross that one off.
I Am Pleased to Announce . . .
A Giant Mess of Darkness, a science fiction story by Yours Truly, will be published next month in Ray Gun Revival. If you're unfamiliar, RGR is an e-zine that harks back to the golden age of sci-fi pulp serials like Astounding Science Fiction. All of the stories appear free to read on their website, though you can also get a Kindle subscription if that's more your style. I highly recommend giving them a read if you're a science fiction fan, and not just because they gave me money. My story is set to run on June 25, though that may change. I'll keep you fine folks up to speed, including another dose of braggadocio when the story goes up.
By the by, an odd thing happened when I received the word that RGR wanted to publish the story. I happened to be on vacation that week, and the girl and I had taken a trip to Kennedy Space Center. As the day was winding down and storm clouds were a'brewing, we made our way over to the Astronaut Memorial. That's when I got the email from RGR on my phone. What's odd about that, you ask? Well, A Giant Mess of Darkness is essentially a story about an astronaut in peril. Weird.
I hope you'll all be able to give my story a read next month. Many of you have offered words of encouragement that have helped to keep my nose to the grindstone since I started this thing, so I'll be glad to share the fruits of my labor with you guys and gals. I currently have nine other submissions that I'm waiting to hear back on (with a tenth almost ready to go). Hopefully it won't be that long before I get to brag at you again.
Oh, and happy Memorial Day.
I hope you'll all be able to give my story a read next month. Many of you have offered words of encouragement that have helped to keep my nose to the grindstone since I started this thing, so I'll be glad to share the fruits of my labor with you guys and gals. I currently have nine other submissions that I'm waiting to hear back on (with a tenth almost ready to go). Hopefully it won't be that long before I get to brag at you again.
Oh, and happy Memorial Day.
photo credit: Thomas Hawk via cc
That's totally awesome! Congratulations! And you realise that getting paid for a story officially now makes you a professional writer?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angeline! I suppose it does, though admittedly it's tough to cling to that thought as I get ready to head off to work. One step at a time though, eh? ;)
DeleteHELL YEAH! I can't hear enough of the "I made it!" chorus, and if there's someone in the sci-fi writing gig I believe deserves it, it's you. CONGRATS again, and be assured you're gonna rock that thing!
ReplyDeleteAs to the astronaut coincidence, you know, I believe the universe is secretly run by Spock and he loves good sci-fi. ;)
Thanks Vero! Your support has been awesome. I can't thank you enough for all of the encouragement and motivation.
DeleteLive long and prosper! \\\ ///
Right on, mister!! Excellent news - and I love the story of when, where, and how you got the news.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaye! It's cool to have a neat little story that will help remember where and when I made my first sale. I think I'll be making annual trips to KSC for motivation!
DeleteThat's awesome news. It's always nice when hard work pays off. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Charity!
DeleteI do know about Ray Gun Revival - that is awesome, JW. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteSorry, not on Facebook, but I will make sure I am following you on Twitter.
Thanks Alex! I avoided Facebook myself for a while, but eventually I gave in. Thanks for the retweet!
DeleteI am excited for you! Be sure to post the link to your story when it is published. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks, magic mint! I'll definitely pass the link along when it goes up.
DeleteWoot! Congratulations. Absolutely post it. I will tweet it and like it and call it my friend! lol
ReplyDeleteThat's why social media is so important. Expose yourself, damnit!
Ha ha, thanks Diane! I agree, social media is vital whether I like it or not. Thanks for the support!
DeleteWow, that's awesome! Way to go! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren!
DeleteWow! Congrats - that's fantastic! Mind if I rub your elbow for a little bit of good luck before I send my next query? Lol- or maybe I'll just read your story in the e-zine. ;)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I don't think my elbow is any luck considering the amount of ways I seem to find to unintentionally smash it into things. But I'd be glad for you to give the story a read!
DeleteThanks, Juturna!
YAYA! Congratulations! You deserve it, JW!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Randi!
Delete3 "Woots!" and a bucket of "Yipee!" for you, J.W.!!! You should be extremely proud of yourself. :)) Getting a story published in any sort of magazine is proving itself to be a tough obstacle these days, so good on you!
ReplyDeletePlease let us know the details as the date of publication gets closer. :)
And I have the pile of rejections to prove it!
DeleteThanks so much, Candilynn. I'll definitely keep you and everyone else up to speed!
Congratulations! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd totally "like" you, but I don't have a Facebook account.
Thanks, Eagle!
DeleteAnd I get staying away from Facebook; I've been resisting its pull for quite a while.
Congratulations on being published!
ReplyDeleteThanks, VikLit!
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