End of the year wrap-up

It’s good to take stock, to turn the gaze backwards to get the level of the landscape. To determine exactly how much time I’ve spent staring at the computer screen. Actually, it’s been a great writing year, regardless of the state of the time portal.

Two things that have happened over the last month are simply astounding, for me personally. I was asked to be guest reader for SmokeLong Quarterly (https://twitter.com/SmokeLong/status/1466526373871337479) and they also nominated my piece for Best Microfiction (https://twitter.com/SmokeLong/status/1462548564853227520). Yep. Unbelievable. If I think about it for too long, I can’t feel my toes.

I’ve also been a little silly and collected some stats for the year, which are below. Just for funsies.

End of Year Stats – 2021

Short Stories:

Submissions – 111

Rejections – 103

Acceptances – 8

Publications – 6

Stories written – 38

Noms – 1

Other awards and near misses – 4 longlists/HMs

Novels:

Agent queries – 18

Agent rejections – 13

3 requests (including pitch contests)

Two passes and edits of IITAOFA 

17K written of War Island

Other Lit Involvement:

Blog editor for LSQ

Guest reading for SLQ

lotsa beta reading

Took three workshops

Active in 3 writing/reading groups

I’m looking forward to writing in 2022, to channeling the joy that writing brings and the community that supports it. Wishing the same for everyone. Love to all and Happy New Year!

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Picture by Anna Sushok on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/WmtH0ysU65A

Smokelong Quarterly – The larvae of tree-dwelling species stay where they hatch

This amazing, beautiful publication is out and (I need to breathe a little before I say it) contains my quirky micro, “The Larvae of Tree-Dwelling Species Stay Where They Hatch”.

It’s a spontaneous creation nightmare, sort of. It’s a love story, sort of.

The insurance company does not care for the 500 pound robin, at all.

Besides my story, there are nine other, incredible selections. Go read them.

Future Folklore special selection

Thrilled that my story, “St. Winston’s Refuge for Extinct Animals” was chosen as a Special Selection in the Future Folklore Contest by STCW Publishing. It is a story and a cause close to my heart.

Future Folklore is a climate-fiction anthology building the body of literature depicting positive and possible climate futures. It comes out in October, including in free e-book format for all to read! By encouraging writers of all levels and cultures to publish visions of what could go right, we liberate the story of climate change. Follow @storiestochangetheworld for updates!  

Publication will be in October.

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Flash Flood 2021 – The Last Spider Lilies of Chester County

As part of the annual 24 hour event, micros are bursting from the dams, escaping their tethers, and cresting over in waves. My micro, “The Last Spider Lilies of Chester County” entered the river at 8:15 EST.

Amazing mini writing, hourly prompts, and other activities make it a summer fun-day for floating in all the best writerly words.

http://flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-last-spider-lilies-of-chester.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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