Milford Adult Ed Redux

We are in the catalog again, but rest assured if this class doesn't fill we will pull it. In my area of Connecticut there is a premium on self-publishing an those self-publish ironically look down on those of us who don't.

Yeah, that is the case. Most Connecticut writing classes are taught by those who self-publish.

Such can certainly explain the quality of literature here.

Pulling the Plug on THE RED LIGHT

I've decided to clean out a drawer of my incomplete manuscripts and riffs. I do this from time to time in an effort to keep things fresh.

THE RED LIGHT was one of those tales. I felt a lot of promise for this one. I even posted about my excitement for this one. In retrispect however, this is one of the strangest stories I have ever worked on. The initial concept sounded good in dreams but just couldn't get it going on paper.

I have over three thousand words in the original draft but the problem was it read more or less like a preamble. I could never get the story to hook the reader.

I cut it back to six hundred and seventy words but it just didn;t have the 'juice'.

Writers need to be ruthless and show tough love for their 'children'.

THE RED LIGHT is unplugged.

Oh well......

So my children's writing classes went down in flames. Only one child in the middle school section and none in high school. God Bless the future of literature here in Milford.

On the flip side I have eight adult students.

Winter Cleaning

As I get back to the novel, I have begun the job of tightening up some leftover short stories and short story fragments. Today ACCORD had the work done under the hood. Now to look for a publisher during the holidays for a story that is darker than originally conceived.

Oh well.....

Am I funny like how? Do I amuse you ...... my apologies to cousin Joe .....

I am not afraid to admit I still get rejections. Rejections are a badge of honor particularly when a rejection has almost always led to better placement and even more money.

This month's rejection winner was received today in probably the worst form letter ever written 'from the best in dark fiction'. Readers will note that almost EVERY ezine for horror with author's who love to use initials for names claim their inclusion is the 'best' in dark fiction.

This rejection, in part, reads as follows:

"While we enjoyed reading it, we are going to pass on it for publication. The story felt a bit too jumbled for our liking."

 

If it is 'too jumbled' why did you enjoy reading it? Do I amuse you then? Like how?

 

The story was edited by a professional editor. The plot is simple and the action takes place during a police interrogation, however it does detail the death of a real estate broker and three cops; all necessary to the story. If content is an issue then please tell me. I understand many editors in horror do not enjoy the injection of humor; after all

 

I'll send them a copy of the mag or book when the story hits.

 

Yes, I am amused. 

 

Still Waiting Part II

And that frustration we have all felt as writers continues as I await the publication of THE MEETING in a magazine that I realize is struggling; struggling as a lot of publications are. In my writing class I told my students that self-publishing and self-promotion is very much on the rise and may be where we are headed until this economy is in fact saved and not saved in the bizzarro=world way that the President says. But since our government, both state and federal feel that it is a crime for working stiffs to have disposal income to invest in projects; much of our culture, not necessary just this little dusty and sticky corner of the world will not only suffer but will crumble.