The Ironing is Delicious

[wednes]

As most of you know, I'd been putting off getting my query packet together for The Finster Effect. The miserable experience with the last publisher and all that ugliness made me want to put it totally aside and revel in how wronged I felt and how right I felt about how wronged I was.
About 2 hours ago, I got a brainstorm and wrote a fantastic cover letter in the standard: hook, synops, about me format. And unlike the last time I put a packet together, I actually have a bunch of relevant writing credits now.

So I finish it up, feeling totally proud of myself. I trot on over the the first house I planned on subbing to. And I'll be goddamned if they're not

Motherfucking closed to motherfucking submissions!!!

Or the TBS version of that: Monkey fighting closed to Monday-to-Friday submissions! And bully for YOU if you know that reference.

So yeah, I feel foiled up, foil-style.

I'm also working on a top-secret project. I hate when projects are secrets. I'm bad at secrets. I'm much better at telling things than hiding them.

Comments

[groovesinorbit]

Well, damn it! Sorry to hear that. But you're all set to go for the next publisher on the list, it sounds like. :)

[wednes]

Sure, but I can't imagine I have a snowballs chance in Detroit of getting accepted by Tor. That's like Steve Martin in Prince of Egypt...I'm playing with the Big Boys now.

[groovesinorbit]

Hey, I'm thinking of submitting my story to Asimov's or Clarkesworld. Why the hell not?

Okay, granted, I'm probably going to wuss out and go with someplace less intimidating, but still... ;)

Have you taken a look at Candlemark & Gleam, by the way? Awesome little indie publisher. Might be worth a query to see if she's interested in fantastic zombie stuff.

[wednes]

I haven't, I don't think. They're not on my list anyway.

[groovesinorbit]

They deal in "fantistika." They haven't done a straight horror title yet, but their submission guidelines are here. And the woman who runs it is an incredibly conscientious and talented person (fabulous editor, too). She's one of my beta readers.

Oh, and just to make it clear because it may look like I'm suggesting that you "settle" for a smaller publisher, I don't think (and R agrees strongly with me--we were discussing you after dinner) you should be afraid of submitting to Tor. You're good enough to play with the Big Boys. Each book has been better than the last, and we're both really looking forward to reading the new one. The worst thing that can happen is they'll turn you down. And if, for some bizarre reason, that happens, move on to the next publisher. You'll find a home for The Finster Effect, no question. You rock, pure and simple. Tor should jump at the chance to publish your work.

There. :)

[wednes]

Thanks, man.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see...