Writing Wednesday – The Nose Knows

 

Over the last few days, I’ve had this odd “pressure” feeling behind my nose, and today, at the dentist, I brought it up and now I have minor surgery prepped for next week.

So that’s a thing that just happened.

It’s as minor as can be, is a day-thing, and I’m not even remotely worried. I’ve had so much metal put into my jaw, teeth, and mouth that I can’t even begin to tell you how unsurprising it is that something went a wee bit sideways (well, upwards) and now I’ve got a minor repair.

Bionic jaws need upkeep.

Personally, I’m hoping for a wee bit of wobbly voice afterward. I’ll record it if it happens.

Anyway! Writing Wednesday is late because of all of the above, but here we go.

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Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks

I’m still on track with EPfTF, but I had my first really frustrating day of trying (and failing) to connect with the voice of Cole yesterday. I got there, eventually, but every single word was like pulling teeth.

Oh. Hey. More teeth.

That said, I’m not worried, it’s always like this, and I’m finding more and more of the threads I was hoping to find to snarl up Cole’s life. I’ve also had a big breakthrough with my decisions about Cole’s teleportation abilities, what they mean, how they work, and how they fit into the history of the world he inhabits.

Which is our world, of course, only with a kid who can teleport.

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Of Echoes Born / Short Pieces

Last week I mentioned I signed up for the 11th Annual NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge, which was so far out of my wheelhouse that I’m not even sure I know what to do to finish the metaphor about wheelhouses. I got my assignment: “Ghost story, with an admission of guilt, and a stalker character.” And then I froze. Completely.

Today, while I was learning about my bionic impairment, however, I finally came up with an idea. I’m letting it percolate a bit, but I think I’ve got a story. Fingers crossed.

Still on track with the collection, too.

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Open Calls for Submission

Lastly, Writing Wednesday updates include my list off all the various open calls for submission I’ve found and/or am trying to write for. If you know of any others, by all means do drop them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list. If this is helpful for people other than myself, it’s even better.

Also, January is shaping up to be a great month submission wise. Thus far, I’ve sent in 5 submissions (4 of which were reprints, 1 was a new piece), and I’ve just signed an acceptance contract for one of those reprints.

• Chicken Soup for the Soul – Various titles, various themes, various deadlines, 1,200 word count limit.
• Clarkesworld – Currently open for art, non-fiction, and short story submissions.
• Cast of Wonders – Young adult short fiction market, open to story submissions up to 6,000 words.
• 49th Parallels – Alternative Canadian Histories and Futures, Bundoran Press, deadline February 14th, 2017; 1,500-7k word count limit.
• MM Superpowers anthology – This isn’t the only thing open at Totally Bound (you can click through for the full list), but this is the one I’m eyeing; deadline February 28th, 2017; 10k-15k word count limit, with erotic content.
• Alice Unbound – Think Alice in Wonderland, only speculative and may embrace fabulist, weird, myth, SF, fantasy, steampunk, horror, etc. Exile Editions; Submission window: February 1st – May 31st, 2017; 2k – 5k word count limit; Canadians and ex-pat Canadians only.