Writing is like laundry.

Ah, laundry! The never ending cycle! You throw the clothes in the wash… and then the dryer… and then you wear them. (Sometimes you fold them, if you’re civilized.) And then… back in the wash! Yes, the circle of life!

And it’s a lot like writing.

Well, kind of.

See, when you’re preparing a book for publication, you don’t just write. You revise. You edit. You take notes from your publisher. And it’s this endless cycle… until a book’s in your hands!

And then you start over again.

This is the way it goes for me:

Continue reading “Writing is like laundry.”

Something’s Coming…

When do you tell everyone?

The first time a publisher signed one of my short stories, I was so excited. I’m pretty sure I told everyone as soon as I had the contract. I probably told legions of people as soon as I had an acceptance, much less a contract. It’s exciting!

They were excited for me! But then… the wait came. It takes a while between acceptance and publication. Is it out yet? No? By the time the story was released, my friends weren’t nearly as excited!

Now I’ve gotten quite a few more publishing credits. When it comes to short stories in particular, I tend not to share with anyone until the publication happens. That happened just this week. “The Hand that Shuts Every Door” had been bought a fair while ago. I’m thrilled it’s found its home at Occult Detective Magazine! But I didn’t feel the need to share with the world until the magazine itself was available for purchase.

Continue reading “Something’s Coming…”

Forging Ahead into the New Year

2021 is almost at its end… and it’s been a heck of a year. I’d say it was the sequel to 2020 in a lot of ways, for better and for worse. But when a year draws to a close, it’s time to review the last twelve months and set some goals for the next twelve.

So, what did I set for myself to do in 2021?

  • An unofficial goal to publish at least 10 stories.

First, I recognize I have little control over this goal. I can’t force anyone to publish my stories. Well, I suppose I could, but I’d rather not hold anyone’s child ransom. It would probably end badly for all involved.

Well, how’d I do on that one? I published:

  • 8 short stories
  • 2 full Vella novellas
  • 1 co-written Vella novella
  • 2 novels

I was expecting 10 short stories. I didn’t get 10 short stories. I’d count this as a major win, though. My first two novels published in the same calendar year, and lots more beside? Yeah! (Incidentally, you can check out everything I’ve published in the Published Works tab.)

Continue reading “Forging Ahead into the New Year”