Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Pop a Top.

I've been in both good critique groups and bad, but I gotta say the one I'm in now is just dang near perfect for my needs. We talk about the books we've read, discuss a bit of life and then settle down to our stuff. Each of us reads up to twenty pages from our current project and then we tear into each other. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Actually, there is very little ugly since every member has a good deal of talent, but every once in while some things just doesn't work, and this group will point that out if need be. But there isn't a shred of jealousy or competition among the four of us, which is great.

Last night we had reason to break out some champagne since Alice, had news that she had sold a short story. I'll wait until the contract is signed and she knows which edition before I tout the magazine and urge all of you to rush out and purchase a copy.

Now I'm not ordinarily a fan of the ol' bubbly, but last nights serving tasted great. Whether because Vicki isn't a cheapskate like me, and therefor buys higher quality booze, or because we were toasting the sweetness of success I can't say, but I did partake in two servings.

I'm, also happy to report the first twenty pages of Plundered Booty the novel were met with positive reviews. Oh sure, they picked on my notorious bad grammar and punctuation, but character wise and plot wise most of the comments were of the favorable variety.

And Alice's success has motivated me to send out a few of my short fiction pieces. I have done a horrendous job of marketing any of my short stories and I've promised myself to do better. So come on fellow writers help me out. Where do you find out about markets? I know about duotrope, webdelsol, but what are some other resources that y'all use?

10 comments:

Phats said...

That's awesome! For her, and for you getting mostly good reviews on yours.

Pop a top is a great song btw not sure that had anything to do with why you titled it that ha

B.E. Sanderson said...

So far, I've used Duotrope, but I'm not much of a short-story writer.

Congrats on the good reviews, and thanks for stopping by my blog. =o)

Katrina said...

Pop A Top is a great oldie! Brings back some uhmmm rather risky memories I'd better not share here.

Recently my critique group surprised me with some non alcholic bubbly to celebrate the sell of my ebook. Some of us used to partake of the "real" thing but I for one don't have time for the morning after any more.

Anyway a couple avenues for short stories are Echelonpress.com--they usually have a monthly contest you can submit a short story to. Also
Chicken Soup for the Soul (but you have to watch your language Travis) is always looking for short stories. Go to their website. Natalie from my critique group sold two stories to them.

Critique groups are a life saver, aren't they? I get so many voices in my head telling me the story that I can't type fast enough. And, of course I have a grammer problem too! Bless the two English teachers in our group! I keep them busy correcting my grammer.

Cicily Janus said...

You could send them to your friend who is a submissions editor...

LOL...

As far as short story market finders, you can always check out predators and Editors website too.

Yours,

me

alternatefish said...

erm, Babyface Fish here. Pop a Top was the song where the guy made the popping noise with his finger in his mouth, right?

"Pop a Top...again..."

Right?

No advice about writing markets, unfortunately. Haven't needed to cross that bridge yet. :)

Cicily Janus said...

You can also go to The Guild of the Outsider Writers site and click on their link: Call for Submissions

Had to add it

Brooke said...

Congrats to Alice and to you on the reviews!

alex keto said...

Sorry, I'm blank on this issue (and most others as well).
Will be taking notes on the suggestions from others

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

This is a great blog! I followed your link over from Therese Fowler's blog because I loved the picture of you with the fish. My husband is a huge fisherman and got me hooked on the sport so now I'm as avid as he is... um - well, no I won't stay up til 4 in the morning night fishing, but you get the gist of it!

You write women's fiction? How awesome are you? I'm glad I found your blog. Have a great vacation!

Anonymous said...

I just hope to goodness you were holding your pinky out when drinking such bubbly. We can have some and celebrate buying a bottle of bubbly. Sounds like a good reason to celebrate to me.