Acceptances, hurrah, and speed, or not.

I had two acceptances yesterday. First time I have had two in one day, quite a lovely feeling.

The first was astonishingly quick. I subbed something, and 35 minutes later received an acceptance.

The second took rather longer. I subbed the piece in April, received a query about it in June, and an acceptance yesterday.

I am delighted about both, and as it came just after a couple of form rejections it is all the more pleasant.

I won't tell you where just yet. I like to wait until something is actually published before whoo hoo-ing.

See You Next Tuesday - The second coming

I have a story in this new anthology published by Better Non Sequitur. These are fifty 1,000 word stories with a sex theme. (Mine is definitely not erotica) - in the words of the publisher:

Not only are people all around the world having lots of sex, but they are also writing about it. See You Next Tuesday: The Second Coming is the second compilation of 50 sex-riddled (first-published) short fictions that try to transcend perhaps the most universal subject in existence.

Writing from across the globe, each 1,000-word text promises to evoke and provoke the existential and thoughtful corners of your most erotic of organs (namely the one in your head). In other words, the rumors are true, the waiting has ended: The Second Coming is here!

Random stuff

1 - The Burroughs book that my colleague was holding when he said "Look, it's Matt..."? Turns out it's subtitled "A book of the dead".

2 - I am desperately struggling to edit a story I love. I love it but know that it doesn't work as it is. Now I have a new end visual in mind and I am working towards getting there, but it's a bit grr. 

3 - I am getting a bit fucked off with reviewing. Instead of choosing what to read I am constantly having to read. It makes such a huge difference. Obviously there are books I am delighted to review but then there are the others. The ones I read for the bookshop, 3 or 4 a month, and they are usually not what I would choose at all. I thought it'd be a good way of opening up my reading, but no, it has just confirmed that I am right to be so picky. Plus, gah, it's taking up so much time.

4 - Possibly hurrah news to share by the end of the month on a new publication.

5 - Summer. Hate it. Sun. Ugh. Heat. Ugh. And no, I'm not one of those who complain whatever the weather. The sun honestly makes me ill. 

6 - I have been listening to Linkin Park and Jay-Z Collision Course and LOVING it so much. I figure I should be embarrassed about it, but wow, so good. I can't work out though if it's just a magic mash, or if I'd like them individually. 

Writer's Market UK 2009

Writer's Market commissioned me to write an article for their 2009 edition. (It was one of those exciting things I didn't want to talk about in case I somehow jinxed it!) It has now been published and is available in all good bookshops ( Waterstones)

Writer's Market UK 2009

It was quite weird to go to work and see a pile of these in our reference section and know that I'm in it!

I'm in elimae - hip hip hip hurray!

Do you remember me telling you about the very cool editor? The one who was encouraging in his rejection, and who then accepted a different teeny flash of mine? Well his name is Coop Renner, and he is the editor of elimae. I am so proud to be in the latest edition.

Sugar and Salt

Accepted!

In my last post I mentioned an excellent magazine whose editor had praised my story but suggested it was more mainstream than the fiction they choose. Well I sent him one of my stranger little pieces, and am delighted to say that he has accepted it. More news when it appears (I dunno, I get superstitious about mentioning anything before it actually happens!) but I am rather pleased. Especially as I liked his initial comments so much. It is such a pleasure to know that there are editors who care, and take time, and encourage.