Writerly Ways

Yeah after a weekend of editing and working on online teaching platforms I am not up for a writerly ways of any substance so let me do a ticky list of things and give you what you're here for, the links.

1. I finished the edits on the novel, well the broad strokes at any rate. I need to go back over looking for repeated actions and other things I've been told to look out for.

2. I need to write an author's note for this thing

3. I submitted the baby farming/elf story and OMG WTF? Why in the world was this SO ROUGH. I'm like was this an early draft? Doesn't matter because it's my only copy so that means I DID send it out there with missing words and so much bad grammar. I'm embarrassed. Also check below for some true weirdness with this application.

4.I heard back from that publisher I sent something to a day early by accident. They DID read it. They rejected it telling me both the good and the bad of that flash fic plus directed me to markets for it so you know what? Thumbs up. Class act (they are Cast of Wonders, the YA sister podcast to Pseudopod and a handful of other off shoots) I am pleased even if they did reject me.

5. Fanfic wise I put out two fandom gift basket stories and I realized I promised one other that I should get to.

6. I've started on the gothic/horror/romance thing. Wish I had an alpha reader for it but a beta reader would be loved too.

so here's that weirdness right from their submission form. Are you willing to Tuckerize your story?
Not required for acceptance.
Since I've been questioned on the term: (Tuckerization can be googled, however it is the act of replacing a character's name with someone known. People often pay to be Tuckerized.)


I have never heard of this. I found it very off putting as well. I mean I've seen authors offering up chances to name a character or have one named for you in contests or charities but this is the first time I've seen a publisher asking me if they can change my character's name because someone is willing to pay them for this. (You can imagine my response to this)

Open Calls

Afterlives: Year’s Best Death Stories, 2023 Theme: short stories to novelettes that are about death
Note: Reprints from 2023 ONLY

Cosmic Roots And Eldritch Shores September 2023 (Early Listing)

Hearth Stories 2023 Fall Window

Brandon Applegate & Hungry Shadow Press

Short Story Substack September 2023 Window (Early Listing)

The Cosmic Background

Heartlines Spec Theme: short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships in any genre (though they prefer uplifting so probably better for Scifi/Fantasy.)

Flame Tree Fiction Theme: Mythos mixed with machines

37 Wonderful International Literary Journals


From Around The Web

Stuck on a Scene? Try This Trick to Get it Moving Again

Story Structure and the Essential Outline

The Basic Formula of Fiction

After the Deadline

Incorporating Sci-Fi and Fantasy Elements into Creative Writing for Students

Screams on Wheels: How To Launch Your Terrifyingly Thrilling Horror Bookmobile for Younger Readers

KEITH ROSSON: WRITING THE CHAOS, THROUGH THE CHAOS

SERIES VS STANDALONE: CAGE MATCH

How to Write a Book Proposal

About the Author Examples to Get You Inspired

How to Get a Book Published for the First Time

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome


From Betty

How to Teach World Terms Without Confusing Readers

Constructing a Compelling Romance

What “Show, Don’t Tell” Actually Means

Making Clichés Work for You

How Are They Talking?


Getting Cozy

The Basic Formula of Fiction

How Do You Find Your Narrator’s Voice?

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Pessimist

Brando Skyhorse on the Fantastic Art of Revision

Quelling Those Writerly Quirks

The more a character puts in a bucket, the more there is to spill