Posts tagged ‘books’
INFORMATION FROM A DUOTROPE SEARCH
When I obtain the post for a publisher using a Duotrope search, here is the information I look for.
First on my list is when the publisher was created. I tend to put more trust in a publisher which has been around for a while.
Next is the type of work they are interested in. Along with this, the word count is important. For short stories they may be interested in your genre, but your story may be too long to meet their requirements.
Next I look for whether they accept simultaneous submissions. It seems that lately more and more publishers are accepting them. This is beneficial, for in the past you would send a piece to a publisher and have to wait, sometimes close to a year to receive a reply. Or never get a reply at all. Now you can send your work to multiple publishers at the same time. A definite benefit. Also, you can see if a publisher accepts reprints. This gives you the opportunity to get out some previously published work and give it a new life.
In some, but not all information provided by publishers is the percentage of pieces accepted and how long it took the publisher to reply to a submission. This information could be extremely important in making your decision when sending out your work.
Finally, at the end of a publisher’s post you will find a list of other places where work submitted to this publisher has also been submitted and a direct link to the publishers on this list. Sometimes you may stumble upon a publisher not listed in your search but could be a place which might be interested in your work.
This is the benefit of a Duotrope search.
Give it a try!
BALDWIN’S BOOK BARN
On the outskirts of West Chester, PA is an unsurpassed emporium of used books, Baldwin’s Book Barn.
The store, located in an actual barn, is a rambling five-floor store of used books, almost exclusively hard cover editions. A booklover could easily get lost for hours of enjoyment. Name a subject and you will find shelves of books covering that topic.
The reason I mention this bookstore is that I have two short stories which take place in this store. One of which has been recently published for the second time.
Back to my love of this store.
I am intrigued by old books, and this is the place to find a trove of them. I own a few old volumes. My oldest is a book of English history published in 1794. I enjoy holding such a book, letting my mind drift to the era it represents. Considering what life was like and who was alive when that book was published.
On a recent visit I purchased a book entitled Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865 published in 1890. I find value in owning a book published shortly after the event or era no matter what the subject.
An example of this interest is an eight-volume set, not purchased at Baldwin’s, titled The Story of the Great War. The first volume is copyrighted 1916. So, this set of books was not only written shortly after the event but during the event.
This is a true example of current events.
Here is a link to the store.
DETAILS OF THE MARTIAN INVASION FOUND IN THE NOVEL THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
CONTINUED
Once the machines emerge from the crater they use a heat ray and black smoke, poison gas, to destroy the humans encounter.
During the invasion the main character seeks shelter in a partially destroyed house with a curate. The curate’s fear increases, and he talks louder and louder, is discovered by the Martians and abducted.
One interesting fact is that the machines are tripods and travel using three long extended legs. Upon examination of the Martian machinery and vehicles it becomes apparent that the Martians have no knowledge of the wheel.
They communicate through telepathy. And in appearance, resemble something out of a Lovecraft story.
During the invasion Martians drink the blood of humans they capture for nourishment. Upon the demise of the Martians autopsies are performed and it is discovered that the Martian lack a digestive system, hence the need to drink human blood. During the invasion massive amounts of red vines are produced and plague the area. Nourishment to create the vines and color is also attributed to the use of human blood.
Of further note is that the Martian vehicles can be destroyed.
The Martians eventually succumb to diseases caused by the bacteria found on Earth. It is speculated that there are no disease-causing bacteria on Mars.
Finally, it is thought that if the Martians launch another invasion of Earth it will occur in a less developed country. But this time humanity will be ready.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART I
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by progress.
David and Lisa studied the scene around them, a scene they knew they would soon join. A decreasing number of people walked the area. The lack of trees offered an unobstructed view of great distance, a view of horror beyond description, an unbroken tableau of man’s folly.
In their cozy home in the state of Iowa, David sat reading the evening paper. And shouted to Lisa, “They’re at it again. We’re all doomed because of Global Warming which has morphed into Climate Change. Can’t these ‘experts’ at least settle on a name for something that doesn’t exist?”
Cooking dinner, Lisa listened to Dave’s rant, but did not reply. They were of different minds as to what was happening to our atmosphere, and she knew starting an argument was useless. Dave’s view on Climate Change was based on what he was fed by his favorite news station. Lisa’s was based on the science she read. The signs were there but many paid no attention to the reality of the situation. For those, life was easy and comfortable.
David, 32, a CPA was moderately handsome of average height and weight put little value in scientific investigations. “You’ve got to look at whose paying for the study,” he would say. Let me say one word and tell you me how much we should believe studies. Coffee.”
Lisa, four years younger than David, was a high school science teacher. Petite, with blond hair and stunning blue eyes. She was a knockout. Unlike David she put value in scientific investigation, especially those following Climate Change. But she knew there was no point in arguing this subject with her husband.
HARD AND SOFT SCIENCE FICTION; WHAT ARE THEY
HARD AND SOFT SCIENCE FICTION
I’m sure science fiction addicts are well aware of the difference between hard and soft science fiction. But the occasional science fiction reader may not.
For soft science fiction, think Star Trek. The story line is science fiction but the scientific facts driving the story are not true science facts. The author creates the facts, and once created, must be adhered to them.
Hard science fiction is fiction where the story is created around actual science. The currently popular science fiction novel, The Three Body Problem, is a prime example of a hard science fiction story. Science using scientific facts to tell a story.
Soon I will offer a short story, The Ultimate Experiment, which is a hard science fiction story. As you read the story you will find fiction entwined with science fact.
Another story I wrote, The Universe in Balance, a hard science fiction story which, not long ago, I submitted to a publisher, and it was rejected. I did not mention to the publisher that it was a hard science fiction story. The publisher said that the story contained too much physics.
The story centered arounf the Big Bang which I consider the most mysterious subject in science.
To help explain the Big Bang Peter Higgs predicted the existence of the Higgs boson also known as “the God Particle”. Stephen Hawking proposed that “the God Particle” was the source of all the mass in the universe.
The existence of the Higgs boson was confirmed in 2012. Higgs won the Nobel Prize for his work the following year.
I submitted The Universe in Balance to another publisher explaining that it was a hard science fiction story, and it was accepted for publication by the Corner Bar Magazine. To find the story go to the Corner Bar Magazine website and to the Home page, then to Ostarablot, March 21, volume 9 issue 4. Hope you enjoy the story.
So, there you have it, the difference between hard and soft science fiction.
THE HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY: HORROR SHORT STORY, PART IX
HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY: HORROR SHORT STORY, PART THE IX
This story was published by Necrology Shorts in January 2010.
THE HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY
As I sat there waiting, I felt a strange fear creep into my bones as the waves gently caressed the shore. All was quiet; most of the campers were fast asleep. Would anything happen? Of course not, that is the stuff of movies!
The moon illuminated the water’s surface. I was tired, drowsy and falling asleep when I noticed a peculiar glow in the water. “The legend is not a legend!” A glow rose from the murky depths, two red-hot coals just below the water’s surface. Next, the unimaginable. The surface of the water parted and what greeted my eyes was unspeakable. The figure appeared a mockery of the human form. And the eyes, they appeared as two suns. I wanted to look away but couldn’t. Suddenly jets of flame exploded from those orbs of doom and blinded me. Entered my eyes, my brain.
I felt pain; I felt …
* * *
A local newspaper published an article telling of campers killed at Lake Harmony. After four years, the incident was only a vague memory, until …
THE END
HAVEN OF HORROR: SHORT HORROR STORY PART II
This story contains an ‘F Bomb’ which, in today’s publications, is not a rare occurrence.
If you read The New Yorker, among other publications, you are aware of this.
Also, sensitive people may find the theme of this story disturbing.
HAVEN OF HORROR
Schuylkill Haven, a small town not appearing on any maps, was of little value to visitors who happened upon it. In fact, shunned visitors until they were needed. When this occurred, the residents revealed the heavily rutted road to the town visible and waited for guests. Just as the town was not on maps, so was the road. The entrance to the road was usually heavily concealed for the residents liked, needed their privacy. The road to the town was now uncovered and the people of the haven waited.
The town of Schuylkill Haven came into existence most unnaturally centuries ago. From a small hill far from any inhabitants, late in the 1600’s the town was born.
One day there was movement of the earth on the side of the hill. The bottom of the hill began to push outward forming a cavity which grew into a cave. The first residents of the town began to arrive from within.
Men, women, and children, all naked, streamed out of the newly formed fissure studied the surroundings. At first the light nearly blinded them, but eventually they adjusted to the harsh glow of daylight.
The new arrivals were helpless in this new world. With no food or lodging the were certainly doomed. Coming to their rescue was a wondering tribe of native Americans. With compassion for these new arrivals, they shared food with them, taught them how to plant crops, hunt, construct shelters and make clothing. Eventually explores happened upon the town and were amazed to find white men in such a remote location. With the explorers came more modern methods of agriculture and more substantial lodging. Slowly a town took shape and the residents thrived. But there was a disturbing knowledge revealed to the residents. The elders began to have a greenish tint to their skin and took on strange physical characteristics. Their heads became misshaped and enlarged with mouths wide and menacing. The residents knew they had a secret meant to be kept and concealed these morphed humans.
WRITER’S FORUM: MAUSCRIPT FORMATING-WRITING PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
WRITER’S FORUM
MANUSCRIPTE FORMATING – WRITING PICTURE BOOKS
FOR CHILDREN
The owner of this blog teaches creative writing for adults at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education in Boston.
Subjects covered by the blog include Types of Picture Books, Manuscript Formatting, Cover Letters and Agents.
Concerning agents, you are told what I have emphasized in the past. Never send money to any agent. If an agent asks for money they are not reputable.
The website is free.
Manuscript formatting – Writing Picture Books for Children
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: AGENTQUERY
WRITER’S FORUM
AGENT QUERY
AgentQuery provides a wealth of information about agents and publishers. Information is provided as to where to find agents, organize and track queries and look at agents’ data. Publishers’ info is also available.
If you do find an agent or publisher that fits your needs; do some research before you make any commitments. Using this website is free.
In future posts I will introduce you to the websites which can provide information on how reputable agents and publishers are. These sites include Duotrope for which information has already been posted. Other sites in upcoming posts which will also be helpful are Predators and Editors and also Absolute Water Cooler.
AgentQuery :: Find the Agent Who Will Find You a Publisher
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
PLUMBING PROBLEMS: PART XI
PLUMBING PROBLEMS: PART XI
It was fall now: time to harvest what our garden has produced, cut and split firewood and get ready for the winter, our first winter in the country. I wanted to get as much firewood as I could in the barn. But before I stacked wood in the barn, I would have to clear the place out, a job I’d been avoiding for as long as possible. Unfortunately, there was no avoiding it any longer.
It was a beautiful crisp Saturday afternoon, and time to tackle the barn. I began by picking up the clutter on the floor, old tools and the usual barn debris. Off to one corner I saw a stack of large wooden boxes. I assumed they would be too heavy for me to move on my own, so I cleaned up around them. Soon, I had the barn in reasonable shape.
After a few days, I returned to finish the cleaning. All that remained was that stack of wooden crates to move and I would be done. I still thought I’ll need help moving them, but I figured I’d give one a try. Much to my surprise, the boxes were empty and extremely light. Why would anyone store a bunch of old wooden boxes in a barn, wasting all that space? Once the boxes were removed, all that remained to be done was sweep out the hay that littered the barn floor. I began with the area I had just cleared when I noticed a large metal ring set in the floor. A little more sweeping revealed a large trap door. Must be some sort of root cellar or storm shelter I speculated, could be a fallout shelter. The house was extremely old, dating back to the nineteenth century, but the barn was more recent, maybe only fifty of sixty years old. Pulling open the door, I saw a set of concrete stairs descending into the darkness. Spying a light switch on the wall, I flipped it up, and saw banks of fluorescent lights coming on below.
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