By “pro markets” I mean publications who pay what is considered a “pro rate” for the right to publishing your work. For short stories, that rate ranges from 6¢ to 10¢ per word.
Many people are so intent on getting eyes on their writing that they are willing to work for free in exchange for ‘exposure’. Some are even willing to pay — a lot — to get published. I might have linked these before, but THIS ARTICLE and THIS ARTICLE are worth reading (warning — unlike the blandness one can find on this here blog, Chuck Wendig does not hold back with the colorful language bit).
Don’t get me wrong . . . I’m guilty of giving stuff away myself. I have published a lot of my fiction on this blog. My thinking went along the lines of “I’ll post it here, perhaps a few people will read it, and then, when I feel like it I will get it published”.
I was wrong on both counts . . . my fiction writing blog posts continue to be the least read of all my stuff . . . not a big deal, I suppose, since I now can’t get that stuff published anyway. That said, it’s on my own site. I’m not providing others with content just so I can gain exposure while they make money.
Back to pro markets . . . aside the money, one of the reasons for submitting to pro markets is that they make you eligible for membership in SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America). They really should get an editor or two to join . . . their acronym is missing a letter.
Why join? Well, they give these reasons . . . few will click on the link, so let me paraphrase what they say: help promote your book, help resolve contractual disputes, help with unexpected medical expenses, talk shop with your peers, and offer a sense of community.
Hmm . . . there’s a reason I’m not a member of any organization; they tend to be cliquish. Not only that, they are not like me. What does that even mean? Well, I follow and read authors who are members and even authors who held leadership roles in the SF(F)WA. On the aggregate and speaking in gross generalities, we are alike . . . we don’t torture cats, we don’t murder indiscriminately, and while we may differ in our opinions of Unicorns, we can be grouped along with many other people in the “generally harmless” category.
It’s when one starts looking at particulars that one finds an underlining homogeneousness to which I do not conform. It could be politics, it could be the propensity to swear, what we like to read and write, how much we like drinking and hanging around in bars . . . it could be all those things and more.
But, OK, I don’t have to marry the other members. I can join and take from it, and give back to it, only what I want and what anyone accepts. HERE are the requirements. Note the part about recognized qualifying short fiction markets.
I’ve researched those qualifying markets . . . save for a few of them, I don’t write what is typically offered in those publications. I mean, I write SF, and occasionally the missing F, but the style of my writing differs significantly from what I read in those markets. Significantly enough that I struggle reading through some of the stuff.
I submitted the Future Graveyard story to the four I thought were the most likely to perhaps have an interest in the piece . . . and got swift rejections. Three were form rejection e-mails and one said they liked the concept and story but it’s not what they are currently looking for. What are they currently looking for? My stories match what they say, all say, they are looking for . . . and yet, not.
Honestly, as much as I liked the positive feedback, I’m now even more confused than I was before. Is the current writing environment following the way of art in general?
Are they looking not at the piece itself, but at a perceived demand I don’t know about? If so, why not spell it out? . . . it would make more sense if they had said they didn’t like it or picked one of my canned responses to impart a bit more information.
Really, being a writer is turning out almost more bother than I want. Say I do sell stuff and qualify for SF(F)WA . . . what can I contribute to the organization? Will I have to conform to expectations? Do I need to develop self-doubts, have bouts of depression, learn all about obscure hard liquor labels, and nod my head at whatever popular cause is making the social media rounds?
And, what if I opt not to join? Will I be shunned? Will I be branded with a non-SF(F)WA stamp?
I gave myself a year to go the traditional route. Some say it’s not enough time, but if I can’t even sell one story during a given year, I will have to reconsider the paths before me. I have another nine months to go but I might give me a bit longer because we’re selling our house and relocating, and that means two to four months of upheaval during which writing might/will take a back seat to life.
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Cruisers Update XII – The Details Part III
Continuing with my late reporting of the June 14, 2015, Tri-Lakes Vintage Car show.
So, here we go, more macros (or micros).
By the way, there is a SmugMug Gallery (HERE) for this, past, and future posts about this show. Also, you can click on the photos to open a larger version of the photo in a separate tab or window. Go ahead; try it.
As much as I like the ultra-shiny bodies, I have a soft spot for stuff that looks its age. Perhaps because I now look more and more my age. It wasn’t that long ago that people would judge me much younger than my biological age . . . no longer . . . perhaps I need to start wearing my clown costumes again.
Take this next shot . . .
A few blemishes, but really, a better paint job than most cars on the road.
Not so this next set . . .
Its body might be worn, beat up, and showing its age, but the engine still runs, the wheels still turn. It has character, it do.
Plus, great for B&W conversions.
Does this remind you of anyone? Now I know where they got the idea for the minions.
Only, you know, they made them yellow.
I wish I would have given the badge a bit more room on this next photo.
Normally, red would turn to a dark gray when converting into B&W . . . unless you use the infrared filter.
I’m still thinking about converting either the D100 or D200 to an infrared camera. Probably the D200, but I hate the idea of messing with stuff I own.
This next badge has plenty of room. And that’s how the color red normally looks when converted to B&W.
Can you guess what car that’s on?
Here’s another one that might be easily guessed.
I think this next shot goes with the above, but I don’t know for sure. Likely, it belongs to a Chrysler Charger.
Most people can easily recognize this next badge.
If not, this helps . . .
Notice how some of those don’t have a deep depth of field . . . I know; I’m pissed off as well.
OK, we’ve had enough red . . .
There’s already a slight 3-D quality to that design, but I think converting it to B&W enhances the effect.
Here’s a tad of blue and a bit of purple.
Of this next pair, I think I’m partial to the B&W version. Some might not agree with my partiality.
Here’s a boring shot I took for reasons which now escape me.
And here are a couple of better shots bringing an end to this leg of the details journey.
I hope you took the opportunity to click on a few photos. If not, that’s OK.
That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.
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. . . my FP ward . . . chieken shit.
Another “Dynamic” set of photos!
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Thanks . . . lots more where those came from.
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Emilio…why couldn’t you and Melisa start your own small publishing company. People love romance. Romance never dies out only if we let it.
Also, I have a short story you could take it and see what you can come up with it to make some money off it.I wouldn’t take any percentage.
It is about my Irish gentleman.I think it is good but something needs to be added.he was killed I think on his birthday 1985.
Just as I said people live romance.
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Well, yeah, if I write it I wouldn’t be paying you any percentage. However, you should write it.
As for romance, the guy dying at the end is not really going to go over big with the romance crowd.
And, I already had a business once. Not looking to repeat the process.
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1.) Considering an author to have achieved success when a book is published, may really mean he succeeded more in the PROCESS (and/or his diligence,) rather than the quality of the writing.
2.) Normally one would say the cobra was a Mustang, but thats too easy. So I have no idea.
3.) Moving?
M
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It’s what I’m often told . . . perseverance. Still, if I don’t sell at least one story in the next year, it may be a good indication my material is not “mainstream” enough.
Now, a novel can take a long time to sell if for no other reason that you might not hear anything for months after you submit something. That alone means that you can only do a couple of submissions a year . . . if you are lucky.
I think that is the Cobra is for Mustang, but I don’t remember a red one there. There was also a Ford Cobra that was not a Mustang. But, really, I asked the question because I don’t know. All I know is that it will have “cobra” somewhere in the name.
And, yes.
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Stunning photographs, Emilio… Love those logos… signatures of brands, indeed.
All my best wishes. Aquileana 💫
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Thank you. Very nice of you to say.
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These photos are great! I like well-seasoned-retro stuff (“old” is not in my vocabulary 😛 ) to look it’s age. Restored stuff is cool. But not as cool to me. You called it right…it’s called character. I clicked on my favs and enjoyed them large. I like to think about who owned these cars originally and wonder what they’d think to know the car still lives and has appeal. 🙂
I love the Minions! 😀
As for the publishing…I hope you won’t give up…keep seeking out ways, places, etc., to try to get your writing published. I know it can be tiring and frustrating. I often wonder if it’s a right place, right time kind of thing…and have no idea how to make that happen. See…I’ve been no help at all. I just know I like to read what you write and I think you have a good style and great stories…I believe in you and your writing!
Hope you and Melisa are having a good whee-kend! I’m battling a sinus infection…so it’s taking sinus meds and trying to rest kinda’ day for me. If my comments make no sense, let’s blame the sinus meds. 😉
HUGS!!! 🙂
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Thank you, and sorry you’re still waging war on your sinuses.
And, don’t worry; not giving up.
As for how we are doing . . . well, it’s gonna be a busy few months. Selling and moving is always an adventure, but it’s not a relaxing one.
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I like moves after the move and the settling is done. Hope all goes well for you two in your move…best-est wishes!
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Hate to bother you ej but do you think you can put the make of all of these vehicles somewhere, I have no doubt that all your American buddy’s can recognize the logo’s, whatever, but unfortunately one of your alien chums doesn’t!
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Sometimes I wonder if my alien chums actually read the words I struggle so mightily to put down on this here virtual canvas. Specifically:
“Notice that I’m not identifying any of these, proof positive that I’m not anywhere close to being what anyone might consider a car guy.”
That said, you should be able to identify the obvious ones (i.e. Chevrolet 3100, Chevelle, Fairlane 500, Corvette, and so on).
For the others, I suggest a trip to the SmugMug Gallery:
There, you might be able to match up the details to the car. For instance, photo #346 is a closeup of the vehicle shown on photo #146. Unfortunately, as that vehicle was not identified by a tag, I wasn’t sure what it was. But, I do identify most of the other cars.
It could be like a pastime; you look at the closeup, then go look for the car. BUT . . . I don’t identify them on SmugMug (again, I’m more interested in the photo itself than what’s in it), so you would have to then go to the corresponding blog post to find the name of the car.
OK, you’re probably asleep by now (after having cursed me up and down for my long-winded eloquence) but if not, I suggest you open the first post with the cars in one window or tab and open the first post of the details in another window or tab, and try and match them up (they were shot in roughly – but not exactly – the same order). In my book, that would beat the heck out of watching reality shows, but that’s just me and my book speaking.
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