posted
So... back at the end of November, the anthology containing my story "The Last Minute" hit the bookshelves. It's since then been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award (the anthology; they don't do stories). That's kind of cool.
About three weeks after the book came out, a woman who was going to be publishing a different anthology read this one, decided she liked my story, and invited me to submit a story to her anthology. Later on, I found a review she'd written of the book online, and she said that my story was her favorite one in the book, which is kind of cool, since I was the only first time published author in the book.
I should have said, "Thank you, but no." Because the anthology she is putting together is erotic, and that's just not my thing. Not that I've never read erotica; I just don't think I can write it.
I asked her what she meant by "erotica", and she was quick to say that it didn't have to include sex. That she was looking more for sensuality. And it's a science fiction anthology, which I knew I could handle. So I went ahead and wrote a story.
I like the story. I think I like it even more than "The Last Minute" (which you can read here, if you're interested -- it's marginally PG; possibly PG-13 for language). It was fun to write, and even more fun to find out what happened, because I don't generally know that when I start.
But it's not erotica. I think the reason I didn't just thank her and decline was that I was so flattered to be solicited by a published novelist like that.
Anyway, she gave me some critique, and I tried to make some modifications, but in the end, even aside from the lack of erotic content, she just didn't like some of my choices. She thought she knew where the story was going and it didn't go there, and felt disappointed. <shrug>
So last week, she sent me a rejection note, which was kind of a relief. I wanted to submit it elsewhere, but I didn't feel right about just withdrawing it. So it's in the mail right now, on its way to Asimov's SF magazine, where the odds are against it, but I'm still hoping.
Just curious, did you do the Kara/Kryptonite thing on purpose?
I really liked your story, Lisa. I read the whole thing, and I never do that on the internet. I also rarely like short stories. Good luck with your other!
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posted
Wait, my name's Kara too. Out of curiosity, how do you say it. I say it car-a but most people I think say care-a.
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sL-- I offered my congrats, but the UBB seems to have devoured it.
I'd be cautious about posting so much of your story online-- some editors consider online posting to be the same as first publication, and won't buy stories that have been posted.
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quote:Originally posted by Celaeno: Hey! My name is Kara.
Just curious, did you do the Kara/Kryptonite thing on purpose?
<grin> I sure did.
Funny thing: my little sister's first novel is coming out in a couple of weeks. It's called Julia's Kitchen, and the main character's name is Cara. Neither one of us had any idea about the name the other was using as a main character, and I guarantee you that she has no idea what Supergirl's real name is, but it was a weird coincidence.
quote:Originally posted by Celaeno: I really liked your story, Lisa. I read the whole thing, and I never do that on the internet. I also rarely like short stories. Good luck with your other!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Scott R: sL-- I offered my congrats, but the UBB seems to have devoured it.
I'd be cautious about posting so much of your story online-- some editors consider online posting to be the same as first publication, and won't buy stories that have been posted.
Thanks. <smile> And this is the story that already got published. So the version on the web is actually second publication. <grin> I won't post the other one until it gets published.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Celaeno: I say mine the same way and everyone mispronounces it.
My dad was a big dork and named me after Supergirl. By chance, did the same thing happen to you?
<laugh> Now I'm glad I didn't name my daughter Kara. I didn't even suggest it, actually, because I knew my partner would think I was crazy.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Scott R: Okay-- I'm not sure about this, but depending on the docs you signed, posting your story on the internet may violate your contract...
According to the contract, I retain all rights. They just bought (for $100) the right to publish it in their anthology.
quote:Originally posted by Scott R: When I wanted to post a portion of Blackberry Witch on my website, I had to get permission from Galaxy Press before I could do so.
Anyway, congrats and good luck-- Asimov is a great market to break into.
Thanks. They'll probably reject it. This is sort of like when I included MIT among my college applications. But I figure, why not start at, or near, the top. The worst they can do is say no, and then I'll submit "Runaway" elsewhere.
I actually submitted "The Last Minute" there, knowing full well that it wasn't science fiction. The reason was... well, it doesn't seem to fit into any genre. I wound up submitting it to a general call at a small publisher. I was blown away when I found out that it was accepted for a mystery anthology. I hadn't really thought of it as a mystery. That's why I started that thread a month or two ago about "slipstream". The woman who solicited the second story referred to "The Last Minute" as a "slipstream mystery". If that's the case, then I think "Runaway" is probably a slipstream science fiction story.
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