I Hate My Story

OK, I don't really hate my story, but it is a catchy title. I needed to go through a few rounds of editing and proofreading for the story that will (hopefully) be published in Writers of the Future, Vol. 41. Everything (the story, the logline, and my bio) has been submitted. I think I am good. Maybe.

It was the proofreading process that led to my half-joking title. After reading and rereading (and rereading and rereading) the same story, I started to see the plot holes, weak dialogue, and dull passages. I was also so done with the story that I didn't want to make any more changes (that would require me to restart the process). I also started doubting everything (was I being too hard on myself? Did I need to rewrite the whole thing?) Sometimes, however, I thought it was great. Man, what a roller-coaster. 

I want to thank Dusti, particularly, for some last-minute proofreading. She caught a few things that both the editor and I missed.

The experience has me rethinking "Last Era of Mankind." I am about to go through the proofreading process with this story to see if I can improve it. There is no looming deadline, so I have some time. The only downside is that I have a few stories I really want to get to. 

I have a poll (if you have a minute): "Last Era of Mankind" or "Thank You for the Art"? Take a read here and let me know which you prefer (or do you have a better one in mind?).

I am still shopping "I Will Save You." Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine also passed on it. I just submitted it to Apex.

Thank you again for your support. 

Daniel

 

An Update

I have a few updates to share. There is no "good news," but I am not inclined to think that I have "bad news." 

• Writer's Digest did not select my story for the "Your Story #131" competition. You can find my entry here.
• Uncanny Magazine passed on "I Will Save You." I just submitted it to Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. The turnaround is about five weeks.
• I also submitted "Hiding Inside" to the Kurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction Prize. Winners will be announced in January 2025.
• There has been some movement with the story publication. I submitted my bio to Galaxy Press and started working on incorporating editor feedback from Jody Lynn Nye.
• I am going through another round of editing for "Last Era of Mankind." I missed my self-imposed deadline of 31 October, but I am still committed to getting out quickly.

I am now in the editing process for a story that I am calling "The Time Ripping Incident." I've changed the name a few times. It is a novelette-sized tale told in ten small chapters. I thought I could send this out as an old-fashioned weekly serial. If you are interested, please let me know.

In the meantime, thank you. This journey would not be possible without a fantastic support structure.