March in Review

March began fairly lamb-like and it looks to end the same.

I wrote three short stories this month: "The Watchful Eyes of Los Abuelos", "Fed by Other Than the Sun", and "Heroes Can Live Forever". The first two are solid efforts. The last needs a good deal of work. I also penned a piece of flash entitled "Inked" which needs another quick edit before it heads out to submission land. A few stories left home for the first time in March, and I hope they don't find themselves too lost out in the wide world.

During March I put the final edits to The House Eaters. Yep, the "s" is back just 'cause I like the way it sounds better than "Eater". The title works either way. Currently, I'm querying for that one. I also tinkered with Rock Gods and Scary Monsters some. More work is needed. One of those 3 AM epiphanies struck me about Rock Gods...a "now playing" list is going to accompany each chapter to help set the tone.

I sold a few shorts, most notably to Triangulation: Dark Glass and Return of the Raven. Some long standing subs came home alone (i.e., were rejected), including a 137 wait from Murky Depths. Try, try again.

Ruthless People's Magazine was kind enough to publish my dirty little "Man Bites Man" and The Black Garden was released in March.

Oh, and I tried to anger some Morlocks, but they wouldn't bite. Do you realize they have a Wikipedia page for Birkin Bags but not Permuted Press? True.

(stupid Morlocks)

We Have a Winner-Ninja; Monday Rant (Die, Wikipedia, Die)

First and foremost, Carrie Harris is the winner of my "help this schlub write a query" contest. If Ms. Harris will ninja her address to aaron_polson (at) hotmail.com with choice of book (The Black Garden or Monstrous) I will be happy to ship off her book post haste. I sent one query off with edits recommended by my dear readers and received a full request. Fingers crossed, but not too tightly, 'cause I know it's going to take more than one full request to land an agent. My naiveté is spent on the publishing process. I'm in this for the long haul.

The Rant^TM:

At the risk of angering all those wikis hiding in their parent's basements, I must add to the list of why Wikipedia sucks.

We all know the articles are either too brief or ramble on. The "editors" might check for facts, but sure can't take care of grammar, syntax, or style. I'd rather read a roomful of cereal boxes than a poorly written Wikipedia article, rife with misspelling and misinformation (yes, despite your best efforts, ye Morlocks, misinformation does exist on Wikipedia).

Here's the reason for the rant: Wikipedia has removed the Permuted Press article. Yes, Permuted is a "small press". Yes, I understand the Wikipedia content rules about advertising, promotion, yada yada. But, c'mon? Permuted not worthy of an article?

Permuted books have been optioned for film. Stories from Permuted anthologies have garnered honorable mentions in the Year's Best anthologies. Kim Paffenroth writes and edits for them. Um, yes, that Kim Paffenroth, the one who won the Stoker Award a few years back.

The folks at Wikipedia should not be the arbiters of reality. What happened to an "open source" encyclopedia? What happened to democratizing the process. Is this just further proof that power does indeed corrupt?

Look, a Wikipedia article does not advertise anything, as it shouldn't. But should the Morlocks that offer up articles for deletion be allowed to do so, just because they don't feel like something is important? Have you even read the trivial bull-shite on Wikipedia about semi-pro basketball players, actors, or musicians? Better yet, have you read any article about a video game? Talk about trivial.

STFU...and Do It

I stumbled across this post from Beth Wodzinski over at Apex earlier this week. I'm sure some of you have read it already. She is the editor-in-chief at Shimmer, by the way. I encourage you to have a look see.

Me, I'm a bum today, and need the kick in the pants. I need a STFU moment. I started writing in the midst of a STFU time of life. Too often, that little voice starts dribbling into my ear, telling me naughty things about why my work isn't good enough...how I'll never land an agent/book deal/starring role in a remake of Baywatch. (okay, so the last one isn't going to happen, regardless of my efforts--nor would I want it to)

The same little voice used to tell me I would never have a story published.

Then it told me the markets that I published in were lousy.

Next it sniped at online publications, even those which paid a nice, semi-pro amount.

Now it tells me I can't make a pro-paying sale.

I want to throttle the voice.

But I won't; that annoying little voice is what keeps me going sometimes. It forces me to keep trying, even if I do only to prove how wrong it is.

Did the world need another post from me this week? Heck no. But it makes for good procrastination, and now I feel like taking on the world.

*By the way...thanks to all who have left comments, etc. as to my query. You still have a chance to enter the drawing (I just really needed an excuse to ask for query help, after all).

Above all, STFU and do something about IT this weekend, whatever your it is.

The Contest (And Free Stuff for Everyone)

I've added a "Free Stuff" section to the sidebar, including a free story in PDF format (a piece that was published in Morpheus Tales #1 last summer), an audio story (more to come), and my website (yeah, I have one of those too...what a geek). All I hear about lately is "give stuff away" so I am. Listen to this wonderful story from NPR about the future of publishing. In my opinion, it doesn't sound like a time to protect content.

So the contest: I'm begging for feedback on my query for The House Eaters. If you need more information, I can forward a synopsis if you email me at aaron_polson(at)hotmail.com. The rules: post a constructive comment (positive, negative, helpful) between now and Sunday, and I will draw a winner from the lot. Said winner will receive a copy of either Monstrous or The Black Garden (winner's pick). I will even sign the book, although that is likely to lessen its value.

Here is the query (at least the hook bit; I'm still working out the bio):

I am seeking representation for my young adult dark fantasy, The House Eaters, a novel blending coming of age trials with Native American mythology and a non-traditional haunted house narrative.

When high school senior Nick Gillingham’s mother loses her job in Kansas City, his family moves to a small town—his father’s hometown—to save money. A new house and a new school are the least of Nick’s problems. On his first day in the neighborhood, he discovers The House, a ruined mansion tucked inside a crevice carved from the surrounding hillside.

It’s not bad enough that Nick begins to hear disembodied voices after the discovery; the local football team decides he is their new tackling dummy, the queen of the school tries to manipulate him for her own selfish purposes, and his parents’ marriage begins to disintegrate. Could something in the ruined house cause all these problems? Does his elderly neighbor know what lurks under the hills surrounding Broughton’s Hollow?

Why I'm a J.A. Konrath Fan...

...and I haven't even read one of his books. (but I will, I promise)

His blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing is fantastic. Loads of freebies. Thanks to Robert Swartwood for introducing me to Mr. Konrath.

Konrath is currently doing a blog tour to promote his new book, Afraid. Yesterday he left a nice post at Susie Hawes's blog about small press vs. large press.

Reading the post stirred my "Why am I writing?" juices. Again.

So why am I doing this? The myth that one day I would be rich and famous has already crumbled before me. (boy, have I mentioned how naive I was?) Aside from the personal fulfillment of a job well done (a published story), what is the draw? Do I want to eventually write full time? Would I want that lifestyle? Do I want to go the indie route and stir up a cult following? Or am I happy just writing stories that people, should they stumble across them, might want to read?

As I continue on my journey, I see snippets of what it takes to become a successful writer (not necessarily make a living at it). The folks that become successful work hard. Very hard. Some successful writers still hold down day jobs. Some lucky few are able to write full time, but that path is loaded with tours, travel, self-promotion...not an easy path either way.

One thing I know: If the only goal is a paycheck, I don't think I want to do this. I could make more money elsewhere (even with a Book Deal^TM and modest sales) with much less heartache and hard work.

Is it worth it?

When will I know?

Should I even worry about these things?

In the meantime, I will keep writing. I will continue to hone my voice, my craft. I love words, and for now (and the immediate future), that is enough.

More Reviews (AKA a reason to procrastinate)

I've stumbled across a few more reviews to pass along (while I should be writing or editing or doing something likewise productive).

Fatally-Yours also did a send up of Tainted: Tales of Terror and the Supernatural, and the reviewer marched along with Mr. Tomlinson's perspective for the most part.

"The inspiration is no doubt there, but the originality and deftness of each author’s story is jaw-dropping..."

Natalie L. Sin receives high praise in this one. Kudos.

Monstrous has been garnering a few reviews as well, including one from Mark Sieber at The Horror Drive-In :

"I had never heard of Aaron A. Polson [who has?] before I picked up Monstrous, but I was most impressed with his entry, "A Plague from the Mud". It captures the personality of a small town in the grip of mounting terror quite well."

The aforementioned Fatally-Yours also has a take on the book. Give a look, see, huh?

[comments in brackets are from your humble blogger]

Slave to the Grind

Ah. Monday morning after spring break. It's nice to be back at work? (that's a rhetorical question, of course)

Brenton Tomlinson has posted a rather nice review of Tainted on his blog. If you haven't read the book yet, we've lowered the price (nudge, nudge). Tainted can be purchased at Amazon.com or from the Strange bookstore.

I'd be remiss not to mention Jamie Eyberg's "Nine" up now at Fifty-Two Stitches. Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

As for my writing, I hammered out a flash story last night tentatively titled "Inked". Yep, it's about a tattoo...on a prosthetic leg...that bleeds. I'll give it a few edits and then send it out to submission land.

I'm also working on query letters for both The House Eater(s) and Rock Gods and Scary Monsters this week. Stay tuned for a related contest and free book giveaway later in the week. (I have spare copies of The Black Garden and Monstrous I'm dying to give away.)

In the meantime, I've realized that I have zero red dirt photos from Oklahoma. How could I be so stupid...so here's a rather mean looking cactus close-up from the botanical gardens in OKC:

(ouch)

My Week of Red Dirt

We just returned from a week-long expedition to see my Great-Aunt Gladys in Oklahoma City. Yes, the dirt is red. No, not blood red, but red enough to surprise me. I'm ashamed to say this was my first trip to our neighbor to the south, even though I've lived in Kansas for thirty-four years.

Greeting me on the return was an acceptance from Parsec Ink for the Dark Glass Anthology (after a requested rewrite). I'm flattened and flattered. This should be a great collection.

I also won first prize in Catherine J. Gardner's ScaryCircusAct competition with my "living carousel" concept. It seems Wolf Dude didn't want anything shoved up his--well, you have the idea, don't you? Thanks, Cate. Sorry, Wolf Dude.

The funny bit: The story for Dark Glass mentions the Living Carousel. Spooky.

I'll try to post some Okie pics in the next couple of days. Now, I need to unpack.

Writers Beware?

We've been receiving spam from Ecostamps in the Strange Publications inbox.

I'm skeptical. (as I often am about things that sound too good to be true)

One line that made me wary: "Writers pay a nominal fee per submission"

Um, I don't pay any fees to submit anywhere (unless you count the cost of stamps or contest entries, and then I'm very selective).

Another line that raised my eyebrows (Spock-like): "100% of "profits" (fees after expenses) directly supports literacy programs."

Yes, the word profits was in quotation marks and then defined for the reader. I'm not stupid. I know what profits are. I'm not sure I know what "profits" means, though.

Maybe I'm just grumpy the day after St. Pat's. Check out the site: http://www.ecotamps.org/ and see what you think. The folks at Strange Publications won't be using any service that requires authors to pay a fee.

The Luck of the...Who?

I've gone green today (at least the background). Who-so-ever coined the phrase "luck of the Irish" hadn't read much Irish history. Maybe he/she was trying to be ironic.

My wife is 1/2 Irish (we even visited some cousins in Ireland on our honeymoon), so we enjoy the day (read: drink green beer and gorge ourselves on corned beef & cabbage). The whole family gets to march in a parade later--the first time for me since 8th grade band.

In other lucky news, Catherine J. Gardner has a contest up at her blog. In full disclosure, I'm making a vain attempt at landing the "booby prize" by listing the contest here. Good luck to ye.

Here's to having acceptances in all your in-boxes on this St. Patrick's Day.

The Editorial Range

Some editors like to hack and slash; some offer a general tune-up to a story, others may only make a cursory run, correcting misspellings (maybe); still others don't touch a thing. I've worked with at least one example of each in my time as a writer (at least on short fiction--I hope to have the opportunity to work with one on a novel someday).

I could give these breeds of editor nicknames...The Overmind, The Mechanic, The Water-Skis, and The Open Doorway.

I've only worked with a few Overminds. Not bad experiences really, only I sometimes feel like my voice is lost to the editor's. Is that an editor's job, to rewrite my story? I don't know. I read recently that some of Raymond Carver's original manuscripts (uncovered in the last few years) were so choked by editorial comments and changes, it was almost a co-writing experience.

The Mechanics are almost always helpful, snipping unnecessary adverbs, slicing through issues of subject-verb agreement and verb tense, revving up passive language...

Water-Skis are commonplace. In today's busy world, they do the minimum to make a story work without embarrassing errors or omissions. When a story is tight, a Water-Ski has little work to do anyway. Most editors of small print/hobby press mags are doing the work as volunteers, anyway (whether they admit it or not), and have full-time employment elsewhere.

Open Doorways...well, they just let it drift in, just like the name implies.

Given the choice, I'll take a Mechanic over the rest--especially one that insists onmy approval of each change (easily done with "track changes"). A Water-Ski is appropriate at times, sure. The Overmind? Sometimes. Open Doorways...well, I hope to be finished with them (for the most part). Unless, of course, that Open Doorway leads to a spot in a pro market.

What do you expect from an editor? What do you want? What helps you to become the best writer you can be?

Beware the Ides of March

'cause that is the day I was born.

Celebrating my birthday today is a strange little story from Catherine J. Gardner over at Fifty-Two Stitches. Read "The Marionette Manipulator & The Headless Bride" and let her know what you think.

Update: Everything is working smoothly at RPM. Download away!
I have a new piece up at Ruthless Peoples Magazine. "Man Bites Man" is a horrid little piece of flash. It is probably the most foul and offensive thing I've penned to date. (Meaning most of my blog readers would probably like it.) Remember: this story isn't for the kids.

Oh, yeah...We went to see Watchmen on Friday. Loved it (mostly). Plenty-o-folks have already posted detailed reviews, so I'll skip that much. I originally the graphic novel back in '92, so this movie had been a long time coming for me. Of course they changed the ending (I never can understand why) and the music was a little wonky in places (um, the Comedian's funeral?), but overall it was a fun experience.

Cheers, all, and enjoy the day.

Book Recommendation: The Tenant

I finished The Tenant by Roland Topor. I should mention that I'm not a big fan of existentialism. The novel is often described as existentialist horror. Not my thing, either.

I liked parts of the book--the feeling of paranoia present in the final few chapters is fantastic. Some of the images are haunting: the teeth Trelkovsky finds stashed in a hole under his baseboard...weird. The morning he wakes and realizes he is missing a tooth and knows just where to find it...priceless.

It was the pacing of the novel that disappointed me. Sometimes, pacing issues are due to the translation. This was different. For the first 2/3 of the book, each chapter stands alone, seemingly unconnected. Yes, most elements do come together in the end, but some bits just float.

The same is true for certain images/events. Trelkovsky wakes in the night and sees strange, carnival-show goings on in his courtyard. While strange, I finished the book scratching my head. What was that all about? The old, dark woman sitting on a trash can when he tries to sneak into the building at night...also very weird and scary. But, how does she fit into the overall narrative?

Is it all just to unsettle the reader? Do I feel alienated? Yes...but disappointed, too. A string of disturbing events does not a plot make. Maybe that is the existentialist message--there is no plot in our pathetic, alienated lives. (twirls finger in the air with sufficient sarcasm)

I usually post these reviews on Amazon, and there I will be the odd man out (the current average is 5 stars). The book is important piece of the "horror canon"; I won't deny that. But I can't, in good conscience, rate it higher than 3/5.

A note on Centipede/Millipede Press: This is my third book from them this year (Some of Your Blood, The Other, & The Tenant), and I must say the quality is exquisite for a trade paperback. The layouts are professional, the introductions quite insightful, and the cover art perfect. Each includes additional writings from the author--a nice, added bonus. I'll be checking out more of their catalog soon.

The Poem is the Thing

I'm taking a short break from my editing today to write a short story. I've been away too long, oh my dear sweet short stories...

When my class read "The Root Cellar" by Theodore Roethke this morning, my subconscious couldn't help but lay the foundation for a terrible little tale. Poems are great inspiration; I'm not sure Mr. Roethke intended the sort of story I have in mind.

What would all those plants in the cellar have to feed on, if not sunlight?

Just speculating.

The Horror...

...of the gunk that came from my sewage pipe this morning. Black like coal, shiny like mucous, viscous as automobile oil ten thousand miles in need a of a change--but thanks to the trusty wet/dry vacuum, I sucked about ten gallons of the sludge from the pipes.

Ah...the smell. I didn't even mention that. (Please don't ask me to.)

Oh. Refocus.

There.

Cate has reminded us all of the storySouth Million Writers Award. So many wonderful stories that I only discovered because of the Internet...nominating just one is going to be a challenge.

I ponied up the $ for a copy of Phanstasy Moste Grotesk over at Corpulent Insanity Press this morning. In the end, the peer pressure nabbed me. And those reviews. Felicity is rapidly carving a niche for herself in the realm of dark fiction.

Still editing after all these days...I hope to put the cap on a couple of the projects so I can write a short or two before the end of the month. My trigger finger is getting itchy.

And thanks Natalie, for the nod.

The Roar of the Man Cave

Well, Jameson kicked up the Man Cave ante. Impressive spread.

My personal writing space is currently under full roar. The reason: it rained all night last night, the first genuine thunderstorm of the spring. I love those thunderstorms, but it makes the sump pump in the basement work overtime. The poor thing has been pushing water all day. And roaring.

So I'll make it quick. Check out Fifty-Two Stitches this week for a dark piece from Barry Napier. The last line is one of those that lingers.

I'm juggling three manuscripts right now: the gutting of Springdale Saints and first passes on Rock Gods and Scary Monsters and The House Eater...and, I'm actually enjoying myself. Saints is really getting carved to bits. The prose is so much leaner, meaner, and ready for action.

Cheers, all.

Spring Gardening?

The Black Garden is out (available through Corpulent Insanity Press's web site), and my, are there some weird one's in here--and that's just the illustrations.

It's a slim book (108 pages), but loaded with goodness from Evan J. Peterson, Sam W. Anderson, David Dunwoody, Jodi Lee, Sharon M. White, Allison M. Dickson, Felicity Dowker and some chump named Polson.

Speaking of said chump's story, Gerard Brennan writes "Polson gets a little classic King on the go..."

I didn't know I was going anywhere.

Book Recomendation: Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

Norman Partridge's Dark Harvest is one of those books that, as a fledgling writer, I wish I had penned.

The prose is lean, mean, and to the point. You strap yourself into this book, and it doesn't let up for the next 176 pages. Best described as dark fantasy rather than horror (I never had a sense of dread while reading), the book is witty, intelligent, adrenaline pumping. Publisher's Weekly called it "contemporary American writing at its finest".

So I give it 4/5 stars.

What?

Only 4/5, you say? What happened?

Yeah. I wish I would have written this book. I would love to write prose like this. Dark Harvest is a great read. In my humble opinion, however, 5/5 is reserved for classics. Books that really plumb the unknown depths. Books that I want to read again because I know there is more I haven't quite understood. Books that speak to something much bigger than the paper they are printed on...something eternal in the human condition. Books that make a reader say, "wow, that was sooooo much better than the movie". Dark Harvest read like a movie.

Dark Harvest was a great ride, but one that was over too quickly (or took too long depending on your point of view--frankly, it read like an inflated short story). Once the book is done, the reader is done. It didn't pierce that primal place in my brain that say, Some of Your Blood did recently or Till We Have Faces did for me ten years ago. I'll definitely pass this along to some of my students, but I doubt I'll read it again.

A 4/5 from this curmudgeon is a very fine rating. Fans of dark fantasy/light horror should read this book without hesitation.

February Reflection (sort of)

I'm feeling a bit like spring cleaning. I received word last night (a message that was supposed to reach me in December) that The Last Days of the Springdale Saints took another hit (and that was after a full request).

This one's going down in flames kids, and I'm going to gut it like a fish. Seriously, I'm cutting half the book. I'll keep the good parts and see if I can string it back together into something meaningful.

But last night, I finished draft one of The House Eater. Yeah, it's not plural anymore. There's only one Eater...and it doesn't even consume houses, just people. And dogs, cats, toys, books, paperclips, carpet, earthworms, homework, deodorant...well, you probably get the picture. It doesn't like fire though...or siblings with telepathic abilities.

I'm going to cheat and start in on revisions immediately, at least for the first third of the book. I changed some pretty fundamental plot elements as I wrote, and I want to square them away before putting it aside for a month or so to "age".

February saw a few acceptances including one of my favorite-titled pieces, "Lullaby, Little Monster" to Champagne Shivers. This tale marks the third appearance of Pete Archer, hobo/book dealer extraordinaire. I wrote the bulk of The House Eater in February (about 30K of a current 37) and hammered out two short stories ("Dancing Lessons" and "Come Out and Play"). After fixing a little of The House Eater, I'm going to dive into the land of short stories for a couple weeks, and then start on the vivisection of Saints.

(sound effect: snapping of surgical gloves)

Let's go to work.

The Man Cave

A couple of months ago, Aimee mentioned my writing space to a friend, calling it "The Man Cave". Somehow, the name stuck. What do you think of when you hear the words man and cave?

For me, the term conjured images of swimsuit models, sports, and raw meat. The real "Man Cave" however, couldn't be further from such testosterone laden pursuits. It's really just a spare bedroom in our basement that I refinished last year.

Let me reveal the secrets of The Man Cave:

Yes, that's my computer. Yes, the desk is very messy. If you look closely, you can make out my submissions page from Duotrope onscreen.


I like Legos. I think Star Wars Legos are too cute. A few years ago, I made a killing on eBay selling the little minifig dudes. These are the survivors. The black plastic dragon has been with me since I was six. Buddha was at the birth of both of my sons.

Ah, the bookshelf. It was my first piece of "real" furniture purchased after high school. These are my favorite books, mostly speculative fiction of some kind.

And...what's that? The walls of The Man Cave are lavender?

Scandalous!

Looking over me as I write is a print of St. John the Evangelist from The Book of the Kells. Aimee and I picked it up in Ireland on our honeymoon.

So...no raw meat. No swimsuit models. No sports memorabilia to speak of.

But some weird stuff goes down on that computer. Weird stuff.

Egads, a Meme! Scribblers, Beware!

Cate Gardner awarded me a 'Superior Scribbler' award.

The "rules":

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends (or let their two year old pick at random).

Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

I'm with Cate as this is a very tough choice since there are so many fantastic scribblers out there. In true random fashion, I've let my two year old pick. So here are the superior scribblers 2009 (as chosen by Max):

1. Felicity Dowker - has taken the horror/weird fiction world by storm this last year. Her first chapbook (Phantasy Moste Grotesk) is due later this year from Corpulent Insanity Press.

2. Brent Tomlison - another from "down under", BT is about the busiest scribbler I know, balancing school, work, this writing thing and more.

3. Barry Napier - scribbles silly things about printer cartridges as a a freelance writer, and horrible tidbits as a, well, horror writer.

4. Bobbie Metevier - once shared a frustrating story of the post office blues on her blog. I've been there, Bobbie, too often. We shared an issue of Reflection's Edge a year ago this month.

5. K.C. Shaw - has written some very heartfelt and beautiful stories about people, er, animals...oh, were-things.

*If Max failed to pick your name, please feel free to consider yourself a superior scribbler anyway. Max is random like that.

Tomorrow: a peek inside the "man cave"

Later this week: I just might reflect on February. Maybe.