I screen stories for a literary magazine, and we host multiple contests throughout the year, including short story contests, novel excerpt contests, and chapter book contests. I hate to admit it, but I don’t love the chapter book contest. I’m also learning to hate the novel excerpt contest. Why? I have to reject a lot…
In a recent chat with a writer friend, we discussed the writing organizations we belong to and the benefits we get from each. I’m a huge fan of writing organizations. As writers, it’s tempting to work in a vacuum, where you don’t have to hear other people criticize your approach, flaunt their own accomplishments, or…
A number of fiction critics have pointed out the sorry endings to many of Stephen King’s novels. They admit these novels were exciting, interesting, intriguing, and mysterious—until the end. Some complain that these endings don’t ring true—that they’re unimaginative, outlandish, unlikely—even irritating. Perhaps this occurs because King is a pantser, and when he reaches the…
It’s written. It’s been workshopped. It’s had beta readers, including by some folks who will give you unvarnished feedback. You’ve let it breathe and you’ve come back to it and, wow, you don’t hate it! In fact, your manuscript is in really good shape. It’s time to go find an agent. Because if you’re going…
I have always been in a fight with my potential. I work at a tangled set of crossroads. “Commercial success!” insisted peers and mentors. “Big L Literature!” they preached from academia. Meanwhile the ghosts who haunt us from the books that build writer mythos model invention. Over it all the, by all accounts, timid tenor of of Charles Baudelaire, sneering at any hint of pandering.