Thursday, March 08, 2007

That's right, I rock.

Another rejection today, this one from Realms of Fantasy for "Rules of Engagement." This story is basically a chick-lit story set in the same world as my trilogy; the books are set in medieval times and the story is modern, but both have the same rules of magic and such. A lot of chick-lit in the fantasy genre revolves around vampire-love or a "it's hard out there for a witch" theme, and this story is neither. The protagonist is a woman who likes her one-night stands and tries her best to love-and-leave a magi (the dudes who perform magic in my world) but is surprised to find that breaking the magi etiquette rules makes the dude want her more. I say all of this because now that ROF has rejected it, I'm kind of at a loss as to where to send it. Anyone with any ideas, shout 'em out. I'll probably peruse my resources and send it out this weekend.

Of course, this means I can buy something to reward myself, but I haven't really thought about what I want. Maybe some cool new workout clothes or a new pair of running shoes. Spring is on its way, you know ... it's going to be 60 degrees this weekend! (Shut up, Bridget). Speaking of working out, I tried a Body Jam class at the gym last night, and I loved it! My whole body is a little stiff and creaky. The class consisted of little mini-routines with steps pulled from ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and salsa dancing. In a past life I was a dancer, I swear. I don't mean I'm good at all--I would put myself as an average dancer--but in my head I was all about the performance, baby! I wasn't shy at all about working it. I'll definitely take the class once a week.

I submitted a story to a pirate anthology a few days ago. The editor had extended me an invitation at the beginning of February, and I managed to get my story in three weeks before the deadline and 600 words under the limit. Hopefully I'll know within the next week or so if I'm accepted. This is the good news I've been alluding to for a while. Fingers crossed!

8 comments:

Bridget (& Jimmy) said...

Yeah, it's supposed to be 90 this weekend. I know how much you like the heat.
Are you sure it's such a good idea to reward yourself for every rejection. That seems a little bassackwards. Maybe you should have to run 5 miles for every rejection. I know how much you hate to run. And it may also get you ready for that half marathon.
Good Luck!

kate.innuendo said...

Don't listen to her. Reward yourself for rejections. I think it's brilliant: in order to get prizes you have to send out stories (and get rejected) but at some point, things will get accepted so it's really a win-win. Positive reinforcement for tenacity, that's what I think.

besides, i get the impression you actually LIKE exercise. you can't fool me.

Kelly Swails said...

That's exactly right, Kate. It prompts me to write more and send them out. Obviously the goal is to be accepted, but if it's rejected, oh well--I get to buy something! It's a little salve on a raw wound. I've made a rule it can't be food, so no traps there. Bridgey, if I had to run five miles for every rejection I'd never send anything out. No submission=no rejection=no running! See how that works? Oh, and right now even 90 degrees sounds nice to me. You know it's been a miserable winter for me to want that! Or maybe I'm just getting old.

Anonymous said...

It must be a miserable winter over there, X. Congrats on the 'ject, and have fun at the class. I'll try to ping you next week, but I'm gong to be in Fort Lauderdale for a conference (talk about 90 degrees), so I don't know what my computer connection's going to be like.

Kelly McCullough said...

On the story, where's it been?

Places to try off the top of my head:
Weird Tales, Writers of the Future,
Baen's Universe,
Strange Horizons,
Black Gate.

Rewards for rejects are absolutely a good idea for exactly the reasons Innuendo sited.

Kelly Swails said...

Sean: I hate you as much as I hate Bridget right now. The past two months have been nothing but frigid cold tempuratures and clouds. My solar watch stopped running at one point because it wasn't getting enough frickin' juice! Today it's going to be warmish and sunny, and all I want to do is clean the house and exercise. I've already did a class at the gym and there's a load of laundry in the machine, so we're go for launch.

Y: This is the first reject for "Rules of Engagement" so I can start with the market at the top of your list and work from there. Actually I'll have to skip Weird Tales because I've got "Last Man Standing" there. "Mark of a Woman," on the other hand, has been around the block a few times. JJA's F&SF reject said "nice writing but didn't grab" so I'm hopeful it can find a home somewhere. It's been there, Realms of Fantasy, Fantasy, and Intergalactic Medicine Show. Clearly your list gives me some more options there, as well. Thanks, Y! You da best.

I'm taking this moment to get a bit sappy and thank all of you for your support. You all rule.

Anonymous said...

Aww... I'll try to think northerly thoughts while I'm in the Sunshine State--maybe I can do some of that photon teleportation up toward your area.

BTW, you coming out to WisCon in May?

Kelly Swails said...

Maybe you should try fatherly thoughts. Just sayin'. :)

WisCon in May ... I've been tossing the idea around my head. I didn't get a hotel room so obviously I'm screwed there, and I didn't register or anything, so probably if I end up going it'll be a crazy road trip-type thing (Hey! WisCon! Let's go!) and I'll be sleeping in skeezy motel 6 on the outskirts of town. I didn't book anything earlier because Ken and I are going on a few different trips this summer, and I felt I needed to conserve funds ... but now that it's getting closer I feel like I really want to go.