Barb Caffrey's Blog

Right now, I’m still ensconced with the nuts and bolts of a lengthy non-fiction manuscript that I’m editing for two other writers.  So very little fiction writing has been done in the past month or so.

That said, I did get about 1100 words into a new story, which is of all things a YA dystopia.  (No, I’m not trying to follow today’s market trends so much as just figure out where this story leads me.  Tomorrow’s market trends may be much different than today’s, and every writer worth her salt knows this.)  So that’s encouraging.

Otherwise, I sent two different stories (the second only after the first was rejected) to a well-known anthology.  Neither story was picked, but I’m pleased that I was able to format these stories properly for the market and get them out despite the otherwise heavy workload.

I also have two other stories out, plus a third at a place that’s part writing workshop, part market.  (This latter is for Universe Annex, and that particular story will likely need to be revised for this particular market if I’m to have any hope of selling it there, which is fine.)  And three poems are currently sitting at a different market altogether, so at least I’m getting my completed short fiction and some of my poetry off my computer and out to various markets. 

All of this is important, because you can’t possibly sell anything if you aren’t willing to take the risk.  I know this sounds basic, and it is.  But you still must take that risk.

Now, I need to get back to editing.  Just know that unless something really interesting happens between now and Saturday, it’s unlikely I’ll post much except to get a book review out the door at SBR due to the ongoing work that must be completed — and soon — lest I risk the wrath of my writers and their publisher.