Not Ready for February

Building this page of open magazine/journal submissions is turning out to be an even bigger project than I realized. I mean, I knew it was going to be time consuming, but I didn’t realize just how much work it was going to be. I haven’t had enough time to really get it up and running, but I’ve decided that I’m going to go ahead and post whatever I have collected by the end of February. I just have to admit to myself that it is very much an ongoing project. I’m hoping to have this weekend mostly to myself so I can get some non-work related work done, including working on this blog. I feel like most of what I’ve been posting has been sort of journal-ish in nature, and I’d like to start going into more depth about what it’s like to work as a writer and as a publishing professional. It;s time to start growing the content of this blog.

Resurrection House just opened submissions for both of our journals (Farrago’s Wainscot and Bahamut), so I’ve been busy reading submissions and organizing our new online submissions tracker. This is my first (well, okay, secondish) foray into working as a fiction editor and I’m still a little intimidated by my new role. But, it feels good to have something new and somewhat challenging to look forward to every day. I’ve felt stagnated and frustrated with my other job, so working for Resurrection House has been a welcome fresh breath of air. I’ve actually been thinking of going into freelance copy editing/proofing in order to quit the day job. I just haven’t quite worked up the courage to try it yet. I honestly don’t mind working two jobs- I just feel that my current employment in retail needs to come to an end so I can move on with other, more creative endeavors.

I’m still collecting the names of journals and zines that publish fiction. I’m not even looking strictly for markets that pay pro rates, I’m just looking to establish a list that is as comprehensive as possible so other writers can have at least one decent guide to current markets. If any readers out there have a favorite handful of journals and zines that they’d like to see represented on the final list, message me and I’ll add them in. It’s a community project, after all.

This Spring Sucks

Today is a beautiful spring day in North Texas. The sun is shining, there’s a pleasant breeze that makes everything feel fresh, and a friend posted a picture on Facebook of some peach blossoms she found on campus. It’s the first day of this year that’s really felt like spring, and of course I’m stuck on my couch with a nasty head cold and a throbbing headache. I’m not sure how I’m managing to look at the screen long enough to write this post because all I can think about is how I’m pretty sure my face is melting off. Ugh.

I’ve spent parts of this morning reading Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell’s book The Renegade Writer. (I spent other parts of this morning sprawled out on my couch wondering if I’ll ever move again.) It’s an interesting read, and the resources listed in the appendices look helpful. Some chapters don’t seem immediately applicable to me (I’m not planning on interviewing anyone any time soon) but it offers some solid advice on writing query letters and proposals, and also on dealing with procrastination. There are a lot of sections that talk about negotiating contracts that I’ll have to re-read when I’m no longer doped up on cold meds.

Spiderweb update- I’ve looked at a few articles on what goes into getting an organization established as a non-profit, and I’ve come to the conclusion that we need a lawyer. There’s no way we’ll get through on our own. Also, between this and getting my grad school stuff in order I’m going to have a very busy year. What the heck am I doing to myself?

I’m excited about the next Spiderweb Salon show. A friend of mine is performing for the first time and I can’t wait to see what she reads for us. As always, the show has an amazing line up of poets, prose writers, and musicians. It’ll be a good night.

Before I forget, do any of you dear readers have information about what it takes to start a career as a literary agent? I have a growing interest in the field but I’m not quite sure where to begin.

I’m going to heat up a bowl of soup and a cup of tea and then quite probably take a nap before finishing either. I’m so annoyed that it’s such a pretty day and I can’t enjoy it. According to Weather.com, I’m going to recover from this sickness just in time for another cold front to come through, so I won’t be able to enjoy a nice spring day for another week.

Edit: Holy typos, Batman.