Sillybean

Wrath of the Slush God

Incurring the Divine Wrath and Garnering the Divine Favor of the Slush God. Most of this should be fairly obvious, but it never hurts to hear it from the slush reader himself.

The Edsels of the world of moveable type

’The Book of my Enemy Has Been Remaindered’, by Clive James.

I’ve been wanting to read this poem since I finished Bird by Bird, and PNH has kindly provided a link. (Check out Electrolite’s spiffy new favicon, too.)

Cover letters for asshats

Teresa Nielsen Hayden has found some really dreadful advice on writing cover letters:

Tip Four: Still worried? Never published anything? Lie a little. Yes, lie. A cover letter is a persuasive document designed to do one

On manuscript submission

Bywater Books manuscript submission notes, found in Learn Writing with Uncle Jim.

On proper formatting…

If there is some really good reason, like you are using a typewriter, and not a computer and it’s a royal pain

…

first novel sales

I think the tale of Elizabeth Bear’s novel sale is going into Writing & Publishing 101.

Why fee-charging agents suck, and common slush mistakes

Again at Absolute Write, an interview with Victoria Strauss:

Q: Why must writers never trust agents or publishers who ask for money up front (reading fee, evaluation fee, representation fee, etc.)?

A: The basis of…

American Publishers Censored

Via Making Light, we learn that the Department of the Treasury has placed a ban on editing services related to manuscripts from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, and Cuba.

Jim Macdonald:

So how do they get around

Didjagetit

Now I remember why I hate submitting short fiction.

Voices in My Head (to editors): Didja get it? Didja get it? Huh? Huh?

Me (to voices): Oh, hush up. It’s probably still on the mail truck.

ViMH: But… it…

Lines in the sand

Over at the Rumor Mill, SFWA has announced that it’s changing the rules on which publications are categorized as professional. Writers might wish to weigh in on the discussion.

Today on BoingBoing…

Cory Doctorow discovers Making Book.

“Strange Girlfriend”

Go read Scott’s new story at Ideomancer. Do not pass go, etc., etc….

Agent Q&A

Six SF/F agents answer questions from SF Crowsnest. The questions themselves are fairly standard, but what’s fascinating is the opportunity to compare answers side-by-side.

Weekend treat

Judging books by their covers: book reviews based solely on the dust jackets. Lovely stuff.

See you Monday!

Story reviews

SF Site’s review of Black Gate #5 actually mentions my story briefly. I have been remiss about scouring the web in search of reviews of my short story. (Maybe because I wrote & sold it so long ago that…

Story!

The latest issue of Black Gate is out, and OH MY GOD

Excuse me while I have a fit in the corner over there….

Update: Just saw my first review,…