Newsie, News, News, News!!

January is more than half over!  I'm doing stuff with Deadlines!

First, this is the LAST WEEK for anyone to sign up to take the fabulous New England Horror Writers Workshop at Annie's Book Stop in Worcester, MA! 

Kristi Petersen Schoonover, TJ May, and I are running an all-day workshop covering the craft of writing, editing, and business for writers - including a critique of the first 2000 words of your manuscript!  The workshop is only $30 - and we're giving a $5 discount to members of the Worcester Writers Collaborative, New England Horror Writers, Broad Universe and Worcester college students. Sign up three ways:

Paypal & email pattyatannies@gmail.com

Stop into Annie's Book Stop at 65 James Street in Worcester

Call Annie's at 508-796-5614

We're planning on having a fabulous time!

xx

In yet another event, visit Tatnuck Bookseller on 18 Lyman Street, Westborough, MA for the Worcester Writers Collaborative Author Explosion (Not Literally!) on Sunday January, 29th! 

Eighteen local authors (including me!) will be reading and signing and generally having a lot of fun.

Come join us!

xx

Arisia was fabulous!!  UnCONventional did wonderfully in its debut, and Our Fearless SPH Leader, Kate Kaynak, was happy to go home many boxes lighter than she came. 

The party was a blast - and it was so good to meet so many of our contributors!

We had CAKE!!  (That's me & Kate holding it in the pic, surrounded by our valiant team of editors and contributors!)

The Broad Universe table was also well visited with many sales, and we had a great showing on many fun panels.  For a more comprehensive review, check out these blogs by my buddies, Justine Graykin, Kendra Saunders, and David Sklar.

xx

Bad-Ass Faeries 2 also had another great review!  And they especially liked "Party Crashers" by Christy & me. J

xx

And, um… I have a pile o' papers that needs minimal attention before I go to bed…

Hope to see you at an event!

A Resolution to… Party & Promote!

Ok, so, I didn't finish writing up all my goals in a coherent post. However, I've got a convention this weekend!

I love Arisia, and I love being part of this convention, so if aren't already registered, consider doing so.  It's a fabulous time!

And, for if/when you are there, here's how you can stalk me!

First, check the Broad Universe table in the Dealer's Room.  Find out about our awesome organization, get nifty Broad merch, hang with Broads, become a Broad… and patronize Broads who'll have their books around! (Because, you know, you totally need more books!  Aside from Sunday, where I'll barely manage to be there for opening and then be panel-hopping and putting on a show for the rest of the day (just look at my schedule below!), there's a good chance you'll find me at the table - or someone there can find me for you. 

Besides that, if I can manage to get a ride, I plan on being at the Memorial Service for Badger on Friday.  Badger was a great supporter of the New England area Broads, and an all round wonderful person.  Her passing is a great loss to the SFF community.

As for the Official Schedule (verbage borrowed from Arisia site):

Friday

5:30, Adams

Gender Limitations in SF/F

Often, strong female characters are portrayed in such a way that seem to be a rejection not just of traditional gender roles but of all things feminine. Similarly, male characters that take on what are regarded as traditional female roles are viewed as emasculated figures incapable of pro-active action. Where are the strong warrior women that can also be compassionate or the house-husbands that have a role beyond being the punchline of a joke?

I'm Moderating!  With Super-Cool Friends!

Saturday

11:30, Quincy

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading

Broad Universe is an international organization of women and men dedicated to celebrating and promoting the work of women writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Come hear samples from the works of several members of the Broad Universe organization.

There's a bunch of us, I'm emcee-ing. :)  There will be chocolate.  Come!

1:00 PM, Paine

How to Design a Fun Role Playing Adventure

You need to come up with a roleplaying adventure for your friends, quickly! But nothing's coming to mind. What to do? Our panel of experience gamemasters will share tips and tricks to come up with fun, challenging, and interesting adventures for your friends that will keep them coming back for more.

… It appears I'm the chick-in-residence at this panel. Cue evil laughter!!!

5:30, Galleria

Autograph?!

I'm at an autograph session with James MacDonald and Steve Sawicki!  Um… please come so I don't feel like a loser with no one at my signing?  I <3 you!

Sunday: Day of Insanity

11:30 AM, Quincy

UnCONventional Reading

UnCONventional is an [AWESOME!] anthology of sci-fi and fantasy stories set in cons that are a cover-up for something paranormal ['cos, that's the truth, y'know!]. Come hear [FANTABULOUS] samples from it by several of the contributing authors. [Brackets mine.]

Just be there!  I bribe you with chocolate and coffee!!!

2:30, Harbor Ballroom III

Tea With Special Guests

Squee! I'm a "Special Guest!"  But there's, you know, ton of other awesome people, including all the guests of honor (the Foglios! Esther Friesner!)  and a few other fabulous friends of mine.  It's a special thingamajig, so get the ticket and enjoy a lovely tea! 

4:00, Paine

Writing as a Business

You've got your manuscripts and cover letters ready, and you're sending out submissions. How do you market yourself? Should you hire an agent, and how do you work with them? What are the rights that can be attached to a short story or novel for the author? When do rights revert back to the author? Is self-publishing a viable option, and what are the pros and cons of doing it? Where do you go for help and advice?

I'm Moderating, again - with another group of Super-Cool Friends!

5:30, Douglas

Food Communicating Culture in Literature

How do writers communicate things about their cultures and characters via the food they use? What can you discern about cultures based on if they get their food in pill form or if they are vegetarian/vegan, omnivores, or carnivores? How does the anatomy and physiology of your aliens or magical creatures dictate their food requirements? What about the terrain? Does the diversity of food culture--and what it communicates--on Earth get shown in literature?

I'm a-moderating again, with new people who have excellent reasons to be on this panel.  You gotta come check it out!

8PM, TBA

PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!!! 

Spencer Hill Press and Broad Universe co-host a kick-arse party celebrating the release of UnCONventional - and the all-round awesomeness of our writers.  There will be lots of lovely food and CAKE! and caffeinated beverages and who knows what else.  Make sure we're on your party list!

… I may get some sleep in there, and then…

Monday

… I have Monday off!  I can sleep!  And go to panels!  And pack up the table! :) 

Hehehehe!

Hopefully I've excited you about going to Arisia.  I look forward to seeing you there!!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things (About Editing)

Today, finally, I sent back my last MAJOR set of edits to one of the UnCONventional contributors.

I may have been stressing, I may have messed up my once-dependable blogging schedule, but damnit, I am so happy and proud of this project!  Having to get back on this "dependable blogging schedule" is SO worth it.  UnCONventional is already made of awesome--and it's not even out yet.

(If you're interested, though, you can SO preorder it here and make many of us even happier!)

Anyway, as I was getting through the edits, I was reminded of why I love this part of writing so much--well, at least when working with other people.

In the long tradition of online communications, here's a

Top 5 List of Things I Love About Editing

5.  The challenge of playing in parameters.  When you edit, you want to respect the author's creation, so offering suggestions and making changes need to be in line with the author's vision.  As much as free reign over a project is fun, it's even more fun to test one's creativity and writing skill by working within boundaries.

.

4.  The thrill of teaching.  No matter how many students I teach, or how many friends I critique, or how often I post tips on my blog, there are still people who have not heard some of my favorite proofreading and writing strategies, like reading backwards, using find & replace to count word usage, and comparing word usage to overall word count.  Having someone thank me for teaching them something new sets my heart all aflutter.

3.  Discovering new worlds and being able to help them.  Haven't you ever wanted to make the world a better place?  And do you love escaping into alternate worlds?  When you edit, you get to do both.  You discover fantastic realms/realities, and you can help the author make them stronger--or at least present a clearer picture of them to readers.

2.  Amazing surprises.  In many stories, I've made suggestions for changes or even had no idea what to suggest.  In so many of those cases, the author came up with a fix that was ten to a hundred times better than anything I could have thought of.

1.  The creative sum is greater than the whole.  We selected what we felt the strongest submissions were, and then we advised ways to make them even stronger.  The end result of the author's creativity and love, plus the hard love from both Kate and me, is a piece that each of our individual parts could NEVER come up with alone.  AND, as an anthology, we increase that by 22 of us, exponentially.

So, the next step is to put all these stories into galleys and see how it fits our page count and do yet another proofread.  (And maybe 1 or 3 more after that.)  Per Kate, we're still on good schedule for our release party in January and to get Advanced Reading Copies out for some reviews before then.

Thanks to all the authors and my co-editor for making this such a great project!  I look forward to the rest of this journey with you.

(And, in earnest appeal, you really should pre-order a copy right now. :)  )

Another "Bits and Ends"

My "New Year" September is really pushing me!

I have about six more Round 2 edits to review for UnCONventional, which should be done Monday.  (Pinky swear, Kate!!)  Also today, I have article calls & emails to make.  I'm doing a comfort food piece and a chef profile for Worcester Magazine due on Friday, I have an avocado article due in two weeks, a yet-unwritten short story that needs to be printed before Friday, edits on "Photo of a Mermaid" due… end of the weekish, and critiques for Traveling Java need to be done before Tuesday.

During the week, I will be traveling every day but Monday.

Oh, and on top of all that, there is another fabulous benefit to the Bay State Equine Rescue happening on Sunday:

Horse of Course Benefit!

It's taking place at Whip-O-Will stables and is one of those "family fun" events where we've got things planned for all ages… even if you're not all that into horses.  Check out the event page!

It's happening from 11AM-4PM this Sunday, September 25th. 

If you live in MA or CT or anywhere driveable, please try to come?  :)  Thank you!

I have this blog written on my to-do lists; let's see if it actually happens for more than this post. ;)

This Week in Trish News

My gemstone and bead order came in today!

I've mentioned before that one of my side hobbies is jewelry making.  After all, we artistic folks are a fickle bunch.  Yes, I love writing above all, but it's healthy to exercise the brain on several artistic endeavors--and just plain good for the soul.

And, for a rare occasion, I'll actually be selling some of what I've made at Pi-Con!

In particular, I'm making bookmarks and Decorated Divinations.  Don't know what a Decorated Divination is?  Don't worry.  I made it up.  Remember, I've also been reading Tarot for 15 years and will be running a Tarot & Writing workshop at Pi-Con.  Still curious?  Then you better come to the convention and I'll be happy to sort you out.

As an added note, that is one fabulous pile of gems that I only paid about $36 for, including shipping, so I'm happy to recommend Black Market Minerals for anyone else interested in gemstones and beads.

xx

Besides exploring my non-writing artistry, I'm knee-deep in edits for UnCONventional. 

I'm glad Kate and I picked stories we really liked and writers who we knew were good; it makes the reread-edit-reread-edit pattern much easier.

Arisia is also definitely holding a reading for us, and we will be having a fabulous release party!  Be prepared… because weird is getting weirder. :)

xx

Other work:

Press release deadlines.

New trainees.

Restaurant review.

xx

I cannot forget the other Big Thing that has me running this week.  Broad Universe is having our first Open Meeting on Sunday, August 14th, at 7PM Eastern Time (which is GMT - 4 hours)

Part of the problem is we're an international organization and we have members at all different technology levels, so we want to find something that is inclusive and free for anyone who wants to join.

Not as easy as you might think.

Morven Westfield, general tech goddess for many Broad Universe projects, is working on this.  We're doing another test meeting tonight.  Fingers crossed!

xx

Now, I need to return to work.  Happy Monday!

Another Bits & Ends for a Manic Monday

Here comes the last week of July, and what's up with Trish?  A lot, actually!

The pics are old ones from a very messy desk.  My very messy desk… which is currently, horrifically, messy once again.  It's bled out to one side and the book cases and has been doing so for some time.  About a week or two ago, Scott got me a file folder cabinet and it has finally been moved into its new home beside my desk today, along with a new, narrower, bookshelf. 

So, Stuff is getting rearranged.  It makes for a great metaphor.  I'm doing an awful lot of rearranging life around stuff right now.  Here's a glimpse!

xx

Good news!  I have an acceptance to announce!!

New England Horror Writers accepted my poem "Kali's Promise" into their upcoming anthology, Epitaphs, which will be available 11-11-11 for Anthocon, in New Hampshire!

I haven't written much about New England Horror Writers, but it's another grassroots group that I'm proud to be a part of.  If you write horror or dark fantasy and live in the New England area, definitely check out the group!

xx

As I mentioned on Friday, I'm the new president of Broad Universe.  :)  There's a ton of stuff I need to do and reorganize for that… not the least of which is to write the press release. 

I also have to reorganize all of my Broad Universe stuff that I inherited from Phoebe.  I put two boxes in what I think will make a nice home.  I have two more, plus my own collection of stuff. 

That said, I am already talking about specific new projects on the horizon!  Stay tuned. 

 

xx

Pi-Con just sent me my schedule!  I'm on a bunch of panels AND working on a Rapid Fire Reading for Broads!  I'll post it shortly.

Oh, and if you've missed it, I am their Guest of Awesome!

I'm also putting together a dealer's room with a few friends.  We'll have art, jewelry… and some very special surprises.  :)

Related to-dos: Um, actually fill out dealer paperwork, get party room for Broad Universe!

xx

Come August, Kate Kaynak and I will start sending edits back to our fabulous contributors for UnCONventional!

As hard as some of the "no" responses were that we sent back, hearing so much excitement from all those we accepted is just amazing!  We do have an excellent line-up, so keep an eye out for the book.

xx

I owe my webmistress a bunch of stuff so she can update my website… oi!

xx

On the non-fiction writing front:

1.  I have a deadline on apples for the end of this week.

2.  I have a review deadline end of this week.

3.  I have to put together some horsey news within the next two weeks.

xx

On the fiction writing front:

1. I owe my Trickster novel a synopsis; I promised the main character.

2. I need to re-edit "Photograph of a Mermaid" per various trusted people's advice and then resend it to Kate for UnCONventional.

3.  I need to finish editing Kelpie. 

xx

And if you don't think that's enough to keep me busy (on top of my tutoring and training!), then you are far more sadistic than I am masochistic.  :p 

What am I doing blogging?  I need to get to bed so I can get to work!!

Writerly Wednesday: Busy Writing Fiction

I met with my Spencer Hill Press co-editor for lunch today about UnCONventional.  We are in agreement on a bunch of things - yay!

In the meantime, I need to finish writing MY contribution.  It involves lesbians, a cruise ship, mermaids, and has been helped by a lengthy email discussion with a good friend about SCUBA and underwater photography.

You TOTALLY want to read this anthology when it comes out in January.  You know you do!

Oh… and yeah, we're still open to submissions until JULY 1ST!  :)

The Happy Side of Busy

I'll be brief and just share the top, most urgent three things - the ones I need just a bit of help with.  :)

Make Trish an American God(dess)

Ok… well, at least help me get a speaking role on Neil Gaiman's American Gods audio book! 

Getting into the Top 20 is one of those popularity voting things, so I really, really need some help with this.  If I'm in the Top 20 by May 2nd, then it's up to Mr. Neil F-----g Gaiman, himself, and HarperCollins publishing.  And then, if I win THAT, I'm off to New York to get coached by Gaiman and then get a speaking role.  Squee!

I don't think I need to elaborate on how much AWESOME that is made of!

So, if you'd like to help, here's the link!

http://neilgaiman.bookperk.com/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=29933

If my profile doesn't come up right away, do a search for "trish" and it will find me.

If you haven't done this before, you'll need to make an account, but that's pretty easy.

So, begging:  Please vote for me?  Thank you!!

Working Writer's Workshop Birthday Bash

On my birthday, the wonderful, huge holiday of April 30th, I'll be celebrating by…

… working at a writing conference at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  I'm on a panel about writing resources (rather apropos!  I'll be telling women why they need to join the fabulous ranks of Broad Universe… ahem… it IS membership season!)

Of course, I'll talk beyond Broad Universe.  I'll be chatting about nonfiction avenues of income, various fiction resources, and much of the stuff I've chatted about on this blog… like why every writer should get an accountant.  (I <3 my new one as much as my old one.  Yay people who know more about making $ than I do!)

For more info about this conference, check this website out Women's Words Week Writer's Workshop here on the YWCA page.

Extra bonus: Net proceeds go to benefit YWCA's domestic violence services.

Please ignore: The somewhat incorrect and out of date bio they have for me.  le sigh!

Uncovering UnCONventional!

Last, and most certainly not least, CHECK OUT THE COVER FOR UnCONventional! 

 

This is the anthology I'm editing with Kate Kaynak of Spencer Hill Press.  And yes, we are still open for contributions!  :)  See our guidelines here.

And now, I'm off to bed so I may be rested to attack a busy Monday!

Monday's News and Organizational Blog

The snow is disappearing!  The snow is disappearing!

Even the "neighbors" are happy.  Or they are just so sick of it that they'll get this close for a picture in case it may provide food.

In any case, more sunlight means I can get more done!  Why?  Well, there's the biological, vitamin D thing.  And the psychological and emotional need for at least a little sun - even for this semi-stealth Goth girl.

Of course, it so happens that there's plenty to do with this increased energy and sunlight.  Here's some of what's been going on:

A teaser: I've seen the sketches for the UnCONventional cover, and they are fabulous!  I can't share yet, but I squeed all day despite the aggravation of being late on some of my reviews.

If you're interested in being part of this excellent anthology, our submission guidelines are up here.  Check 'em out!

xx

I met with my webmistress about a redesign of my website.  :)  Have I actually gotten my news updates to her yet?

Um.

*scribbles on to-do list.*

xx

My email inbox is still just under 150 emails that need me to do something at sometime… so, uh, if you're waiting for some sort of response from me, you're welcome to email me again with a  virtual kick in the caboose.

xx

Still working on Big Editing Project, and I've got a bunch of equine writing deadlines this week.  Along with the few team reviews I'm behind on… but those WILL get done when I wake up.

xx

I'm slowly moving forward on Kelpie.  I met up with a few more writing friends from the Common Ground group that was active a few years ago, and they're pushing, too.  I also owe a letter and a copy of the UnCONventional open call to my correspondence writing group.

xx

I'm waiting for checks.  And that just sucks.

xx

I need to go to bed so I can now be better prepared to do all this stuff that I didn't do today… when I wake up on Monday/today.

This is even more "Bits and Ends" than my usual.  Therefore, it needed a different name.  Logically.

Yes, I'm tired.  Happy day!

News! News! News!

Oh what a Manic Monday this is!

Three - count 'em THREE - deadlines this week!  Oh, and a car appointment.  And a Skype conference for the newest Broad Universe podcast: Broadly Speaking!

And some horse time!

Anyway, some Important Stuff You Should Know!

Keep your eye on the Bad-Ass Faeries Official Website.  :)  There's some nifty free stuff there, like wallpaper and fiction!  In fact, watch for a fun little flash by Christy and me starring Cameron and Roy from our "Party Crashers" short story in Just Plain Bad!

xx

I am now the proud editor of an anthology along with the fabulous Kate Kaynak!

We even have an official Call for Submissions.  :)  Here it is:

Call for Submissions for the anthology UnCONventional

We're looking for stories that take place at fantasy/sci-fi conventions or other gatherings in which the convention/conference itself is just the cover for something supernatural or fantastic. Imagine time travelers using a steampunk con to cover their attempt to open a portal to return to their own times, werewolves holding a beauty pageant at a dog show, or vampires holding a treaty summit at Dragon*Con.

Suggested Length: 3,000-7,000 words. Up to 10,000 words is possible, but it will be a HARD sell.

Due Date: July 1st, 2011

Editors: Kate Kaynak and Trisha Wooldridge

Submission Guidelines: Please email your submissions to us at: editor@SpencerHillPress.com.
Put your story into the BODY of the email (no attachments, please!) and put "UnCONventional" in your subject line along with the title of your story. Legalese: We can only accept previously unpublished stories. Please do not used licensed characters or any trademarked or copyright-protected material without written permission in advance of submission (This is NOT the place for fanfic). Contributor compensation will include a $10 advance paid upon publication, a contributor copy of the paper version, a royalty percentage split between all contributors, and, of course, bragging rights. Stories should be appropriate for adult and teen readers (age 14 and up); please, no explicit sex or graphic violence!

Visit the publisher at:  http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/Submissions.html

xx

I'm also blogging with the Worcester Bloggers!

Ok, so I've got a whole one post up, but more will come.  I promise.  Many will be pretty horse pictures.  Other stuff will be food-related.  :)  I'll try to keep it all fun!

xx

I'm looking for advertising for the Bay State Equine Rescue Wine, Beer & Liquor tasting booklet.  :)  Get your products in front of eating and drinking horse lovers!  Contact me for rates and details. 

Advertise AND save horses. :)  You know you want to!  And you know I'll be begging you again in 4 months for the Blogathon if you don't.  <3

xx

Next Manic Monday's post will be the first ever Broadly Speaking podcast.  It will feature interviews with Gail Z. Martin, Jennifer Pelland, and Morven Westfield about the writing in regards to Faith and Fear. 

It will be cool!

Tune in. :)

xx

It is very cold in MA and my feet are only finally warming up entirely after a day of hanging out with horses.  A stomped-upon foot feels painfully strange as it gains more and more feeling.  The same for a poor typing hand that was squished between a door and a horse butt.  That is me; and I am Tired. 

So, that's all the news your getting. 

Happy Monday!