Several things, all at once...

[j_cheney]

1) Went to RL writers group (down in OKC), chatted with editors of Heroic Fantasy Quarterly.

2) Drove home, stopped by a a couple of NW OKC bookstores (B&N and BAM) looking for a certain anthology that is supposed to be in stores now. None to be found. Meh

3) Did discover, however, that Christie and Marsh have been reclassified. About time!


4) Boldly set up a new community to accompany the ra_log. aboutmarkets will (hopefully) be a place where spec-fic writers can ask questions or make announcements about spec-fic markets. If everyone plays nice. Nothing posted yet, as I already know everything....NOT!

Comments

[alaneer.livejournal.com]

aboutmarkets sounds good; I just joined.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Cool ;o)

[jamesenge.livejournal.com]

Do you know who the editors of "HFQ" are, then? The website is strangely anonymous, and I was a lttle confused by the response I got when I queried about it (at specficmarkets, I think).

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Adrian Simmons is a writer who's had quite a few non-fic articles published, many in IROSF. He also has a story out in the recently released Black Dragon, White Dragon, plus some others. (I can't remember where.)

David Farney is a writer whose first novel (which I think is currently titled Storm of the North) is making the round of agents at this time. His blog is at http://stormofthenorth.wordpress.com/

We discussed the anonymity issue today, and they told me that they wanted it to be 'about the writers,' not them.

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but you have to deal with real people and real personalities when working with markets. My interest in writing includes getting published and getting paid and not getting screwed out of any rights. And sometimes it's fun to meet these people if they show up at the same cons I go to. (grin)

Dr. Phil

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Adrian will be at Wiscon, so perhpas there?

I discussed their funding, and I'm going to look over wording of their contracts, so both will are OK. They said they do intend to pay promptly, although we didn't discuss 'at publication' or 'at acceptance', so I can't tell you yet which it will be.

[jamesenge.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your efforts on this, and in setting up the community.

I'm still confused by HFQ's attitude; it seems oddly unbusinesslike. No one wants to do business with a shadow.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I admit, I discussed that issue with them for the same reason. I found it....weird. However, they both stuck with that story.

FWIW, I do think they'll pay on time (I asked about their funding), and they did ask me to check out their contract language once they get it settled upon (another thing that I questioned them about). I have the advantage of being able to corner them in the flesh. ;o)

I also have to admit that I probably won't be submitting there....not because of any concern over their professionalism, but because I don't write that particular vein of Sword and Sorcery. They're looking for Conan/Fafrd and the Gray Mouser variety S&S. So things that might work for BCS definitely won't fly. (The story I have at BCS, while my most traditional fantasy story ever, is waaaay too 'literary' for their tastes.) (You've got a much better shot.)

Also, they really don't want pirate stuff. ::shrugs:: Yes, there's still a lot of that floating around from all those pirate antholgies a couple of years ago.

[jamesenge.livejournal.com]

If you don't mind another question: what's BCS?

[jamesenge.livejournal.com]

Never mind: "Beneath Ceaseless Skies" right? My brain must be full of sump water.

BCS bounces everything I send them as not literary enough, so there's might be hope for your story.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Actually, I've already sold them. But I've got another there now....plus a rewrite suggestion that I'm still consdering.

The point being that BCS is a target market for me, but HFQ isn't. Will probably be closer for you ;oi)

[ckastens.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the aboutmarkets head's up. I'm in.
Maybe put up a post there about what the community is all about? I just can't stand an empty blog. :)

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Will do ;o)

[snickelish.livejournal.com]

Hurrah for the new community! I joined. I've been wanting something like this ever since the Rumor Mill shut down - somehow, there didn't seem to exist any other place that was just right for this sort of question.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I'm jsut hoping that everyone plays nice. Interested in being a moderator?

[snickelish.livejournal.com]

Sure, I can do that - I think. What would that entail exactly? Just telling people to play nice if they're not, and throw them out of the playground if they persist?

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Cool! I'll e-mail you ;o)

[gabriel-writes.livejournal.com]

When I first saw this, I thought, "okay, you've had your fun, now go flip around the sign so it says Mysteries/Thrillers, like it is supposed too. But it is kinda hard to tell if its just floating there or hanging from the ceiling.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

It's on little posts.... permanently stuck there ;o)

[julesjones]

Wonder if it's worth dropping in some info about my erotic romance publisher, and that sector in general? My publisher's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but some of the owners and editors are fannish and they're serious about wanting cross-genre where the specfic half is more than wallpaper.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I do know that there has been at least on RA-log user who submits to Loose-ID. It probably wouldn't hurt.

The only thing were asking so far is that the bulk of the info go behind a cut to spare the flist....

Sounds fine to me.

[therinth.livejournal.com]

What a good idea Jeanette -- thanks :D

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Welcome ;o)