The Big Book's Out Questing Again (And I'm Fighting Myself To Manage Expectations)

[dr_pretentious]

Well, I just sent Spires of Beltresa off for a big publisher's open reading period. Open reading periods seem to be a new trend among presses and imprints that usually refuse to look at anything unagented. I think this is the third or fourth one I've sent the Big Book off for. They've garnered some of my most encouraging rejection letters, including a stunning it's-not-you-it's-us letter that concluded with a we-really-really-mean-it-when-we-ask-you-to-send-us-your-next-book.

So I figure, even though the current batch of open submissions people are certain to notice the word count, and they're likely to faint in horror at it like everybody else does, I can at least send my restless Beltresin characters out on an errand so they'll stop bugging me quite so much, and maybe I'll get an invitation to submit the next project that's not unmarketably long. Next month I'll be riding Nanowrimo's coattails to finish the long-fallow Stisele novel, and once that's in a state of proper polish it'll be nice to have a list of good editors who have asked to see it.

No, I'm not expecting anyone to make an offer for the Big Book. Of course not. I've been around the block a time or two. Couldn't possibly be naive enough to get my hopes up.

Feh. Back to work.

Comments

[amushink.livejournal.com]

Yay!!! Go big book! Sally bravely forth and return transformed into paper or electrons, but for god sake, be published already. Also, perks up ears, Sistele novel?

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

The first time I did Nanowrimo, I wrote half a rough draft of a novel about her. The following year I Nanowrimoed my way to 100,000 words, and figured out what the book is really about, and identified stuff I need to research, etc. I've spun off a couple of short stories, and the first section of the book stood alone as a novella well enough that I sold it to Black Gate for a forthcoming issue. This year I'll spend National Novel Writing Month turning that vaguely novel-length lump of words the rest of the way into a complete working draft. No more bracketed [FIX THIS] notes to myself, no more missing chapters and scenes, no more algebraically letter-named characters. It'll still need heavy revision, but at least it will be fit for the eyes of my critique group.

[amushink.livejournal.com]

I find the bracketed notes charming. But then, I'm a person who spends my weekends watching a circus from backstage. Perhaps I enjoy the shows even more for having mended the costumes myself. If this novella is a thing which may be purchased, please direct me to the link.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

The novella's not published yet. As Black Gate transitions from print to electronic publication, more of the fiction is appearing on the website. There's a high probability that "The Imlen Bastard" will appear there for free, whenever it comes up in the queue. There may be another try at a kindle/nook/ipad issue of the magazine, but right now it looks like the magazine will be going entirely online.

When "The Imlen Bastard" is available, I'll be launching fireworks and waving banners. You'll get word.

[violet-moon25.livejournal.com]

I read a teasingly short bit it the big book (probably 200 pages and things were just getting started). I'd love to read the whole thing sometime. And if you are working on other projects does that mean Ria's story is really done! Yay!

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

It's down to probably fewer than 50 sentences to transmute from bracketed fix-me notes into actual story before Ria is ready to go out to the key beta readers. And thank you for your extensive comments on the last draft. That was immensely helpful.

[annathepiper]

Good luck, Big Book of Bigness!

[laradionne.livejournal.com]

I'm with Anne!

I still have the long languishing old version of the big book in my computer (and by old, I mean the version that I downloaded from the old yahoo friends group thingy back when you posted it there), and I go back to re-read it every now and then, trying to pretend that it's "official" in some way. I'd happily read a more recent version, brackets and all, but I would even *more* happily buy an actual published version, so... Go big book!

Also, perking up the ears regarding Stisele.

Which issue of Black Gate is the novella bit going to be in?

[laradionne.livejournal.com]

Maybe Michelle Sagara West's editors would be brave enough... most of her books are fairly hefty in the word count.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

Black Gate is going electronic. Exactly what form it will take as an electronic magazine is not yet clear. The last issue came out both in print and in kindle and nook editions. There's a current exploration of publishing fiction straight to the website, with lots of design troubleshooting going on. "The Imlen Bastard" would be in issue-after-next, if the magazine were still going to paper, so by the time my story makes it to the front of the queue the ebook vs. website question will probably be resolved.

Anyhow, when the novella is available, in whatever format, I will make a joyful noise here and in all the social media I dabble in.

Oh, and I haven't forgotten your Tuckerization from the Haiti charity auction. I think you'll be very pleased with your cameo appearance.

[laradionne.livejournal.com]

Awesome!

I did buy the Black Gate issue with The War of the Wheatberry Year in it via Kindle App for my iPad, so I'll have to keep my eyes open! =)

Huzzah to impending Tuckerization! Looking forward to reading it. Did the hexed refrigerator get to make a cameo also? Inquiring minds want to know!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I am hoping for you.

[jaime-sama.livejournal.com]

Oh publishers, we know it is scary-long, but it is so damn good... someone find a way to make it work...

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

Something good will happen. I never know what or when, but hey, something good.

[cascade-writers.livejournal.com]

Wishing you the best!

[showingup.livejournal.com]

We needs the Big Book, precious.