Holding Pattern

Seems like I'm waiting on a bunch of things lately. Still trying to attract an agent for the crime novel I wrote. But some other things as well. I'm expecting my contributor's copy of the first Something Wicked anthology, which, seeing as it's coming from South Africa, could arrive today or in three weeks for all I know. There's also the Pulp Empire anthology with my story, Treasure of the Moon Goddess. It was supposed to come out on national Talk Like a Pirate Day, Sept. 19, but that didn't happen and I haven't seen any updates. So no idea there, either.

In submission news, I got a rejection today that I wanted to share. It was for a story I submitted to a new/returning venue called Perihelion. It was the second nicest rejection I've ever gotten, and it's the kind of  thing that keeps me going:

Thanks for submitting "Music and Magnetism" to us. It is a fine story, but with all of the metaphysical elements, I don't think it fits what we are trying to do with "Perihelion," so I am going to have to pass on it.


That's really the only criticism I have. Which is why I am taking the time to write an individual note instead of our form rejection. It's a good story; I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a market for it; it's simply not a good fit for "Perihelion."


Feel free to try again with something else.

Just to have an editor say "it's a good story." That's priceless for a writer and keeps the flame burning. Needless to say, I will keep trying.

Speaking of short stories, I've had a story title in my head for years, just waiting for the rest of the story to take shape. It finally has and I'm very excited to start writing it. I'm almost ready, and I must say it's one of the coolest titles I've every heard, let alone come up with. The story itself involves a historical figure, but no spoilers! These are the things that keep me happy and writing. :)

New Dark InSpectre Episode

I may have taken off for the Jewish Holidays, but the Dark InSpectre’s still hard at work. Episode 57 is now online, in which our hero manages to rescue his sister, but at a heart-braking cost.

Here’s an excerpt:

Then there was gun and las-fire, a lot of it, coming from her location. “Sam, what’s going on?” I demanded. 

I was so used to her mind, even from a distance I could feel her fierce, desperate joy as she replied.

“I’ve got them occupied, Jack, get Claire out of there.” There was a painful gasp followed by a detonation as she set off another explosive.

Somehow, I kept my feet moving. “Sam, please don’t…” But what was I going to say? She knew exactly what she was doing.

“Just promise me one thing, Jack.” She was panting and her mental signature was erratic. “Make the bastards pay.”

Check the episode here. Enjoy!

Episode 56!

It may be Labor Day, but there's no time off for the Dark InSpectre. Episode 56 is now online, in which our hero receives some help from a few ghostly bystanders, or so he thinks.

Here’s an excerpt:

The voices were getting louder, and not in a very friendly way. Beside me, Claire stiffened, shaking her head back and forth, moaning with her eyes closed as she hugged herself. “No, please stop… don’t want too…”

I pressed my lips to her forehead. “It’s okay, no one’s going to hurt you anymore. I won’t let them, Claire, I promise.”

The sound of my voice calmed her, helped her fend off whatever memory the approaching scumbags had set off. My jaw clenched as I waited, an iron knot of anger pulsing in my gut. I was a cop, we weren’t supposed to go out of our way for revenge, but killing these a-holes sure would make me feel better.

Check the episode here.

Enjoy!