Amazing what happens when you turn off the TV

[SBC-B]

Last Christmas I promised to myself that I would approach my writing more seriously, and see if I could actually make a go of it some day. I cut out video games and the bulk of my TV watching, made a spreadsheet of open anthology calls, and set aside intentional writing time. The results so far:

Currently out:
"Rings and Waves" in Locothology 2013: Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction

Due later this year:
"Spectrum" in Songstories: Dark Side of the Moon
"Heels" in Fetish Fairy Tales
"Pool Closed" in Fear: Of the Water
"Red Hot Mama" in Tales of the Undead-Hell Whore vol. 3
"Have You Seen Her" in Dying to Live
"Emancipation" in The Urban Eddur
"Secrets of the Seven Symphonies Circus" in Daylight Dims
"Demon's Drink Free" in The Last Diner
"Rose's Wilting" in Monster Hunter: Blood Trails
"Welcome" in Spirits of St. Louis: Missouri Ghost Tales
"Beheld" in Ignite

Due in Summer of 2014:
"Aldini's Tether" in Raus! Untoten! vol. 4

None of these are pro-paying markets, they range from token to royalties, but this year has been amazing for my confidence and optimism. It's also taught me how to take rejections with grace (I'm up to 29 so far). I've written 46 stories since January, and really feel like I've grown this year.

[alwaysblack]

That's really cool, SBC-B. Inspiring, even.

My biggest hurdle is that, by the time I've done a day of work at my full-time job, done the hour commute home, played with my son, eaten a meal, taken him for a bath, put him to bed and then collapsed on the sofa I'm faced with a) get all my writing stuff out b) zonk in front of the TV for two hours, before going to bed, getting up and doing it all over again. B wins out far more often than a, sadly.

[SBC-B]

I should point out I work from home and don't have kids, so my time has fewer demands upon it. Were that not the case, I'm sure the numbers would be different. 

[Cutter McKay]

Congrats, SBC-B, that is a fantastic list. This month saw my first publication. My story "Granddad" appeared in Promptly over at promptandcircumstance.com. It didn't pay anything, but for my very first publication I don't care. It's a publication of something I wrote. It's a beginning. It won't be the end... 

[SBC-B]

Very cool. My first couple publications were "paid by exposure", but I've come to find that phrase a bit insulting.
I really enjoyed "Grandad", that was sweet. Add me to the list of people relieved it didn't end as expected.

[DKT]

Very cool, SB-C. That's a nice list. Congrats!

[SBC-B]

New acceptance!

My rural zombie story "The Lean Season" will appear in The Undead of Winter end of this year/beginning of next.

[Windup]

Congratulations!  An acceptance is so cool…

<edit: I guess that's really "belated congratulations."  I am going to blame NaNoWriMo…>

[alwaysblack]

Yes, gratz! Also apologies for the belatedness, also blaming NaNo.