Update for Today From the Weekend

1/17:

Went to church for our first baptisms. Not much accomplished this afternoon, evening, night. Except to get things organized for tomorrow.  

"Agnes" went to New Ohio Review, Sequestrum, and Story Bottle.

Wreck Your Heart reviewed by Larry Sweazy- Indiana Writers Book Reviews 

1/18

Headache, I think it is from my dental work. One of the temp caps got broken. 

"Going for the Kid" rejected:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to read and consider your submission. We regret that we won’t be able to publish it in Arcturus. We realize a lot of time and talent go into every piece, so we appreciate you trusting us to read and discuss your work. We wish you best of luck with this submission and the rest of your creative work and hope you will keep Arcturus in mind as a future home for your writing.

Thanks again,

Rachel León
Arcturus Fiction Director  

Everything You Need to Know About the True Origins of the Everything Bagel 

The Minotaur’s Muses: The romantic cruelty of a brilliant artist 

Submissions: 

Baubles From Bones - "Lessons Learned From A Green Meadow"

"Thomas Kemp Went Missing" - The Phantom Pulse 

(I was going to submit to The Tonic, so I read Time and Time Again).

(PULP Literature was going to get  "Going For The Kid" only submissions are closed - how did I get the idea it was open? And I forgot I submitted it to Escape Pod.)

Ink Alchemy Publishing  - "Going For The Kid"

Polyamory, regrets and revenge: changing the story on infidelity 

Seven by Joanna Kavenna review – a madcap journey to the limits of philosophy 

Worked on a project for MW. Working on "Chasing Ashes". 

 1/19

Working "Chasing Ashes" again. I went to the grocery.

Rejections came in:

Thank you for sending "Going For The Kid" to Escape Pod. Unfortunately, this story wasn’t a good fit for us. Choosing stories is a subjective process, and we have to reject many well-written stories. Please note that we do not accept revised versions of stories previously submitted to us, but we wish you the best in finding this one a good home, and we look forward to your next submission.

We wanted a greater sense of narrative cohesion throughout.

Best Regards,
Kevin Wabaunsee & Phoebe Barton
Assistant Editors, Escape Pod
http://escapepod.org

***

"One Dead Blonde" 

Thank you for submitting to our 2025 Novel Excerpt Contest, judged by Nick Fuller Googins. This is one of our favorite contests each year, and we're grateful you trusted us with your work. 

I am sorry to say, however, that your excerpt was not chosen to move on to the next round. We're sorry we're not able to provide personal feedback on everyone's submission. We hope that you'll continue submitting your work. We truly believe the right home for your excerpt is out there. 

Thank you again for submitting "One Dead Blonde" to The Masters Review. We could not exist without your support! Be sure to check back later this year for this contest's shortlist.

Best wishes,

The Masters Review

 

1/20:

Working "Chasing Ashes" again. I meant to spend the day in Indianapolis while I had a car. Nope. Left early enough to eat at Umi in Castleton. Great food - but dinner is $30.

Got my friend and wife at the airport, back here I piddled with the news.

 1/21

I woke a t4 am. Worked on "Chasing Ashes" for three hours. My eyes were tired and I went to bed. Got up around 10, went back to work on "Chasing Ashes". I did that for until around 3 pm. I was going to see a movie, I was too far into my writing to do so. Meant to grab a bus and get smokes and caffeine. Too tired for that. Up around 6 pm, started work on finishing this post.

Rejection for today - "Coming Home" -

Thank you so much for submitting your work for review. It is not quite right for SPANK the CARP so I've decided to pass at this time. Please consider submitting other material for review.

 

Ken, Editor

 

 No submissions.

Now, I am out of energy for another post.

At least, Trump did not make things worse at Davos.

I still think he will be the death of America, and of Americans.

sch