Aswiebe's Market List Update 2013-07

http://www.aswiebe.com/writing/markets.html

The next update of Aswiebe's Market List will be after 8/15/2013.
Permanent link to this newsletter in the archives: http://www.aswiebe.com/writing/archive2013.html#071513

Editor's Note

Grammar is important for a writer, yes? Yes.

Automatic grammar checkers are generally pretty lousy, right? Right.

So what's a writer to do? Use reference materials! You can go (very) old school with the free edition of Strunk's The Elements of Style available online at http://www.bartleby.com/141/ . A more modern desk reference is also probably a good idea. I'm fond of my A Pocket Manual of Style. For all those finicky little questions like when titles should be capitalized, I like Grammar Girl: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl .

Grammar is on my mind since I just reviewed Grammarly (http://www.grammarly.com/), a grammar-checking program and online webapp. The short version? I have yet to find a grammar checker that will catch all errors without spitting up a ton of false positives. Grammarly might be useful to people just starting to write or people who speak English as a second language, since they do a very good job of explaining the different grammar errors that are possible. The full review is here: http://cloudscudding.livejournal.com/1107148.html .

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What I've been up to lately, writing-wise:

Two SF/F conventions within a month of each other doesn't leave a whole lot of time for anything else! But I've finished writing "Jill Underhill," my short story side project, and I'm busy researching digital encryption and handwriting analysis and medieval monks for my next one. Hopefully, my notes from the panels I attended/participated in will get posted soon, when I have time.

The horror anthology Eulogies II: Tales From the Cellar is now available in print on Amazon.com (ebook versions coming soon). This anthology includes my short story, "The Miracle Material."

When manufacturers think they've found the perfect material, it soon becomes more common than plastic. That's when the troubles start.

Excerpt:

The landfill is safe. I think. Even tupperware frightens me now. The sight of a discarded teddy bear moves me to tears. I wonder if Meredith's teddy bear still lies abandoned on her bed, held under siege by the ever-glowing blue stars that decorate her bedroom.

I tell myself that Meredith is safe and happy. We came from the sea, the scientists said. When there were scientists. What could be more natural than for us to return to the sea? I tell myself that she is safe and happy within the bosom of the sea.

I know I lie.

Wherever Meredith may be, however she feels, she is not my little girl anymore. And it is all my fault.

Read more in Eulogies II.

Keep writing, keep submitting, and good luck!
- Abra Staffin-Wiebe
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