Friday, September 23, 2011

T. W. Fendley on Becoming a Published Author/ebook giveaway

Immortyl Revolution is pleased to welcome T. W. Fendley!  She is part of my ongoing feature of L&L Dreamspell authors.  T.W. has graciously offered an ebook giveaway.

GIVEAWAY:

T.W. is offering a drawing to win Dreamspell Sci Fi Vol. 1, an ebook anthology featuring her story, “Solar Lullaby.” To enter, please leave a comment, including your contact email. The winner, chosen by random drawing, will be notified next Thursday, Sept. 29.



Most of the time I'm chugging away on my latest novel, but several times a year I take a break to focus on something entirely different. No, I'm not talking about reality TV. I mean short stories that give you that quick burst of adrenalin from actually finishing something. Getting published makes it even more fun! So I jumped at this chance to share a few ideas on how to get your short stories into readers' hands.

Contests are a great stepping stone toward publication. But unless you're Asimov reincarnated, before you submit to contests (or anywhere else), be sure to have someone critique your story. Contest judges are often well known writers or editors, and that's certainly not who you want to point out a typo. Many judges in smaller contests will give feedback on what needs to be improved. When you’re one of the contest winners, you can add that to your professional credentials.


Writers’ organizations and conferences often offer contests, and your local chapter may be able to help you connect with a critique partner. Rallystorm offers online forums for getting critiques and connecting with other writers. Preditors & Editors, another free site, has a cross-genre listing of contests and conferences.

For science fiction and fantasy writers, one of the biggest and best contests is L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future (WOF). It pays $1,000 quarterly to winners, plus a $5,000 annual grand prize. WOF's forum can help you find critique partners and learn how to improve your stories. With about 1,000 entries each quarter in the WOF contest, I was thrilled when "Solar Lullaby"--my short story featured in the Dreamspell Sci Fi Vol.1 ebook anthology--earned honorable mention.

I learned about the Dreamspell anthology directly from the publisher's website. They're looking for dog stories now, with more anthologies opening for submission soon. You also should check Duotrope, which lists more than 3,500 markets for fiction and poetry. It even allows you track your submissions--gotta love it! Remember, persistence pays off. Send to the top-paying markets for your genre first, and keep the stories going out.

These are just a few ideas I hope will help you get your stories published, and please share what's worked for you. I haven’t yet tried self-publishing stories on Kindle, but if you have, I’d love to hear about it!

You can follow T.W. at:

http://www.twfendley.com/

T. W.'s L&L Dreamspell Marketing Page

Goodreads






T.W. Fendley writes historical fantasy and science fiction for adults and young adults. Look for her historical fantasy, Zero Time, this fall from L&L Dreamspell. When she’s not writing, T.W.’s busy traveling and learning about all sorts of fascinating things for her next books. Or she’s venturing into inner space via Remote Viewing.

Solar Lullaby trailer

Solar Lullaby
Dr. Flare Haich offers the only hope for diverting a solar flare that will dwarf the 2012 Mayan Event, which killed her parents and a half-billion others. She must overcome the betrayal of one she trusted and launch Empress III to keep the Sun’s fiery message from scorching the Earth as One Imix—the time of new beginnings—arrives.

Solar Lullaby, Dreamspell SciFi e-anthology - $2.99 in Kindle store!

Zero Time, coming in Fall 2011



17 comments:

Denise Verrico said...

Thanks for being my guest! I found you ideas on seeking publication through contests interesting. I have known a few authors who've done that.

Runere McLain said...

Hey there, T.W.! (Please don't include me in the drawing for the ebook.) I'm just dropping in as another Dreamspell author to congratulate you on the short story! I find it nice there's such diversity in writers with the group.

Keep writing, and we'll keep reading!

Gary said...

When reviewing your work, or that of other sci-fi writers, do you consider the science, the plot or the character as the most important element elevating one work above another?

Oh, and save the book for someone else. I'm swamped with books at the moment. Just thought it was a good question.

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Denise-thanks so much for having me on your blog! I'm glad to have the chance to pass along some tips that others shared with me along the journey.

Cindy Sample said...

That was a very informative post. Excellent contest suggestions. I can't wait to read "Zero Time." It sounds amazing.

PS - And I'm so glad we could meet at Bouchercon.

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Runere--thanks so much! I, too, find the group's diversity heartening. Lots of talented folks!

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Gary--that's a thought-provoking question, and not one I can readily answer. I believe achieving a balance of the three is more critical to a story's success than any single element. Too much emphasis on plot at the expense of characterization could easily cause a story to fail, just as a scientific diatribe would prove unreadable. If I HAD to pick one, it would be characterization because of its emotional impact on the reader.

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Cindy! It was great to meet you at Bouchercon. I can't wait to get a copy of "Dying for a Dance." Sounds like a fun read!

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Hi, T.W. and Denise,

T. W., so interesting reading about your story in the new anthology. I have short stories in six of the Dreamspell anthologies and they are some of my very best work. Dreamspell does a great job on novels and anthologies. Wishing you every success.

Jacqueline Seewald
THE TRUTH SLEUTH
STACY'S SONG

T.W. Fendley said...

Thanks, Jacqueline. I think you're a perfect example of why the Dreamspell anthologies are so good for writers (and readers). With many publishers, writers are locked into a particular genre, but you're published in romance, mystery, thriller and cat anthologies. Anthologies make it easier for readers to get acquainted with authors, especially if they can see such a variety of writing styles.

joyce debacco said...

Great suggestions for new authors. I agree that an anthology is a great way to get acquainted with a writer's style. Good luck with it.

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Joyce! Thanks so much for your encouragement.

Betty Gordon said...

T.W., good post . I agree with you about short stories getting one's adrenalin going. What a rush!! Good writing!

Peter Green said...

Good thoughts, Teresa, and another way to look at having work appear in anthologies. I plan to buy your book --you don't need to enter me in the drawing. Peter

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Betty-I believe you DO know about getting your adrenalin pumping with stories in five Dreamspell anthologies! Thanks for the kind words.

T.W. Fendley said...

Hi, Peter--I certainly appreciate your support and hope you enjoy my story! These days, with X-flares being reported a couple of times a week as we move toward the sunspot maximum, I'm hoping the "fiction" part holds true.

T.W. Fendley said...

Betty Gordon is the winner of the ebook giveaway. Her name was chosen in a random drawing from those who submitted comments. Thanks again to Betty and everyone who stopped by!