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| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/12/2007 3:00 PM | |
EDIT ADDED WEDNESDAY, MAY 23: The reading period has concluded for the "Black Dragon, White Dragon" anthology. Thank you for your interest.
News and notes about the anthology will appear in this thread.
First and foremost, I am receiving plenty of submissions: 43 to date. Not bad for a week or so. What's surprised me even more is that I've made 3 acceptances.
"Li Tien and the Nian Monster" by Eugie Foster,
"Hardcastle's Dragon" by Martin Owton, and
"Azieran: The Travelers Four" by Christopher Heath
All three are very short pieces, with a total word count of about 5,400 words. Lots of room left in the table of contents.
Both Christopher's and Eugie's stories are fairy tale-ish in the style, with very serious and monstrous dragons. Martin's is humor through and through, a delightful bit.
What I'm not seeing much of is down and dirty action, what I figured the majority of these stories would be. I am amazed at the wondrous variety of ideas and am reminded again how odd it is that some editors would not want to see stories featuring this most malleable subject matter.
Two novellas are in my Inbox, one at roughly 11,000 words and the other at 20,000. I'm looking forward to reading them and seeing what the authors can do with greater storytelling latitude.
More news will follow shortly.
Rob Santa Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Christopher_Heath - 3/13/2007 10:19 AM | Total word count of 5400 words? Wow! Mine was half of that at 2700 so the other two must be incredibly short, bordering on flash fiction.
Christopher M. Heath
"Azieran: The Travelers Four" in Black Dragon, White Dragon by Ricasso Press
"Azieran: The Breaking of Hell's Bones" in Black Sails by 1018 Press
"Azieran: Distilling the Essence" in Sails and Sorcery by Fantasist Enterprises
"Azieran: The Conquerors" in Chimaera Serials
"Azieran: Pawn of the Serpentine Witch" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: Sentinel of an Ageless Reign" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: The Lakeshorn Mirrors" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: Crestfallen in Mal'kyrrik" serialized novella in Forgotten Worlds
"Azieran: Wyrd Sins" in Rogue Worlds
"The Coruscate King" in Freehold: Betrayal - Ghourlesh Book I
+ others
|
| Posted By : Raph - 3/14/2007 4:02 PM | Got an idea for one cooking in my brain now, just hope I can get it together before the ToC fills up!
Mike O. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/15/2007 8:34 AM | Added "A Pet of Her Own" by M. L. Burch to the ToC. This sweet tale of a girl who finds and raises a baby dragon tugged all the right strings on a daddy with two little girls of his own. The current incarnation is about 7,300 words but will undoubtedly be pared down, bringing the anthology word count up to approximately 13,000.
So prospective submitters can get an idea of the story variety and what I may be looking for, I'll add one-liners about the other pieces as well.
"Li Tien and the Nian Monster" is a Chinese fairy tale about a dragon that rises from the sea and ravages a village on a regular basis. When a boy's grandmother becomes too ill to flee, he stays in the village with her and fights the dragon.
"Hardcastle's Dragon" pits a hapless farm owner whose livestock is being hunted by a dragon against the beaurocracy of the wizard community.
"Azieran: the Travelers Four" is a sort of Billy Goats Gruff with a dragon and sorcerer pilgrims.
It may seem like the project is filling up fast, but I've seen 57 submissions to date and have only about 15% of the content. Keep 'em coming.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/16/2007 3:38 PM | I've read all the submissions received to date: 64 of them. I'm sitting on a couple of manuscripts trying to decide about them, one of which is novella-length. I've also made rewrite suggestions to two authors, and should they give their pieces a second shot, they'll be undoubtedly accepted (for an additional 10,000 words to the total).
This one's a sooner-than-expected update because I've added another story and didn't want to wait the week out to talk about it. "I Dreamed of Griffons in Flight" by Jeff Crook, like "Hardcastle's Dragon" doesn't actually have a dragon in the story. Yet the characters refer to it, and were it not for the actions of the dragon there would be no story in both. While I didn't want to populate the entire anthology with stories that involve this kind of secondary plotline, they certainly fit the bill with room for more.
Mr. Crook's story involves a group of dragon hunters in full retreat, caring for one of their own after being overwhelmed by the beast. It's a solid character piece. It's also relatively short, roughly 2,500 words.
Current Table of Contents: 5 stories, 16,000 total words (with a possible 7 stories, 26,000 words update soon).
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : carnifexpress - 3/16/2007 5:11 PM | Damn, I need to finish my story this weekend...
Armand Rosamilia
Visit Carnifex Press for more information!
The Freehold site is now up!
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/20/2007 10:15 AM | Maybe the ToC is filling up quickly...
"The Bala Worm" by James. S. Dorr is a modern tale of an ancestral dragonhunter and his land's ancient enemy.
"Otrossius and the Drake Who Bothered No One" by Steve Goble (as mentioned elsewhere in this forum) is a delightfully funny and action-packed romp following the titular hero and the hapless scribe who must recount his tales.
"Let Me Explain" by Gerald Costlow is a bit of flash humor, a letter by a wizard assigned to investigate reports of a rampaging dragon, sent back to his not-quite-understanding king.
Current Table of Contents: 8 stories, 29,000 words (and still holding on a 4,000-word requested rewrite)
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/20/2007 10:22 AM | Which means, what more am I looking for?
I still don't see enough heart-pounding action and will freely admit those stories will get preferential treatment. While 4 of the stories in the ToC contain action scenes, I would only call "Otrossius" an action story. The other three are certainly fine pieces with climaxing action scenes; "Otrossius" has more than just that one.
With 3 pieces that qualify as humor (yes, "Otrossius" fits that bill, too), do I need any more? Probably not, but that shouldn't hamper anyone from sending them along. Both the other humor pieces are very short, which, if they don't have anything else going for them other than laughs, is exactly the right length.
What more? I don't know. I can say that the ToC will be full at about 75,000 words to accomodate requested rewrites and commissioned pieces (should I get them). So keep 'em coming everyone. I'm enjoying reading these stories.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/21/2007 11:54 AM | Received my 100th submission at 10:37 this morning. Just thought it was worth a note.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/21/2007 2:26 PM | And in honor of that 100th sub, I thought I'd have a little fun...
Most common title: "Here Be Dragons" (or variations thereof) with 6 occurences
Most common dragon color: red
Least common dragon color: white (not once, and pretty much have seen everything else including polka-dots)
Most common setting: mountains
Most common occupation for intelligent dragons: riding animal/soldier
Strangest occupation: interplanetary taxi driver (I swear)
Number of non-fiction submissions about dragons: 3 (only one was about dragon myth, the other two
concerned the honest-to-goodness presence of dragons in the modern world (again, I swear)
Number of stories that mention virgins: 28
Number of stories under 2,000 words: 31
Number of stories over 10,000 words: 2
Most common term for dragon other than "dragon" : drake (I would have figured it'd be wyrm)
Number of St. George sightings: 0
Number of King Arthur/Merlin sightings: 4
Ratio of stories that feature intelligent dragons to non-intelligent: 1:3
Number of stories that feature dragons which cannot fly: 1
This is meant as observational humor only, and utilizing it to craft a submission will make no difference. In other words, sending me something about St. George encountering a white dragon in the desert will not influence my purchasing decision.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/22/2007 2:46 PM | Very next piece I read was about St. George. Go figure.
Added another story to the anthology. "Dragon's Hide" by Armand Rosamilia is a less-than-typical encounter between a Champion and a dragon, beginning with the townfolk living underneath the dragon's threat. Had this been a longer piece, the skewed happenings may have become tiresome: at 3,600 words, it's perfect.
Current Table of Contents: 9 stories, 33,000 words (and still holding on a 4,000-word requested rewrite). We're on a pace to have a collection of about 25 stories, maybe more if I keep receiving these outstanding shorter works, less if I find a suitable novella. Turned down two that I really liked, probably the two hardest calls I've made to date.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : ScrewMoonshine - 3/22/2007 4:13 PM |
Rob Santa said...
And in honor of that 100th sub, I thought I'd have a little fun...
Most common title: "Here Be Dragons" (or variations thereof) with 6 occurences  Jeepers, you'd think people would think twice before sending a title like that to a market whose common theme is dragons! Makes me wonder how many submissions the editor at Dreams of Decadence gets with titles like "Fangs in the Night" or "The Eternal Thirst".
Robert Orme
Out now: "On the Tree Top" in Ultraverse vol.3 #5 (www.ultraverse.us) "The Scab, the Man, and the I.V." in Mount Zion Speculative Fiction Review #3 (www.mountzionpress.com) Coming soon: "More Than One Way to Protect" in Lords of Justice (www.carnifexpress.net/blogs/) "And Afterward" and "Candy Lover" in Flashshot, April 30 and May 23 (www.gwthomas.org/subscribe.htm) |
| Posted By : Lindsey Duncan - 3/22/2007 5:42 PM | Or maybe they're just desperate like me and wish you could title stories by throwing Scrabble letters at your enemies. :wink:
That is pretty funny, though. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/22/2007 10:34 PM | Welcome, Lindsey. Just to give her some props, she's submitted two fine tales that didn't make the cut. The first one contains one of the best scenes I've seen so far: a tavern room brawl between a group of hardened fur trappers brought to a dead stop by the sudden appearance of a striking woman who also happens to be unashamedly nude. A solid action scene punctuated by a finish that could have devolved into comedy and didn't. Very well done. Glad to have you in the forum, Lindsey.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Lindsey Duncan - 3/22/2007 11:56 PM | Thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking and reading for a bit. I'm tinkering with a (much) shorter third, and then I do believe I'm out of dragons  - but best of luck with this project. |
| Posted By : Karen A. Romanko - 3/23/2007 6:01 AM | |
Hi, Rob,
Just wondering if you're still holding any submissions. I'm getting a little concerned that my submission might not have gotten through. I sent it on March 9.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Karen A. Romanko
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karen A. Romanko
Author Page--http://romanko.org/karen
E-zine--http://ravenelectrick.com
Blog--http://ravenelectrick.livejournal.com
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/23/2007 9:53 AM | Thanks for the inquiry, Karen. I was coming to the forum this morning to brag about my empty Inbox. Of the 120 submissions I've received, I've read and responded to them all. Looking back at March 9 I see I've returned mail to everyone, and your name is not among them. Please resubmit, and I apologize for the inconvenience. And welcome to the forum. Hang around and check things out.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Firlefanz - 3/23/2007 10:06 AM | Hi Rob,
I just signed up, but I sent you a story on the 20th and have not received a reply. Should I send it once more, as well?
 |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/23/2007 11:37 AM | Please do. I've responded to all subs. Make sure they are going to blackdragonwhitedragon@hotmail.com.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Karen A. Romanko - 3/23/2007 7:18 PM | Thanks so much for checking in here, Rob. I just resent my submission. Let me know if it doesn't get through.
Thanks again.
Karen
|
| Posted By : Christopher_Heath - 3/23/2007 8:37 PM | Least common dragon color: white (not once, and pretty much have seen everything else including polka-dots)
"Azieran: Frost Scarab of Luunhaat" has a kickass battle scene at the end with an ancient white dragon. I must've lost your attention somewhere along the way. :)  
Christopher M. Heath
"Azieran: The Travelers Four" in Black Dragon, White Dragon by Ricasso Press
"Azieran: The Breaking of Hell's Bones" in Black Sails by 1018 Press
"Azieran: Distilling the Essence" in Sails and Sorcery by Fantasist Enterprises
"Azieran: The Conquerors" in Chimaera Serials
"Azieran: Pawn of the Serpentine Witch" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: Sentinel of an Ageless Reign" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: The Lakeshorn Mirrors" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: Crestfallen in Mal'kyrrik" serialized novella in Forgotten Worlds
"Azieran: Wyrd Sins" in Rogue Worlds
"The Coruscate King" in Freehold: Betrayal - Ghourlesh Book I
+ others
|
| Posted By : crystalwizard - 3/24/2007 12:33 AM | *paces* I'm out of something to read Rob... when's this gonna be finished? *ducks quickly out of the way of thrown objects*
Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!
Visit my art gallery on art wanted at
http://artwanted.com/crystalwizard
All my books in print:
http://sojourn.omnitech.net |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/24/2007 12:45 AM | I thought the dragon was blue in Frost Scarab. See what I get for trying to remember back 80 or 90 subs.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/26/2007 1:23 PM | Once again caught up on submissions (with the exception of a resubmission I requested). If you have not received a reply by now then, as before, there was some communication error. Please let me know.
Speaking of resubmissions, I received a rewrite on a manuscript and accepted it. "An Ordinary Dragon" by Jennifer Schwabach is about a poor Mexican village's guardian dragon expiring of natural causes and the young boy sent out to find a replacement. Jennifer utilizes a terrific storytelling voice in this piece, and while the rewrite was actually a revamped ending of my own idea, she accomplished the addition in a way I never could have. Subtle and elegant, I enjoyed reading this the second time as much as the first.
Current Table of Contents: 10 stories, 37,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Karen A. Romanko - 3/26/2007 7:32 PM | Rob,
Did you receive my submission? Haven't received your answer. (I even checked my spam folder.) Let me know. Usually I don't have e-mail problems, but we can always try a different address, since this is twice now we've had problems.
Thanks.
Karen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karen A. Romanko
Author Page--http://romanko.org/karen
E-zine--http://ravenelectrick.com
Blog--http://ravenelectrick.livejournal.com
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/27/2007 12:44 AM | Yes, Karen, received your submission. For some reason it was flagged as junk email along with two other submissions. Hopefully I've fixed that problem, and if not, I now know to frequent my "junk" mailbox.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : von Darkmoor - 3/28/2007 10:21 AM | Rob - Since you've been accumulating so many good submissions, will your submission period still remain the same or is there the chance you'll call it early?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason
Ever waltz with the Devil? Or devil with a Waltz? Visit www.vondarkmoor.blogspot.com to find out. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/28/2007 2:03 PM | The reading period will end when I have accepted a word count toal of about 75,000. I put an August end date expecting to have a full table of contents before then. I would recommend getting submissions to me sooner rather than later.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : tchernabyelo - 3/29/2007 6:09 AM | If I could actually come up with a decent idea for a dragon story, believe me, I would submit it ASAP.
But as yet, beyond what you've seen, and a similar story that is unlikely to reappear from Hub for a good long while... nada. Zip. Rien. Sifr.
"The Box Of Beautiful Things" - IGMS#3
"The Man Who Was Never Afraid" - Abyss and Apex #19 |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 3/29/2007 9:31 AM | Added Marty O'Hale's "Herbert and the Wyrm." This shorter piece was introduced in the cover letter as a "light-hearted fantasy," which immediately got me to thinking if I needed another humor piece. I don't really, and it would have to knock my socks off. Marty's piece isn't in the humor category, I feel, and if it is light-hearted, I would hate to read his darker work by candlelight in a thunderstorm.
Herbert is a modern-day mechanic, a simple man, taken to fight a world-consuming wyrm in the only way he knows how. Herbert's elegantly rustic voice is what first attracted me to this piece - something of a standard plot - but it is so well done I knew it was a perfect fit.
Current Table of Contents: 11 stories, 40,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/2/2007 2:06 PM | I have recommended rewrites to several submitters and accepted a few of them. All of the suggestions have been relatively minor, with the exception of one, to a piece titled "Lesson Learned" by Tom Williams. His ideas and writing style blew me away with a story about a scholar convincing his boss of a new breed of dragon while his boss played political games. But it wasn't coming completely together for me, and I sent Tom a laundry list of concerns. He sent me another draft with some of my ideas included, some additions of his own creation, and several hundred extra words that brought everything into a rounded whole that greatly adds to the anthology. For those of you who read his piece at Dragons, Knights and Angels titled "The Teeth of the Matter," you already know Tom can write, and not just dragon stories. I would have enjoyed having that piece in the collection and am delighted he created something exciting and new.
Current Table of Contents: 12 stories, 44,000 words.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/2/2007 4:48 PM | Preparing for the deluge...
Being a member of Critters online critiquing group, I sent the moderator, Andrew Burt, an open call for submissions to fellow critters. I'm sure many of them already have seen the announcement at Duotrope, Ralan's or some other site, yet the possibility of opening the doors to several hundred submitters is giving me pause. Beginning Wednesday, response times may take longer than they have (beyond the 2 day average I've got going on right now ).
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/4/2007 5:40 PM | One month down in the reading period with three more to go (should it last that long). Received the 200th submission today.
Some more observances...
Busiest Day (tie): March 21 and March 23, with 15 submissions
Slowest Day: April 1st, with 1 submission. I wonder if everyone was afraid I'd think they were joking.
Additional submissions with the title "Here Be Dragons" or variations thereof: 3
Most frequent place from which to receive submissions: Ohio (I swear it seems like half of them come from here)
Strangest Streak: 3 stories in a row that mention Adolf Hitler
Most Common Theme: bargaining with the dragon
Number of stories that mention both a black and a white dragon: 4
Number of stories that do not mention a dragon at all: 2 (curious)
Number of science fiction-themed stories: 3
Number of horror-themed stories: 1
Smallest dragon to date: butterfly-sized (seen it twice)
Largest dragon to date: 3-mile wingspan (not a typo)
By the numbers:
Stories accepted in the first 100 submissions: 8
Stories accepted in the second 100 submissions: 4
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Lindsey Duncan - 4/4/2007 6:59 PM | | Sorry! Sorry! <---- Ohioan |
| Posted By : Scott M. Sandridge - 4/4/2007 7:57 PM | Hey Rob,
I figured I'd ask first before I send it, but interested in checking out an 18,000 word action-packed tale involving a pair of siblings struggling to survive in a warlike culture that worships a dragon-like serpent-god and its emperor-son?
Distant Passages: Volume 1
Which lich fell in the ditch? |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/4/2007 10:17 PM | Absolutely. What's not to like about it?
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Scott M. Sandridge - 4/4/2007 10:28 PM | Awesome! Just got to go through it, put some finishing touches to it, and I'll have it to you by the weekend!
Distant Passages: Volume 1
Which lich fell in the ditch? |
| Posted By : TW - 4/4/2007 11:28 PM | The only way it might be better is if it was based in Ohio, which, by all evidence -- and the better parts of a half-century of occupation -- is the land of high fantasy.
(Where do you think the "hi" in "Round on both ends and hi in the middle" comes from?
TW
Recent credits: "The Teeth of the Matter" and "Cold Dragons" in Dragons, Knights and Angels; "The One-Legged Assassin" and "Possession is Nine Parts" in Electric Spec; "At Winter's Edge", upcoming in Forgotten Worlds; and "Lesson Learned", upcoming (fall 2007) in Ricasso Press' "Black Dragon, White Dragon." |
| Posted By : Swashbuckler - 4/5/2007 3:10 AM | Hey, Rob: Can you break down the acceptances by point of origin? I know the antho will have at least two stories that hail from the glorious Buckeye State ...
Steve Goble
Visit my web site for news on upcoming stories or visit my blog, Swords Against Boredom |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/5/2007 11:16 AM | Okay, since you brought it up...
We've got two stories from authors living in Ohio, two more from authors in Indiana, one from Georgia (I'm not sure if this counts as far as demographics are concerned as I actively solicited a story from Eugie Foster), and one more from California, Florida, Tennessee, Washingdon DC, Michigan, New York state, and the UK.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Pagadan - 4/6/2007 8:21 PM | Rob,
I wonder if my story is the shortest. I think it's different from the others--and the title doesn't have dragon in it; but it sounds like you've got a nice selection. I look forward to reading this anthology even if my story doesn't make the cut.
Joy V. Smith |
| Posted By : Pagadan - 4/6/2007 8:30 PM | Btw, I do have another story with a dragon in it, but it's a surprise so I can't mention the title. (It's in another anthology...)
Hi, Karen!
I'm still experimenting with my profile; I got rid of View Image.
Joy V. Smith |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/8/2007 11:22 PM | Peter Friend, of New Zealand (for those of you still tracking demographics) submitted "Western Front, 1914" about a British military squad assigned the task of pursuing dragon lore. With the lead character a young lady and not a battle-hardened Marine, this is not the action-packed romper stomper you think it is. Instead, it's a clever piece of modern fantasy. It's also terribly short: 1,600 well-chosen words.
Current Table of Contents: 13 stories, 45,000 words.
And so you don't have to go back and see what's what, here's the whole ToC right now (in oprder of acceptance):
"Li T'ien and the Dragon Nian" by Eugie Foster - 1,800 words
"Hardcastle's Dragon" by Martin Owton - 1,600 words
"Azieran: The Travelers Four" by Christopher Heath - 2,700 words
"A Pet of Her Own" by M. L. Burch - 7,000 words
"I Dreamed of Griffons in Flight" by Jeff Crook - 2,500 words
"The Bala Worm" by James S. Dorr - 7,000 words
"Otrossius and the Drake Who Bothered No One" by Steve Goble - 5,600 words
"Let Me Explain" by Gerald Costlow - 1,000 words
"Dragon's Hide" by Armand Rosamilia - 3,600 words
"An Ordinary Dragon" by Jennifer Schwabach - 4,000 words
"Herbert and the Wyrm" by Marty O'Hale - 2,400 words
"Lesson Learned" by Tom Williams - 3,700 words
"Western Front, 1914" by Peter Friend - 1,600 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : cv - 4/9/2007 2:46 PM | Hi Rob,
Since I heard some emails were bouncing, I wanted to check that my story, "Dreams of Child" was received. I subbed it on Saturday. Thanks, Chris |
| Posted By : cv - 4/9/2007 2:47 PM | | Bad typing, sorry. The story's name is "Dreams of a Child." Off to get my glasses. Chris |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/9/2007 3:19 PM | Thanks for checking, Chris. Seems it's not just receiving emails that are going astray; it's the ones I send also. Sorry, "Dreams of a Child" was not accepted for the anthology, but please feel free to send more of your work.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : cv - 4/9/2007 5:10 PM | Odd, I did not even get a reply back on the story, Dreams of a Child, but only notice here since I asked?
Thanks, Chris |
| Posted By : shadowlight - 4/12/2007 1:26 PM | Hi, I'm new here and still thinking about what to submit. (I guess I'd better hurry.) I do have a question. One of my dragon stories deals with Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Do I have to worry about copyright infringement or are these characters public domain by now? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
shadowlight |
| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 4/12/2007 1:34 PM | Long in the public domain. If it was written before 1923 it's a given..
Jordan Lapp
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/12/2007 2:21 PM | Yup, and that's quite the teaser: a dragon story with Watson and Holmes. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : shadowlight - 4/12/2007 3:24 PM | | Thanks, I'm working on it. I hope I can get it revised in time and that you will enjoy it.
Oh, I looked up Arthur Conan Doyle and I think the last of his stories were written in 1914. So I guess his characters are public domain. I hope so. I don't want to step on anyone's toes.
shadowlight |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/12/2007 4:15 PM | Interesting little factoid: as I creep up into the 230s for submissions I find I've just received a manuscript from my 100th submitter. Lots of people are taking multiple swings at the antho, and it can be successful. Chris Heath and Gerald Costlow sent me more than one manuscript. And in case anyone's shy about sending more than one piece: the record holders are at 5 submissions each (and that's a three-way tie).
Keep 'em comin' folks!
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 4/12/2007 6:14 PM | Wow, I wish I had that many manuscripts sitting around... or do I?
Jordan Lapp
|
| Posted By : Bill Ward - 4/12/2007 7:02 PM | | 230? |
| Posted By : Lady Sara of Shalott - 4/12/2007 7:36 PM | Hey, Rob, I was just checking up on my rewrite of Shandango Dance... Did you recieve it? I sent it to your personal email, as we've had problems in the past - but I first sent it to myself on accident, and then to you, so I'm not sure if it got there in one piece. I was kind of... zoned, I guess.
Thanks!
~Sara |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/13/2007 12:10 AM | Don't worry, Sara. I have it and will be making a decision tomorrow. I was trying to let some time pass between first submission and rewrite to see it with fresh eyes.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/13/2007 1:40 PM | I've been fielding a lot of e-mails concerning the speed with which the table of contents is filling up. Mostly they go something along the lines of "I have a concept for your anthology and want to finish-it/polish-it-further/submit-it-to-my-critiquing-group before sending it off to you. Should I wrap-it-up/send-it-as-is in order to beat the deadline or do you anticipate actually making it through the August 01 reading period?"
The short answer is...there's no short answer.
Yes, my preference would be to see a fully polished work. I have rejected several manuscripts that I felt held promise but seemed rushed or inadequately conceptualized. I have also requested several rewrites from pieces that I felt held promise but seemed rushed or inadequately conceptualized. Which one an author got probably depended on my mood more than my skill at evaluating stories.
Is the table of contents filling up quickly? Kind of. I'm up over the halfway mark, but that comes with an addendum. I feel what I've received in the first 6 weeks or so are the stories authors had "lying around." Whether I've seen the majority of these remains to be seen, but there's no doubt the number of submissions has slowed. The acceptances certainly have. I have rewrite suggestions out to two submitters, stories that have a total word count of around 7,000 words. If they come back the way I would prefer, then the ToC would stand at about 52,000 words. I plan on stopping the submission process at around 75,000 words, fully expecting authors to continue to send me their work anyway. The guidelines for BDWD state the antho will have 85k to 100k words. This is allow for "wiggle room," the kind that comes from knowing many writers who may have missed the cutoff time but want to send me their work "just in case." I'm not encouraging it, but I'm expecting it. It's also to allow for that great novella that just has to be in the ToC, with several smaller works of equal skill following close behind.
Doing the math, if I accept the rewrites, then the ToC has 52,000 words with another 23,000 words before the cutoff and another possible 20,000 words of space beyond. That is, in all honesty, a lot of room.
What should an axious author do? Aside from avoiding alliteration ( ) I would recommend giving your submission a long hard look, a thorough edit, and then another thorough edit. Send it my way when you feel it's the best it can be, and don't worry about the cutoff date. It's a little more arbitrary than you think.
Thank you and still looking forward to reading your stories.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Lady Sara of Shalott - 4/13/2007 2:46 PM | | Okay! :) Sorry to bother - I've discovered that I sent the wrong email addresses with some submissons, and others sent to myself instead of the intended recipient, so I was just making sure it didn't go astray. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/14/2007 10:04 AM | And no bother, since I've added "Shandango Dance" by Sara Michael. Don't worry prospective submitters: her piece about a Springtime ritual rings up at a page-devouring 572 words.
Current Table of Contents: 14 stories, 46,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : crystalwizard - 4/14/2007 5:13 PM | shadowlight said...Thanks, I'm working on it. I hope I can get it revised in time and that you will enjoy it. Oh, I looked up Arthur Conan Doyle and I think the last of his stories were written in 1914. So I guess his characters are public domain. I hope so. I don't want to step on anyone's toes. shadowlight
Almost all of his stuff is. There are a few of his stories that are still being contested whether they are PD or not, but you'll find almost everything on Project Guttenburg. |
| Posted By : Bill Ward - 4/14/2007 5:35 PM | | There are tons of non-Doyle Holmes and Watson stories out there, they are most definitley public domain. |
| Posted By : Lady Sara of Shalott - 4/15/2007 4:24 AM | *victory dance*
This has been a very good day. :) |
| Posted By : shadowlight - 4/15/2007 9:54 AM |
crystalwizard said...
Almost all of his stuff is. There are a few of his stories that are still being contested whether they are PD or not, but you'll find almost everything on Project Guttenburg.
Thanks, crystalwizard. So it shouldn't be a problem? That makes me feel even better. I've been dragging my feet on it, but am about half way through revisions. I guess I better get back to work.
shadowlight
Be patient with me. Like any good story, I'm a work in progress. |
| Posted By : narrativium - 4/15/2007 9:39 PM | Rob: the first post in this thread said you were lacking in "down and dirty action"; have the stories you've accepted since then redressed that balance, or is it still a gap? And has the rate of submissions involving "D&DA" increased since that comment?
Just curious... my stories may or may not be in that area, but the descriptions of the accepted stories don't make it clear what the balances are at the moment, or even what balance you might be looking for. Anything which helps in writing to your specifications :D |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/15/2007 10:36 PM | Going back and looking at the ToC, the stories I have with some real action scenes in them are "Li T'ien," "Travelers Four," "Otrossius," "Bala Worm," "Dragon's Hide," "Lesson Learned," "Ordinary Dragon" and "Western Front."
However, only "Otrossius" is an action "story." The other stories contain their own D&DA, though limited in scope (some limited to only a few paragraphs). I would love (love, love!) to see another story where the action starts about one sentence below the byline and finishes about one sentence above "THE END." But as I've said many times before, the action alone isn't the story. I rejected a story that had some of the best action writing I'd seen in a long time because the rest of the story didn't wow me.
I want more action in the submissions. Am I full with stories that have virtually no action? Well, "Hardcastle's," "Griffons," "Let Me Explain," "Shandango" and "A Pet of Her Own" have zero direct action (some is implied, though three in this list have nada). Does that mean the ToC is full with regards to actionless submissions? Not at all. Good writing will get into this anthology. My preference is for good stories. My top preference is for good stories with action. My tippy top preference is for good action stories.
Did that help?
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : narrativium - 4/16/2007 5:50 AM | | It did. I hope a) what I've got won't disappoint and b) that I can finish the damn thing... |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/17/2007 11:57 AM | In another thread ("Swimming in the Slush Pile" over in the Gripe folder) I mentioned how I found myself in a strange position: quickly skimming several submissions before I went to bed, I found I liked almost all of their opening pages. I wasn't looking forward to a good night's sleep, with the excitement of several good stories looming.
Well, I did have a good night's sleep and approached the newest batch of submissions eagerly. Go figure, I accepted the first one I saw. Sean Melican's "The Elephant and the Dragon" is set in the late 19th century, with British colonialism having swept the globe. Dragons and elephants co-exist in a war-like state in abundance in Africa, and the story revolves around a British gentleman (though from colonial Georgia) hiring an African guide to bring back a live elephant to his plantation. Solid imagery, unique in all ways, I enjoyed this piece from the first paragraphs and rode it all the way to the end.
I have not read through any of the other submissions, so more updates may follow quickly.
Current Table of Contents: 15 stories, 50,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : shadowlight - 4/17/2007 9:43 PM |
Biblioholic said...
There are tons of non-Doyle Holmes and Watson stories out there, they are most definitley public domain.
Sorry, Biblioholic, I didn't mean to ignore you.  Somehow I missed your post. Thanks for the response. I'm feeling much better about this.
Be patient with me. Like any good story, I'm a work in progress. |
| Posted By : Jim Stratton - 4/19/2007 5:38 PM | | Dear Rob,
Sorry to nudge. I resent God-Emperor per your request after the e-mail snafu. Was it received? Thanks.
Jim Reichert |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/19/2007 7:38 PM | Yes. Sitting safe and sound and awaiting reading. Duotrope lists BDWD as having the third fastest response time of any market (0-day response for the #1 spot, how is that possible?). But that's going to slow as I am currently in sunny San Diego enjoying the sights and sounds. I'm still getting to the computer (obviously) but will only be checking manuscripts once my beautiful wife has passed out due to East Coast bodyclockitis. Maybe a few every day. I'll get to yours Jim shortly.
Isn't it funny to have the kind of reading reputation where submitters can query after only a few days? Jim, that's not meant as a put down in any way, especially since you're the fourth or fifth person to do it. Actually, I'm kind of proud of it.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : glutton - 4/20/2007 12:32 AM | | That 0-day RT must be Cats With Wings. |
| Posted By : Jim Stratton - 4/20/2007 12:50 AM | Thanks for the update, Rob. And no offense taken.
For me, the worst part of writing is the submission process, because of the uncertainty involved. You send a story out, and often hear nothing for months, or even 1-2 years in several cases I've experienced. And you risk being branded as a pain in the ass or worst if you nudge the editor. I've heard one editor at a con talk of refusing to read submssions from certain writers who'd been "difficult" in the past, and tell other editors ". . . to avoid that one, he's a problem."
So I find it truely refreshing that you're willing to not let the slush pile back up, and provide updates so the folks submitting aren't left in the dark. BTW, I heartily recommend your plan of setting up an online submission tracker. I've seen this at a couple of venues, far too few IMHO. I can't imagine it would be too hard to set up, especially since publishers do keep track of the stories submitted (I assume). Why that can't be done on an online forum is not clear.
Once again, thanks for the update, and enjoy San Diego.
Jim Reichert |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/22/2007 11:18 AM | Busy morning...
Added two short pieces to the table of contents. One with some of that DDA and one with the kind of uniqueness that begged me for an acceptance.
"Keeping Company" by Adrian Simmons (from Oklahoma) has a group of Vikings encountering a great, northern wyrm. Toss in a religious perspective from each and it becomes much more than the fight scene. The religious aspect is subtle and powerful at the same time, well-balanced and very well done.
"The Dragonkeeper's Wife" by Peter Ball (from Australia) shows the failing relationship between a man who is on the team of keepers handling a white hot dragon and the wife who resents everything about it. This modern fantasy reminds me of Ray Bradbury with the stripped to bare bones telling of human interaction.
Both pieces ring up at 2,500 words.
Current Table of Contents: 17 stories, 55,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : snapper - 4/22/2007 12:35 PM | Good morning,
I am new to this type of online participation. I would like to thank the editor of "BlackDragon,WhiteDragon" for being so patient with my submission and taking the time to review my story "Scales". I really appreciated the feedback he provided. Having an idea on why a piece didn't make the cut is something the vast majority of editors won't do (so I have been told). I plan on taking him up on his invitation to try again. I already have something else in mind. I don't know if it will make it before the last spot is taken but I think I'll write it anyway. I see the amount of submissions is getting close to 300 (if it hasn't reached it already). Trying to crowbar a story where less than 5% of the pieces make the cut is not easy. That however, is not a reason not to try. In a way, I envy his task. So many stories to read, on the subject you like the most, does not sound like an awful job. Good Luck finding those last few pieces.
Frank Dutkiewicz |
| Posted By : shadowlight - 4/22/2007 1:31 PM | | Hi Snapper (Frank) and welcome,
I'm new here too and I would like to echo your thanks to the editor of Black Dragon, White Dragon. My story didn't make the cut either, but I had the same pleasant and helpful experience you describe. It's hard to have something rejected, but when a reason is given along with encouragement and helpful suggestions, the rejection is much easier to handle. (Thank you Mr. Santa.) I also have another submission possibility, although I'm not sure I'll be able to fix it before the time is up or the spaces filled. I'll do my best. If I miss out on this anthology, I'll keep an eyes open and submit when the opportunity arises.
Best of luck with your new possible submission.
shadowlight
Be patient with me. Like any good story, I'm a work in progress. |
| Posted By : TW - 4/22/2007 3:47 PM | Frank, and Shadowlight, too:
While you're hard at work crafting your new pieces, why not fix the other ones per Rob Santa's suggestions and shoot them off to DKA (they have a thread right here at SFReader) or some other market? (If you haven't already bookmarked www.ralan.com, you should.) Writing short stuff in an overflowing market is a bit like spinning plates on poles, I think -- you have to get them all spinning and keep them spinning. They won't sell if they're not out there.
I know a writer who just did a spring cleaning of sorts and sent out everything in her files -- 18 stories, I believe. Will they all sell? Will any of them? She'll find out sooner than I will about my stories, since too many of mine are mouldering on the hard drive.
And, to add to your applause: Mr. Santa is doing the editor thing how it *should* be done, but rarely is. (I'm not blaming anyone, the market is crazy crowded and not enough people work hard enough on improving their craft. We as writers need to take responsibility for part of editor burnout ... as a group, we send out way too much ill-formed, ll-considered work and expect others to fix it for us).
Off soapbox, and out.
Good luck!
TW
Recent credits: "The Teeth of the Matter" and "Cold Dragons" in Dragons, Knights and Angels; "The One-Legged Assassin" and "Possession is Nine Parts" in Electric Spec; "At Winter's Edge", upcoming in Forgotten Worlds; and "Lesson Learned", upcoming (fall 2007) in Ricasso Press' "Black Dragon, White Dragon." |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/22/2007 7:13 PM | Going to post the updated table of contents here so nobody has to backtrack. Again, it is in order of acceptance.
"Li T'ien and the Dragon Nian" by Eugie Foster - 1,800 words
"Hardcastle's Dragon" by Martin Owton - 1,600 words
"Azieran: The Travelers Four" by Christopher Heath - 2,700 words
"A Pet of Her Own" by M. L. Burch - 7,000 words
"I Dreamed of Griffons in Flight" by Jeff Crook - 2,500 words
"The Bala Worm" by James S. Dorr - 7,000 words
"Otrossius and the Drake Who Bothered No One" by Steve Goble - 5,600 words
"Let Me Explain" by Gerald Costlow - 1,000 words
"Dragon's Hide" by Armand Rosamilia - 3,600 words
"An Ordinary Dragon" by Jennifer Schwabach - 4,000 words
"Herbert and the Wyrm" by Marty O'Hale - 2,400 words
"Lesson Learned" by Tom Williams - 3,700 words
"Western Front, 1914" by Peter Friend - 1,600 words
"Shandango Dance" by Sara Michael - 600 words
"The Elephant and the Dragon" by Sean Melican - 3,500 words
"Keeping Company" by Adrian Simmons - 2,500 words
"The Dragonkeeper's Wife" by Peter Ball - 2,500 words
Current Table of Contents: 17 stories, 55,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/22/2007 7:20 PM | And thank you for the praise. I, too, am new to this and spending probably more time than I should in order to "do it right." With five books slated for the bookstore in October, things are going to get busy (busier?) fast. After this, Ricasso will be a two-a-year publisher, which will allow me the same level of focus.
Still 20,000 words left in the table of contents. Short works are coming in with greater frequency, and in all honesty, have the best shot. Pretend I see nothing but 3,000 word stories from this point out; that means another 7 can go in the ToC. Keep 'em comin'!
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Saanen - 4/22/2007 8:10 PM | I hate to pester you too, but it looks like you've been having trouble getting some submissions and your response times are really fast. I submitted a story called "Sea and Sky" on the 17th and haven't heard anything back. I just found this thread too, so if you didn't get the story I'll send a shorter, more action-packed one instead.
The anthology sounds really good! |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/22/2007 8:49 PM | Thanks for the inquiry. "Sea and Sky" seems to have been swallowed in a new and alarming way, as there is no record of it at all. A couple of the other ones went missing because Hotmail flagged them as Junk and moved them to a different folder. Your piece is not in the Junk folder. Please resend it; it will reply within a day or two to at least acknowledge receipt. If you don't hear from me, Private Message me through this forum and we can take other steps.
Consider that Standard Operating Procedure to all prospective submitters.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Ravenswrit - 4/24/2007 3:37 PM | Hey, hope CA was good. This might be a little fast to query, even by your standards, but I wanted to make sure you received my story, Warrior's Flame, sent on the 22nd. The anthology seems to be filling up fast, so I'd hate to hesitate.
Thanks!
Suanne |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/25/2007 10:40 PM | For everyone looking for updates...
I have just returned from a week-long vacation where, even though it was supposed to be vacation, I was keeping up with submissions for both Ricasso Press projects. Unfortunately, my computer went kablooie two days ago and I've been incommunicado (which is like being out of wine, for those of you who have not yet done it). I will be catching up with the (eek!) 30 or so submissions as quickly as I can.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : JReynolds - 4/26/2007 4:38 PM | | I've got a quick question, if I may...I'm working on a submission for BDWD and I was wondering how loose your definition of dragon is? Could the creature in question be an alien lifeform say? Or would that be stretching it a bit?
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/27/2007 12:24 AM | I've received plenty of stories where the dragons were not stereotypical dragons: beaks and feathers, petite butterfly wings, alligator-like tails, furry paws, you name it. I've written dozens of dragon stories where the beast was odd in some way: I recall antlers and buck teeth on one but couldn't for the life of me tell you more about the rascal.
I've also received plenty of stories where the creature in question was obviously something else putting on a dragon's disguise, as if the story was written about something other than a dragon, mixed around a bit, then sent my way. They all got a rejection (and will again, I'm sure). The stories have to be about dragons. They can be alien in appearance, but the mystical reptilian-like beasts of legend must come through the writing.
Thanks for the question. I hope I answered it well. Feel free to ask for more clarity if I didn't.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : JReynolds - 4/27/2007 9:03 AM | Nope. Answered it perfectly. Thank you. 
Welcome to Jackapo County...
|
| Posted By : Donna Sundblad - 4/27/2007 9:46 AM | Hi Rob,
I sent a submission on the 25th--The Guardian--did you get it?
Donna Sundblad
For more about me and my books:
http://www.sfreader.com/authors/DonnaSundblad/ |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/27/2007 11:30 AM | Yes, I have your submission, Donna.
If I can request that submitters refrain from checking on their stories until a week has passed I would appreciate it. I'm fielding lots of e-mails and they are taking up a noticeable chunk of what little free time I have to work on this project.
Don't worry, Donna, you were not the spark for this comment. Yours is, however, the fourth time today I've had this question from submissions that were less than three days old.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 4/27/2007 11:35 AM | Tom Williams is on a roll...
Along with an acceptance for the Magic & Mechanica anthology and a piece already in the table of contents for Black Dragon, White Dragon, Tom wrote another outstanding piece with "Rip-Snorter," a Paul Bunyan tall tale featuring a dragon told with good ol' fashun charm by a Western gentleman of the era. He sent it to me under the rightful impression that I would include multiple stories by authors in this anthology. It will be, by far, the easiest editing job I have since I feel it's almost perfect the way it is. Long flash at 1,200 words.
Current Table of Contents: 18 stories, 56,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Garland7G - 4/28/2007 12:49 AM | Hey Rob I just wanted to give you a heads up on a re-submit.
Since i hadn't heard from you for a week (probably because you were on vacation) i feared my story got lost in the mail. So I resent it last night and then this morning when i checked my email, i saw your reply. So If you come across "The Emissary's Charge" (RESUBMIT) in the slush pile please disregard it. Thanks, and good luck with BDWD!
Robert J. Bologna
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/3/2007 10:21 AM | You may imagine I am receiving lots of stories that come from the dragon's persepctive. The vast majority of them have fallen into the category of dragon acts very dragonlike (ie, mean and nasty) and fights knights. Some of these stories have been well-written, but all of them failed to make me empathize with the dragon protagonist.
That would be until Katherine Shaw's "Sea and Sky." Katherine sent me a thoroughly enjoyable story whose central character, a dragon named Spider, is a recluse living by the shore. He encounters a very young dragon who tells him the rest of dragonkind is dead. He raises her until they decide to look for more of their kin. My original reply to Katherine was a rejection with a rewrite request; at a little over 6,000 words the piece seemed to lose its focus. I suggested the difficult task of trimming a third of the word count and hoped the piece wouldn't lose the voice that made it special. Apparently, it wasn't that difficult a task. Katherine did it in less than a day. I dare you to not empathize with either Spider or Sunrise, if not both.
Current Table of Contents: 19 stories, 61,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : von Darkmoor - 5/3/2007 10:35 AM | Wow! 2k gone in less than a day! Fine job Katherine, I look forward to reading your story.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jason M. Waltz
Fantasy Editor Staffs & Starships Magazine
~~~~~~~~~~
Ever waltz with the Devil? Or devil with a Waltz? Visit von Darkmoor's thoughts to find out. |
| Posted By : Bill Ward - 5/3/2007 9:17 PM | | That is an impressive feat of editing, its hard to kill your darlings. |
| Posted By : Ian Night Shade - 5/4/2007 12:02 AM | Sent my flash submission, "Mother and Child," in on the 25th. Or I might be a few days off. Either way, I was wondering if you'd recieved it, Mr. Santa?
Ian Kappos |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/4/2007 12:31 AM | You are a few days off. I received it on the 29th, and it is second on my reading list. You will have a response shortly.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Swashbuckler - 5/4/2007 1:41 AM | Rob: You are an uncommonly patient being, and a gentleman. If I were editing "Black Dragon, White Dragon" I would have amended my guidelines by now to say "Any writers who query before X weeks have passed will have their stories rejected instantly."
But I'm not that nice of a guy. I commend you, Rob, for being such a sport about queries, and on your behalf I ask everyone else to just be patient and give the poor man a chance to catch his breath and read the stories, OK?
Steve Goble
Visit my blog, Swords Against Boredom, for news on upcoming stories. |
| Posted By : Ian Night Shade - 5/4/2007 4:46 AM | Ahh, so it's been about four days then. Sorry, I was under the impression that it's been longer. Excuse me for that - I by no means wanted to seem like a "pestering writer," and I hope that I hadn't annoyed you with my premature query.
Thanks so much for giving all us wannabes a chance, Mr. Santa. I think I'm speaking for everyone when I say your an author's editor. |
| Posted By : crystalwizard - 5/4/2007 3:41 PM | Swashbuckler said...
Rob: You are an uncommonly patient being, and a gentleman. If I were editing "Black Dragon, White Dragon" I would have amended my guidelines by now to say "Any writers who query before X weeks have passed will have their stories rejected instantly."
But I'm not that nice of a guy. I commend you, Rob, for being such a sport about queries, and on your behalf I ask everyone else to just be patient and give the poor man a chance to catch his breath and read the stories, OK?
didn't he post sometime back that he was concerned email wasn't getting to him and to post queries in this thread to make sure he hadn't lost something? |
| Posted By : Swashbuckler - 5/4/2007 4:11 PM | Crystalwizard: Yeah, he did. He also very nicely asked people to please wait a reasonable amount of time before doing so, as he's spending a whole lot of time dealing with "did you get my story" requests.
Folks, we have a new market here open to a wide variety of fantasy fiction. All I'm asking is that we don't annoy the bejeezus out of the guy so much that he decides to apply his talents to some other venture. I probably shouldn't have said anything, because it's really none of my business -- but it seemed worth saying. Sometimes, writers wait a year or more without hearing anything on a particular submission. Rob's bending over backwards to treat writers better than that, and it seems a shame to take advantage of it so and keep bugging the heck out him. He's doing a good job, so let's let him do it. And if a few weeks go by and you haven't heard anything about your sub, or if he posts one of his regular "here's where I stand with the submissions" entries here and it seems maybe he missed something you sent, then it's time to nudge him.
A little patience won't hurt, gang. Rob's doing an excellent job of keeping everyone apprised. My guess is that if people would hold off on queries, their questions would be answered right here in this thread within a few days.
OK. I'll put my sword away now.
Steve Goble
Visit my blog, Swords Against Boredom, for news on upcoming stories. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/4/2007 4:23 PM | Thanks for your thoughts, Steve. While certainly less diplomatic than I would have put it, the idea is basically sound. On the 27th (only a handful of postings up this thread) I requested submitters to wait a week before sending any "did you get my submission" type queries. The guidelines actually state that should a week come and go to just resend the submission - no need for a query. Since that posting on the 27th not much has changed, though I am hoping this "here's where I stand with the submissions" entry will help.
I have cleared submissions sent on or before May 2nd, and read a few sent on May 3rd. The Inbox currently holds only three submissions:
"TLohK" by WDW
"B" by KM, and
"MBatDoM" a rewrite by JR
(where the title and authors are listed by first letter of each word/name)
Since I know who WDW and JR are, if you are not KM you should have a response by now. If you do not, you have permission to send me either PM in this forum or a query at the same email address as submissions.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Jordan Lapp - 5/4/2007 4:26 PM | I'm with Steve.
I think a lot of editors START OUT like Rob, but after constant pestering eventually turn into those year-long no-response editors. I burn and yearn to hear responses from the markets I submit to. I know it's hard to wait. But let's give him a few weeks at least before we query. We want him to STAY like this :)
Jordan Lapp
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/4/2007 4:27 PM | Going to once again post the updated table of contents here so nobody has to backtrack. Again, it is in order of acceptance.
"Li T'ien and the Dragon Nian" by Eugie Foster - 1,800 words
"Hardcastle's Dragon" by Martin Owton - 1,600 words
"Azieran: The Travelers Four" by Christopher Heath - 2,700 words
"A Pet of Her Own" by M. L. Burch - 7,000 words
"I Dreamed of Griffons in Flight" by Jeff Crook - 2,500 words
"The Bala Worm" by James S. Dorr - 7,000 words
"Otrossius and the Drake Who Bothered No One" by Steve Goble - 5,600 words
"Let Me Explain" by Gerald Costlow - 1,000 words
"Dragon's Hide" by Armand Rosamilia - 3,600 words
"An Ordinary Dragon" by Jennifer Schwabach - 4,000 words
"Herbert and the Wyrm" by Marty O'Hale - 2,400 words
"Lesson Learned" by Tom Williams - 3,700 words
"Western Front, 1914" by Peter Friend - 1,600 words
"Shandango Dance" by Sara Michael - 600 words
"The Elephant and the Dragon" by Sean Melican - 3,500 words
"Keeping Company" by Adrian Simmons - 2,500 words
"The Dragonkeeper's Wife" by Peter Ball - 2,500 words
"Rip-Snorter" by Tom Williams - 1,200 words
"Sea and Sky" by Katherine Shaw - 4,400 words
Current Table of Contents: 19 stories, 60,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : von Darkmoor - 5/5/2007 8:54 PM | One more 'My Two Cents Worth' regarding the comments by Steve and Jordan. And Rob for that matter.
Editor Rob is displaying yeoman-like effort and ethic. As I begin this road of editorship (truly not so many more months after Rob himself has), I cannot but hold him in the highest regard. I can guarantee you right here and now that I will not be able to respond as quickly as Rob does - and he's received 100s more submissions than I have. I've personally given myself a 2-week response time and will do all I can to honor that, but Sheer Speculation's posted response time is 4-5 weeks. Still far ahead of many, if not most, other publications but newness and smallness do have their advantages.
All I'm hoping to elucidate here is the spectacular job Rob has done, currently does and will continue to do. Just compare him to me if you doubt it. But then please compare me to some of the others
~~~~~~~~~~
Jason M. Waltz
Fantasy Editor Staffs & Starships Magazine
~~~~~~~~~~
Ever waltz with the Devil? Or devil with a Waltz? Visit von Darkmoor's thoughts to find out. |
| Posted By : TW - 5/6/2007 1:16 PM | [Belatedly stumbling into the room, looking around bleary-eyed and scratching himself in unmentionable places] ...
Yeah. What Steve, Jordan and HVD said.
News flash: It's not a perfect world, what you wrote ain't a perfect story and you ain't the perfect writer.
Darn. I thought *I* was a perfect writer. Where did those "ain'ts" come from? Darn, now I've gone and dangled a preposition! Look at the size of that thing.
Laugh. Chill. What else is there?
Recent credits: "The Teeth of the Matter" and "Cold Dragons" in Dragons, Knights and Angels; "The One-Legged Assassin" and "Possession is Nine Parts" in Electric Spec; "At Winter's Edge", upcoming in Forgotten Worlds; "Lesson Learned" and "Rip-Snorter" and "Iron Hearts of Death", upcoming in Ricasso Press' anthologies "Black Dragon, White Dragon" and "Magic and Mechanica", respectively. |
| Posted By : Bill Ward - 5/6/2007 2:44 PM | OK, while I certainly agreee with you guys that Rob should not be pestered and is something of a vicitm of his own success in this regard, I think the point had been made and we should stop jumping on the people who are querying a bit too soon. Many of them are new to the process and have no real idea what goes on on the other side of the slush, and they are just doing what comes naturally -- their newness and insecurity being a big part of the anxiety that has them querying within a week -- and I'm certain none of them wants to imply that they take Rob's work for granted. Cut them some slack, and let Rob decide how he wants to deal with it. Any that may be reading this thread certainly get the point by now.
Obviously we all know the lengths Rob has gone, and wouldn't dream of sending him a query--but the quick query is a newbie mistake like so many others that Rob and I and a lot of other editors understand its better to simply overlook than make a fuss over. Its just part of the learning curve; you just field the query, shake your head, and move on. |
| Posted By : TW - 5/6/2007 3:00 PM | WDW:
I agree with your voice of reason -- well expressed.
By the same token, it's better to be teased or lightly chided here than flamed out there in the bigger, more brutal world (and never understand why it happened and decide that life's unfair and give up).
It's not that some are *deliberately* taking Rob's (or yours or anybody's) Herculean efforts for granted -- but being taken for granted is the same whether it's deliberate or just ignorant. It's sort of like being angered when someone zooms by you on the highway... are they jerks, or did their baby just get taken to the ER? We don't know, so we can't judge.
(And, ignorance, too, is an area where I think I have the market cornered.)
Nothing wrong with being eager -- I'm a newbie, too, after all.
regards,
TW
Recent credits: "The Teeth of the Matter" and "Cold Dragons" in Dragons, Knights and Angels; "The One-Legged Assassin" and "Possession is Nine Parts" in Electric Spec; "At Winter's Edge", upcoming in Forgotten Worlds; "Lesson Learned" and "Rip-Snorter" and "Iron Hearts of Death", upcoming in Ricasso Press' anthologies "Black Dragon, White Dragon" and "Magic and Mechanica", respectively. |
| Posted By : Bill Ward - 5/6/2007 3:49 PM | | I understand completely, and I'm sure Rob also appreciates that you guys definitely all 'get it' and don't shy from expressing your support for the great job he's doing. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/6/2007 11:35 PM | Goodness, thanks again for the sentiment.
Once more, to all prospective submitters, please don't hesitate to ask any questions regarding the anthology. If it's a question regarding your submission, please wait a week.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/8/2007 10:16 AM | Just thought I'd let everyone know I have not just several new submissions sitting in the Inbox but also four rewrites I requested. There is a very real possibility the table of contents could fill up quickly, so I felt like I should expand on my thoughts about the guidelines.
I've mentioned several times I plan on stopping the call for submissions at 75,000 words. The guidelines state, though, the anthology is planned for 85,000 to 100,000 words. This is to account for rewrites and acceptances in the Inbox after I've closed the reading period. Should the ToC need a bit of a boost, I will announce a reopening of the reading period for a few weeks.
In short, to all prospective submitters still working on their stories, polish up what you have and send it to me at your convenience. I will continue to read stories after I make the stop-call until I make one along the lines of "Pretty please, stop sending me manuscripts. I'm beggin' ya!"
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/10/2007 12:19 PM | Friday, May11th I will be flying off to Florida for 10 days. I will be bringing the notebook computer so should remain communicado. If things go awry, I will do all the catching up on the 20th. It is my goal to be completely caught up on submissions before I leave.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : von Darkmoor - 5/11/2007 12:41 AM | Enjoy your 'vacation' (with the laptop along it doesn't seem completely time away) Rob. Say 'Hello' to Armand for me.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jason M. Waltz
Fantasy Editor Staffs & Starships Magazine
~~~~~~~~~~
Ever waltz with the Devil? Or devil with a Waltz? Visit von Darkmoor's thoughts to find out. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/11/2007 8:52 AM | Can do. And if it means anything, without a few days keeping up with the Inbox, I wouldn't be enjoying my vacation dreading the pile when I returned.
With regards to that, all subs through May 10th have been responded to except two rewrites (and those authors have been informed I will be making a decision in the next few days on those). If anyone has not heard back on a submission and sent it on or before May 10, either the response or the sub went astray. Please resubmit.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/16/2007 8:22 AM | Hello from sunny Florida.
As my wife and daughters are fond of saying: Girls Rule!
Three acceptances to add to the table of contents...
"The Black Butcher" by Anna Lowther focuses on Leadbelly, a pirate on the crew of the Ebon Rose, captained by the titular bad guy. Pirates! Witchcraft! A sea dragon! Part mysticism and part high seas adventure...what's not to like?
"God's Wrath" by Heidi Kneale came to me by way of Howard Jones. We all know he's got a good eye, and after requesting a rewrite to shorten the piece, Heidi nailed this story about a group of young men and women who sacrifice their lives for the glory of God in order to keep their families and the town safe from a dragon. That it is because they clean up its chemical wastes is a unique spin on the dragonfighting concept.
"San Marino and the Dragon" is Kelly Harmon's Italian-style tale of a town that no longer believes in the dragon at the heart of their annual festival. What happens when they no longer perform the right rituals, especially if the dragon has a contract? Kelly submitted a previous story that was not themed appropriately for the anthology, and I let her know the style and voice of Italian, pre-Brothers Grimm fairy tale was a particular favorite of mine. A few short weeks later I get an original piece that still fits the bill.
At 6,000, 4,100 and 5,900 words respectively, it looks like the table of contents is full with 22 stories and 76,000 words. I still have submissions in the Inbox as well as a few rewrite requests out there with authors. Feel free to continue to send manuscripts my way, and I will let everyone know when to stop (most likely by throwing my hands in the air and begging for it). As I am on vacation right now I will not be reading manuscripts until I return home, after this Sunday the 20th.
Thank you all, and great job Anna, Kelly and Heidi.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : anna - 5/16/2007 9:19 AM | Thank YOU Rob !
Hope you're well away from the smoke down there. Enjoy your vacation. I used to live in Florida, and I love to visit whenever I can. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/19/2007 10:20 AM | Girls still rule...
I probably should have listed this with the above update, seeing as how I enjoyed "The Borrowed Sword" by Constance Brewer so much on the first reading. Something wasn't clicking, and after a quick retooling, this piece about clashing Chinese armies jumps off the page. One general has to rethink his strategy after the opposing army begins flying dragon-shaped kites. Without a sorcerer of his own, how can he combat this magical tactic? Great to have another non-Western dragon tale in the ToC. 2,300 words.
I'm going to read everything in the Inbox on the airplane Sunday morning and will have an announcement about the reading period Monday. Until then, feel free to keep sending submissions.
Current Table of Contents: 23 stories, 78,000 words
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Hamstersbane - 5/19/2007 11:39 AM | Ask and ye shall receive. You should have an intestinal dragon in your mailbox soon, if you don't already.
Jeff Parish
Caveat Lector
Here there be writers. |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/23/2007 4:01 PM | It's official...the reading period for "Black Dragon, White Dragon" is over.
I'm still sitting on a 78,000-word collection, with a few outstanding rewrite requests. I've also been contacted by several colleagues who would like to put something together knowing the deadline has come and gone. For those of you who have PM-ed me, let it be known that this book isn't going to the printers for a few months still, so you have my permission to finish up those stories and send them my way. For those of you who haven't PM-ed me about sneaking in after the deadline, you are welcome to do so.
I will read the rest of the stories I receive today (and maybe tomorrow - hey, I'm a nice guy). After that, future submissions will be met with a "sorry, the ToC is full" type of message.
Public thanks to everyone who submitted. As my first official stint at reading an open call for stories, I've had the pleasure of seeing some remarkably good writing. Without a doubt this has been a learning experience. I'm glad I set up my game plan the way I did, for it allows me the time to give personal and professional attention to submissions without sacrificing too much of my own writing time. It's nice to know that future reading periods should go just as smoothly.
Don't forget: the Magic & Mechanica anthology is barely half full. Plenty of time to get submissions in for that collection.
Guidelines are here: http://forum.sfreader.com/default~f~52~m~32689.html
Updates are here: http://forum.sfreader.com/default~f~52~m~32690.html
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Firlefanz - 5/23/2007 5:15 PM | Rob, thank you for offering a great opportunity, for your great response times, and the valuable feedback you gave me on the stories I sent you.
Being greedy, I hope you'll repeat this with a similar project in the not too far future.
All the best for your anthology, let's hope it sells like mad!
- Call me Firle.
Hannah Steenbock
Mystical Adventures
Beyond Horizons |
| Posted By : JReynolds - 5/24/2007 11:07 AM | | Rob, thank you for offering a great opportunity, for your great response times, and the valuable feedback you gave me on the stories I sent you.
I second that. Rob, you are perhaps one of the best editors I have ever come in contact with. Fast, efficient and honest.
I'm looking forward to getting the anthology when it comes out.
Welcome to Jackapo County...
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 5/26/2007 12:48 AM | Thank you for the kind words.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : ScrewMoonshine - 5/27/2007 2:47 PM | Great stuff, Rob. I'm a bit sad that I didn't find the time to write anything for this anthology, but I'll definitely be picking it up.
Robert Orme
Out now:
"On the Tree Top" in Ultraverse vol.3 #5 (www.ultraverse.us)
"The Scab, the Man, and the I.V." in Mount Zion Speculative Fiction Review #3 (www.mountzionpress.com)
"And Afterward" and "Candy Lover" in Flashshot, April 30 and May 23 (www.gwthomas.org/subscribe.htm)
Coming soon:
"More Than One Way to Protect" in Lords of Justice (www.carnifexpress.net/blogs/) |
| Posted By : Scott M. Sandridge - 5/31/2007 10:44 PM | Great job!  Here's hoping for a "Black Dragon, White dragon II".
Which lich fell in the ditch? |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 6/1/2007 12:21 PM | One Dragon, Two Dragon, Red Dragon, Blue Dragon...
No, wait, I think somebody else wrote that. :)
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Sister Coyote - 6/1/2007 1:39 PM | Oh, Sure, Rob, give me a plot bunny now that you're closed to submissions...  |
| Posted By : crystalwizard - 6/2/2007 10:19 PM | Sister Coyote said...Oh, Sure, Rob, give me a plot bunny now that you're closed to submissions...
You could write it anyway, and maybe you can talk him into a second anthology :) |
| Posted By : Mindwing - 6/3/2007 2:39 PM | I'm hoping to see a unicorn anthology someday.
Mindwig
"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it
right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon." Robert Cormier
|
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 6/28/2007 9:03 AM | Just thought I'd post I've started the editing process, a few days ahead of schedule. I'm doing them in alphabetical order, and so far I'm fortunate enough to be 2 for 2 in dealing with authors. Ms. Burch and Ms. Schwabach took my hatchet jobs in stride (especially Ms. Schwabach who allowed me to take out a big chunk without so much as a glimmer of protest). I'm sure the next author will be difficult, though. It's that Armand guy. My rate is a day or two per story, so that should be a good estimate for other authors when they'll be receiving a note from me.
It is not nearly as fun to read these excellent stories for work as it was for pleasure. Gotta be done, though.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 6/28/2007 8:41 PM | Once again I have to ask: is obsessive compulsion really a bad thing?
Three manuscripts edited today: "Dragon's Hide," "Hardcastle's Dragon," and "Herbert and the Wyrm."
I'll continue to post notes like this on the odd chance one of the contributors doesn't get my e-mails and sees it here.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 6/30/2007 10:32 AM | Added "I Dreamed of Griffons in Flight" and "Keeping Company" to the edited pile.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 7/2/2007 12:51 AM | Added "Lesson Learned," "Let Me Explain" and "Li T'ien and the Dragon Nian" to the edited pile.
Today was undoubtedly the easiest editing shift I will go through, ever. There was exactly zero heavy lifting required in all three of these stories, and while I'm awaiting feedback from authors regarding changes, I hardly changed a thing in any of these pieces. Well done and thanks for making my job easy to Messrs. Williams and Costlow and Ms. Foster.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 7/5/2007 1:43 PM | Edited "Otrossius and the Drake that Bothered No One," "Rip-Snorter," and "San Marino and the Dragon."
That's 14 down with 10 to go. Smooth sailing so far.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press |
| Posted By : Rob Santa - 7/10/2007 1:01 AM | Added "Sea and Sky," "Shandango Dance," "The Bala Worm" and "The Black Butcher" to the edited pile.
Whew. Finish line is in sight.
Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO of Ricasso Press | <
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