Long Absence… and What’s to Come

Yes, I feel ashamed.  It has been terribly long since I have come to rant and rave at, or should we say with, you all.  I am sorry.  For shame and forsooth and whatever other word sounds apologetic and disparaging enough.

However, I am happy to say that it has not been due to laziness or my typical “I’ve been busy”.  Well…. I have been busy, so I suppose that isn’t entirely true.  That “excuse” still comes into play, but I have other news to tell you all.

Firstly, I am happy to announce that I have an update.  It has to do with swords and contests and winners!!!!  That’s right, the Merlin’s Blade Spiral Contest that I posted about some time ago has finally come to an end and I have emerged the victor—barely.  Stage one of the three part contest has been complete and I am in the running for the sword, at least presently…  I intend to keep it that way, however.  Oh, and I get a Kindle Fire as my prize for winning the first contest.  How fun!  When the next contest begins, I shall keep you all posted on my proceedings.

Secondly, and perhaps my favorite bit, I have been very busy as of late building my writer’s platform.  *pulls out momentary soap box—why do we call it a soap box?—in order to rant * 

You know what I think one of the biggest problems we have in the publishing industry right now?  Everyone wants to be a breakout star.  I’m serious.  We all want to be the number one best seller and we all want someone to just “discover” us.  *rolls eyes *   Why is it that we, authors, feel like we are entitled to just being “picked up”?  Writing is hard work!  Anyone who says otherwise is selling something—which I guess sounds funny since we are trying to sell books….  Anyways, back on topic, writing is hard and becoming an author is really no different than any other job.  You have to work your way from the bottom up.  You have to get your hands dirty, prove yourself, and show that you are made of more than you seem.  So why do we think we should just be handed success as a writer?  That is, to be quite honest, foolish, and it is a foolishness I have bought into as a starry-eyed girl with this big dream of being a famous author.  Nothing in this life comes without sweat, blood, and tears.  If I, or any other author, want to be successful in this industry, I have to work my way up and prove myself, just like in any other job.  *ends rant and puts away said box *

So.  Over the last 4 months I have shifted some gears and began to build my writer’s platform.  And guess what?  It has paid off.  My exciting news is that in December of 2013 Splickety Magazine will be publishing Legacies and Aftershave, by Kaitlyn Emery, in their Christmas issue.  After working with the editorial team at the magazine, I was sent to the production manager who then handled contracting with me.  Two weeks ago I signed my very first contract and received my first pay check for a story (I was published once before as a 10 year old, but I didn’t handle any of that nor did I get paid, so I don’t think it really counts). 

The excitement, however, doesn’t end there.  As I was signing my first contract and receiving my first check, I also received another email revealing that Havok Magazine wants to pick up my speculative fiction short story called The Pinocchio Project.  I was put in contact with the editorial team, completed my work with them, and in about two weeks I should be signing my next contract and receiving my next paycheck!!!  The Pinocchio Project will be released in January of 2014, and I gotta tell you, after so many rejection letters, it was so refreshing to finally start seeing the fruits of all my labors.

But wait!!!  There is more!!! *feels like an advertising salesman *  There is also a possibility that, in 2014, my very first children’s book, The Dragon Ate my Nightlight, could be published, but perhaps that is getting ahead of myself since the deed is not signed, sealed, and delivered, yet…. Let’s just keep this our hopeful little secret for now.

On less cheery topics, I have also spent the last 9 weeks undergoing a very rigorous change in my life.  This change, unfortunately, was unwelcomed, but I have accepted it and am doing well.  I learned that I have a few food allergies, the biggest being wheat, and have thus cut out all wheat from my diet…. Talk about time consuming and life engulphing!!!  So that has taken a good bit of my time as I have learned to cope with this and change my diet.  I am happy to say I have been wheat free for 9 weeks, no cheats, and am doing much better with that now.

So, now that we have all of that out of the way, let’s talk about the WHAT IS TO COME mentioned in the blog title.  Don’t worry.  It’s not anything frightening.  In fact, I think you might actually like it. :D

My blog needs to become a priority again.  I miss you guys and I miss being able to release and vent around here.  So, you will be seeing more of me. 

And, because I like you guys so much, I have decided to give you the inside scoop on what to be expecting here soon.  First, I should like to announce that for those who have begged me to take back up my mic in the podcasting world, your pleas have been heard.  I am currently looking into how I can host the podcast on my blog, or link to a podcasting site where you can listen to my voice—why you all want to I have no idea, but I’m happy to oblige you all since I love podcasting anyways.

As for blog posts, I have a number of things in store for you.  First, there may or may not be a series coming about my adventures in the kitchen as I seek to conquer the art of cooking wheat free.  For some reason, a very good friend seems to think it would be funny to read about an Italian woman having to learn how to cook all over again…. *rolls eyes fondly *  So, I may or may not pacify him…. We shall see. However, should I decide to, the blog posts series would be called Don’t Touch My Food. 

Another series will also be gracing my blog.  It is called Dragons: A Four Part Series.  The titles of each post are as follows; Introductions (are they fact or fiction), A Biblical Look (are they an evil symbol?), Of Past (a look at ancient lore), Of Present (are they really extinct?). 

Other blog posts that will be featured on the blog in the upcoming weeks are:

Theology Shouldn't Limit- A post about writing for God's glory, without excluding theology or being limited by our own presuppositions.

Tips and Tricks of the Trade- Have a hard time writing fantasy?  Here's some dos and don'ts.  

Christian Fantasy an Oxymoron?- Can we really write Christian Fantasy, or do the two words not go together?  

What is Speculative Fiction - A brief rundown on what exactly falls into this genre (because I keep getting asked)

Why I want to be a Homemaker- My personal reasons for wanting to be a homemaker. 

 

Are you guys excited yet?  I sure hope so, because I am. 

So, are you ready for the ride ahead?