submitting short stories (a love story) by Leanne Dyck

In memory of the gone

but not forgotten

(It snowed on Dec. 5 and it melted on Dec.10)

It's a typical love story:

Short version...
The writer notices literary journal
The writer dreams of seeing her story in the literary journal

The writer sends one of her stories to the literary journal
The writer receives an encouraging rejection letter
The writer is inspired. 
The writer writes
With fingers crossed, the writer sends another story to the literary journal

Long version...
Last July, I sent seven short stories to a list of literary journals. I waited a couple of months and then the rejection letters trickled in. Far from feeling depressed, I was inspired to write.

Why?

1)Experience has taught me that sometimes it's the story--it needs revising. But sometimes it's the literary journal--it's not the right fit.

2)I received two personalized rejection letters.

Quote...
'While we are unable to accept (name of short story) for publication, we would like to see more of your work...less than 2% (of the stories they receive) are accepted for publication...Your work was almost there.'

'Although we will not be accepting your work at this time, I wish you best of luck with future submissions'

They want more and that's exactly what I plan to send them.

3)It is extremely and increasingly difficult for aspiring writers to get published or make careers for themselves. Don’t waste time despairing this reality. Write and rewrite and when you’ve got something polished try your best to find a home for it. Don’t feel that there is something wrong with you if that journey takes longer than you’d hoped, or takes some ugly twists and turns. You must determine to write regardless of what external forces work against you, or in your favour. You must just write. If you write enough, and you write well, you will write your own way forward. --Elizabeth Ruth (Read her complete interview here)

I'm also entering contests. I enjoy entering the Women On Writing quarterly flash fiction contests. For the low price of twenty dollars not only can you enter their contest but you also receive an invaluable, detailed critique. 
I wrote that I entered but it really wasn't that easy. I needed help to achieve that goal. Thankfully Angela was there to help. I'd like to thank her and the WOW staff.

Now I like to showcase one of my favourite poets, Lord...um...er...my husband, Byron.

In my yard a garden grows
So sad that now the pond is froze
The days grow shorter and grey darkens
The winds do howl and winter harkens
I grow weary waiting for the sun to shine
And long for when it is not winter time

In my yard a garden grows
A work in progress yet it shows
'Tis not a one of shrubs and flowers
Instead a work of stones and rock towers
Water cascades down the sculpted hill
And sand in patterned rows lies still

I await the spring when roses grow
And flora blush full and waters flow
The stones piled high amid rocks grown tall
Soothed again by sounds of water all
To sit and reap in tranquil harmony
Nature's blessing of my quaint rock quarry
-Byron Dyck

Guest Post: Author Elizabeth Ruth

How/why did you start to write?

When I was in grade 4 there was a writing contest at my public school. It was open to any student in grades 4, 5 or 6. As soon as I heard about this opportunity I knew I would submit a story. Horse back riding was my passion at the time and decided to write about Jim Elder, who then led Canada’s equestrian team. I conducted much research, with my mother helping me find the courage to look up his phone number and call him to ask for an interview. We were probably only on the phone for 5 minutes but I can still feel my heart pounding with nervous excitement. I worked on my non-fiction story for hours, and handed it in certain I would place in the competition. On the day the announcement of the winners was to be made, students were assembled in the gymnasium. When the teacher in charge called out the name of the 3^rd place winner and it wasn’t me, I was gleeful. Aha, I thought, I knew it. I’m so going to win this competition! So, when the second place story was named and its author brought up on stage, I could barely contain my exuberance. It was going to be me, after all, I thought! When the first place winning entry was announced, and it wasn’t my story, I was stunned. Shocked. Indignant. There must be a mistake, I thought. I’m a writer! From that moment on I was determined to keep writing until my work drew the attention of careful readers. I had written poetry and little stories since the age of 5 or 6 but it was that moment that solidified my resolve.

How did you become an author?

With much hard work and probably even more luck.

I had been working full time for 11 years, in front line mental health. I had trained at the graduate level in counselling psychology. I loved my work. But all the while I was trying to write a story, which kept unfolding and ultimately became my first novel, Ten Good Seconds of Silence. At the same time, a writer I greatly admired, the late Timothy Findley, was coming to Toronto where I lived to teach in the Humber School for Writer’s summer workshop. I applied in order to talk with him about writing. To my delight, I was admitted to the workshop. In a pivotal conversation with Tiff he told me I must finish my book. I left Humber thinking that if a writer I so admired has told me to finish and I don’t, I would have no one but myself to blame. I took a year’s leave of absence from my job and wrote night and day. When I was done I had to find a publisher by submitting to the slush pile. One editor loved the story and called me. Six months later, in 2001, I had a published book in my hand. As it turned out, Ten Good Seconds of Silence was very popular with readers and critics so I was encouraged to write my second novel, Smoke. That book was published in 2005. Now, here I am, 13 years after attending that workshop, launching my third novel, Matadora, and I still haven’t returned to the day job. Every writer becomes a writer in a different way, along a different path. The only thing that’s important to know if you’re trying to become anything is to keep on trying. Break to isolation of writing and dissipate feelings of inadequacy and doubt by trying to connect with another writer, who is farther along the path.

What was your first published piece?

A story told entirely in the second person point of view entitled, Away for A While. It was only four pages in length and was about a woman (and a mother of a small child) forcibly committed to a psychiatric institution. I wanted to show her experience directly, and also give her agency to assert what little power she had.

Where was it published?

It was published in two literary journals within the same year – CV2 and Room of One’s Own.

How long ago?

I can’t remember. Probably 15 years. After that story I published a string of stories within a short period of time. I found publication addictive.

What inspires you?

I suppose I would answer that question differently for each of my three novels. But for the new one, Matadora, I have to say it was one day when I was listening to the national news on the radio. I heard of a 16 year old girl fighting bulls in Mexico. I literally stopped what I was doing (frying eggs) and sat down on the kitchen floor. Why would a girl do this? Why would anyone do something so violent and dangerous? That was the spark of inspiration, a couple of questions. But when I think about it, the more profound inspiration for Matadora began long before that day in my kitchen. It began when I was 7, 8, years old, living in South America, becoming fluent in Spanish and most importantly witnessing levels of poverty I had never seen before. Having conversations with my mother about why some people didn’t have food or a place to live or why some people couldn’t get medical care. The seeds of a social justice analysis were planted in me back then, and Matadora is a book that looks at class issues, class oppression, leading up to, as it does, the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Fascism in Spain. It’s not an historical novel, but the political divisions within the Left, and the rise of the Right, at that time in history, provided me, in some respects, with a wonderful mirror for our times. So, what began in me as a child has had several decades to germinate. I have to think that this book was inspired, in stages as I developed my own political beliefs, my own notions of personal freedom and of social responsibility. I don’t believe Matadora could have been written before now, and I don’t believe Matadora could have been written by anyone else.

Matadora is a novel that centres on a female bullfighter, set in 1930’s Spain and Mexico. But like all good books about bullfighting, it’s really not about bullfighting at all. This book is about ambition, passion, art and politics. At its heart it asks the question: if you had to choose between your greatest passion – the thing that makes you who you are – and the person you love most in this world, what would you choose?

Please share one of your successful author platform building techniques

I don’t think in terms of building platforms although publishers and industry folks certainly do. I think in terms of building community. That is why, to whatever degree I have it, I have been successful in getting my books into the hands of readers. Build community with other artists, share ideas and be generous in promoting others. Also, don’t expect anyone – not your publisher, if you have one, not your agent, if you are so lucky, not your mother – to care as much about your work as you do. Therefore, you must have your hands in many pots – writing, editing, and all the business side of things such as creating book club brochures and updating your website. It takes a lot more than being a good writer to be a successful writer.

Parting words

It is extremely and increasingly difficult for aspiring writers to get published or make careers for themselves. Don’t waste time despairing this reality. Write and rewrite and when you’ve got something polished try your best to find a home for it. Don’t feel that there is something wrong with you if that journey takes longer than you’d hoped, or takes some ugly twists and turns. You must determine to write regardless of what external forces work against your, or in your favour. You must just write. If you write enough, and you write well, you will write your own way forward.

If you read Matadora and want to discuss it feel free to contact me via www.elizabethruth.com 

Matadora Book Trailer

How to be your own publicist symposium notes by Leanne Dyck

From (approximately) 2008 to 2012 I attended The Writers’ Union of Canada information-rich symposiums. 

Friday, March 2, 2012 

How to be your own publicist

Author Elizabeth Ruth presented traditional but innovative book marketing strategies.

-publishers want authors to have platforms
-publishers want to know that you (the author) are promotable
-embrace some type of self promotion that fits your personality (introvert/extrovert) and style of communication (marketing to booksellers/conducting workshops)
-seek opportunities to talk about your work (volunteer on panels/give interviews)
-to pitch a book you need to write a synopsis, plus a paragraph and one sentence that describes the book
-cold call booksellers to build relationships. You want them to connect your book with a real person. Visit them and leave something physical behind--pamphlet or a business card
-before you start promoting meet with your publisher. You want your efforts to compliment not duplicate so bring the list of tasks that you will be doing. Ask them what they will do.
-window for promotion:  6 to 8 months before publishing and 6 to 8 months after
-make the launch party fun and informative
(only read for about 10 minutes then have a live band or interview someone you researched for the book or have someone interview you)
-get your book on the book circuit
-pitch your book to literary festivals
-seek help from close friends to promote your book
(they can provide accommodations when you're on a book tour or recommend your book to their book club)
-join forces with other authors and cross promote each others' work

Author Ann Douglas presented on new media opportunities for writers

Why engage in social media?
-build relationships
-readers want to get to know authors
-take control of your career

The best time to...
Twitter - evening
Facebook - morning
Blog - morning
Social media - Friday

Sites to check out
Debbie Ohi's blogs
Storify
Pinterest
(She gave us a longer list, but these are the sites that were of most interest to me)

What should be on an author's web site?
-media releases
-author photo (hi/low res)
-bio
-book covers (hi/low res)

Kelly Duffin, Executive Director of The Writers' Union of Canada, updated participants on the latest evolutions in the publishing landscape.

-authors are required to do more and more marketing
-Reader profile--book/ebook--women/40+/urban
Royality
-The Writers' Union of Canada is recommending that authors add a clause to their contract that will allow them to renegotiate in the future for a better rate
-authors are working in partnership (with other authors/readers) to write books
-there is no beginning or ending to marketing
-Ebook pricing is moving up to $8. 99 - $12. 99
-readers want a relationship with writers
-publishers are describing themselves as "service providers to authors"
-children books can have app appeal
-authors should ask publishers how they handle metadata

What is metadata?
It's a list of words that describe a book.
For example, on Amazon, these words are used to describe The Sweater Curse...
curses
fiction
knitting
literature
thriller

Metadata are powerful marketing tools.

This is just a taste of some of the information that was shared. I highly recommend The Writers' Union of Canada symposiums to all writers interested in career development.