Skip to content

Category: Publications

Working on things related to writing that aren’t writing fiction

I find that it is a lot harder sometimes to focus on writing things, (like blogging, tweeting, facebooking, tumblring) that aren’t directly related to writing my fiction, which is hard enough sometimes. Yet, especially in this age, all are important, becuase they are the way that authors communicate directly with their fan base. (Which admittedly, I don’t have a large one of at this point, but at some point I will.) It is fun to do to, in a different sort of way, but it requires dedication and drive, which sometimes I don’t feel like I have a lot of. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but this resolution just happened to fall around the new year, partly inspired by current and upcoming publications. My publications page will be updated shortly, and then we will return to your normally scheduled blogging.

Leave a Comment

Year end round up!

Time for my yearly year-end round up on my writing. This year I sent 59 submissions, received 37 rejections, have  21 pending and had two stories published (one was accepted last year). I  finished my short story cycle, worked through some major road blocks on  my third novel, and wrote several short stories. I started teaching homeschool fiction classes, taught some adult poetry workshops, and, oh yeah, graduated with my MFA. All in all not too bad of a writing year, although I’d have loved the submission rate to have be higher (and my acceptance rate too!) but hey, I think I did ok 😉

Leave a Comment

Hint Fiction Artwork

Last year I had a short-short story titled “Insomnia” Posted in a W.W. Norton anthology titled Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer. All of the stories included were 25 words or fewer, and the authors ranged from very well known such as Joyce Carol Oates the very unknown such as I. It was edited by Robert Swartwood, and not only was it a fun piece to write, but the book turned out fantastic, and is in its second printing I believe.

Now a couple of months ago I received an email from Robert that some of the stories from the book were going to be included in a juried art show at the Columbia Art League in Columbia, MO. I didn’t think too much of it, assuming my story wouldn’t be one of the ones picked. However, about a month ago I received an email from Robert (who was flown out for the show, the lucky dog) that my story had inspired, not one, but two pieces in the show. And he sent pictures that I have his permission to post.

My story – which was also included on the website for the show (how lucky am i??) – was:

  Sleeping Beauty never minded the spindle prick. It was the wake-up kiss she hated.

The first artwork is by Inessa Morelock:

Insomnia by Inessa Morelock
Insomnia by Inessa Morelock

The second one was by Gennie Pfannenstiel:

Insomnia by Gennie Pfannenstiel
Insomnia by Gennie Pfannenstiel
Insomnia by Gennie Pfannenstiel
Insomnia by Gennie Pfannenstiel

BOTH were also featured in The Columbia Daily Tribune’s slideshow of entries! Also there is a writeup here.

I hope one of them wins the show!

Leave a Comment
©2002-2021 Val Gryphin