The SFFW Writers Workshop (2018- present)

Yes, it's a pity that the anthology project has fallen by the wayside. Nila and I discussed doing one last year, but life and then the global corona-crisis slightly got in the way. I'm running a zine in the background now, which takes up a chunk of time, but this year I'm tempted to dust off Welcome to Pacific City and finally put out a call for the sequel collections I always intended to do.
 
Do you get the stories for "Pacific City" and sequels from subs here on SFFWorld? Or just partly? Anyway... a little off topic. But the more opportunities, outlets, etc. the better. So hope you can bring it back.

Again, suppose it would seem a little pointless to do a less-formal version, forumite-driven, PDF, with editorial help from "Sr." folks as available? Andrew, feel like whipping up some quick, but stunning cover-art for us? If you feel excees of creativity, go for it, hehehe.

(added) Sorry, I get off topic with dumb jokes. Still I guess I can always float the idea. Do a collection of 12 Flash or something... Figure out some kind of voting, etc. I will take the honor of the cover-art for myself.
 
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The anthologies were always based out of the forums first of all, but we increasingly opened them up to the wider world of submissions for the last three or four. If I do do it again it'll be via an open call online, but SFFWorlders would be just as welcome to submit as anyone else.

I actually think it could be a good idea to get a smaller project going within the SFFW-walls, so I'd encourage you to start a new thread and see who's keen. No need to force people to write to a theme necessarily, which means that anyone who is participating in the monthly fiction contests could offer up their work from one of those if they wanted to.

Alternatively, you could use it as a basis for kickstarting the feedback activity again: set a first-draft deadline for people to post their contributions in the Stories subsection, with the "price" for participation being that anyone who wants to appear in the collection has to read and give feedback on at least some of the other stories. And then set a final-draft deadline later in the year so people can make use of the feedback received, if they like it.

I won't have time to participate on a writing/editing level, but I'd be happy to design a cover. Time permitting, I could probably put together PDF and even ebook versions of the final collection too, if no-one else is confident doing so. I've done plenty of them at this point, it wouldn't be a big deal to do one more every year or so. :)
 
Excellent, thanks. And a good way to work in increasing response/critting. I think I'll go ahead and create the thread. Would be a neat project, but tempering my hopes.

I appreciate your advice, etc. on the endeavor. Is it ok to add: "Andrew LH has indicated some support for the general idea, and *may* possibly have time to contribute the cover art, and help with final output, as well as advice on the project as needed" Or, something? Or, perhaps better, you can add a post or two, to show generalized support.

It helps a lot to have any kind of nod from admins, etc. Even if it's totally noncommittal/nonspecific. Anyway, whatever you feel comfortable with.

KatG or others, same applies! Goes without saying would never put words in your mouth, but again, even a passive "nod" could help momentum. Will keep you posted.

(added)
Andrew another alternative.... would you like to create the initial thread/post? (if so, before you do, let me know what your thinking about) If so, I will chip in with most/all of the work to make the anthology happen, providing there is interest.
 
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Feel free to quote what I've said here, but I suggest a more active member than I am now take the lead. I don't think I'm necessarily a giant selling point either, flattering though that is! Consider the cover art a done deal, though, I won't back out.
 
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Nice, thanks. Well, you got the credentials as anthologist, publisher, etc.

Overall seems like a great idea, as a combo workshop/anthology exercise (with "result")

Got pretty scant hope, though. It's a bit subdued\dead here just recently (understandable). Also no idea I have floated has ever gone anywhere, :) Anyone else or additional want to lend their "brand"?

(added)

Plan B - "The One-Man Show"

I creep silently through the stories forum and select 15 or so of my favorites. Notify the authors in PM that I want to anthologize their story. Ask them if necessary: Would you consider working with me or another editor on some changes? Or, would you prefer to have it submitted as is?

Next I take my 15 to some mystical group of "Sr. Folks" (who of course have unlimited free time, yes, jk), ask them, what do you think of these as selections? What do you think of my editorial suggestions? Can you pitch-in a little in some way if possible? Everyone one works together as a well-oiled machine (eh-em)

Andrew does some great cover-art and voila, Issue I!

Plan C - "Good Ole' Boys of the Contest"

An even more direct approach is this - I seize autocratic control, proclaiming 6 "Good Ole' Boys of the Contests" These are people who have loyally, enthusiastically participated in the Flash/Micro/Story contest over the past few months. (mildly favoring the less-established writers) If they are willing, I work with each of them to get their best available Flash that suites my theme (if I decide to have one). Andrew, would you still be willing to pitch-in artwork?

(update)
This whole post is a bit off topic for the thread. I am checking with a few folks via PM to see if any interest. If there is interest I will create a new thread.
 
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I created a thread for our new anthology: Invitation Anthology I *hope* I can work in an element of "workshop/learning/review", but it's so damn hard to get things done sometimes, we might have to forgo that too... Take a peep when you can. This topic has been moved. :
 
Matt H. said:
Just wanted to squeek about this, and let you know there are indeed lurkers (at least one) who would love to see new life in this additional activity (critique requests). Heya, guys?
Click to expand...
Matt, what would you like critiqued? I could see if it's up my alley. How about you officially put it up in the format they suggested? I'll put up the novel that's in the hands of a few beta readers now and you can look to see if you want to critique it. The formatting was:

Submitting Your Story
This thread is for critique requests. To make your request, simply reply to this thread and state what you are looking for. To help with this, we have a cool little format you can (or choose not) to use:
  • Title of work:
  • One sentence pitch:
  • Length of work (word count):
  • Genre:
  • Intended audience or intended purpose (blog, for magazine submission, anthology, etc):
  • Type of feedback requested (Critique, Review, proofread, other):
  • Specific questions for the reader:
  • How you would like your feedback (if in the Stories sub-forum, provide link here, or indicate if further communication should be handled via private message):
  • Deadline for feedback (days, weeks, or months):
  • Other pertinent information you would like to share:
 
Critique/review request:

    • Title of work: Ripped Genes (MedSci Missions 2)
    • One sentence pitch: Mysteries of DNA are unwound in this action-packed space adventure involving clones and alien cultures.
    • Length of work (word count): 114 000
    • Genre: Science Fiction, Medical Thriller
    • Intended audience or intended purpose (blog, for magazine submission, anthology, etc): ebook and paperback novel on Amazon, and other venues
    • Type of feedback requested (Critique, Review, proofread, other): Any of those. Mostly I’ll send digital but also a limited number of paperback proofs to reviewers with good blogs, magazines etc.
    • Specific questions for the reader: What other genres would you put this book in? What ages would you say it’s best for? Is it easy to read this book without book one?
    • How you would like your feedback (if in the Stories sub-forum, provide link here, or indicate if further communication should be handled via private message): You’re welcome to post general comments in the thread with excerpts. Watch out for spoilers. Please post critiques of excerpts directly on the forum so others can learn and be encouraged to discuss, and post their own work.
    • Deadline for feedback (days, weeks, or months): mid March, 2021. If necessary, you can still send comments after that. I’ll be getting the book formatted and uploaded for publishing in May (hopefully, or possibly before that). It takes a while to format and make the book look pretty, get quotes from reviews for the book info, and I can still make changes up to the last minute (or do a republish if necessary, but hopefully not)…
    • Other pertinent information you would like to share: Thanks to Trollheart for critiquing the first ten chapters! I can find and re-post the summary part of his critique for the curious, in the Ripped Genes critique thread.
    • A small excerpt to show my writing style:


  • Out of the corner of his eye, Woon saw Stavia point at Two. His officer bounced off the floor and lay still. On inspiration, Woon ripped off his var-grav device, ordering, “Take off your var-grav devices! The thin kid can control them.”

    Whoever could, complied. Six was lying flat with Liro sitting on him. Liro had the shock pistol now.

    Medics arrived, but stood back waiting for a chance to help someone.

    Beta Four smashed against the ceiling while reaching for his var-grav with his un-injured hand. Woon rolled out of the way of a Moxy spit blob while Five crumpled to the floor with a dart sticking out of him. Liro was trying to figure out the weapon he’d acquired.

    By now, Woon was the only sixer left standing. He stared determinedly at the foes, a deadly look in his eyes. “I’m warning you - put your hands up and surrender!”

    Moxy looked astounded. “Surrender? Are you crazy? We’ve almost won!”

    Woon’s voice was velvet, his eyes slits. “You can’t win a battle that has not yet begun. I’m telling you, come quietly. I don’t want to hurt you.”

    Moxy motioned to Stavia with a hand while a spit bubble left her lips. Woon launched into the air in the early stage of a flying kick, letting out a powerful, deep throated war cry. He flew over a dart Stavia had just launched and landed a solid flying kick at Stavia’s windpipe.

    Stavia choked and gasped. He clutched his throat, turned white, and slid to the floor.

    Woon had a horrible sense of déjà vu as he watched him slip into unconsciousness. His horror grew as he watched blood trickle from the downed, very young man’s mouth. He found his voice. “Medic! His windpipe is crushed! He needs air now!” He rushed towards Moxy to keep her busy so the medics could work.

    Liro barrelled into Woon from behind. Woon rolled with such speed he was a confusing blur. Using the Liro’s push as momentum, Woon spun up to Moxy and clutched her leg. She slapped him with a foam-covered arm, making him scream. He clutched his arm as it went limp for a split second, then used his good hand to grasp Moxy’s arm by a spiked leather studded bracelet she was wearing. He grimaced in pain as he pulled. The good thing, he supposed, was that she seemed to be in pain too. Despite his handicap, he managed to twist Moxy’s arm behind her back and snap a flexible magnetic band around her wrists.

    “If you turn your head to spit, I’ll twist your arm off,” Woon warned his captive.

    “Does it look like I’m trying to move?” Moxy asked.

    As Woon maintained pressure, he became all too aware that medics were taking away Stavia, and regretted the threat. He gave a brief smile of appreciation to an M.A. who was calling for sixer back-ups. His plate was obviously full.

    Looking around, Woon found Liro looked uncertain, and gave him a firm shake of the head. “Don’t try anything.” Liro put his hands up.

    In the hospital, Atland sprayed the spike sticking into Woon’s hand. The doctor looked disapproving, making Woon feel more guilty.

    “You’ll heal fine,” Atland said. “I hope I can say the same for the young lad Stavia. My boss is doing surgery now. Did you have to kick that hard?”

    Woon winced. “No, I did not. I should not have allowed my blood fever to control the forces of my body. How can I teach my father’s wisdom of constraint when I can’t follow it myself?” As he spoke, O’Bien and Walsh came in. Atland excused himself.

    O’Bien spoke first. “Mr. Takahashi! It looks like the boy you almost killed during recapture will survive. I sure hope he can talk, though. You did a job on his throat!”

    Woon slumped, head down in agony. “I apologise, ma’am. In future I will be more careful.”

    If you have comments on the sample scene, you could put in it the Ripped Genes critique thread. Thanks!



    I can do some critiques for others, please put the same kind of info I posted to see if it’s something I would enjoy. I read all sub-genres, though not much horror.
 
Thanks, Wendy! I need a little time for set up, but I think I'd like to take you up on it. :-) There will be 5 writers each with a group of 3-5 stories and I'm encouraging each of them to get their stories reviewed/edited/critiqued. before we publish the antho. Btw, you and all are invited for issue 2! So, you'd like the stories in the stories forum marked with "Critique Request" anf then put the info requested above in the post? Lmk, what works.
 
Matt H. said:
Thanks, Wendy! I need a little time for set up, but I think I'd like to take you up on it. :) There will be 5 writers each with a group of 3-5 stories and I'm encouraging each of them to get their stories reviewed/edited/critiqued. before we publish the antho. Btw, you and all are invited for issue 2! So, you'd like the stories in the stories forum marked with "Critique Request" anf then put the info requested above in the post? Lmk, what works.
Click to expand...
That's cool, and I might join anthology 2. However, in this thread I was talking about getting the workshop thread going. You seemed like you wanted a critique done on something? Anyway, if you do, let me know or post it up here like the person who started the thread suggested. Love your enthusiasm Matt!
 
(edited)

Dear possible Critters,

I hope we may have a substantial group of stories for critique in the next few weeks (those from Antho, 3-5 stories each). I'd certainly like to put mine up for comment.

We will add the "Critique Requested" prefix to the thread names. Which of these works best for the group?

1. Keep all stories from each writer together in a single thread, and you will post critiques to that single thread?

2. Post each story individually as a thread, and you will critique each individually and post critiques to each individual thread?

3. Create a "head thread" for each writer with links to all his/her stories and then post critiques for each story to "head thread"?

Some writers of course might want responses in PM or email, etc.

What do you guys think? Or does it not really matter much to you?
 
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I’d suggest that in this workshop thread you make a neat clean index to all the anthology stories that have critique requests. Each link could lead to wherever the authors want to put their stories.
 
Wendy Gamble said:
I’d suggest that in this workshop thread you make a neat clean index to all the anthology stories that have critique requests. Each link could lead to wherever the authors want to put their stories.
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Hi Wendy, It's a good idea, only snag is that individual writers would need to perhaps edit their links if there are changes. Since I didn't get any other prefences on this one, think I'll just critters/subbers figure it out for themselves. I'm trying to get someone else from the antho to post stories for critique along with me. If no one wants to, guess I'll do it by myself? :-)
 
Something to keep in mind re stories posted to the forum (even the Stories sub-forum, which is accessible to anyone who takes the time to sign up):

From submission guidelines and info on publisher sites:

Does Posting Your Artwork Online Count As "Publication"? (aigasf.org)

Unfortunately, there is no consensus yet on whether posting a work online qualifies as a legal “publication.” The Copyright Office has refused to offer an opinion. Some people think posting online qualifies as publication because it allows multiple people in multiple locations to view the work at the same time, which is analogous to print publication. Also, in fact your computer technically makes a “copy” of the work when it displays the web page.

Daily Science Fiction!

“We do not accept reprints. Unfortunately, if you have placed a story on your website, where it is open and available to the multiple billion people who have access to the internet, that constitutes publication. We're sorry. No, we don't accept self-published works.”



Writer’s Digest poetry FAQ:

“Many editors consider anything published anywhere at any time under any circumstances as published. This can even include public readings. And if a publication specifies what they consider published in their guidelines, it would behoove a poet (or any writer really) to respect the editor's considerations.

With such editors, a poem posted anywhere counts as publication, whether it's posted in a public forum or blog, or even a private, password-protected location online. In such cases, poems posted on this blog would be considered "previously published." However, there are editors who take a slightly different view.

Some editors consider a poem unpublished if it only displays on a personal blog and/or is in a "draft" form in a forum or blog. That is, if your poem on Poetic Asides is only a rough draft and not the final version, it would not be considered "previously published." If editors do not specify what they consider previously published, there's a good chance they fall into this camp.”

That scratches the surface of the topic.
 
Thanks Wendy, Kat mentioned some of these issues too. Well if we want to use this site at all for writing, then I guess we have to accept all that. Feeling I got from Kat was that *most* (many?) publications will consider a story posted here as a working MS and therefore not published. But the ebook placed on Amazon of course would be.
 
Critique requested for linked stories:

Split Worlds
  • Title of work: Split Worlds (3 stories: Oranges; Bushy-man; Tan-Tan)
  • One sentence pitch: Flash Fiction for our Anthology: "Flashes of Darkness I"
  • Length of work: 2,880 words (3 stories)
  • Genre: Horror/Gothic/Weird
  • Intended audience or intended purpose: Anthology
  • Type of feedback requested: Critique/Proofread
  • Specific questions for the reader: Ideas for improving them with minimal editing
  • How you would like your feedback: Private Message (later I will post them in thread)
  • Deadline for feedback: March 15, 2021
  • Other pertinent information you would like to share: None
You may see other threads from our antho up for critique too.

Would especially love to hear from KM, Facing, NE, KatG, Wendy, Andrew, Victor, Daniel, Red Mage...

(added)

Btw, I have one "F-word" in one of the stories. Should that be asterisked? Or noted?
 
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