Got a response from one of the editors of Way Out West giving me the go-ahead to send them Deadstock. Very exciting stuff since it was their call for submissions that kicked-started the idea for the novella in the first place. Not a big deal if they don’t take it, I’ve found a few other markets for novellas, but it sure would be great if they did, I won’t lie.
This brings me up to 25 stories in slush pile limbo. I still have "The Four Cowboys of the Apocalypse" waiting in the queue, but I’m going to wait and see what happens to Deadstock before I send it out. Then I’ll be up to 26. (I’m currently working on two new stories, but more about those later.)
Of course, it’s not a contest, and the number of stories I have out is no reflection on my writing ability or the quality of the stories themselves. But it’s still a pretty good feeling. A sense of progress. Booya.
I’m hoping Deadstock goes to Way Out West cos I don’t want such stiff competition at BSQ!
Although I’m still thinking a BSQ TOC with Ian Rogers, John Sunseri and Michael Stone would look very cool indeed.
Seriously, best of luck with it, Ian.
PS. Cue/queue… is that a Canadian spelling?
No worries, Mike. Even if it doesn’t get into Way Out West, it looks like BSQ is going to be an ongoing series, the current one being the second volume. Or maybe they’re just going to do the two, I don’t know. Either way, plenty of room for all of us! :) Although a BSQ with the three of us in it would be very cool indeed. We’ll become the horror fiction equivalent of the Brat Pack. I can dig that.
You’re correct about cue/queue, although I don’t know if it’s a Canadian spelling or U.S. The two seem to overlap a bit. I always thought the main difference between our English and theirs was the colour/color, armour/armor bit, but that’s the only the tip of the iceberg.
Also, if you have any other novellas kicking around, you might want to try New Genre magazine. They take long stories and I’ve heard some pretty good things about them. Bought the first four issues from Clarkesworld Books, and now I’m just waiting for them to arrive.