Remember that photography website I mentioned a few months ago? Well, it’s finally nearing completion. The site itself was a cinch to build; it was populating the site with the 1,000 or so photos from the old site that’s been taking up my time. I decided to post only the best pics of the bunch, lessening my workload somewhat, and allowing me to work on the updated version of this website. The new design won’t be that much different from the old, but I think you’ll like it. I know I do. I’m calling it the Blackwood (version 2.0) design. I expect to launch both sites at the same time, within the next week or so.
In writing news, I’m currently working on a number of short stories. One of them is a particularly twisted tale called “The Demon in the White Room” that I’m writing for Bare Bone. The editor had previously accepted one of my stories, “A Night in the Library with the Gods,” but the balance of the collection has turned my story into the odd man out. He asked if I could send him another one to substitute “Library,” and I told him I’d see what I could do. Fortunately he said he’d still publish “Library” even if I can’t come up with something he likes better. “The Demon in the White Room” is certainly a different story from the ones I usually write. Hopefully it’ll turn out to be what he’s looking for.
I’m also working on two new short stories that popped into my head on Thursday morning while I was in the shower. Naturally these ideas arrived at a time when I couldn’t get to my computer or even pen and paper. The first is a horror story called simply “The Cat.” The other is a literary tale called “That’s What They Say.”
I got an e-mail from Great Mystery and Suspense Magazine saying they’re closing. They were considering my story, “The Hero Must Die,” which I promptly sent on to Ascent.
Received two rejections this week, both quite positive. Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine complimented the characterization in “Waterfront,” while the editor of Neo-opsis said that “Gone” was well written, and that while it wasn’t right for them, there would be publishers interested in it.
Doesn’t get much better than that.
Good luck with Bare Bone Ian. To have one accepted by them is good news. They are in my top five to be accepted by and I have sent a couple of stories that missed the mark.
Hey – do like Lisa Tuttle, Ian? AshTree Press are putting out two volumes of her short stories 20008/9, within a few months of each other.
I’m still working on my collection of stories, out next summer. 81K done and 9Kish to do to finsh off some of the stories. Then I go through for the final polish. The estates/agents of W.B.Yeats, H.G.Wells and Alistair Crowley have given permissions to use some work as epigraphs, to introduce themes in my stories. Cool to get the letters.
Hey Ally,
I’m not that familiar with Lisa Tuttle’s work. I think she writes more sf/fantasy than horror, so I haven’t read much by her. But I think I enjoyed the few pieces that I did read.
Glad to hear things are moving along with your collection. It must be exciting. I’ll be looking forward to picking up a copy next summer.
Thanks Ian!
Ramsey Campbell and Simon Clark have read two of the stories and I now have some good quotes for the back cover!
That’s awesome. Quotes from those guys is a great coup for your book!
Can’t wait to see it, Ian…Like what I’ve seen of your work so far. I’m a fair news photographer, but the stuff real photographers do blows me away.
Well, I’m still pretty much an amateur. A professional amateur, I like to call myself. But people seem to like the pictures I take, so I think you’ll dig them. Got a lot scanned this weekend, and I’m still on schedule to launch both websites next weekend.
The new version of this website is going to be pretty slick. I’m very happy with it. My wife has seen a preview of the new design, as well as the new and improved splash page, and she thinks it’s great.