Another Assignment Done

So far, so good. Most of my prep work for my project is fitting in around me instead of the other way round.

Today, while three servers were being built, I managed to knock off assignment 7 for my script module and assignment 8 was done last week (I'm waiting on the lecturer to catchup again now). So this module is done. Cool! And it looks like another credit in the bag. Double cool!

That leaves me three assignments to do on the novel writing module and about six weeks to do them in, I think.

The 100 worder has been done and tucked away. Necrotic Tissue is closed to subs until July :c(

I figure I'll be able to wrap up this semester, get a good chunk done on AKL, and then worry about a submission for NT when reading opens (or perhaps get cracking on one just before it opens).

So while I wait on these servers. I think some more reading is in order. NT issue 5 anyone?

Joy To The World

Yep - I'm back and just about in the pink. Sleeping Monday and Tuesday away must have done me the world of good - for one thing, I've stopped dripping - that's a good thing, isn't it?

And I've also got a couple of new goals to aim for.

First up, I'm still going to get my assignments done and get this diploma within the minimum four year timeline. Apparently not many do, so I want that.

While doing that, I will finish and submit AKL.

I've also got to finish editing Worth the Wait and submit that (hopefully this week).

And of course I'll continue to write book reviews, which also means I'll continue to read.

But wait, there's more: my two new goals!

I have selected two markets to study, figure out and get published by so I can add their prestigious names to my bio.

What markets, I hear you cry - well, I'm glad you asked.

Jodi Lee, I warned you I was going to take a closer look at New Bedlam, and the other you're already aware of, I'm now targeting Necrotic Tissue.

So to this end, I have a huge amount of reading on plate.

I am already reading through the back issues of Necrotic Tissue. I will be reading the New Bedlam Magazine. I will be reading and reviewing Atrum Tempestas and seven other titles soon to be delivered to my door (I love my job as a reviewer - most of the time).

And that's it.

That's enough, I hear you cry again. Not really. The assignment stuff is one a week, maybe two. I only have 5 left to submit, of which 1 is already done, and the rest should be easy enough (famous last words anyone?).

I've read 4/6 issues of NT - so only two left there. New Bedlam is only one issue so far so that should be quick enough (although it will need a little savouring to get right). Two of my reviews are anthologies, and short stories are always an easy read. Two more are based on Dexter the TV series (I think) so that should have a novelty factor and also be a quick read. And three books with no real deadline although they'll probably be done by the end of July.

Worth the Wait will go out this week, leaving only AKL (again). Sunday evening must be AKL day. I keep getting sidetracked and I need to move forward on this project. It's not that I'm stuck, the outline has been done. It's just waiting for me to fill it in so no more procrastinating.

So, there you go. Out of the depths of despair and illness and into the work load once more.

Now I need to polish up a 100 word story that wouldn't let me sleep last night, but didn't fully form until I woke up this morning.

So what are your short term goals for the next month or two?

An Interesting Weekend

So far this weekend, this is the first bit of writing I've managed.

Doing my best impersonation of Jamie, I've been doing bits and pieces around the house - well, the bathroom mainly.

I've done some tiling, I've done some plumbing, I've put together a new vanity unit, installed a new shower head - after the plumbers fixed my leaky pipe issue, and got my general weekend chores done to boot. The back has been outstanding!

I've had no pain in the hip or legs all weekend. Any discomfort in the back has been very mild to normal and quickly overcome. I was bent over installing braces to bring the vanity into square for quite a few minutes and stood up straight without a massive groan. So far so good.

On the writing front - thank you to everyone who threw up a suggestion for the six page script. I've only glanced at them so far but will be knuckling down shortly to get something out.

It seems I jumped the gun in regards to 'Dreaming' and the 'Blackness Within Anthology' from Apex. My story was only placed on hold for further consideration. Yesterday, I received an email from Gill, the editor, who informed me it had now progressed to the short list. Little woot! It would be a good feather in the old cap if I got in there so I'm allowing a little woot just for the short list.

Had an email from Dan Byron notifying everyone that a couple of his publications are closing due to ill health. He states NVFinprint will no longer exist. Here's the email as I got it:

AS OF APRIL 30TH, 2009, AT 9:30 PM, DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES, {BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS} I CAN NO LONGER OPERATE NVH MAGAZINE BY MYSELF, OR PUBLISH IT IN PRINT FORM. THIS MAY ONLY BE TEMPORARY, BUT IT DOESNT LOOK AS THOUGH IT WILL BE.

WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/NVFINPRINT NO LONGER EXISTS.

THE DEADLY DOLLS AND NEW VOICES IN HORROR BOOKS ARE OUT OF PRINT.

NVH ISSUES 4, 5, AND 6, AND FEMME FATALES OF FRIGHT ISSUES 1 AND 2 WILL BE SOLD AS E-BOOKS HERE www.freewebs.com/nvhstories . AT A REASONABLE PRICE. BACK ISSUES OF THE PRINT FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLY AS BULK ORDER ISSUES OF 5 OR MORE, AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL THE END OF MAY. HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING BOOKS WILL BE PUBLISHED WITH www,bearmanormedia.com WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME:
FILM PRODIGIES & LEGENDS
QUEENS OF SCREAM
THE INDIE FILMMAKERS HANDBOOK
CINEMASSACRES
BEST WISHES, IRON DAVE

-- Iron Dave NVF Magazine www.freewebs.com/nvfinprint
On Line hours:
Monday to Friday 8 am to 2 pm
Saturday 12 noon to 4 pm.

It doesn't actually say anything about Issue 5 of NVF. My story Idolatry is supposed to appear there so now I don't know if it's being published or not. I've not received a contributors copy either although I believe other contributors have. I'd be interested to know if others know more about what's going on. But, whether it's published or not, I wish Iron Dave all the best in getting his health back to a good state and I hope this is but a minor hiccup in his publishing career.

You'll notice I've changed my currently reading picture to Necrotic Tissue. I've finished reading the excellent Issue 41 of Aurealis, and I'm now planning to read all the NT back issues before my print subscription begins arriving. I don't think I'll be submitting to exposure markets anymore - time to move up and NT would be a good start - along with a bunch of Aussie based semi-pro's I'm targeting.

Enough from me - time to write a six page script.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.