Arkansas Diamonds

Fifty Authors from Fifty States: Cynthia D'Alba's Arkansas-A Rare Diamond Indeed

Girls Who Bite
Editor: Delilah Devlin
Publisher: Cleis Press in Fall 2011
Deadline: November 1, 2010 (earlier submissions preferred)

Girls Who Bite is open to all authors.

Editor Delilah Devlin is looking for lesbian vampire stories for a romantic erotica anthology entitled Girls Who Bite.

“Dark hungers, shocking thirsts… For blood, for connection… A sharing of nourishment and comfort… Infliction and acceptance of pain…”

A vampire is the ultimate bad girl. The word invokes images of dark, shadowy liaisons, forbidden desires, and sensual blood lust. Whether the story depicts a traditional blood-drinker seducing a meal, a psychic vampire stealing life-force from an unknowing host, or a real-life sanguinarian seeking a partner to share a ritual bloodletting to cement a bond, the stories should be varied and unexpected. Writers are encouraged to investigate vampire myths from around the world, looking for something fresh to add to the pantheon. Published authors with an established vampire world may use that setting for their original short story.

The stories may be as kinky or vanilla as the writer wants—but a deep sensuality should linger in every word. Exotic locations and scenarios are welcome. Keep in mind there must be a romantic element with a happy-for-now or happy-ever-after ending. Strong plots, engaging characters and unique twists are the ultimate goal. Please no reprints. We are seeking original stories.

How to submit: Prepare your 2,000 to 4,500 words story in a double-spaced, Times or Times New Roman, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required. Include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 word or less bio in the third person to girlswhobite@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories. Delilah will respond to you in November 2010. The publisher has final approval over the manuscript.

Payment will be $50.00 USD and two copies of the published book upon publication.

About the editor: Ms. Devlin has published over sixty erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths. Her published print titles include Into the Darkness, Seduced by Darkness, Darkness Captured, Down in Texas and Texas Men. Her short stories are features in Zane’s Purple Panties, and Cleis Press’s Lesbian Cowboys, Girl Crush, Fairy Tale Lust, Lesbian Lust, and will be featured in Carnal Machines and Passion. She is published by Avon, Kensington, Atria/Strebor, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, and in 2011, Berkley.

Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at girlswhobite@gmail.com.

Join the Diamond State Romance Authors for a workshop on the basics of self-editing. The workshop includes tips on the elusive Show versus Tell, the evil Passive versus Active and points on Point of View! Plus we'll highlight the fine points of Pacing and Voice.

The program will follow the noon business meeting at the Thompson Library on Rahling Circle in Little Rock on Saturday, March 20. The library is officially closed while they upgrade the check-out system. Either knock on the front door or come through the garden. We'll have the meeting room door open.

We'll also have snacks and Mountain Valley Water!


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So. You finished your manuscript. You've polished it, then polished it again. You've sent it out to the critique group. And a couple of writer friends. Then you polished it some more.

You already know where you want to submit your book and now it's ready.

Oh. My. God. It's ready.

Butterflies take over your stomach. Not just sweet little fluttery things. We're talking monster butterflies from hell. And as cold as your feet are, you might as well have them implanted in a block of ice. Little voices in your brain are whispering evil things like "you're a hack", "you can't write", "what makes you think anyone in the world--much less *insert publisher/editor/agent name here*--would want your silly little book!

Guess what? It happens to us all. In varying degrees, it continues to happen.

Each time I submit, I get nauseous. I'm positive this book will be rejected. Worst yet, I fear my editor will send me an email telling me I'm a hack, I can't write and never to darken her doorway again.

Sometimes, the book is rejected. But then, sometimes it's not. The only way to find out what will happen with your book is to submit. Get some anti-nausea meds. A tranquilizer. A good stiff drink. Or a pot of chocolate. Whatever calms your nerves. Then hit send or drop that box in the mail.

Then start to work on the next book. Because even if this one doesn't make it, your next one might just be the next big "thing"!

Writers need a bountiful toolbox of great software programs to ensure a healthy and robust manuscript. Google has programs to help with your organization, research, and writing. Have trouble planning your writing deadlines? Did you forget to save your latest manuscript edits in a backup file? Do you feel your location descriptions are weak and bland? Learn about Google Calendar, Earth, and Docs. Participants will be able to view a demonstration and will receive handouts. Come and join us!

Brinda Berry is an aspiring writer. She holds a MEd in Learning Systems Technology and is crazy about Google products.

For most writers, procrastination usually has a basis in something other than just laziness. My number one reason for crying procrastination is writer's block--which is another way of saying I've written myself into a corner and I can't get out!

Brainstorming usually works to plot your way out of the hole but how do you brainstorm? You can ask ten different writers and get ten different methods. Like writing methods, brainstorming can be a personal decision.

I have several methods, some of which include contacting author friends, chatting online. But other authors have deadlines and scheduling issues and can't be at my beck and call. So who is more than willing to listen to me ramble as I talk my way out of a corner?

My momma. *cackle* Turns out my mother is my best sounding board for plotting. Not because she's a writer in waiting. Not because she has great suggestions. But because she just sits there and listens.

No, she doesn't offer suggestions. Some times she doesn't say more than "hmmm" or "uh huh". But because I'm trying to make another human understand what my story is about, I find a way out of my plothole.

This method doesn't seem to work as well if I'm just talking to myself. Or to the cats--with them, I might as well be talking to myself. The act of trying to make sense of the story to another person is what does the trick for me.

Of course, as with all advice, your mileage may vary. And if your mother doesn't know what kind of kinky stuff you write, she might not be the one to try out this method. *cackle* But rather than blame your lack of progress on procrastination, find the underlying reason and move on.

Shayla
http://www.shaylakersten.com/

Diamond State Romance Authors (Chapter #210 of Romance Writers of America) will be updating our blog very soon! We have a new VP of Communications (Sara Houser) who is cracking the whip!


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