The week in review...

[catherineldf]

So it occurs to me that I forgot to mention one of my favorite moments at Gaylaxicon - the "Lesbians in Red Shirts" panel, which was a discussion of sorts about how often lesbian and bi women characters get killed off in sf/f. Selena Rosen's words of wisdom on the topic (addressed to a male writer who had killed off a lesbian couple in a recent novel): "I know, you went to Berkeley or someplace like that. You think there's an infinite supply of lesbians. Well, you're wrong. You broke yours, mister and you're not getting any more!" Chortle. :-D

I got my worst review ever (for my story in "So Fey"); apparently I 'queered' one of the reviewer's favorite stories ("Tam Lin") and this was so devastating it was not to be endured with anything approaching objectivity. I thought about posting that I was never going to write again since that seems traditional but anyone who knows me knows how long that would last. Still made for an annoying start to the week. :-(

The rest of the week was lively. I did some work on a couple of new stories and met with poet Bryan Worra (http://thaoworra.blogspot.com/) to continue my interview with him. Bryan is the hardest working man in the local poetry biz and his poetry collection, "The Other Side of the Eye" is well worth checking out. Highly recommended. :-)
Spent Tuesday night in a whirlwind of social activity with elisem. Wednesday night was a QA networking gathering with friends from my old company. Thursday was a lovely dinner with kalmn. Friday I collapsed. Today it's off to lunch with thaedeus followed by Hardcover Theater's production of "The Dark Side of the Brothers Grimm" with mr_bad_example and the delightful Rebecca. Somewhere in there, I may even write or clean or both.

Speaking of writing and such, if you promised me a story for the anthology I'm editing, "Haunted Hearths and Sapphic Shades," drop me a line and let me know where you're at. I need to know if I need to beat the bushes for more good contributions.

Comments

[sacchig.livejournal.com]

Wait a minute--do the Shades have to be Sapphic, too, as well as the Hearthholders? I hadn't seen that part of the title. (Nice alliteration, though.) If so, I'm in trouble, although I guess it could be fixed. If not, I'm cruising right along, with my characters constantly telling me more than I'd planned to write about them. And, um, they've insisted on altering the timeframe from the description I gave you before, so I guess I'd better get in touch.

Your story in So Fey is wonderful! Who the heck is reviewing the book without expecting the stories to be queered? Actually, your story is the only one I've read, since, in spite of ordering the book at a local queer store three weks ago, I haven't yet received.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

The shades, the hearth owners or both can in fact be 'sapphic' so I think you're undoubtedly fine :-) This will be the full title - we just agreed on it, in part because I'm getting more shades than haunted hearths, with a few exceptions. As long as there's at least one lesbian and at least one ghost (they can be the same being), which is in fact literally dead, I'm a hopefully happy woman, especially if it's in a homelike setting. I've had to explain the concept of dead a few times now, weirdly enough. Hence the "literally." Argh.
Thanks so much for liking "Scent of Roses"! I like that one too and was really taken off guard by the review. I mean, the story's not without its flaws and I can understand not loving it but this is well beyond that (http://www.thefix-online.com/ - in case you're really curious). I've been reading the rest of the book and really been enjoying it. Haworth has been sluggish about getting it out to distributors, unfortunately, which is why it's taking the bookstore awhile to get it.

[jean-roberta.livejournal.com]

I'm further behind with my haunted hearth story than I had planned, but you know that already. I'm working on the story idea you said you liked & will forge onward. Nov. 1 is a Thursday. If I could have until the following Monday, I would be very grateful.

I really like "The Scent of Roses" too - the only drawback is the relative absence of explicit sex between Janet & the Queen (or Janet & Tam, for that matter), but not surprising since the antho didn't seem intended to have that tone. So far, nothing in the book has disappointed me.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

I responded via email on the deadline.
Thanks for saying something nice about "Scent" - I really appreciate it this week.
And no, it was never intended to be smut. I'm working on boosting my sf/f/h credits right now since that's the current direction the muse is taking. We'll see what the winter looks like though. :-)

Haunted Hearths

[superqueeroes.livejournal.com]

I'm working on a story for Haunted Hearths, but it's going slow. Fiction hasn't been my thing to write lately. I think with editing for GLM, I'm in journalist mode.

I don't remember seeing calls for Sapphic Shades, so I'm not working on anything for that one.

Could you write an essay/article about Gaylaxicon for Gay Lifestyle Monthly? The November issue is full, but I'm looking for content for the December issue. Or a queer holiday essay or article would be cool? Next week, once the site is finished being fixed, I'll post the most recent calls on my LJ. Okay?

Ellen

Re: Haunted Hearths

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Hi there,
It's one anthology - this will be the full title. :-)
If we need to talk about the deadline, just contact me at anthocl@visi.com.
Re: Gay Lifestyles Monthly - sure, I'd be up for writing about Gaylaxicon. I gather I'm a guest for next year in D.C. so I may as well start recruiting now. Can you give me an idea about the following: word count, deadline, any topics you need covered? I'll start putting something together.
My personal email is clundoff@visi.com - that's usually the best way to reach me if I neglect to check LJ for a day or two. And thanks for asking. :-)

[(Anonymous)]

I'm in the brainstorming stages of a Haunted Hearths story. As soon as I have the basics nailed down, I'll e-mail you as requested. Are there any themes you're already finding are being overused?

Many thanks!
Dayle Dermatis
www.cyvarwydd.com

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Hi,
Very cool - I shall look forward to reading your submission. The anthology contact email is anthocl@visi.com and the deadline is 11/1/07. I'm not seeing as much replication of themes as I originally thought I might so I'd say just tell me what you're thinking of (via the email addy) and I'll have a better idea of whether or not I've got a bunch of whatever it may be. :-)

pffft.

[lynnejamneck.livejournal.com]

well, according to the same So Fey review, my story was "oblique" and needed more referencing to the Fey. Because we all know how everything should be delivered on a plate these days. Meh.

Re: pffft.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

She seemed quite fond of the "Sword and Sorceress" style, which tends to be fairly linear (at least in the old days) so that probably has something to do with it too.

Re: pffft.

[mroctober.livejournal.com]

I thought the reviewer was so far off the mark she should consider a refresher course on traffic signs.

Re: pffft.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Nice!