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Books in Hands

22 March 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: Al-Ghazali, Writing

It’s strange, given that words are such insubstantial things, but nothing pleases an author (or at least this author) more than getting his hands on the first copy of his new book. So I was delighted when a parcel arrived this morning with my writer copies of Imam Al-Ghazali: A Concise Life. I’d seen a pdf, but nothing beats holding the actual paper in your hands, and I spent the day quietly indulging in the usual fantasies of best-seller lists and huge sales. However many copies the book does sell in the end. Yosef Smyth, my editor, and Louis Mackay, the designer, have done a wonderful job of turning woods into a finished book.

Rejection Notes – No.5 in a series

14 March 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: Rejection Notes, Writing

Dear Edoardo,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider your story, “Through the Dart.” After reading and discussing it, we have decided that it does not work for us. Good luck placing it elsewhere.

To tell the truth, we’re just plain getting tired of seeing vampire stories. Even clever and original ones, like yours.

Not this one, but definitely, we’d like to see more stories from you.

Acceptance Notes – No.3 in a series

5 March 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: The Big Yes, Writing

After discussion and final voting among the editorial staff, we’d like to publish “Traction” in our Spring issue of The Colored Lens which will be released in mid-March.

If you have any other questions for me, feel free to ask, otherwise I’ll pass you over to Daniel.  Thanks again for the submission, and good luck with the rest of your writing.

Freedom of Information

24 February 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: Uncategorized

I’ve just made my first Freedom of Information request! The Blair/Brown governments may have been among the worst the country has ever had foisted on it, but credit where it’s due: at least one good piece of legislation accrued from those myriad Acts of Parliament. The request is over a personal matter, but I will keep you informed as to how long before I get a response and whether they divulge the information I have requested.

If there’s anything you want to find out about, I suggest putting in a Freedom of Information request. It’s surprisingly easy – more information here and here.

Acceptance Notes – No.2 in a series

7 February 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: The Big Yes, Writing

Following hot on the heels of no.1 in the series, here’s no.2!

Edoardo,

We would like to publish your story, “The Dream of the Night-Shift Power Worker”, in Daily Science Fiction.  We’ll email a contract to you shortly for your approval. A sample email, including any edits to your story that may be necessary, will come later.  The edits will be sent with enough time for your feedback, so we may resolve any issues and present the best possible story to our audience.

Acceptance Notes – No.1 in a series

5 February 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: The Big Yes, Writing

It’s been a long, lean period, so this email was really welcome!

Dear Edoardo Albert,

Thank you for sending us “Neighbour From Hell.” We love it and would like to publish it in the Trust and Treachery Anthology. We will be in touch in a few weeks with details and to discuss the editing process. In the meantime, please confirm receipt of this letter and send us a short bio (150 words or less) so we can post it on our website.

Thanks again, and we look forward to working with you!

Rejection Notes – No.4 in a series

16 January 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: Rejection Notes, Writing

Dear Edoardo Albert,

Thank you for sending us “The Dream of the Night-Shift Power Worker”. Unfortunately we will not be able to use this work. We receive many well-written, compelling, stories, but can only take a very limited number due to constraints of space and style. We wish you the best of luck in placing your story elsewhere.

P.S. It was a pretty good story. Sorry to say no. This is not our customary rejection.

CS Lewis on Writing

10 January 2012
Edoardo
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Categories: Writers, Writing

Also from the excellent Inklings blog:

I am sure that some are born to write as trees are born to bear leaves: for these, writing is a necessary mode of their own development.  If the impulse to write survives the hope of success, then one is among these.  If not, then the impulse was at best only pardonable vanity, and it will certainly disappear when the hope is withdrawn.

C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves,
The Letters of C.S. Lewis, (28 August 1930)
I have, I think, gone past the hope of success.