Well, finally, my stories 'Angel Eyes' and 'Stormy Divide' get to see the light of day in the collection, Enchanted Realms (now out with Musa Publishing).
It's been a long journey for these stories. I wrote them when I was studying a writing correspondence course between 1996 and 2000. Many rewrites and submissions later, they finally found a home.
I sent Stormy Divide to Musa's Urania line, and the head editor, Matt Teel liked it and wanted to buy it but it was a little short for the shorts. I didn't realise the shorts had to be over 4000 words as Musa had only just opened it's doors and was still accepting. I hadn't seen word count.
He then asked if I had anything else to pair up with it, and I sent him 'Angel Eyes'. Which he also liked and said yes too. Happy dancing.
So are the stories different from inception?
Not really. The stories are the basically the same. Angel Eyes had an element added into it so I can add to a competition, but really it wasn't the story that changed, it was the craft itself that had. Making things more active instead of passive, taking bits and pieces out or putting in to clarify. Right to the end it got those tweaks, and with the help of the editor, got the last lot only last month.
I'm pretty pleased with the result. And it goes to show you, not to throw ANYTHING away. Seriously, I could have given up on these stories but until now, they hadn't found their home. They were waiting for Musa who weren't in business yet.
Speaking of Musa and talking about perseverance, check out the story of the company here. Talk about a publishing house who is interested in its authors and having a transparent relationship with them, which is not common in the publishing world from what I understand.
I'm giving a copy (choice of ePub, pdf, Kindle, and Mobi formats) to one commentator. All you have to do is answer the following:
Have you had something take the long way to achieve and been better for it?
Eleni :)
Super congrats, Eleni.
ReplyDeleteApart from my life, Eleni? It took me twenty years to write my first novel. I couldn't find the end! And of course it was more hobby then serious intent. However during that time I honed my craft.
Thanks, Sandy.
DeleteYes, our lives do that too - go a way you don't expect.
Good on your for finishing your first novel. You know that many people say it but not everyone actually does it..
Writing is all about the long way really, isn't it? Writing and editing and submitting and on and on... Congratulations, Eleni. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Kylie, it is. But there seem to be some stories that just take a long time to get to their end stage, while others don't take that long. My next release didn't long to find a home with Musa.
DeleteOh and thanks!
DeleteCongratulations, Eleni! I've read Enchanted Realms and loved both stories - especially Angel Eyes :-) Enjoy the celebrations!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christina. So glad you enjoyed!
DeleteCongratulations Eleni. So glad you found a home for your fantastic stories. There are a lot of things in life which take a long time to achieve but are often better for it - writing, art, children :-) It took me nearly three decades to realize what I wanted to be "when I grew up" and I think I am a better writer because of it.
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat life experience to help with writing, Peta. So glad you worked out what you wanted to do - even if it took you almost three decades.
DeleteCongrats Eleni- It's great to hear those stories of perseverance- gives us all a chance to dream it big. It's taken me a long time to commit to my dream. I've always worked hard and achieved what I wanted when it came to my nursing career but writing was a hobby but this year I've shelved nursing and made that a part time job to pay the bills and I am giving my writing the chance it deserves. It's only taken me what seems like a lifetime to realise that writing makes me happy:-))
ReplyDeleteHi Kam, congratulations in taking the steps to give writing a chance, and for finding what makes you happy. Good luck, and thanks for popping in.
DeletePersistence is the key. Good on you for not giving up on these stories!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janni. I'm glad I persisted too :)
DeleteThe first thing that comes to me for taking the long way of things is with drawing. Though, I'm not sure if there's really a short way to go about accomplishing becoming a good artist. I've still got a long road ahead of me, but I look forward to the challenge. Also, congrats on your many accomplishments. :)
ReplyDeleteSerix, thanks for the congrats. I agree about not being able to take short way with being an artist. It does take a lot of work. Hope you are enjoying the journey.
DeleteYeah- Can't wait to read this doing the happy dance;-))
ReplyDelete