Aphelion

Dan<br><br>I qualify -- barely -- for my $20 sale to Planet Relish late last year. Actually, they had accepted a second story, but folded before they published (and paid for) it.<br><br>I have made a few dollars over the last 20-something years (placing in contests), but the pickin's have been mighty slim compared to Simon, Guy, etc.<br><br>Robert M.

I guess you could count me in here. So far, no real dough has come in from my e-book, and I ain't expecting much. Still, its a paying market.<br><br>-Chris

I don't consider myself a pro, by any means.<br>But I have been published in paying markets in the area of genre short fiction three times.<br>Twice at AlienSkin Mag, and once at Aalst magazine out of the U.K.<br>I am now concentrating on sending stuff out to the literary markets in the area of short fiction.<br><br>-Cameron

Aphelion posted the first story I ever had published a few years ago. It seems longer ago than it really is because i know I've written almost one million words since then, but I'm just getting warmed up. Wink

<br><br>They say that every author has 1,000,000 awful words in them, and the sooner you go ahead and get those out of your system, the better off you'll be. Congrats on flushing the cache. :)

They say that every author has 1,000,000 awful words in them, and the sooner you go ahead and get those out of your system, the better off you'll be. Congrats on flushing the cache. :)

<br><br>Um, Rob -- Terry B. didn't say the 10^6 words written since his first story in Aphelin were all awful. In fact, I would bet that only a small fraction of them were!<br><br>I don't think them there awful words can be front-loaded in a writer's career -- they'll come out when they come out, more frequently at the beginning, sure, but even when (and maybe especially when) a writer is at the peak of his/her abilities, he/she may still find them crawling from brain to page, leaving a slimy trail and a bad taste on the tip of the tongue.<br><br>Also, some writers have a lot more than 10^6 Awful Words in them, and manage to sell every damn word anyway...<br><br>Robert M.

We all have our ration of awful words - the trick is to get them in the right order.

Kate

<br>I guess reading samples of Yoda dialogue wouldn't help in that area - or, in Yodanese,<br>To Yoda listen not if your words in the right order you would get.<br><br>... Say, aren't you supposed to be slaving away on some Nightwatch story?<br><br>Robert M.<br>

Well, it's official. I have finally been published for money, instead of just "for the love of it."<br><br>$5 isn't enough to buy a burger and fries at Hardees, but I'll take it.<br><br>http://www.alienskinmag.com/fflashficti ... r><br>Nate

I'm kind of embaressed by this, but about three years ago (well after I started posting stories on aphelioin) I sold a two pager to True Romance magazine for 150 bucks... The wierd thing was, it was a sci-fi thriller type story with utterly no hint of romance.

...I think Alienskin got a bargain.
Donald

<br><br>They don't seem to have an emoticon for smiling and blushing at the same time, so I'll just say, "Thanks."<br><br>Nate

Hmm. The bar is pretty low for the "Pro" category.

One day when I get with it, I should be able to meet it.

Oh. Wait. I think that means I have to sell DAN on a story first. {:>

--TaoPhoenix

<br><br>Of course the bar is low. It has to meet accessibility standards for people in wheelchairs and people (by which I mean sentient entities of any species) who are height-challenged -- oh, wait, you didn't mean the wet bar with the selection of off-world wines, beers, and liquors.<br><br>Anyway, next week, Dan is going to lower the bar a bit more, and you'll have to limbo under it to get in.<br><br>Robert M.

After more than 300 nonfiction articles and a couple (2) of books...I didn't write for 20 years.

<br>Congratulations on the sale. <br><br>Switched from nonfiction... Hmmm. I think we'll accept you anyway. :)<br><br>What do you think--Is it easier or harder to write on this side of the fence?<br>

Now, in the past 8 months, I've written 5 ss, two are still looking for a home, one more was "Absolution" which was in the August Aphelion issue...and of the last two which have been sold, one of them for an actual cheque for $10 US - that cheque being up on my wall framed with the Acceptance letter.

<br>There's just something magic about that first story payment that calls out to be mounted and displayed. Mine is framed, too--all $5 of it. (I think the frame cost more than that, but it's still a prize I would not part with.) <br><br>Good for you.<br><br>Nate

...There's just something magic about that first story payment that calls out to be mounted and displayed. Mine is framed, too--all $5 of it. (I think the frame cost more than that, but it's still a prize I would not part with.)

Good for you.

Nate

<br>I, on the other hand, cashed the cheque -- after I scanned it for posterity, that is.<br><br>(The mark of a true pro -- or true hack -- or person with lousy cash flow?)<br><br>Robert M.

I, on the other hand, cashed the cheque -- after I scanned it for posterity, that is.

(The mark of a true pro -- or true hack -- or person with lousy cash flow?)

Robert M.

<br>Oh, I cashed it. You're technically not paid unless you cash or deposit it. The check I got was hand written, and looked like a personal check--not like something from a real magazine. Abraham Lincoln's stately visage on the $5 bill was considerably more impressive, so I went with that.<br><br>Nate

To date, I've published four stories for fees.  I have two ebook novelettes (sp) that I get royalties for.  I have a share of the royalities in an anthology.  I have one printed book that I receive royalties for.  

<br>Good for you! <br><br>I knew your name sounded familiar--I remembered your "Violet Lights" story at Alien Skin. Nicely done, that.<br><br>Since you seem to be well-versed in this, could you tell me how well a person can do with an e-book? Is there any money in that??<br><br>I've got a few novel manuscripts gathering dust, so I was wondering if it might be something I should try.<br><br>Have you found that ebook credentials hurt your efforts to sell traditionally? I have heard this may be the case.<br><br><br>Nate

Nate, why didn't you let us know before? that's awesome! very happy for you, alien skin rejected my stuff many times before, which means they're picky, which means you're good! will read the piece in question and comment later.

Congrats dude!

Lee

<br>Huh? Did you get your wires crossed, Lee?<br><br>My only piece at Alien Skin was back in August, and you can't read it anymore (not that I know of), although I'd be happy to send you a copy of it, if you want.<br><br>Nate

Hey, haven't even poked my head in at Aphelion in about three years. Wanted to say hi.<br><br>Am out of fiction right now and doing well as a sports freelancer. Mostly uncredited, but read and paid. <br><br>Some of my stuff still has a fantasy bent, I suppose:<br><br>http://www.forecaster.ca/post-gazette/f ... br><br>I'm happy to see Aphelion going strong and the Lettercol humming. Gonna stick around and check out some of the best of 2004.<br><br>Happy New Year!<br>Mike Tanier

How weird is it that Gareth is getting comments on a story in Quantum Muse in Aphelion's letter column? I can't remember -- does QM have a lettercol, and does it get used much for comments?<br><br>Robert M.

NB Anyone care to write an introductory blurb? Anyone, that is, who doesn't think my stuff is all that bad. LOL.
 (Hey Nate. Was it you who wrote 'Jumping Off Point' was a catchy title? HMMMM.)

<br>Actually, that was Lee, aka neoadorable. If you'd like me to put together some friendly words, I'll be happy to do it, but you'd want someone with a list of published for money credentials, wouldn't you? As far as the rest of the world is concerned, I'm a nobody. Perhaps a well-respected, long-standing editor of a certain webzine we all love would carry more weight? <br><br>Nate

Actually, that was Lee, aka neoadorable. If you'd like me to put together some friendly words, I'll be happy to do it, but you'd want someone with a list of published for money credentials, wouldn't you? As far as the rest of the world is concerned, I'm a nobody. Perhaps a well-respected, long-standing editor of a certain webzine we all love would carry more weight?

Nate

<br><br>Especially since this editor has already been quoted in a jacket blurb elsewhere ... of course, that was quoting from a review. Rob, have you sent Dan a copy of the galley proof (or can you send him the electronic equivalent)? You could also try quoting from some of the commentary posted in the lettercol (you have my permission to use anything I've said -- for whatever THAT's worth -- and can probably get the same from any of the Usual Suspects).<br><br>Robert M.

Jeeze, I better get on the ball and get something in print!

Or finish my Nightwatch...(ouch!)

<br><br> :o Oo. These are not words that Jeff wanted to hear. If you're not finished by NEXT weekend (the 6th or so), Jeff will probably ask me to update 'Jigsaw Creek' so we can run it first. Write, woman, write, and write Nightwatch before writing for such petty things as money and recognition!<br><br>Robert M.

I have sold a number of stories over the years, in publications such as Aurealis, Far Out and Mattoid.<br><br>I have recently sold a short story to AlienSkin for their June/July web edition. It is called The Last Appeal and it can be found at the following website:<br><br>http://www.alienskinmag.com/fFictiontit ... <br>Cheers, Bart Meehan

I've just submitted my first novel to Baen.

Gareth

<br>So, is that someone asked to see your novel at Baen? In which case, WOW THAT'S GREAT!<br><br>Or is it that you're submitting your stuff at Baen? In which case, Good luck to you!<br>(According to the Black Hole, their average response is 555 days.)<br><br>Nate

I'm sooo jealous.<br><br>Good for you!<br><br>Nate

Hot damn! That's great!<br><br>You're on a roll. <br><br><br>Nate

Just found out that I have made it into the money at Ralan.com's Spectravaganza contest/fundraiser for the second year in a row. Last year, I came in fifth out of 60-something entries, based on a 'grabber' (first 500 words of a story); this year, I came in fifth (again out of 60-something entries) based on a 'clincher' (LAST 500 words of a story -- much trickier).<br><br>Final judging last year (based on the top 10 entries as selected by Ralan Conley) was by Piers Anthony; this year it was by Sheila Williams (Asimov's) and Stanley Schmidt (Analog).<br><br>The story, 'Night Train', was a complete rewrite (from last year) of something I originally did back in 1977 or so (I think -- original title was 'Last Train to Nowhere'), then revisited around 1991. The full version will be online at ralan.com around October 7 or slightly thereafter.<br><br>Robert M.

Good for you, Robert.<br><br>Top 5 in both contests. That's nothing to sneeze at. Well done!<br><br><br>Nate

Hokey smokes, Natasha! I just emerged from solipsistic trance to notice that WINNER of Ralan.com contest was -- J. Alan Brown! No doubt he has benefited greatly from the comments he has received here ... assuming, of course, that he HAS received any comments here.<br><br>(Mr. Brown has a nice spooky story in the October issue, previously published in the 'Into the Black' webzine ... check it out in a few days, or whenever Dan emerges from Lyntopia.)<br><br>Robert (beaten by an author whose work I have savagely mangled) M.

Well, then I hope the characterization in the October one is as good as it was in "Followed by Fire" in February. <br><br>If so, we're in for a treat.<br><br><br>Nate<br><br>(I don't know if he had other stories, but the one in Feb. got comments.)

Good for you! I hope it sells a ton.<br><br>Does that mean our blurbs are on the cover somewhere? There aren't ever any pictures of the back in those sales shots. I was wondering so I'd know whether to buy two (one for framing amongst the other notables on my wall), or just one for my collection.<br><br>Nate

WOW. You guys are just plugging away at it. <br><br>Congrats<br><br>Jay