Things learned from teaching online so far...

Part of today is going to be spent sorting through my spreadsheet of what stories are out where and getting stuff out. That’s one of the really tedious things about being a writer – all the paperwork.

So how do I track submissions and figure out where to send them?

I have an Excel spreadsheet. One page has short stories that are circulating, a second does the same with flash pieces, a third tracks sold stories, a fourth audio reprints, and a fifth foreign reprints. When a rejection comes in, I mark the story on the sheet as freed up and put it in bold red. Once it’s been submitted, I switch the color to blue. That lets me look over the sheet and get an idea of what needs to go out. Right now it’s looking pretty red, so I’ve compiled a list of five flash pieces and ten short stories that need to go out, making a note of the word count.

After that I usually go to a market list, usually Duotrope.com or Ralan.com and look. I have some markets that stories always go through, but once they’ve been through those, it becomes a matter of finding the right place. I’ll look to see what anthologies are open first and see if I’ve got anything that fits into a particular theme.

Another system that can be used to track submissions is the excellent Story

Before I submit anywhere, I read their guidelines and do my best to read an issue or two (if they’re free online fiction, I don’t think there’s any excuse for not doing a little research there.)

Things that up a market’s attractiveness:

• Good pay – I make my money through writing and editing, so this is a big factor to me.
• Fast response time – When sending via snail mail, for instance, that adds at least a couple of weeks to the response time. A good resource for checking how fast they’re responding is the Black Hole.
• Circulation – Do people read the magazine? Is it getting discussed/reviewed? Are many year’s bests coming from its pages?
• Good editor – A good editor is a joy to work with.

Audio reprints and foreign markets are usually separate passes, since I’m working with different lists there – the best of the stuff that’s been published. I absolutely would be lost in looking at the latter if I didn’t have Douglas Smith’s Foreign Market list. I’ve been bad about audio reprints and need to get more of those circulating, so that will probably come after this pass.

Enjoy this writing advice and want more like it? Check out the classes Cat gives via the Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers, which offers both on-demand and live online writing classes for fantasy and science fiction writers from Cat and other authors, including Ann Leckie, Seanan McGuire, Fran Wilde and other talents! All classes include three free slots.

Perefer to opt for weekly interaction, advice, opportunities to ask questions, and access to the Chez Rambo Discord community and critique group? Check out Cat’s Patreon. Or sample her writing here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novellas are growing in popularity, and we want to help yours stand out.

Structurally, they can get tricky—they’re not mini-novels anymore than children are mini-adults—while still demanding full, fleshy, character arcs and immersive descriptions.

What if you could learn from professionals, while editing YOUR novella with a real-time feedback during a workshop?

 Applications for this Science-fiction/Fantasy/Horror Novella Workshop

OPEN: March 21, 2024          CLOSE: MAY 15, 2024, AT 11:59:59 EST 

SUBMIT: One page, single spaced, novella synopsis and the first ten pages by April 30, 2025

(The full novella is due October 15, 2025)

1. E-mail your name and the file to: applywaywardwormhole@gmail.com
2. Pay the application fee through PayPal to catrambo@gmail.com
3. or Venmo to cat-rambo-1

If you can’t use these options or need help with the application/payment process, please contact us using the “apply” address above.

Join us and work closely with:

Premee Mohamed  https://premeemohamed.com/

Karen Lord  https://karenlord.wordpress.com/

Tobias Buckell  https://tobiasbuckell.com/

Cat Rambo  https://www.catrambo.com/

Hone YOUR novella during the workshop, and leave knowing you’ve effectively incorporated new tools into your work. Selected students will be randomly sorted into cohorts of six. Each cohort will spend three days with each instructor.

• Day One will include a morning and afternoon workshop that includes specific exercises that focus on the day’s topic.
• Day Two is your chance to apply one or both exercises to any scene from YOUR novella. You’ll send both the original scene and the edited version to the people in your cohort and the professional for critique and discussion.
• Day Three is for critique circles. Your scene will be critiqued by each member of your cohort and the professional.

PLUS: A full novella, One on One discussion with a professional

WHEN: February 7 to 21, 2026

WHERE: Oistins area, Christ Church, Barbados

Why Barbados? Karen Lord invited us, and we couldn’t say no to Barbados.

FEE:  $2,500.00 US

(travel, accommodations, and food NOT included)

The Wayward Wormhole is working to secure group rates at selected hotels.