Tag: Electric Spec

Monday Musings, plus a story to read

Well, all the leftover turkey has been devoured, the Christmas tree has been purchased, dragged home in the cold and erected in the living room, and the various home improvement projects started over the weekend are done (new grout and caulk for the tub!). Thus, it is official:  the holiday is over and it’s back to reality.

I have two weeks of classes to go, followed by a nearly two week span for final exams (tragically, I’ve got a final to administer on the very last day of the semester, Dec. 23rd). So, while there’s lots of grading ahead, course prep is winding down and I’m hoping to squeeze in more writing time. I have a couple of short stories in early draft stage and am determined to get the first draft of my urban fantasy novel (PROJECT AWESOME) wrapped up by the New Year. I’m at about 65K, so with maybe 20K to go this might not seem overly ambitious, but I’ve also been stuck for about two weeks with no forward movement. Sigh.

I think part of this is due to my feeling a little down about my writing. I’ve mentioned to many of you in recent months that I’ve been frustrated, chewing on the sense that I’ve been working hard and producing material that I think is really strong and just getting rejection after rejection. I know I should be driven on by my own need to write and my own sense of progress and enjoyment (and I am!), but honestly, I really needed some sort of external encouragement and validation. What can I say? I’m only human.

Anyway, I finally got it. I sold two stories this month, which felt — frankly — fantastic. The first of these, DISCARDED, is now available to read over on Electric Spec. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Okay – off to enjoy the Monday commute!

Hope you all have a great week 🙂

A sale!

I’m happy to announce I’ve sold my story DISCARDED to the online speculative fiction magazine Electric Spec. It should go live sometime around the end of the month, and I will most certainly share a link when it does.

In the meantime: YAY!

I got the inspiration for DISCARDED when Sid and I visited an installation art exhibit on Governor’s Island. The story is about a dragon sculpture who also happens to be an aspiring artist and the interest he takes in an NYPD officer framed for murder. I’d describe the genre as sort of urban fantasy, sort of magical realism. It’s got a special place in my heart and I’m so happy it’s found a home.

This won’t be the first story of mine Electric Spec has published. My first sale, a horror story titled THE NEW ARRIVAL, was also to this market.

So, that’s my exciting news for the day. Now I’m off to a prepare a review session for my students and teach a lecture on the Aztec.

Toodles!

Writer’s Workspace: 12/1

Good morning!  Welcome to this writer’s workspace.  Here’s what’s happening liiiiiiiiiiiiiive at Miranda’s desk:

First off, a special link to share.  My VP classmate and friend Catherine Schaff-Stump has posted an interview with me over at her blog, Writer Tamago.  Check it out!

What I’m working on: revisions to A Blood Red Sun press forward.  My protagonist has reached a real low point.  She’s been betrayed, her army is slaughtered, and she’s now a prisoner.  In the coming chapter, her enemy will perform ritual human sacrifice to allow a goddess to claim her body as a host.  Not looking good for our heroine.

Snippet from the screen: “A hot, dry wind blew.  It pushed her hair back from her face, ruffling the feathers of her headdress.  Kara stood with eight hundred and fifty warriors at her back and the dog at her side.  The northern edges of the Huecalli desert spread dry fingers around her, and beyond, the high, bleak mountains of Acoya rose like teeth.”

On the iTunes: “So Nice So Smart” by Kimya Dawson

In my mug: The usual English Breakfast tea.

Out the window: Gloomy, gloomy, and more gloomy.  I guess, as they keep saying in these trailers that I can’t stop watching…winter is coming.

Keeping me company: The Overseer is lounging on the floor by my desk, keeping a close watch; should I get up, he’ll be quick to steal his chair my chair.

 

His Royal Fuzziness, Mr. Ramses

A little procrastination never hurt anyone: of course, the first link I have to share is to my own short story, “The New Arrival” just published by Electric Spec.  Second, if you happen to live in the San Fran/Bay Area and like performance art, check out Sean Craven’s latest post on Renaissance Oaf.  Finally, to get you in the holiday spirit, a NYTimes slideshow on festive drinks.

That’s all from here, dear friends.  What are YOU doing today?

 

Happiness is a published story

I’ve reached the first milestone along my writer’s journey – a published short story!  I feel like Frodo, just making it out of the Shire 🙂

The story, “The New Arrival,” is live at Electric Spec!  Follow this link to read it.

The editors write: “for those who like a dark story to fit the dark days of winter, we’d like to recommend Miranda Suri’s “The New Arrival,” a macabre story that will leave you satisfyingly chilled.”