Thursday, October 14, 2010

Open Topic Thursday: Writing Dark Genre Fiction

I'm working on my short horror novel, currently called the "Zaphkiel  Project" because I can't think of a title. And I'm researching the Horror Writer Association's "Approved Publisher List" to find possible publishers to submit it to. (I want to earn an affiliate membership.)

Anyway, I'm also thinking of posting short horror fiction to my website, starting Tuesday Oct 19 and posting each day through Oct. 31. Thirteen dark genre stories. I like the term "dark genre fiction" because it can encompass horror, fantasy, sci-fi, maybe even mystery, thriller, and suspense. I already have a few flash fiction pieces posted.

Might also be fun to lay out 13 Tarot cards and get ideas based on what comes up. But should I use the Celtic Tarot or the Rider-Waite deck? Maybe both? Seven of one deck and six of the other? Actually, six and six since I already have an idea for one story. Not that I don't have to plot my NaNoWriMo book before November 1. But you've already heard my thoughts on that topic. LOL

Also debating whether or not to polish and self-publish a vampire short novel on Smashwords and/or Kindle. I'd prefer publishing my books to self-publishing, but I'd like to keep my options open. Same thing with the free reads. I've read the pros and cons of posting free material. I can't say it will bring me new readers but it's worth a try.

2 comments:

nerinedorman said...

To be perfectly honest, I think you'll do yourself more favours if you start submitting your newly completed manuscripts to literary agents then aim at the bigger publishers via that channel.

PamelaTurner said...

I would love to submit to agents. Unfortunately, most don't rep short novels. (Actually, I don't think any do.) So the first thing I need to do is write longer books, probably 80k to 100k.

Now a screenplay agent would be a different story. I've written 3 full-lengths (avg. 100 pages).

Need to acquire more (legitimate)publication credits, too. Right now most are articles I wrote for local magazines and a couple of poems.

Then again, one of my writing career goals is to get an agent. So it's definitely an objective I'll keep striving toward.