Author: Erin

Antioch Writers’ Workshop: A leader for community, classroom hours/tuition dollars, and faculty accessibility

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With summer just around the corner, many writers are starting to plan what workshop(s) they will attend.  And the Antioch Writers’ Workshop (July 9-15, 2011) should definitely be on that list.

I first heard about Antioch from author and instructor Nancy Pinard  at, appropriately enough, the 826michigan Writers Conference  (another one to add to your list ) . She spoke so enthusiastically about Antioch, I decided to learn more about it, which led to the following interview. Nancy talks about her involvment with Antioch and what it has to offer, as well as other conferences she recommeneds (for Nancy’s bio jump to the end of this post):

How did you get involved with the Antioch Writers’ Workshop? What is your current involvement?

When I moved back to Ohio and away from all my writing friends in New Hampshire, I signed up for a fiction-writing class at the community college in order to find other writers.  The instructor immediately recommended I attend Antioch.  This was a larger conference than I’d ever attended, around 70 people in 1995, but the faculty were as committed as at the private conference of twelve, hand-picked people I’d attended in Maine.  The community that formed among participants was as palpable, too.  I returned the next summer as a participant and the two following years as a work fellow.

I took a hiatus from conferencing while I was working on an MFA, but when I graduated, I became a board member at Antioch and served for four years on the faculty recruitment and scholarship committees.  While I am no longer serving on the board proper, I continue as a faculty recruiter for the conference, and for the last two years, served as convener and fiction instructor for the seminar called Focus on Form.

Does Antioch offer anything specific for short-story writers? For YA writers?

While short story writers are not separated out for particular instruction, the morning fiction class and three of the afternoon workshops are devoted to fiction writers.  If a participant submits a short story to the workshop–and many do–the instruction is directed to that story and the specific demands of the form.  A YA manuscript on the workshop would likewise be addressed according to the specific needs of its target audience.  But there is no longer a special designation for short stories or for YA manuscripts because the craft of writing short stories and for young adults involves understanding the same elements of fiction:  scene, characterization, conflict, setting, pov, voice, tone, and the generation of emotion.

With all the various conferences and workshops out there, why would a writer choose Antioch?

The faculty are selected for their ability to teach and their willingness to congregate with participants in addition to recognition of their work and their prizes.  Participants at Antioch have full access to all the faculty, not just their own instructors, via daily lunches where they may sign up to eat in a small group of 4-6 participants with the faculty member of their choice. The conference is also famous for fostering community among participants, many events designed to get writers together and talking to each other.

 What is the young writers component?

The Young Writers’ Program is for young people entering the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grades in fall, 2011 (or ages 15-18) and is limited to students living in the Ohio counties of Greene, Montgomery, Miami, Clark, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, and Warren.  Young writers attend all the morning classes with the adult participants, have lunch with their instructor and one different Antioch Workshop faculty member each day, and attend their own afternoon seminar together.

Any other workshops/conferences you would recommend?

Other conferences have different strengths.  Ropewalk is good, for example, if you want retreat time as well as some classroom instruction.  Wesleyan has the highest end participants’ skills of the unjuried conferences I have attended.  Juried conferences (Sewanee, Breadloaf and various juried small conferences such as Keith Hood’s 826 Michigan conference in Ann Arbor) offer the more advanced instruction you might find at an MFA program.  But for community, number of classroom hours/tuition dollar, and faculty accessibility, you can’t beat Antioch.  For this year’s faculty lineup, go to www.antiochwritersworkshop.com.

About Nancy:

A graduate of the MFA program at Queens University, Charlotte, Nancy Pinard is the author of two novels, Shadow Dancing (Disc-Us Books, 2000) and Butterfly Soup (NEXT, 2005).  Her writing carries an Ann Tyler quality (I won’t be surprised if one day readers say a novel has a Nancy Pinard quality).

Nancy’s short stories have appeared in such journals as Beloit Fiction Journal, Thema, Dos Passos Review,  and others.  Most recently she has begun to write historical fiction, completing a novel about Darwin’s family, now being marketed, and at work on another about Einstein’s first marriage.

She has taught fiction writing at Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton’s LLI and writers’ conferences such as Mad Anthony in Hamilton, OH and the Antioch Writers’ Workshop. She is the founder of her own writers’ workshop, The Intentional Muse, which meets, at her discretion, in her living room in Dayton, OH.

New YA Short Story Market: Interview with Verbal Pyrotechnics Editors

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I stumbled upon Verbal Pyrotechnics–its name says it all–more than a year ago during one of my numerous internet searches for new YA markets. The humor on its blog made me chuckle, encouraging me to return for more, and I kept an eye on this promising online magazine as it worked its way to its first issue.

That day has finally come with its debut issue hiting the internet in March. So I’m especially pleased to have the following interview with the gang from Verbal Pyrotechnics–Poetry Editor Elizabeth Dunn-Ruiz, Nonfiction and Comics Editor Benjamin Andrew Moore, and Fiction Editor Kathryn Holmes:

What do you look for in a submission? Are there any specific types of stories, poems or comics that you wish writers would send you?

Elizabeth Dunn-Ruiz, Poetry Editor: In general I am looking for a poem that is impossible to ignore—a poem that even those who claim “not to like or understand poetry” will be drawn into. Sometimes it is the idea or emotion that engages me, other times it is a bit of sophisticated or witty word play. While I am open to all types of poetry, I find that narrative poetry resonates with teen readers more often than not.

Benjamin Andrew Moore, Nonfiction and Comics Editor: Frankly, I really couldn’t care less about the kind of story (or comic) I’m reading as long as it’s good. Obviously, ‘good’ can mean a wide range of things, but it usually involves originality and the general ability to write sentences that are pleasing to the eye and ear. In the case of comics, visual quality is a plus, to be sure, but I tend to give bad art a pass if the writing’s there.

Kathryn Holmes, Fiction Editor: I look for a compelling idea or a voice I haven’t heard before. Those qualifications can be found in any genre, of course, and the story can be structured in any way. I also want fiction that will speak to teen readers directly, or capture some essential element of the experience of being a teenager. I ask myself as I read submissions, “Why does this story NEED to be told?”

Why would you pass on a submission?

EDR: I would pass on a poem if there were no way for a reader to enter it.

BAM: Because the writing is bland, because the story is boring or unoriginal, because the author thinks he or she is hilarious but, in point of fact, he or she is not at all hilarious. That’s a big deal for me. Don’t try to be funny if you’re not. Suddenly, I’m feeling sorry for you instead of laughing at your jokes, which might actually be the complete opposite of laughing. Maybe.

KH:  I’d pass if I feel like I’ve read it before and the author hasn’t brought anything new. Also, though it may sound nitpicky, I have a very low tolerance for grammar and spelling errors; I might pass on a poorly-written piece even if the idea was great (though I’d give the author feedback to that end). It’s okay not to be naturally gifted in the grammar department, but please have someone read over your submission before sending it in, so that you’re showing us your best, most polished work.

What do you enjoy the most about editing Verbal Pyrotechnics?

EDR: Editing Verbal Pyrotechnics keeps me committed to my artistry. I can count on the emails, submissions, and conversations to connect me to myself as an artist and the community of which I am a part.

BAM: I love reading teen literature by up-and-coming authors, even when it’s not all that good. Plain and simple.

KH: I feel like we’re operating in a niche that needs to be filled—the literary magazine circuit isn’t so friendly toward writing aimed at a younger audience, no matter how well-written. Also, I wish that a magazine like this had been around when I was a teen.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why? Favorite short stories? Is there a story (or two) that was completely unforgettable… changed your life or outlook in some way?

EDR: Lately I have been reading a lot of Yusef Komanyaka, Emily Dickinson, Bob Hicock, and genre-bending authors like Kimiko Hahn, Michael Ondaatjee, and Laurie Sheck. Oh, and I also love a poem that makes me laugh. I think a poem that continues to resonate in my life is the classic Dickinson poem, “Hope is a thing with feathers”—or that limerick about the bucket.

BAM: I have a lot of favorite authors—Mark Twain, J.D. Salinger, Philip Pullman, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Vladimir Nabokov, and so forth. Salinger’s “Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes” is possibly my favorite short story, but that’s a really, really difficult question for me to answer with full confidence on the matter.

KH: Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Audrey Niffenegger, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde… just to name a varied few. In terms of work that’s unforgettable: though they aren’t short stories, per se, the segments of the book-with-a-book in Nicole Krauss’s “The History of Love” blew me away. Each is a little magical parable about the pain, anxiety, joy and beauty of relationships, and some of the imagery is just breathtaking.

Anything new coming to Verbal Pyrotechnics this year?

EDR: Your submissions! That’s what will be new to Verbal Pyrotechnics this year! Send us your stuff. We want to read it. And we hope to have Issue Two out in Summer 2011.

Submission Call from Hunger Mountain and the Future of the Short Story

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Hunger Mountain YA and Children’s Editor Bethany Hegedus has posted a submission call on her blog :  ” The Hunger Mountain Children’s and YA page is now going to be rolling content, updating the site with new work every few weeks. We will still have themed issues… ” Check out my earlier interview with Bethany.

And author Matt Lapata tackles the future of the short story in this Glimmer Train posting: “Many still wonder why readership of fiction—and especially short fiction, in collections and magazines—has been in decline over the past, say, two decades. Often the problem is waved away by someone grumbling “TV” and “video games” and calling the matter settled. This same person, however, probably prefers novels to short stories, and the infamous TV can’t explain that.”

Wearer of Many Hats: Interview with Tyree Campbell, Sam’s Dot Managing Editor

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In a blog devoted to the love of short stories, it was inevitable that I would eventually get around to Sam’s Dot Publishing and Managing Editor Tyree Campbell. When it comes to word crushes, Sam’s Dot–publisher of small-press speculative-fiction magazines, novels, and novellas–holds a special place in my writing heart.

Tyree selected one of my first short stories for Aoife’s Kiss. That story later became the lead in my collection of short fiction, The Curse of Blackhawk Bay (scroll down to “The Curse…”), also published by Sam’s Dot.

The wearer of many hats–author, managing editor, and editor of Aoife’s Kiss and Beyond Centauri–Tyree is always approachable, encouraging both new and seasoned writers. And in the following interview he proves both those points. His answers focus on Beyond Centauri, a quarterly science fiction and fantasy magazine for ages 10 and up, and cover story wants, favorite authors, and what’s new for 2011:

What do you look for in a story? Are there any specific types of stories or plots that you wish writers would send you?

I look for two primary features in any story:  character development, and plot development.  I want to be able to experience the events of the story vicariously through the point-of-view character, usually the protagonist.  If I can do that, I think our readers can do that, and that quality keeps them reading.  Another way of saying this is that the story must engage the reader, and the reader has to care what happens to the character.

Why would you pass on a story?

There are several reasons to decline a story, and each one will elicit that decline [we don’t reject stories, btw, we decline them…it’s more humane].  I’ll list them, in no particular order:

1.  Lack of connection between the character and the reader.
2.  Lack of tension or suspense in the narrative [i.e., that quality that keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next].
3.  Lack of detail in the setting[s].  To elaborate, the setting is where the story takes place.  The descriptive details of that setting should take the reader there.
4.  Failure to read and heed guidelines.  I’ve received stories for Beyond Centauri that belong in, say, Sounds of the Night, our magazine of somewhat more romantic sf/f.
5.  Technical difficulties–spelling, grammar, repetitive sentence structure.
6.  Unclear or murky writing in the narrative.
7.  The writer is too nice to the characters.  Advice:  be mean and cruel to your characters.  Give them problems during the story and force them to solve those problems.  That’s what makes a story readable.  Too many writers fall in love with their characters, and refuse to harm a single hair on their heads…and I tend to send their stories back.

What can writers do to make your job easier?

I’d appreciate their following the guidelines, and following the rules of grammar, spelling, and so forth.  Outside of that, not really a whole lot.  Once I accept a story, I’ll take care of formatting it for publication.

Oh, and it does help if the writer includes contact information both in the e-mail and on the first page of the manuscript text.  Along that line of thinking, if I’ve already accepted 2-3 pieces from a writer, I still want that contact information.  The reasons are several.  One, it’s handier to look on the manuscript for the info I need, rather than have to search for it in previous manuscripts.  Two, the address might have changed since the last time I saw something from that writer.  And three, most important:  it is professional to show the contact information.  Remember, we’re a small indie publisher.  Eventually, we hope, at least some of our writers might produce work that is accepted by a major publisher.  Those guys want professional manuscripts.  In that sense, we’re training writers.
 
What do you enjoy the most about editing Beyond Centauri and other Sam’s Dot publications?

Every once in a while I’ll accept a piece and get a response that goes something like this:  “OMG, thank you, this is the first thing of mine that anyone has ever published, oh, I am so excited, this is so great” … and so on.  I know that feeling well; I was on Cloud 43 when I received my first acceptance…and the truth is, it still feels great even after some 150 acceptances.  There’s nothing that gives you a high like creative success.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

If you mean in Beyond Centauri, then:  K. S. Hardy for his poetry, because he takes such an offbeat view of things; Larry Hodges entertains with his stories, such as “Mummy at the Bat”; Emily Ross’ poetry is engaging; Lee Clark Zumpe has a good nose for science fiction and fantasy; Teresa Howard does good fantasy, when I can get her; Erin Fanning’s work is well-plotted and has engaging characters [oh, wait!  That’s you!].

If you mean me personally, in general, then:  For science fiction I like a lot of the familiar names, but my favorite writer of all is Jack Vance.  He really creates worlds, and take you the reader right into them, and won’t let go of you.  You’re there!  And you get to share the adventures of his characters, you keep turning pages…

If I might add something here.  If you want to be a writer, you have to do two things–and only two.  One:  write.  The other:  Read.  And I’m not talking about just the genres–science fiction, fantasy, horror.  I’m talking about a wide range of literature.  Read Ludlum and Kafka and Clancy and Orwell and Huxley and Tennessee Williams and Dostoyevsky and Khoury and Durrell and Miller and…well, you get the idea.  The more experience you have as a reader and in simply living, the better writer you will be.  Yes, it’s that simple.  And that difficult.

Any changes coming to Beyond Centauri this year?

We recently added a serial which [ahem] I wrote, called Pyra and the Tektites.  It’s about a 13-year-old girl who runs away from home in the asteroid belt because her grades were poor, and she’s afraid her parents will send her down to Mars to go to school.  So she sneaks aboard a shuttle to rest, and when she wakes up, she’s in space with a smuggler who has pirated the shuttle.  From there, Pyra is taken to the smugglers’ hideout, and the adventures begin.

The series is a bit reminiscent of the old comic strip, Terry and the Pirates, which began off the coast of China during the early ’30s, Terry being at that time a boy of maybe 10, 11.

So one episode appears in each issue of Beyond Centauri.  But wait!  There’s more!  We’re also doing Pyra as a graphic novel for younger readers [say, 10 on up, although most readers will be in their teens].  Volume 1 just came out and, if I may, is available at http://sdpbookstore.com/storybooks.htm (scroll down to “Pyra”). Volume 2 should be out this fall. (See my review of Pyra here.)

Contests and More Contests: Deadlines Coming Up Fast

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March 31: Teen Voices’ 20 Under 20 Short Story Competition — “What does the word “twenty” mean to you? Write about anything that this word inspires in you. We’re especially interested in stories about growing up, succeeding, overcoming difficulty, and changing the world.” 

April 15: The Claudia Ann Seaman Award for Young Writers — “The Claudia Ann Seaman Award for Young Writers was created by the Seaman family in memory of their daughter and sister, a young poet. In 2010, the CAS Award acknowledges excellence in teen writing in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.”

May 1: Crucible Poetry and Fiction Competition — “The Crucible poetry and fiction competition is open to all writers. All entries must be completely original, must never have been published, must be in manuscript form, and must not be involved in other competitions.”

May 16: Jane Eyre Gothic Story Competition for Young Writers — “To celebrate the release of Jane Eyre, Vintage Books and Focus Features are pleased to present the Jane Eyre Gothic Story Competition for Young Writers. Enter by submitting your own gothic short story for the chance to win a trip for two to visit “Brontë Country,” in Yorkshire, England, including economy roundtrip airfare, four-star hotel accommodations for four nights, a trip to visit the Brontë sisters’ Parsonage, and a guided walking tour of Brontë Country.”

From Southern Stories to Gritty YA: Interview w/ Bethany Hegedus, Hunger Mountain Co-Editor

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Bethany Hegedus serves as co-editor of the Young Adult & Children’s page for the VCFA literary journal Hunger Mountain. Bethany’s first novel Between Us Baxters was named a Bank Street Books, Best Books of 2010 (starred) and a Top 40 Fiction Books for Young Adults by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Her second novel Truth with a Capital T debuted at the 2010 Texas Book Festival.

Forthcoming, with Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, is the picture book Grandfather Gandhi, co-authored with Arun Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma. A longtime resident of NYC, she now writes from her home in Austin and will be part of the YA Diversity in Fiction Tour when it makes it’s Austin stop.

Somewhere in her busy schedule, Bethany also finds time to write in her blog. Postings range from promoting friends’ books to saving Texas schools to writing tips. The tone is generous, the information detailed. The blog reveals an author and editor who truly cares about the craft of writing and cultivating readers.

That generous tone is also evident throughout the following interview:

What do you look for in a story? Are there any specific types of stories or plots that you wish writers would send you?

For Hunger Mountain, most of the fiction we publish is jointly decided by myself and Kekla Magoon, after HM readers cull through the online submissions. Kekla and I are much different writers with varying tastes, which makes for a range in what we decide to publish. Sometimes we will convince the other to publish a story that we particularly feel strong about or bonded to, and when that happens it is a nice thing, for us, for the author of the work, and for Hunger Mountain readers. 

My tastes run the gamut to hoping to find a break out picture book manuscript, to middle grade—and you guessed it, I am partial to southern stories and those who use dialect well, regardless of location, to gritty YA. Kekla, though not a fantasy writer herself, enjoys finding the perfect fantasy piece as well as realistic fiction.

I am not sure either of us has any plot specific needs, but I am fond of character driven stories, a voice that leaps off the page, and a feeling that I am being taken care of as the reader, in good confidence, by the author of the submitted piece.

Our upcoming theme for Spring/Summer 2011 is a variation on shadows. We haven’t hit the exact phrasing yet—maybe “The Many Shades of Shadows” or something but we would love to see pieces that play with light and darkness (figuratively and literally), a fabulous piece with an unreliable narrator, or pieces where secondary characters are shaded so well that they not only support the main character but truly help flesh out the work. Those interested in submitting may see the submission guidelines here: http://www.hungermtn.org/submit/

Why would you pass on a story?

I personally pass on a story—as in turn it down—and not show it to Kekla for her take, when the writing rings false and not true. Or when the writing is static and not original or if a plot-twist feels too authorly and not organic to the situation and circumstances being depicted.

I do work with pieces that have potential, editing them and going back and forth with the contributor. This is the case with a piece that is about to go live, titled, My Real Best Friend by Linnea Heaney. The picture book manuscript had real voice, and had that intangible something special that made me want to share it with others, even without it having accompanying illustrations. I am glad that Linnea and I worked together until we got the piece where we needed it to be, and I am hoping that the piece being published in Hunger Mountain helps the manuscript become a tangible book. One to hold in our hands and enjoy the melding of art and text that only a paper picture book can.

What do you enjoy the most about editing for Hunger Mountain?

When I threw my hat in the ring to be an editor of the Young Adult & Children’s section of the journal I had no idea what I was getting into—work wise or joy wise. What I love most about editing the journal is envisioning an issue—reaching out to award winning writers such as Mitali Perkins and Tanita S. Davis (who did a fabulous flipside piece for us on race and covers) and seeing how having that out in the world causes other serendipitous occurrences to happen.  

This happened when we published an essay by Nikki Grimes, Color Me Perplexed, which Nikki Grimes sent our way after experiencing librarians at ALA still touting—“we love your work, if only we had the readership for it at our school.” As if all kids couldn’t or shouldn’t be exposed and find a friend in a character of another color in any and all schools. It is one of my favorite pieces and one where got an enormous amount of response from readers.

Along with the big picture creation, and getting to showcase issues and industry concerns I personally care about (IE: the upcoming special feature on Passion for the Picture Book) I love that our page on the journal—which is written by and for those in the Kid Lit community—is growing in esteem and is seen as literary, as viable, as important as those who write for adults. One will never hear the merit of literature for children or teens “poo-pooed”at Hunger Mountain. Other literary journals of merit should take note.

And, along with finding new fiction and new voices, I love the craft-centric focus of our page. Writers never stop learning—pre-published or post-published and I hope the essays written for Hunger Mountain are learning tools for those who turn to our site for ideas and inspiration.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why? Favorite short stories? Is there a story (or two) that was completely unforgettable… changed your life or outlook in some way?

I recently read a short story cycle manuscript, titled, The Pullout, for a friend and though my opinion was supposed to come as Bethany, friend and fellow critiquer, what I originally thought as I was reading is I have, have, have, to have one of these stories to showcase in the spring issue of Hunger Mountain. The one I choose, that I thought would resonate most from the collection VCFA grad Lindsey Lane is stringing together is a story called The Proposal. Lindsey, who has been known as a picture book writer, did something brave and beautiful in her short story cycle. She went deep and the work she laid bare had a profound affect on me.

This is what I wrote in my response letter to her:

“What you have created in the Pullout is a work of effortless human longing and searching, which is more about the journey—the pit stop—then the final destination. I say effortless because that is how the project reads but I am sure much effort—blood, sweat, and tears—went into its creation. The stories build on one another until your heart is broken and then at last with the last story, The Christmas Ornaments, it begins to heal and hope is present. Ah, my friend, what an honor to read these words here. The way you have strung them together, the silent transitions where the reader must fill in the gaps, the quiet attention to detail and the pain and ugliness of the darker side of the human condition. It really is a feat. Enjoy your accomplishment.”

And thankfully, after a little coercing and making sure Lindsey knew I didn’t want to publish the story since she is a friend, she said yes. I can’t wait to share it with HM readers.

And outside of anything I have published for Hunger Mountain—a girl’s got to love the short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor. I read this for the first time in college and have loved Flannery’s work ever since. Something about the southern grotesque more than appeals to me.

Anything new coming to Hunger Mountain this year?

I truly want to do more with illustrators, to showcase the visual side of this field, the painstakingly incredible and inspiring work illustrators bring to the page. I’d also love to have a conversation with a collaborative author and illustrator (who aren’t married or related) but who were originally paired by the publisher and enough magic and chemistry happened to raise the level of each other’s art to an even higher level. If you are that author or illustrator, please, please contact me.

—-

Questions for Bethany? Leave a comment and I’ll forward them to her.

And the winner is…

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The winner of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway is Julie from Columbus, Ohio. Thank you to everyone who entered.

And a big welcome to all the new subscribers. Feel free to send me your writing news: published short stories, calls for submissions, market updates, contest information–just about anything to do with short fiction for teens.

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway: Sci-fi Graphic Novel Features Brave Young Heroine

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Title: Pyra and the Tektites (volume 1)

Author: Story by Tyree Campbell; illustrations by 7ARS

Publisher: Sam’s Dot Publishing, 2011, $6.95, Buy

Ages: For readers 10 and older. Excellent selection for reluctant readers: story will pull them in and keep them reading.

Giveaway details: 1.) leave a comment, along with your email address, on this post by March 20  OR 2.) subscribe to Word Crushes by March 20 (current subscribers are automatically entered). A copy of the 12th issue of Crow Toes Quarterly (see my post) will also be given away. A winner will be chosen at random with the help of Random.org. And be sure to visit the other Lucky Lepechaun participants.

From the publisher: Thirteen-year-old Pyra lives and goes to school on Ceres, the largest asteroid in the asteroid belt. Because she has received a couple of bad grades, she fears her parents may send her down to Mars to continue her education. Pyra, however, has other ideas. She runs away from home. She stows away aboard a cargo shuttle, falls asleep, and awakens in free fall. The shuttle has been stolen by a smuggler, and she is now in outer space.

Review: So begins this exciting graphic novel. Readers will not only cheer for the brave young heroine but will also want to join Pyra on her adventures.

Pyra and the smuggler Flanagan–a touch of Han Solo with a zig-zag scar on his cheek–fall into a testy friendship. He teases her, yet she brings out a protective side of his personality. Pyra finds herself confronting  fear, pitching in when blasts from an energy weapon threaten their lives. Danger, however, never leaves them alone, and Tektites eventually capture Pyra and Flanagan. They end up in Kublukan, where a mysterious woman tries to buy Pyra.

In a world created with precise details–complicated yet believable–author Tyree Campbell takes readers on a wild ride to the future. Characters with names like Mr. Block and Lay By come alive through 7ARS’ illustrations. Pyra’s pert bob and mischevously-tilted eyes reflect her personality to perfection. Each character is subtly revealed through the drawings–Mr. Block’s bald head gleams and Lay By furrows his unibrow.

Bottomline: Pyra is recommended for all readers who like fast-paced stories with strong drawings. It’s the first volume of her adventures and ends on a cliff hanger which leaves readers looking forward to the next installment.

And there’s more:  Serialized Pyra adventures can also be found in Sam’s Dot Publishing’s Beyond Centauri (a science fiction and fantasy magazine for all ages.)

Mourning Crow Toes Quarterly, Lucky Leprechauns, Contests, Workshops, and More

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I’ve been mourning the demise of Crow Toes Quarterly this week. In case you haven’t heard the news, please read Publisher Christopher Millin’s comments here. To celebrate the magazine’s fabulous four-year run, I’m giving away a copy of its twelfth issue (includes my story, The Cloud Warrior, accompanied by Rebekah Joy Plett’s perfect illustration of my rock-climbing heroine) as part of this weekend’s Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop .

Speaking of which, I’ll also be giving away a copy of Tyree Campbell’s Pyra and the Tektites, featuring another brave young heroine. The Hop starts on Thursday so be sure to check back for all the goodies.

In other short-story news:

-Goodreads is sponsoring a Spring Short Story Panel starting today.

-On May 21, 826michigan Ann Arbor hosts a talk by novelist and short-story writer Peter Ho Davies. Click here for more information.

-And a couple of contests to consider: Gemini Magazine and Absent Willow Review

That’s it for now. See you on Thursday for the giveaways.

Interview with Marcie Tentchoff, Spaceports & Spidersilk Editor

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The One-Eyed Monster. Not Quite a Dragonfly. The Upside-Down Man.

The titles promise a world flipped around, where reality tumbles and the truth surprises. The first lines pull you in and the rest of the stories unfold with fantastic and futuristic twists.

It can mean only one thing: a new edition of Spaceports & Spidersilk has hit the internet. So it’s perfect that Word Crushes next interview is with Marcie Tentchoff, Editor of Spaceports & Spidersilk–an online fantasy and science fiction magazine for readers 8 and older (part of the Sam’s Dot Publishing lineup of magazines, novellas, and novels).

What do you look for in a story? Are there any specific types of stories or plots that you wish writers would send you?

I look for strong, well-written stories with plots and characters younger readers can relate to.  Tween or teen characters and viewpoints help. A speculative (sf or fantasy) element is required.  I never get enough good science fiction stories. Conflict and conflict resolution are important. Make it a real, complete story. Try to send in work that will be accessible to readers of nine or ten, but still appeal to older readers.

Why would you pass on a story?

There are a lot of reasons why I’d pass on a story.  Lack of a speculative element is an automatic rejection.  Too often I receive pieces about fantasy or science fiction rather than pieces actually written in those genres. Don’t give me a good poem or story, then tell me at the end that the speculative element was all in the characters’ heads or all a dream. Don’t give me a poem about how much we wish for real magic, give me a poem where magic is real.

What can writers do to make your job easier?

Read the guidelines.  Please.  And take them to heart.  Then read a lot of stories and books aimed at readers in our age range.

What do you enjoy the most about editing Spaceports and Spidersilk?

I love it when the occasional gem comes in to my slush pile, a piece that grabs at my emotions and makes me smile, or laugh, or cry, or where wit rings through every paragraph.  It’s a great feeling to read something I love and think, “yes, this will be in the next issue.”   And then I love handing that piece to my kids to read.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

My list of favorite authors would be far too long.  Some recent middle grade and YA authors I enjoy are Tamora Pierce, Patrick Ness, Holly Black, Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan, Sarah Prineas, and Derek Landy.  All of these writers have the ability to tell great stories, ones that can draw readers in and keep them reading, spellbound, until the book’s end.

Any changes coming to Spaceports and Spidersilk this year?

I may be playing more with loosely themed issues. we’ll see.

Questions for Marcie? Leave a comment .