Captain's Blog
Ahoy, Critterfolk!
New entry Jun 21
Critter Notices
ReAnimus Acquires Advent!
ReAnimus Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the legendary Advent Publishers! Advent is now a subsidiary of ReAnimus Press, and we will continue to publish Advent's titles under the Advent name. Advent was founded in 1956 by Earl Kemp and others, and has published the likes of James Blish, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, Damon Knight, E.E. "Doc" Smith, and many others. Advent's high quality titles have won and been finalists for several Hugo Awards, such as The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Heinlein's Children. Watch this space for ebook and print editions of all of Advent's current titles!
Free Web Sites
Free web sites for authors (and others) are available at www.nyx.net.
How to Write SF
The Craft of Writing Science Fiction that Sells by Ben Bova, best-selling author and six-time Hugo Award winner for Best Editor. (This is one of the books your ol' Critter Captain learned from himself, and I highly recommend it.)
(Also via Amazon)
The Sigil Trilogy
If you're looking for an amazing, WOW! science fiction story, check out THE SIGIL TRILOGY. This is — literally — one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read.
Network speeding up
I'm switching the connection over to a new, shiny 10X faster network because of all the load. There might be bits of downtime as your boxes learn new addresses and things. Should be brief. Let me know of any prolonged outages you see.
Preditors & Editors Changeover
With the very sad passing of Dave Kuzminski, who ran P&E, I've taken over the P&E duties. Lots of what I hope are improvements; check it out at pred-ed.com.
Critters Server is Dying has been Replaced
See important details here in my blog. Let me know if you find anything that isn't working right. (Manuscripts are now available for this week, FYI.)
Book Recommendation
THE SIGIL TRILOGY:
The universe is dying from within...
"Great stuff... Really enjoyed it." — SFWA Grandmaster Michael Moorcock
Announcing ReAnimus Press
If you need help making ebooks from manuscripts or print copies—or finding great stuff to read—look no further! An ebook publisher started by your very own Critter Captain. (And with a 12% Affiliate program.) [More]
~~~
FEATURED BOOK
~~~
Weekly Notes
Notes for 23-Jul-2014...
New from ReAnimus Press: BY THE SEA by Henry Gee
http://ReAnimus.com/1410
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4PM83W/?tag=reanimus-20
Horrific bereavement has forced Detective Inspector Persephone Sheepwool
to leave London and make a new life on the remote North Norfolk coast. But
horror is never far behind, as she discovers when a body is found at a
museum in a decaying clifftop mansion whose shadowy staff is dedicated to
discovering the secrets of the sea. Investigating the death, Sheepwool
finds that some secrets are probably best left submerged. Trouble is,
even the most deeply submerged secrets have a nasty way of oozing to
the surface...
A gothic modern scientific fiction horror mystery.
Sales, as always, support the Critters Fund Drive.
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Thanks for the donations, folks! We are 20.0% of the way to the fund
drive goal with contributions from 50 donors, leaving about $3700 to go.
Thanks especially to
Terrance Crow
Yavor Stoynov
David Baker
Mary Thompson
for their recent donations to help keep Critters going. Much appreciated!
[See http://www.critters.org/donate.php for more information.]
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Reminder that folks aren't supposed to use Critters to seek manuscripts,
sell services, etc. If you get anything like that, do let me know.
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Woohoo! Congratulations to...
- Jennifer Michaud, whose short story, "All of a Heap" is
now out in the current issue of Plague: Aftermath by Ephiroll
Productions. {Less than a month elapsed between the time the story
was written and accepted so there was no time for critiques. I am
however convinced the feedback received over the years help make
it a great story from the start. Plague: Aftermath is available
in various formats: http://www.ephiroll.com/storiesandbooks.html
(Note my work is published under the pen name Jenner Michaud) }
- Carl Slaughter, who reports "Diabolical Plots has posted my
interview with Michael Swanwick. Excellent insights. Don't miss
this one.". {http://www.diabolicalplots.com/?p=8021}
- Carl Slaughter, who reports "Diabolical Plots has posted my
interview with prolific Critters member and sci fi-humor-detective
writer Richard Zwicker. Richard Writes so much and gets published
so often, he sold 4 stories between the time the interview was
conducted and the time it was posted. ". {
http://www.diabolicalplots.com/?p=4536}
- Carl Slaughter, who reports "Diabolical Plots has posted my
interview with Michael Swanwick. Excellent insights. Don't miss
this one.". {http://www.diabolicalplots.com/?p=8021}
Please report your Woohoo!s via the www.critters.org/telldaworld.ht web page.
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This week's Most Productive Critter award, for 12 critiques (at time
of judging), averaging over 300 words each, goes to...
Krystal Claxton
And Instant Winner(s) (for 10 MPC-eligible critiques):
Justin Key
To redeem an MPC, visit: www.critters.org/usempc.ht
Congratulations! To everyone else -- Crit early and often!
(For an explanation of the MPC award, see the www.critters.org/award.ht page.)
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Recommended Reading...
One of the best writing books - Secrets from the 6-time Best Editor
Hugo Award Master, Ben Bova: THE CRAFT OF WRITING SCIENCE FICTION THAT SELLS
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
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Critters Workshop
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This week we have... [get from http://www.critters.org/private/mss.php ]...
Title Author
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Week of 23-Jul-2014 (Crits due 30-Jul-2014):
SF Whitefall [mpc] Harlen Bayha -#23915
SF The Hippocratic Oath [mpc] Justin Key -#23916
H Before the Beginning Richard Zwicker -#23917
F Werewear Fred Obermeyer -#23918
SF Cuban Missile Strike Michael Andre-Driussi -#23919
SF This Is The Sound Of The End Of The World Matt Dovey -#23920
SF It's Always Summer In Our Memory Amanda Niehaus-Hard -#23921
F Better The Devil You Know Dom Dulley -#23922
F Seeks the Light Michael Dorken -#23923
F For Those Who Deserve It Alexander Leger-Small -#23924
SF The Girl from Beyond the Wall - Part 2 Rati Mehrotra -#23925
SF Two-Hundred Forty-One Centuries Benjamin Schulz -#23926
SF Black Tie Grady Annette Bowman -#23927
F The Act of Faith Hotel, Chapter 1 Emily Schoerning -#23928
F Seeking the Light of Justice Dr. Barry Nadel -#23929
F The Bottom Luke Robinson -#23930
F Things Worth Dying For Kaitlyn Boggs -#23931
F Goddess _RFDR_ Kristin Whitman -#23932
SF Diamond Folds Andrea Cross -#23933
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Recommended books on writing:
THE CRAFT OF WRITING AND SELLING SCIENCE FICTION by Ben Bova
ReAnimus Press Store: http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/dp/B006MAZPEI
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SPECULATIVE FICTION OPENINGS By (Critter member) Robert Qualkinbush
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1184 | http://Amazon.com/dp/B007O272ZI
STAYIN' ALIVE - A WRITER'S GUIDE by three-time SFWA President Norman Spinrad
How things really work in the art and commerce of publishing
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1179 | http://Amazon.com/dp/B007SIC4I8
EXPERIMENT PERILOUS: THE 'BUG JACK BARRON' PAPERS by Norman Spinrad
(A 99cent essay on SF and writing)
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1180 | http://Amazon.com/dp/B007MF3MS8
Because you might enjoy it... UNDERHANDED BRIDGE by JERRY SOHL
A hilarious handbook of devious diversions and stratagems for winning at chess
http://reanimus.com/store/?item=1364
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Pieces up for critique in other workshops...
In the lit workshop - http://critique.org/lit :
L Metaphors be with you 6-3 Charles Hand -#23913
In the mystery workshop - http://critique.org/mystery :
M American African Ch. 1-3 Luke Robinson -#23914
In the nonfiction workshop - http://critique.org/nonfiction :
NP Holding Down the Fort Chapter 1 Briana -#20954
In the script workshop - http://critique.org/script :
SC Bounty Hunters Avant Hall -#23842
In the kids workshop - http://critique.org/kids :
YL Stubby Diane Weber -#23868
In the western workshop - http://critique.org/western :
W The Things a Puncher Does For Money Frank Coombs -#22499
In the romance workshop - http://critique.org/romance :
R First Kiss Laura Apple -#23890
In the video workshop - http://critique.org/video :
VS The Gallery of Henri Beauchamp Jay DeTalente -#21424
In the music workshop - http://critique.org/music :
MP The Shade Riders and Nocturnal Ned song Beth Zurkowski -#21675
In the photo workshop - http://critique.org/photo :
PH Dry Mud and Cinder Cone Bill Wight -#19627
In the art workshop - http://critique.org/art :
AO Wild White Horse Fran Eisemann -#21370
In the website workshop - http://critique.org/website :
WW Powerscript Website Ronald Hurst -#22230
In the critters workshop - http://critique.org/critters :
SF Whitefall [mpc] Harlen Bayha -#23915
SF The Hippocratic Oath [mpc] Justin Key -#23916
H Before the Beginning Richard Zwicker -#23917
F Werewear Fred Obermeyer -#23918
SF Cuban Missile Strike Michael Andre-Driussi -#23919
SF This Is The Sound Of The End Of The World Matt Dovey -#23920
SF It's Always Summer In Our Memory Amanda Niehaus-Hard -#23921
F Better The Devil You Know Dom Dulley -#23922
F Seeks the Light Michael Dorken -#23923
F For Those Who Deserve It Alexander Leger-Small -#23924
SF The Girl from Beyond the Wall - Part 2 Rati Mehrotra -#23925
SF Two-Hundred Forty-One Centuries Benjamin Schulz -#23926
SF Black Tie Grady Annette Bowman -#23927
F The Act of Faith Hotel, Chapter 1 Emily Schoerning -#23928
F Seeking the Light of Justice Dr. Barry Nadel -#23929
F The Bottom Luke Robinson -#23930
F Things Worth Dying For Kaitlyn Boggs -#23931
F Goddess _RFDR_ Kristin Whitman -#23932
SF Diamond Folds Andrea Cross -#23933
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You might also like... DR. JOSH by JERRY SOHL
http://reanimus.com/store/?item=1366
Standard notes:
HELP:
If you need help with anything, see http://www.critters.org/help -- there
are FAQs and a form to ask questions.
HELPING CRITTERS:
Critters is donation funded & volunteer run, so if you'd like to
help out with our current fund drive or otherwise, please visit
http://www.critters.org/donate.php -- Thanks!!
HOW TO SEND CRITIQUES:
Remember to send the critiques directly to me, critters@critique.org, so
I can forward them to the authors _and_ give you credit for your effort.
Please send only one critique per mail message (makes it easier to
archive). Please make sure the "#" symbol and manuscript number are in
the email Subject: line, like Subject: #1234. (Conversely, if you want
ol' Aburt to personally read the message, i.e., it's _not_ a critique,
don't put a "#" in the subject or I won't see it. Also -- put my current
anti-spam code word in there: see http://www.critters.org/antispam.ht .)
You may also send your critiques via http://www.critters.org/webcrit.ht .
Note that all critiques will be available to everyone to read the next Saturday.
DIPLOMACY:
Remember, authors and critiquers, we're all friends here. Be polite. Be
considerate. Be tactful. You can say you thought a story was drivel in a
courteous way. Try to point out the good and the bad; offer alternatives
if you can. Never, ever, attack the author -- only the story. Authors:
Remember that some reviewers may lack tact. Try to be understanding,
but if you get any that you feel are just plain mean-spirited, too short
to be of any use, or too "feel good," let me know and I'll withhold the
reviewer's "credit" for that story and/or cajole them into something
more insightful. See http://www.critters.org/diplomacy.ht for more...
CRITIQUE LENGTH:
If you want to send a short critique that you know is too short for
credit (200 words or less of your own meaningful content) please put
"NC#" in the Subject (NC=No Credit, like Subject: NC#1234) -and- say
something like "not for credit" inside your critique. (Remember also that
for MPC purposes, a critique must be 300 words or more.)
CHATTING:
Comments -other- than critiques (such as discussion of the critiques,
or Woohoo! announcements, or chit chat) should be posted to one of the
official Critters newsgroups, found on the news server news.sff.net.
(See the http://www.critters.org/newsgroups.ht web page for full info,
guidelines, etc.) Don't post stories or critiques (mail those to
critters@critique.org).
QUOTING:
Please pare the ms. down if critiquing in-line (don't quote the whole ms.!).
Other format rules are at http://www.critters.org/format.ht .
EVERYTHING'S ON THE WEB:
Past reviews are on the web page. The current week's manuscripts are
also there, as are prior mss. and even some rewrites. There's a Master
Page Index (site map) with tons of links to common items.
AUTHORS:
Authors for this week -- if you aren't getting email'd critiques from
me (as they come in) within a couple days -- ask me and we can verify
I'm sending them to the correct address. (Send me a phone# in case I
can't get email to you.) Check the format of your story ASAP to make sure
it's all there and readable.
EMAIL ISSUES:
If you want to change your email address or preferences (# mss. emailed,
SF/F/H type, or whether you get the huge critique batches at week's end),
point your browser to http://www.critters.org/admin.ht . Please don't
ask me to do this by hand, it's quite a chore! (E.g., if you're going
on vacation and want to suspend mail from me -- do this before/after
your trip.)
BACKUP SITE:
If you're unable to reach www.critters.org to get manuscripts, I've set up
an emergency backup site at http://backup.critters.org where you can get the
week's manuscripts (but not much of anything else :-). Speaking of backups --
don't forget to back up your own manuscripts so you don't lose them!
QUITTING:
If you want to quit or go inactive, drop by http://www.critters.org/admin.ht
for your choices.
DONATIONS:
Critters is funded by donations, so visit http://www.critters.org/donate.php
if you'd like to help out.
Because you might enjoy it... COLOURS OF THE SOUL by SEAN MCMULLEN
Why are cheetas the most perfect of creatures? Mind-blowing stories from an award winning master
http://reanimus.com/store/?item=1352