Writing bits and bobs

A reader named Emily took the time to send me (well, Sophie, actually!) this e-mail (and gave me the okay to repost it here):

“I read your story in Best Women's Erotica 07 and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to google your pen name, in an attempt to find an email contact. Your story was great for it's purpose (as erotic fiction) but it was also a story I deeply related to. I was particularly moved by the character's struggle with her body image and how her dance class affected that. I look forward to reading more of your writing in the future. Thank you for your story!”

We all write for different reasons. To get the stories out, to get the words out of our heads. For the thrill of seeing our names on the book covers in stores. The money’s nice; the acceptances are always joyful, perhaps even a validation.

Every author I’ve met has pretty much said, though, that even if they knew they’d never see their name in print again, they’d still keep writing.

Striving for publication, though, is another matter. And I can tell you that one of the things we all really want there is communication. To know what we’ve written has reached a reader. (If that weren’t true, whyfore the proliferation of blogs?)

Acceptances: fantastic. Checks: sweet. But a reader taking the time to say “I read your work, and it meant something to me.”?

Priceless. The best gift a writer can receive.

<>-<>-<>

Some recent writing stats, from the last month or so. I’ll try to keep more current on these!

• Submitted lots of stories.
  
• Received the second half of my advance for A Little Night Music.
  
• Received the contract for “In Flight” to appear in Best Lesbian Love Stories: Summer Flings.
  
• Received payment for “Mrs. Claus and the Night Elf,” which appeared in The MILF Anthology.
  
• Received comp copy of Love on the Dark Side, which includes the Sophie story “Stranger to my Shores” as well as a story of Teresa’s.
  
• Received comp copies of Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica and payment for my story, “Just Be.”
  
• Received the contract and proofed story for “The Witch of Venice,” to appear in Screaming Orgasms and Sex on the Beach.
  
• Received the contract for the reprint of “Frozen” to appear in Best Lesbian Bondage Erotica.
  
• Rejection from Kensington for Waking the Witch.
  
• Rejection from Heliotrope for “What Price Beauty?”
  
• Rejection from Clarkesworld for “Heaven Has Eyes.”
  

(And may I just say, it’s exceedingly cool to link to all of those books and think, “Hey, I’m in all of those!”)

---

Currently Reading: Wraith, Phaedra Weldon (yes, I know I was a first reader on this manuscript. But the book is different, and I’m gearing up to be a first reader on book two, and it’s a kick-ass fabulous book!)
Lately Listened To: Division Bell, Pink Floyd
Recently Watched: Northern Exposure