~~ "She has so many aliases, you'd think she was a spy!" ~~

Monday, July 30, 2012

Euphoric


I’ve signed the contract, so now I can announce the very, very exciting news!

I’ve had a short story accepted for a Mercedes Lackey-edited anthology of stories based in her awesome Elemental Masters universe!

::runs around in small circles, hands flapping::

I’ve been reading Misty’s work since…well, let’s just say math would be involved in figuring it out. A long time. And I love the Elemental Masters series. It’s mostly set in Britain (although our stories didn’t have to be), pre-WWII, and the premise is that there are people who have elemental magic, the ability to work magic based on the four elements and to interact with the attendant elemental creatures (water magicians commune with sylphs and naiads, etc.). Additionally, each book is based loosely on a fairy tale or legend.

I set my story in and around Castle Coch in south Wales, a place I’ve been to several times. It’s truly a fairy tale/fantasy castle, with conical-roofed towers and incredible decorations. Unsurprisingly, my underlying fairy tale is Rapunzel. (See also below.)

I love writing romance and erotica (obviously), but fantasy was my first love, and any opportunity I get to write fantasy makes me happy. To be a part of this project makes me insanely joyous.

I have to thank a few people for helping me on this journey:
  • Ken, for putting up with me every time I thought I couldn’t do it, thought the idea was stupid. I haven’t had much faith in my writing ability lately, and he’s done nothing but prop me up and say all the right things I needed to hear.
  • Kris & Dean and the Oregon Writers Network, for not only holding so many workshops that have helped me grow as a writer, but for making it possible for me to be in the right place at the right time for this opportunity.
  • Lee Rebennack, for immediately saying “Rapunzel” when I asked those in our hotel room at Phoenix Comicon what their favorite fairy tale was. That smashed into the idea of using Castle Coch and my brain did that wonderful writerly “OoooOOOoooh!” that happens when the right ideas come together.

I’m probably overreacting to this—I mean, hell, I’ve sold more than a hundred short stories—but given how hard it’s been to even finish a short story lately, much less how I’ve questioned whether I should be even doing this, I’m going to go with the euphoria.

8 comments:

Teresa Noelle Roberts said...

So that was the sound of celebration I heard all the way on the other side of the country> Wow! *toasts you with virtual champagne* You're not over-reacting at all. This isn't just another short story acceptance. It's an acceptance by an author you respect and admire, to an super-cool anthology, and it's come at a time when you needed a boost. So insane joy is a perfect response. Just wish I could be there to crack the champagne with you.

malvoisine said...

Congratulations!!! A contract signed AND a block overthrown?!? Good for you!!

Dayle A. Dermatis said...

Thank you both! Mwah!

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Essemoh Teepee said...

Congratulations!
Castle Coch is one of my favourite places, I will look forward to reading the anthology.
Hope to see you around at one of the conferences?.

Dayle A. Dermatis said...

Thank you, Essemoh!

Hope to see you sometime, too. I was just at RWA Nationals in Anaheim. No other conferences scheduled at this time, although I do have some workshops coming up in autumn and next year.

Hope you're well!

Chellesie B said...

WooHoo Dayle! Sounds like just the little kickstart you needed to keep moving forward in your writing.

Dayle A. Dermatis said...

Thanks, Chellesie! So great to spend time w/you this past weekend!