23 posts tagged “permuted press”

So, as I mentioned in a previous entry, I'm copyediting for Permuted Press. Right now I'm going through two books, both of which are top-secret. They're the first novels that the new Swarm Press imprint will put out--at least, if things go according to plan.

That in itself is already pretty sweet. After all, I like copyediting. In fact, I wouldn't mind ending up in that field when I'm done with uni.

The awesomeness continues, however. I can't really say too much, but I can tell you this: it's a struggle to copyedit one of the projects I'm working on, because it's so frigging good. Every couple of pages I speed up, just wanting to know what happens next. Then I reel myself in and remind myself that I'm supposed to care about the grammar and style more than the plot.

But it's so doo-diddly-darn hard.

It's Only Temporary

Eric Shapiro

So, recently I read It's Only Temporary by Eric Shapiro. I finished the book in an evening, but it took me a while to process it.

It's quite strange, really. It's a novella. Not the shortest of novellas, but I got through it pretty quickly. The thing is, there's so much more in this than the words would make you think.

The premise is familiar: there's a giant piece of rock hurtling towards the Earth. When it hits, just about everyone and everything on the plant will die almost instantaneously. There will be a few survivors here and there, but don't count on being one of them.

It's still hard for me to comment on this novella. I've been taught to tell you why it is I like something, rather than just say, "It's good." There are a number of things that appeal to me: the realness, the unexpected humour, the optimism, the characters.

The thing is, there's no one part of the book that stands out. I think what makes this so good, is the way that the various elements work together. There was a good cohesion and flow. Despite the extreme and alien setting, everything seemed to be right.

It was also fabulously edited, of course.

One part of the work that I can single out for extra praise is the ending. I heard that a lot of people were disappointed by the end of the book, but I loved it. The writer had the balls not to cop out at the last minute, and the chops to pull off a touching and satisfying ending.

I can't think of a single person I wouldn't recommend this to. Actually, I can: if drug use or the creative killing of large, dangerous animals offends you, don't read this. If that doesn't bother you, read this asap.

Very quiet on ye olde update front from me recently. I suspect that this is because I've been too busy actually writing and critting to write about writing and critting. This is a good thing.

Got a rejection from the Giant Creatures anthology. The editor thought that my story was well-written, but not B-movieish enough. I also got an invitation to resubmit.

So right now I'm combing my brain for better ideas. I also just sent off the rejected story to the Pit, so I should soon see what the good folks there make of it.

So, I've been working on OCR. I sent it off last night, heard back today.

Right now it might go into the 'probable' category, but that could change at any time. I'm going to edit OCR up again and re-send it when I feel like it's done.

I'm still in the running for GT's TBW anthology. The official TOC has been announced, but they're having troubles finalising it completely. I haven't had a rejection or acceptance yet, and according to their forums, that means I could still get in. I'm counting on not getting in, so I'm basically just waiting for a rejection mail in the coming week or two.

Also should be hearing something from CGC at some point, although nothing's certain.

Right. That's it for writing updates. Other than that, I've been chilling, basically. I passed all of last semester's exams, which is awesome, and I've been enjoying the fact that I don't really have to do anything till the beginning of February. Of course, now the beginning of February is coming up, so I'm going to have to get my behind into gear.

And get my sleep cycle back on track.

So, I didn't win anything in that competition, but that doesn't surprise me. I was trying to write in my second language, and I was up against real lit students. The free books would have been nice, but alas. It was not meant to be.

Tonight I sent off Stories My Dad Told Me Which May Or May Not Be True, which I am just going to refer to as Stories from now on because it's a bloody long title. It's for the Permuted Press giant creatures anthology, and I'm curious to see if I'll get rejected straight away. It's probably not what they were expecting from a tale with giant animals in it - or maybe it is. Who knows? Time will tell.

So, I completed NaNoWriMo. This is great - not only do I have a third of a novel done, I've also proved to myself that my 2005 win wasn't a fluke.

All that writing left my brain a bit dead, though - I'm much more suited to binge writing rather than a thousand words a day. If I have an idea, I sit down and write. If I don't, then I don't force it. I think that when I move away from short stories and on to novels, I'll change writing habits. However, I don't think that will happen any time soon.

Right now I'm quite happy just writing short stories. There's a certain magic to them that a novel misses.

I've currently got 2 short stories being considered for anthologies - CGC at Permuted and TBW at GST. I'm not expecting to get accepted, but I haven't received rejections yet, and that's good enough for me.

This weekend I'm going to be taking it easy. I need to recharge before attacking the two essays and a creative translation next week. It's the end of the third semester - half way through my bachelor's already, what a horrible idea - and the deadlines are looming once again.

But, all that comes Monday. Right now, it's Ramsey Campbell, Phantom Hourglass and brainstorming for future short stories. Oh, and a new haircut and a shopping trip tomorrow. Relaxation is good.

A while back, I started reading an online novel, John Dies At The End. With a title like that, you can't go wrong.

Now Permuted Press has picked it up for publication - here's the trailer:

So, right now I'm back in the south with my parents. I had to go to the dentists and suchlike, and I haven't found myself a decent dentist up in Leiden yet.

Had a job interview yesterday morning. It's for a waitressing gig at one of the local pancake restaurants. I was only the second person to be interviewed, and I didn't make that fabulous an impression that he decided to hire me on the spot. I therefore suspect that I won't be getting this job.

(One time I made such a wonderful impression that the boss woman invited me to work a day at the end of the interview. She then went on to not bother hiring me anyway, but that goes without saying.)

Finished reading Swamp Foetus by PBZ last night, and I'm about a third of the way through From a Buick 8. Will be posting reviews of those soon, along with one for The Undead.

Speaking of Permuted Press, did you know that they are releasing internet phenomenon John Dies At The End in dead tree format? No, you probably didn't. Anyway, go buy it because the novel itself is awesome, as is the publisher.

I also finally got some writing done last night. It was nothing coherent, just a scene between two characters that popped into my head. I was quite pleased with it afterwards, but had no idea what to do with it. I then went on reading. Still, this is considerably more than I've done recently, so things are at least looking up.

FEAR MY OPTIMISM.

As I said two entries ago, I won a book recently! I was expecting it to arrive in a few weeks, but it arrived today. I was going to the bathroom (still need to do that, come to think of it) and I almost stumbled over a package.

"What? Who sends me stuff to my bedsit? If I ever get a package it's a) around Christmas or my birthday and b) sent to my parents' place."

So I picked it up and saw that it said 'Permuted Press'. I then spazzed out, opened the extremely sturdy packaging. The book itself is so pretty - well, the cover is repulsive. But it was supposed to be repulsive, so that's good. I just quickly looked inside, and it's just as pretty in as out.

Now I'm going to go to the toilet, and then try to focus on my revision. But yeah, even more distraction now that I have a brand new collection of zombie-themed short stories!

Happy.