And on to the next challenge!

That “not taking on new projects” thing? Yeah, I’m not so good at that. I wouldn’t even have run for SFWA’s Board last year without Maggie Hogarth’s encouragement. Or Cat Rambo’s, though Maggie was the first to tell me I should run. I wish Maggie joy, rest, and progress (and I am definitely looking forward to the third Dreamhealers book! and more Coracle! and Kherishdar!) — God speed! And I will serve SFWA to the best of my ability as vice president.

I’ve been a bit distracted today…

Words written today: 338
Words written this month: 13,161
Words written 2017: 93,961
Average words/day 2017: 824
Books completed 2017: 1
Pages read today: 1-1/2 chapters with daughter
Books read 2017: 7

lilies of the valley

From a house down near the girl’s bus stop

Guest post up today

SFWA has been around for 50 years now, and they’re doing a 50th Anniversary Blog Tour, wherein various members talk about why they joined SFWA, what they get out of it, their visions for it, and so forth. My post evidently went up yesterday. The organizer asked for a cover photo, a headshot, and a bio. I sent him all three, and none of them are the ones included in the post. I can only conclude that my e-mail to him went astray on the Internet, as it must have been much more work for him to track the information down on his own than to use what I provided. (Pretty sure the headshot’s from Twitter.)

Anyway, the post: A Big Tent Philosophy

Moving into the 21st century

SFWA just started accepting self-published and small-press-published into its ranks. It’s been a long path getting here, and there are still some who aren’t happy about the change. (The bylaw change was accepted by a 6-to-1 margin; that’s about 14% of those who voted being against it.)

I’m already a member. The vote doesn’t affect my status. So why am I writing this as my gratitude post?

Because I know that we all have a lot to learn from each other, because professionalism doesn’t require any particular career path, and because I know some wonderful writers who can finally join.

So today, I am grateful to everyone who worked hard to make this come to pass (including the SFWA members who voted for the change). I’m looking forward to seeing where we can all go together.

All the news that I can think of

First, I finally filled out the application for SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), and I’ve received notice that my application was approved. I am now a full-fledged pro by the standards of that body (three professional short story sales).

Second, my short story “Pretty Bauble” is scheduled to be in issue 117 of Space & Time Magazine. I’m not sure when that will be out, but I’ll let you know when I do. (For those of you who may have short stories, the magazine is open to submissions until August 5.)

Third, David Bridger is running a wonderful week-long group therapy for writers on his blog this week, helping people think about what their personal obstacles are to writing and what they can do to overcome them. (I posted on Monday, but I’m dropping out. Through no fault of the commenters, some of the things said trigger negative feelings for me, which leaves me in a place I don’t like to be. However, I recommend everyone check it out and see how it works for them.)

I’ll be back tomorrow for a Q & A that has nothing to do with my writing life. 🙂

So what’s new with you this week?