Five down and how ever... oh wait, I think that's it.

[prusik]

Just got my Clarion rejection. Not a surprise by this point. Of course, it follows the standard syntax of form rejections.

On one hand, this is where I talk about how I gear up to apply again next year. On the other hand, Clarion is not the end goal. It is one of many means to an end.

I'm always vaguely appalled when I read blog entries that suggest people try to sell the stories they submitted to Clarion as if that's a novel thing to do. Well of course you try to sell those stories. They are stories you've written just like any other. The Clarion application is a by-product of your writing, not the main goal.

The upside is that the Clarion application is no extra work. As such, I will almost surely apply again in 2010. If I get in, terrific. If I don't, well, hopefully the stories I've written will have found nice homes anyway. The latter is really more to the point.

[Edited to fix a stupid typo.]

Comments

[krylyr.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about this, man. You're right, it's not the end goal, and that's what you have to keep driving toward.

[bogwitch64.livejournal.com]

Bummer, sweetheart. Again, I wish there was something else to say. It's a disappointment, but you're outlook is fabulous, like you. :)

Like you said yesterday, when you do get in, you'll know you're READY to get in. ((((((((((big hugs)))))))))))))

[avocadovpx.livejournal.com]

Bummer, but it sounds like you're taking it in stride. Remind me to buy you some ice cream at Readercon. By that time, perhaps it will be celebratory ice cream rather than consolatory. (As a native Arkansan would likely point out, ice cream all eats the same.)

So... does this mean you might go to Batgirlcon at Barbara's house? Dates still TBD.

[prusik.livejournal.com]

Thank you, but you don't need to buy me any ice cream. I'm lactose intolerant and an act of ice cream requires a little advanced planning. (I have just bought a membership to ReaderCon though, so I look forward to seeing you there in 3-4 months.)

I haven't thought about Batgirlcon at all. The time off I was going to use for Clarion is my sabbatical and that's one contiguous 4 week chunk. I can't spread it out over the year, and I'd like to save it for 2010 anyway, just in case. Obviously, I was going to supplement the sabbatical with vacation time and that, of course, I can spread out (and hadn't used yet, just in case).

I've also thought about 4th Street. However, if I want to do that, I really need to start planning soon.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, pumpkin. And you are completely right about the stories. I hope for you all the best in the coming year.

[bmlg.livejournal.com]

Very sorry to hear this. But Cat Rambo wants you to send more, and that's about real sales, not workshop subs.
How do you do with the soy ice creams?

[prusik.livejournal.com]

I'm fine with soy ice creams. I don't have ice cream often because I enjoy it more if I have it infrequently. (Also, having it infrequently means I can afford the really good stuff. Life is too short for bad ice cream.)

[avocadovpx.livejournal.com]

>> Life is too short for bad ice cream.

You have a bright future in writing. If nothing else, bumper stickers. :)