first, I'm sorry this is happening.
Whenever this happens to me, I hand-write my way back via freewriting. Setting a timer for 5 minutes, grabbing a journal and writing non-stop, even if it's not "fiction words," "I don't want to do this. I hate this. this is stupid." or w/e comes into your head.
Some more thoughts on the difference between the noir genre and the hardboiled detective genre: "noir isn't about an investigator. It's about losers in fatalistic situations"
www.huffpost.com/entry/noir-f...
You don't choose the tradwife lyfe, the tradwife lyfee chooses you
A handful of years ago Nick was “the future of epic fantasy” w/Mercenary King trilogy. Starts w/ THE KINGDOM OF LIARS. Is great.
Now, curtain rises on Act II, w/ Nick’s editor comparing him to Ray Bradbury.
Different comps, same great Nick. TERMINA STATION will have you missing your train stop.
...and a form R is not an accusation that you've done any or all of the above "pitfalls."
We have about 10 stories in our final round right now and I'm excited to see what else comes in before we close!
...just not what FFO was looking for at this time. To sum up, we're looking for stories with creative/unexpected premises that have a complete beginning/middle/end and emotional arc. There are plenty of reasons why we send form rejections. They are not an indictment of your story's quality...
9/?
Like I said, we have a TON of cop/PI stories right now.
I want to say also that this is just my opinion as an editor, and if your story has some of the above, it doesn't mean it's "bad." Editorial tastes vary widely. If you've gotten a form R, it doesn't mean the story is "bad" either...
8/?
...their voice. An authentic voice isn't overlaid on a character, it stems from the character's lived experiences.
7) I'd like to see more experimental POVs in slush -- first person direct address, second person, stories told from unexpected characters or perspectives.
7/?
5) seeing a lot of dialogue-heavy stories that end with the main character taking on a case. These aren't complete stories, imo, but the beginnings of longer pieces.
6) I'm seeing a lot of noir-voice-imitation (like the leggy blonde). Consider your M.C.'s backstory -- how does it inform...
6/?
...while this is a common trope, it's become a cliche, and the way to an acceptance isn't by describing women's bodies in male-gazey detail
3) sarcasm/humor in your piece are fine, but it doesn't make up for a lack of plot. We are not a humor market
4) snark is not character development
5/?
Some things I'm seeing a lot of/common pitfalls:
1) stories that rely on a punch line. Not necessarily a joke, but a final line to "sum up" the story "And that's why I don't X anymore"
2) seeing a lot of "it was the end of a long day when a leggy blonde walked into my office" beginnings...
4/?
...but internally its *about* addiction, parenthood, loss, depression, losing or gaining faith, relationships, or really anything human. Human emotion, fantastic settings, situations, and plot.
Remember: the call isn't just Urban Fantasy. We'd love to see more Noir ghosts in space!
3/?
The best way to make the final round is to have the surface story (investigator takes on a case, for example) reflect an internal story (investigator faces his own demons)
I'm a big fan of genre stories that are also *about* something. Yes, externally, the story is *about* an investigation
2/?
Currently deep in the Paranormal Noir slush for @flashfictiononline.bsky.social.
We want your best human-written stories! We currently have ~200 submissions for our 1,000 submission cap. We will close at 11:59 on 4/30
Below is a thread of common pitfalls/trends I've noticed so far:
1/?
The Pope is WEAK on crime is so gd funny; I am HOWLING
NOW OPEN: our call for Paranormal Noir stories for the Oct ‘26 issue, guest edited by FFO editor and author Jacob Baugher 🎉
ffo.submittable.com/submit
The Dead Planet anthology releases this week. I'm thrilled to be in the TOC with these amazing writers. Can't wait to get my copy!
Thanks to editor @ericfomley.bsky.social !!
You can preorder here:
Omg stop I'm a married woman.
I am once again asking you to submit to a special call that I'm editing
We've been remiss in announcing that @vincestadon.bsky.social joined Dream Theory Media a few months ago! In his role as Creative Director, he's been working behind the scenes on development and caretaking some of our upcoming and ongoing publishing initiatives (and killing it!).
"The ghost unwraps the pocket square. Inside, three orbs glow softly blue. He snatches one up, produces thin paper from his breast pocket, and rolls a cigarette."
Lyrical images & a surprising plot - check it out!
@prof-bogs.bsky.social in @dreamtheorymedia.bsky.social
"For another memory, I can show you more possibilities." @prof-bogs.bsky.social's haunting meditation on trauma and memory is now live at Dream Theory: "Claire de Lune"
www.dreamtheory.media/claire-de-lu...
Stretching yourself is how you get better, imo, but also so anxiety inducing, haha
Always nice when things come together!
Back on my novel planning Brain Wall Bullshit (completed collapsing wave is from the last time I did an epic fantasy novel ~2014)
📚🪐 #writing #amwriting
Is this the official opinion of the BAR association?
Re-reposting this
Get your stories in!
🪐 📚
Nearby in Ohio!
Dang I didn't realize Sanderson looked like this
But I can't post SIX-SEVEN books on bluesky, as their image upload is limited 😢