New publication, new opportunity

It has been a good week, a hopeful week. I began budgeting, spring cleaning, and got a few important questions answered after quite a bit of waiting. My writing has been stalled a little, but I think I'm getting back on track. Don't Tease the Elephants, my 5-story chapbook, has been getting some strong reviews, which is encouraging since I haven't had much time to market (as indie writers must).

Craft-wise, the day-to-day is motivating. I have a lot of great people in my life, but a few folks I know have been testing my patience lately. To them I say, "Bring it!" One of the best catalysts for short fiction is being upset about something/at someone. Anger (even annoyance) is a reason to rewrite what we see, how we see fit, and to examine what we know, what we cannot, and what we can change. Speaking of which, I got a story published in METAZEN last week. "Soon" is about a man searching for peace of mind. Thank you to the editors at this one-of-a-kind journal, notably Christopher Allen and Frank Hinton.

Other writing news: I am going to a summer residency at The Art Farm to work on my novel. I can't wait! Unlike the residency at Vermont Studio Center, during which I stayed only two weeks and had to work (the day job) on-site, I'm free and clear to write this time, the whole time. I'm going to sacrifice three weeks of pay at work and take a leave. I finished three short stories and a considerable amount of a novel (revision) at the first residency I attended, so I have high hopes. I want to be accountable, so here are my goals:

• Complete draft of novel (already close)
• Complete a post-draft outline (this is how I work)
• Complete 1-2 flash fiction stories (I'm working on a series that each cover a personality disorder cluster, as defined by the DSM-V)
• Begin novel revisions (and set a post-residency schedule)

So there, I wrote it. Now I have to deliver.

I wish you all a good week. But if the negativity comes, fuel up and create something.

-Jen

Moon jellies and oil refineries

Because we had an extra day off work this weekend, for Memorial Day, Chris and I packed up too much stuff and the pup, and headed to the Gulf of Mexico via Corpus Christi on Saturday. Talk about an interesting drive. We were staying at a hotel ten minutes from the city and beach, so we had to drive past all the oil refineries and tankers to get to the water. At one point during the drive, there was natural gas burning from a narrow tower, a stationary train, and a huge oil tanker to my right; the ocean, lined with wind turbines, was to my left. The turbine blades are exported from the same stretch of road, and together: the beach, refineries, train, and turbines made for a strange drive. The fact that my husband insisted on listening to instrumental metal as we drove made it all the eerier.

We made it to the beach though. Ahti saw the ocean for the first time, and was pretty excited. She dug and rolled around in the sand, chased waves, and batted at seaweed.

Chris and I took turns hanging on to her as the other went into the ocean. (We had to do this after she tried to drink the ocean water, which isn't great for dogs.) And just as I was about to go out into the water again, we saw this guy (below), along with a less formed clear jellyfish friend of his. From a little Internet research, I've concluded he's a moon jelly (aurelia aurita), which means he's pretty common. The visible shamrocks are his gonads (I had to look that up). The fact that jellyfish function without a brain, lungs, or heart is amazing, and I had never seen one so close. I'm glad I didn't have to pee on my husband or have him pee on me (that was in an episode of Friends (below), and I've relived enough sitcom-like scenarios to suit me a while). 

After we dropped Ahti off, we walked the danger zone, down a levy in the ocean. The wind, as I said, was intense, so it didn't take us long to do an about-face and head back to find food. Today, on Memorial Day proper, we're at home, and the rain outside is intense. There are flood warnings in San Antonio, so I feel bad for those of you around these parts who were planning to have a cookout. We made it back from the beach just in time. I often wonder what it would be like to live in a beach town, perhaps not that much different. I do know I'd love to sit out there by the ocean day in and day out, writing away as the waves kiss my feet. Then again, I'm a redhead, so it's probably best I don't. 

Happy Memorial Day! Gratitude to all those who served honorably.

I'll post about writing next week. For now, I'm going to use the rainy day as an excuse to write away.... 

Jen 

Workshop it!

My husband and I spent the day driving around San Antonio and looking at small houses with our eyes wide. We are not yet in a position to buy, but the desire is there. The small, ranch-style homes with big backyards for our rambunctious pup are the stuff of daydreams right now. It was a lovely day to drive around and explore, a Saturday well spent.

When we do eventually buy a home, a criterion will be a roomy office space. A cozy home office, after all, makes for comfortable writing. Not that less ideal space keeps me from writing. But a girl can dream.

To achieve this goal sooner, I have decided to offer writing workshops and coaching services to individuals. I love teaching creative writing at the community college, but the classes I teach are large, and there is only so much individual attention I can offer each student. The goal of these workshops is to offer what I cannot in large classes with time constraints, the additional attention writers so deserve.

I am offering workshops locally and online (email correspondence; Skype at the writer's request). I have done this on a very small scale some years ago, and it was a success, so I hope there is still a need for this service. If you have a story to tell or know someone who does, please check out my website. These workshops are customized and adapted to each writer's individual goals, and I'm excited to get started. If the idea takes off, I will set up a website dedicated solely to the workshops soon.

In writing news, I'm happy to have another kind review of DTTE at Amazon. I'll be setting up another San Antonio reading soon. Details are forthcoming.

I hope you all have a great weekend  (what's left of it)! Enjoy doing what you do.    
 

In with the new

It has been too long since I've posted. And, everything has changed. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but a lot has changed. After working a lot of overtime for a few weeks, during which I had a book release and reading at San Antonio College and company and a few other engagements, I am again settling into a routine. I am a routine-driven person, and I believe it is within routines that I find my discipline, so this is a great relief.

So what has changed? A few things.

My book is out and in my hands (if you'd like to order a copy from me, let me know... if you'd like an eVersion, they're less than $3 on Amazon). Monkey Puzzle Press was fantastic to work with, so if you're considering submitting a manuscript to them, do! Not sure it's selling, but I think it is... we'll see.

I was offered and accepted a new position as a Best Practices Research Analyst with Frost & Sullivan (my current company). I will be researching the information, communication, and technology (ICT) industry, so I think it will be interesting as this is an ever-evolving space. This is an cool opportunity, and I look forward to the challenge because there will be a definite learning curve. Hard work pays off.

For writers, challenges in life are where we find the emotion, the catalyst to create, so my hope is that this new position will feed my writing, not distract from it. I am confident this will be the case.

I have had two (amazing) publishers show interest in my work. One has my short story collection and the other has my novel. We'll see what happens. I have learned not to count on anything just working out, so I can say I'm cautiously optimistic.

As for today, I plan to work a bit on my newest story and a new novel. I spent the morning at urgent care, due to a cold that hasn't gone away for almost two weeks. Urgent cares are a trip! My doctor introduced himself as June bug and after doing a few tests, diagnosed me with a sinus infection. I'm not big on antibiotics or any unnecessary meds, but I've been miserable (inevitable after all that concentrated work, entertaining, and little sleep). I'm on some steroids, so hopefully I don't turn into that guy ->

Life is constant flux. Thank goodness. I hope you have a beautiful week ahead, and if you have a Kindle, I hope you check out my five stories (if you do, please let me know what you think).

xo Jen

5 questions about 5 stories

Hi all, I wanted to share this very short interview about my very short book. The part about my husband is not exaggerated. FIVE Qs 

I also wanted to remind folks in the San Antonio area that I'll be reading at the Library Performance Area at San Antonio College. I'll also have signed copies of my chapbook. More information can be found HERE.

I should be back to regular blogging about the oddities of life next week. Have a great weekend, ya'll, and I hope to meet up with some of you.

Don't Tease the Elephants

New chapbook out today! 

*UPDATE*

If you'd like to read it in e-form, it will be available exclusively this way on Amazon for a few months for only $2.99, click HERE.

If you want to read a sample, here's the link direct from the publisher: DON'T TEASE THE ELEPHANTS

If you'd like a signed copy, get in touch: JenKnox395@gmail.com

Spread the word! These are 5 of my favorite stories. I'm really proud of this one. 

Happy weekend, folks!

Tis the Season

I've had a very interesting term this year, with students completely engaged and others barely paying attention. Tis the season. I find that fall classes are often populated by more students who take creative writing "just because" than in other terms. This has been a challenge, but wow, when a student surprises his or herself after outright identifying as a non-writer, it's a great feeling. Grading is done for the term, and I'm coming up for air.

It's December 15th, and I can't believe it. Ten days till Christmas. Sixteen days till we'll bring in the new year. I'm ready. 2013 has been a year of hard work, and though this will likely continue, I plan to make some big changes in 2014.

I always find the turnover of the year an opportunity to improve myself and my situation, so I'm already looking forward to the renewal. This next year, I plan to focus on my writing more, and I have to figure a way to do so (suggestions welcome). Currently, I work an average of 60 hour weeks and write when I can. With a touch more time and focus, I am convinced I could be a very prolific novelist, so that's the goal: to make the time at any cost. As it is, the second novel is coming slowly as I write in fits and starts.

As far as publication news, I have been working with Nate Jordon at Monkey Puzzle Press to release my first chapbook, Don't Tease the Elephants, in March. I'm really excited to move forward with this because it has been a while since I've released a book and this one really represents not only who I am as a writer now but where my writing is going. Feedback is good so far, and I do hope you and the rest of the reading world consider purchasing it when it comes out. I promise it will be worth it.

I was invited to be a January featured author at Connotation Press, thanks to Meg Tuite, and I will be publishing a haunting new story there.

Also, I have just signed a contract to be part of Workers Write! More Tales from the Cubicle, which I am very excited about. That anthology will be released around the same time, in spring.

Off to write a little today before the last full work week at the day job. I wish you all a wonderful week. Happy holidays!

Dog park observations

My puppy is 21 weeks old now. I managed to potty train her in two weeks, thanks to some advice from friends. This was a big win because I tried a few things I saw online and bought puppy pads (which she tore to shreds), but the only thing that worked was placing a bell the puppy could reach on the door knob, and every time she goes on the carpet, lift her paw to the bell and take her out ASAP. Soon, she started ringing it when she wanted to go out. Sure, she might ring it when she's bored and just wants to go out and look for frogs after a good rain as well, but hey, that's a better problem.

So, potty trained and old enough to get all the shots, the pup is ready for the dog park. As of two weeks ago, I was something of a dog park virgin because our last dog wasn't very social and would simply sit in the corner bored and slightly irritated by all the pushy dogs around him. Needless to say, we never stayed long. With the pup, however, the dog park is necessary. She's a social dog, and she's got energy to burn. This means I have been introduced properly now, to the culture of the dog park. I have to say, the dog park is an interesting place to watch human behavior as well as dog behavior. Seeing the love dog owners have for their pets is heartwarming, and some owners, it seems, even view their pets as an extension of themselves, apologizing profusely if the dog does something embarrassing or a bit rude and jumping up and down when the dog, say, catches a ball.

Observations and reflections from a dog park newbie:

1. My husband wore an OSU jacket. I was wearing a hoodie and jeans. It took us a few minutes to notice, and it may have been a twofold coincidence, but a good number of folks at the dog park, both times, were around couples, our age, wearing sweats or college football gear. So, apparently we're a key demographic in this area.

2. On both visits there was a guy with two out-of-control dogs, and he didn't seem willing to move an inch as he watched his dog bully another one across the way as a woman tried to break the two up herself. I thought he was a statue. I'm guessing an owner like this probably frequents all dog parks.

3. "Ooh, a puppy," was repeated a lot, and my girl got enough pets to last her a week. She loved it. Puppies are the popular dogs with other owners.

4. "Ugh, a puppy," was what I imagined the older dogs were thinking as they ran from her or played without her, or pushed her down and went on about their business. She trailed along, undeterred, and engaged whatever dog would give her a few seconds of his time.

I love the dog park, but it's an exercise in hyper-vigilance when going with a growing dog. I watched her like a hawk and worried when I saw the troublemakers get to close. An older man there told us stories about all the dog park brawls he'd seen, how one owner even flashed his service weapon as warning once. He said the one we go to has not seen gun play under his watch, so I guess we picked a good playground. So dog parks: so far, so good. Think we'll continue to take her, but we'll be those overprotective owners--never too far away but insistent she "get out there" and socialize a little, so long as we know where she is and what she'd doing.

In literary news: I haven't been writing too much because I just started teaching my Flex II course, but I am committed to NaNoWriMo this year, so I have some catching up to do. I want to write a lot and have a cool little mess to clean up later. That's my goal with it.

I got the official date for the release of Don't Tease the Elephants: March 20th, 2014. Mark your calendars. No, really, mark them! I'm putting my all into this little chap, and I think you should plan to read it.

Have a beautiful week! Cheers!

The call

This week has been surprising and exhausting.

Along with work, it's finals week (I'm taking a break from grading to write this now), and I've been plagued by migraines. More, I've been on a sort of emotional roller coaster regarding my writing career.

Around the beginning of the year, I resolved to start looking for an agent. Well, I haven't. I researched one and one only, and I sent her a short query, but that was as far as it got. I stopped thinking about it and began to find my comfort again in publishing short work online.

Then it happened. This week, an agent contacted me through my website. She said that after reading "Don't Tease the Elephants" in Monkeybicycle, she found my contact information online and would love to converse. The first thing I did was Google her and her agency. I thought I'd heard of the agency, but I wasn't sure. The agent is legit and the agency is well established. So, I guess you could say, I got the call. The thing is, I didn't see it coming and did not feel prepared.

In order to prepare for our chat, I went online and researched, looking for articles to try and figure out what an agent's role really is and whether that would be something I'd really benefit from. (You know, all the things I said I'd do months ago.) She asked for a short sample of a longer work in the meantime as I am promoting the fact that I have a novel-in-progress. I sent a sample with disclaimers. It was near-maddening to release a small piece of a project that I was not yet planning to send to anyone.

The thing is, I have dreamed of getting this call (which was really an email initially), but when it happened I was caught off-guard. I wanted to be more prepared for our first conversation, but I also didn't want to squander the opportunity to connect. I read numerous interviews with agents and found that many times agents will approach authors instead of responding to queries (strong argument for publishing online) because there are just so many queries that they can't possibly answer them all. I found quite a few sites that suggested questions to ask (the sites I found most helpful are listed below). Armed with these questions, I asked the agent how hands-on she was, how often she spoke with her clients, and whether there was a market for short story collections (I have a full collection almost ready to go, but a novel that could still use some TLC). I asked her what attracted her to my work and how she would categorize it as she shopped it. I told her I was nervous about the sample I sent her, and that I felt far  more comfortable with my short story collection; but, she seemed to want the novel. She said the novel would be a good place to begin. I thought, Nooooooo.... but then I thought again, and I agree. Story collections are a tough major-market sell. And also, I might want to place my own collection in more of an indie market so long as I do it smartly. We'll see. My mind is open to the possibility.

The call was very efficient and, honestly, a bit anticlimactic. She offered some background on her agency, the authors the agency represents and how foreign rights are handled. What I realized is that the agent's role varies greatly from agency to agency. For instance, some agents are far more hands-on than others; some handle foreign rights themselves; some like to speak with their authors monthly, whereas others prefer to see in-progress work weekly. The conversation was enlightening.

After the call, I told friends. A few friends were congratulatory, telling me I deserved it; others told me to be careful and to ensure she has my best interest in mind and would best present my work. Some asked if the agent charges fees. (No.) Some asked whether she'd represent me or the book or the career. Good question. I appreciate all the support. What I've come to realize is that the process is not as easy or straightforward as I thought. It's a business relationship that must develop. There are no guarantees.

I'm excited, and I'm really motivated to get a hundred pages of my novel really polished by the end of the month (as promised). But, I'm also keeping my feet on the ground here. I've made some mistakes in the literary game. But, for my sanity's sake, I refuse to dwell. I am looking ahead, and I believe that if this is supposed to happen, it will. I believe that for everyone. Work, work, work, work, work, work, and work some more. Eventually, if you work hard enough and keep your mind open, something will happen.

All that to say, again, I've been an emotional wreck. I've been very happy, and I've felt very naked. I've felt both supported and not. It's an interesting outcome, and it's really enlightening. I suppose I can only focus on the positive, get those hundred pages set, and be honest with myself as our correspondence continues.

In other news, I have an experimental piece in ARDOR entitled After the Gazebo. It was wonderful working with the staff there, and I'm really proud of the piece because the way it's told is very difficult (for me) to pull off. If you go to the link, also, you can PDF the pages. I read the whole magazine that way. There's beautiful photography and truly provocative work in those pages.

Here are the sites that helped me to prepare for my first agent call. If you're looking yourself, or think you might get the call one day, save yourself some emotional upset and read these ahead of time:

What to Ask an Agent? 
Questions to ask an agent offering representation
Fiction Addiction
Query Tracker

Hopefully, I'll have an update the last week of the month. My writing career has been transparent, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Writing is hard work. Instead of trying to create the facade that I'm flawless and incredibly talented, I'd rather let everyone know that I'm flaw-filled and have very little talent. The thing is, I work my ass off because I love to write, and I love to tell stories. Whatever happens, it's an interesting ride, and I'll keep putting in work.

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

$2 lotto ticket

I promised some lit news, so here's that:

New piece in Monkeybicycle: "Don't Tease the Elephants" Thanks, Steven Seighman, for printing my work. I'm honored. This story is particularly special to me because it stars a character I've been using a lot since I was in Vermont. His name is Rattle, and he'll be a regular in a few of my forthcoming fiction publications.

I had an audio piece accepted to Bound Off, which I'm really excited about. Though I'll be reading it myself, and I still have a hint of bad kid from the Short North in my voice--but hey, take it or leave it.

I finally queried an agent. Well see... I'm expecting crickets, but that's one query. One is a start.

I have a piece in Obit, entitled Unlike Loss. Thanks, Matt Potter at Pure Slush! I've worked with Matt a few times, and he is a forward-thinking editor. Glad to be a part of a new collection of his.

My reading at Eastfield College with Joani Reese and Meg Tuite is this Thursday! If you're in the area.... Literary & Fine Arts Festival

And my reflection/confession/whatever for the week:

This week has been interesting. I'm so busy that I have no time to write this blog. I'm so busy that I have no time to write anything else or do a thorough job of any of my work. And yet, I've written and I've blogged, and I think I've done a pretty thorough job of most of what I need to work-wise.

I'm currently taking a break from grading my creative writing students' stories. They're good, which encourages me, and more, they're diverse. This is invaluable feedback to me, as a teacher, because it means that they're finding their own voices. That's one of the most important things, and one of the toughest to balance as a teacher of creative things. After all, how do you teach creativity? I think the secret is, you encourage and offer both suggestions and space.

One of my best students is going through an incredibly tough time and not complaining one bit; he is giving this class his all, and it shows. This student has inspired me already. Meanwhile, I have a few students that are MIA most of the time. I will never understand this, perhaps because I had to work so hard to get to and stay in college. The ones that don't work hard might not realize how valuable this time is. Perhaps they'll come around. I have noticed this a little more in spring than fall courses. I wonder if there's something to that.

My frustration got me thinking about when I was working through college. Personally, I loved school, but along with rent it broke the bank. I remember being in need of more dental work than I could afford along with my books one summer; I was short even on the payment plan my dentist offered. I walked out of the office after scheduling the follow-up appointment that I needed, but I was sure I'd have to cancel. At a convenience store, something compelled me to buy an Ohio State Lottery scratch-off ticket. And no measly $1 deal either; I bought a $2 ticket. I scratched it off and won about $300, which was enough to cover my first payment. I remember thinking how lucky I was. I still think that. Not everyone is. 

In other news, my dog is doing well on his medication still, and the vet said that he's responding as well as possible. He could be with us (with good quality of life) for quite a few months. She also warned that things could get suddenly worse. But for now, we're enjoying life. Between the vet appointments, tests, and medications, we've spent a lot of budgeted money this month. We're broke (not broke in the same way I was in college, but another kind of broke). But, much like my lotto ticket timing, I got unexpected good news. A promotion at work! Assistant Editor to Associate Editor. Right on time and quite unexpected (I had expected a small cost of living increase). Such give and take seems serendipitous, like the current version of my lotto days. Anyway, right now I'm not forgetting; the gratitude is there.

Have an amazing week! And read that Rattle story if you have time. I'm pretty proud of it. And there will be more to come...