The Venus Magazine Short Fiction Competition

I know it’s been awhile and I’m remiss at not blogging, but I’m sorry to say there are only two things that take precedence over my love life right now, and that’s work and the Venus Magazine!

So here I am telling you about the ‘New Voices’ short fiction competition that Alexandra and I have organised through the Kissed By Venus website and the Venus Magazine.

Submissions for stories, 4000 words or less, will be open from OCTOBER 1st through to midnight EST on DECEMBER 21st, 2011.

The top five stories selected by our Judges will receive cash prizes ranging from $100 to $25, publication in the February 2012 issue of the Venus Magazine, plus an assortment of titles from our sponsors, Cleis Press and A&M Books.

Our Guest Judges are a mix of author, editor and publisher alike, and include:

• Morgan Hunt
• Fay Jacobs
• Liz Bradbury
• Baxter Clare Trautman
• Kate Genet

And it goes without saying myself and Alexandra as the other two judges.

For more details about the competition visit the Fiction Contest page, and for full details about the rules, check out the Rules page.

Go on, surprise me, send in a short story.

The Venus Magazine

I’m proud to say that not only do I have an essay in the latest issue of the hugely successful VENUS MAGAZINE, but Publishing Editor, Alexandra Wolfe, also called upon me to provide her with some artwork. So pop on over to the Kissed By Venus web site and check out the latest issue!

To say that I am honoured to be a part of this amazing venture is an understatement. Alexandra had initially asked me to help out here and there, but that translated to my saying I’d be more than happy to do more and, as a result, was offered a position writing and working on the magazine.

If you haven’t already discovered it, check it out. Alexandra has done a fantastic job in between working, in pulling yet another amazing issue together.

Another job well done, Alex!

Kicking The Hornet’s Nest

Just in case anyone is still stoping by here to read, just so you know, I’m writing posts (as an editor) over at Kissed By Venus, and enjoying playing “devil’s advocate” by kicking the hornet’s nest!

Wondering when the Ninjas are coming to get me? Hmm…Alex, do I have insurance?

You Are Here!

Sometimes, perspective is everything:

Or better still…how about:

Life: an update

Where have I been?

Well you may ask.

It’s probably easier to say busy, or even, side-tracked, as both would be half the story, or, more to the point, a third of it. The other third? I’m right slap-bang in the middle of a fledgling long-distances relationship with a woman I’ve looked at, longingly I might add, for a long time now. And, on a recent visit this Summer past to California, friends did the usual thing and arranged it so I was in the same room, at the same time, giving me no reason not to pluck up my courage and start talking to her. It helps, or maybe not, that she’s a few months out of a long-term relationship, giving me the chance to just be there for her, like a good friend would.

I know, I know deep down this fragile thing might be less than I hope for and be an ephemeral morning mist liable to evaporate when the heat gets too much. But I have to believe otherwise. I have to trust and slowly build what I hope will be something more.

If nothing else, I am taking every minute I have and cherishing it as it might be my last. Living in the moment has never really meant that much to me, till now.

I’m looking forward to a Christmas spent in the sunshine, as opposed to the sleet, slush and snow of New York.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!