Do You Have Goals? Celebrations? And Links for Writers!

"I've watched through his eyes. I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one. Or at least as close as we're going to get."

Do you know the book that these first lines are from?

Last week's quote and answer: 
"When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home." 
from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

It's the end of the month, and I have some celebrations and goals updates!

Many thanks to Lexa Cain, Katie, and LG Keltner for keeping this fest up and running! It's a fest that reminds us to celebrate the small things - from laundry finished to writing done.

Many thanks to Misha and Beth for reminding all of us to dream big and then put foundations under those goals!

1. Publication goals and celebrations:

For my writing classes, I prepared three private print run book publications with one book for each class. It was slightly time-consuming, but it makes my day to present students with their own work published into a book format.

My small press book deal almost took an upside down turn, but it's back on track - release date still unknown. Title: Eight if By Sea. Genre: MG Paranormal Fantasy. Extras: selkies, orcas, and a sea shanty. :) Here's a pic I've been using on my pinterest board to help me:

I re-pubbed a few of my short fiction stories at Quarter-Reads and with Kindle Select: "The Biggest Waterslide," and "When Okay is Enough" are out "there" now.

I sold a story to Imaginate which should be out in their June issue!!!

Underlying goal: To get work off my pc and into the world. (And a side one this month: to help my students know the joy of seeing their work in print.)

June Goals:  To re-pub my Summer Vacation Devotions booklets that I created way back in 2009 for my old church. Expected release date: June 25th. Pre-order available for 99 cents.

To private publish a collection of my oldest daughter's home-school writing from pre-school days to this year. She hasn't graduated yet, but she is off to a dual credit program at our local community college next year.


2. Writing and Write 1 Sub 1 goals and celebrations:

I attempted to submit five haiku for the 6th Annual Haiku Contest at Sometimes The Wheel is On Fire! Nate Wilson makes this a super fun yearly contest but I had tech issues. :(

Then, I subbed three hint fiction stories to the West Hartford Libraries Hint Fiction Contest.

And, I subbed a drabble for Boston Literary Magazine.

And, I wrote two chapters for a writing curriculum book, revised two chapters for another writing curriculum book, and inched Champion's Destiny closer to its finish.

Underlying goal: To strengthen my writing skills and finish several projects this year.

June goals:
Finish revision of Eight if by Sea - I need to add a few more thousand words of description for my editor.
Finish revision of C.D. and DW1, plus write and submit at least one story.

3. Marketing goals and celebrations:

I tried selling books at a small community vendor event that happens monthly. I sold one book. However, the other vendors told me that the best months are October, November, and December, so I will try again in the fall.

Underlying goal: To get better at this strange thing called "marketing." Making some $ from my writing would be nice, too.

June Goal: Apply for spot in book fair in July. Make action-items for the rest of the year. Guest post?

4. Exercise goal and celebrations:

I rode my bike for 20.54 miles on a flat trail last weekend! I was amazed I could go that far.

I've walked at least 20 miles this month, and biked at least 50 miles this month total. I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm taking steps to get there.

Underlying goal: Health and fitness.

June Goal: Bike 150 miles, walk 50 miles, get yoga routine back, start swimming/kayaking. Drink more water (not while swimming/kayaking).

5. Invitational goal:

Hmm - kind of small stuff this month.
I invited family to my daughter's 8th grade graduation and my hubs and I offered to van-pool a group of home-school kids to the home-school formal - getting there involved crossing a toll bridge (expensive!) and I think it was more fun for the group to ride together.

Underlying goal: To have an invitational attitude.

June goal: Invite friends over for at least one backyard barbecue/grill session.

6. Spiritual goals: lots of prayer, some study, had fun helping the Youth Sunday School write and film their short video "So, You Think You Can Disciple?" for the youth Sunday worship that will take place in June.

Underlying goal: deeper, stronger faith and relationship with the Lord.

June goal:  Prayer, Bible Study, Cell group, look at volunteer opportunities.


LINKS for WRITERS
Imaginate has openings for non-fiction, short fiction, poetry, and flash fiction for their fall issue. Submissions are due July 1st! This is a paying, professional market!

Every Day Fiction publishes a flash fiction story every day of the year and is open for submissions. This is a paying, professional market!

Splickety has ongoing themes for flash fiction. Lost at Sea is their next theme for submissions - due 7/10. I'n not sure if this is a paying market or not.

Brilliant Flash Fiction is hosting another contest with the theme: Equality. A cash prize is available for the winner of the contest. They are also open for ongoing submissions as a non-paying market.

EspressoStories.Com is an excellent market for hint fiction. Nonpaid, but friendly, ongoing market.

Nail Polish Stories is another excellent market for hint fiction based on nail polish color names. Non-paying, but friendly, quarterly market.






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