2007 - The Short Fiction Numbers

For all you statisticians out there, this is my breakdown of the last twelve months in terms of short fiction written, submitted, accepted, and actually published…

Writing:
1 novelette
7 short stories
10 flashes
Total – 30,700 words (approx.)

Publishing:
143 submissions
16 acceptances
129 rejections
19 no response or withdrawn
3 no placings (comps)
11 publications

The 16 acceptances consisted of:
1 Pro
2 Semi Pro
9 Paying (2 of which were cancelled)
4 Non-paying

The 11 publications consisted of:
1 Pro
1 Semi Pro
6 Paying
3 Non-paying

3 were print, 8 web-based (incl. 2 podcasts).


And so there you have it. Generally, the numbers are down on previous years (with the exception of writing output, which is double that of 2006) but in ’07 I tried to be a little more sensible and selective with my submissions while also targeting some of the tough big markets. This year I will adopt a different strategy again, based on some of the lessons I have learned in 2007 and, hopefully, the fruits will be bigger, sweeter, and altogether more satisfying.

All the best for this New Year, folks.

And as someone whom I greatly admire recently told me…

“ONWARDS”

My Top 3 Reads of 2007

I read seventeen books in 2007, which is a pitiful tally any way you care to slice it. Yup, seventeen. One title every three. I wish it could have been more but working forty-two-and-a-half hours a week (and that’s before I even think about applying ass to chair) doesn’t leave me with much energy or opportunity to read. I miss those days, so infrequent now, when I could abandon everything and lose myself in a book for seven, eight, sometimes nine hours straight… (sigh)

Anyway, for what it’s worth, here are my top three favourite reads of 2007, none of which were published this year. Don’t read anything into that though since I only read three ‘current’ titles in '07.

In First Place:
Collected Stories Vol.1, Richard Matheson
-Fifty years on and most of these stories are still as fresh and powerful and relevant as the day they were written. Reading this was a humbling experience.

Second Place:
The Ambassador’s Son, Homer Hickam
-A superb storyteller. Nothing this guy has written has disappointed me. Nothing.

Third Place:
Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk
-Staggeringly sharp prose. One incredible line, paragraph, and chapter after another.


If you haven't read any of these books or authors then I encourage you to head on over to your local library/bookstore/Amazon web site and look them up...