Wednesday, May 5, 2021

DARK MATTER and other frivolities...(#IWSG, May 2021)

What the hell... I missed another IWSG post last month? I don't even know where I am anymore...

As you've no doubt seen from other IWSG blogs today, the latest IWSG Anthology was released this week! Dark Matter: ARTIFICIAL, published by Dancing Lemur Press, is now available for purchase! Featuring brand-new stories from 9 amazing writers (plus me), you're sure to find something to satisfy any hankering for sci-fi goodness!

Be sure to check it out and pick up your copy here! 

You can also learn more about the anthology and all of the contributors are the official IWSG Anthology blog website.

Dark Matter: Artificial
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Print ISBN 9781939844828
EBook ISBN 9781939844835
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies/Space Exploration/Genetic Engineering

Discover dark matter’s secrets…

What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?

Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

#


IWSG May Question

Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If so, did it surprise you?

Those of you who have followed me awhile have probably heard this story before. Back in 2016, I signed up for the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off with my first book, Ten Thousand Days. I didn't expect to do very well, but I also didn't expect to be the first book (out of 300) cut from the competition.

The reviewer assigned to my book took offense to an off-colour joke in the first half-dozen pages or so, and didn't even read any further. Now, I'm not surprised when people are turned off by some of my writing (Hell Comes to Hogtown and the Werebear vs Landopus stories are really obscene in parts), but I never dreamed anyone would be offended by Ten Thousand Days. I tried to keep it PG-13, and there was nothing in there that you couldn't find on prime time network television, but this particular reviewer just really didn't like the joke. It was a harsh reminder that different audiences like different things. The things that some readers love are loathed by others, and taste varies tremendously.

For comparison, the aforementioned Hogtown was entered into SPFBO the following year. The first reviewer who received it adored it, despite it containing hundreds of f-bombs, sex, and gratuitous violence. It actually made it to the second round of the completion. 

I dunno either, Pierre.

#

Oh, in case you missed it on Facebook and Twitter... I finished a thing:

I still really hope to get it out this year, but I'm a couple of months behind schedule so we'll see what happens. Watch this space for more info.

So.... is the world around you shit for everyone else, too?

Hugs & Kisses,
-CDGK

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Writers post their thoughts on their blogs, talking about their doubts and the fears they have conquered. It's a chance for writers to commiserate and offer a word of encouragement to each other. Check out the group at http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/.

16 comments:

Sadira Stone said...

I do remember that story! It's scary and frustrating how much control one reader can have over our success sometimes. I love your potty-mouth stories, being a potty-mouth myself. Right now I'm writing a character who, as a pediatric nurse, has trained herself not to curse aloud. It's a challenge! Congrats on finishing your thing.

Kalpana said...

I haven't read the story you're referencing but your tale about it made for a good read. Congratulations on finishing your thing. I downloaded the Dark Matter anthology and am enjoying it.

C. D. Gallant-King said...

I know exactly what he's talking about. I'm sorry, I know a DS is not technically a "GameBoy," but I will call it a "GameBoy DS" until the day I die. I'm 40 now, I'm allowed to screw it up if I want to. :-)

Natalie Aguirre said...

It's interesting how different people review and critique similar types of work. It can be frustrating. Hope you get your new project back on track.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on finishing your thing. That is epic!

Look, I get that I shouldn't use the f-bomb in every conversational situation, and I don't. But seriously, unless you had mistakenly entered into a Christian Content contest, that was pretty lame. I write clean, but my reading and viewing content is overflowing with adult content. Because I'm an adult. And if I don't like it, I close the book or change the channel.

Steph W. said...

How disappointing. I'm not sure about context, but I would hope that was just a really narrow-minded person. Happy publish day anthology partner!

S.E. White Books said...

People's personal tastes have long since stopped making any sense to me and I no longer even try. I just mentally make the shrug emoji and enjoy my pizza with Canadian bacon and pineapple on it. But, speaking personally, f-bombs, sex, and gratuitous violence are a few of my favorite things in a book ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Sarah Brentyn said...

Congrats on the anthology and the finishing of the thing. Also, yes, the world is a bit shit all around so you're not alone. Cheers!

J Lenni Dorner said...

I love the H.I.M.Y.M. meme being used to point out the humor that there are jokes on tv all the time that are probably more offensive than what you wrote.
My cousin got banned from Twitter for quoting a joke. The comedian who says the joke (it's a main part of his act) is still on Twitter. And you can search the phrase on Twitter to pull up a gif with the exact joke phrase shown and post that. But they banned her for using it.

So yeah, it's all about how someone feels that day at that moment and if they want to take it out on you. Which someone obviously did. Your cover is awesome, btw. (I have a copy of your book. Bought it last year, according to Amazon.)

J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi CD - congratulations on coping with writing at the moment with your three kids around while you work from home. Good luck with your stories - people love them, some won't ... so be it - we all have those. Stay safe and keep writing! Cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations - IWSG number three for you!
Everyone has an opinion and some are so sensitive. Sorry that one reviewer/judge just stopped reading.
And sorry, but this post just showed up in my Feedly this morning!

Loni Townsend said...

Ah yes, I remember that, and it still sucks. But you've gone on with so much productivity and getting accepted in all these collections that I have to thumb my nose at that reader, because you're rocking the writing world. Woot for finishing your story! And for the anthology release! Woot!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Congratulations on yet another IWSG anthology! I think somewhere in here you might have to stop being so insecure :)

I continue to be surprised when people get excited about my work.

Caitlin Coppola said...

Congrats with the anthology! And yep, remember that story about being cut first. Wear it as a badge of honor, sir. A BADGE OF HONOR.

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