Querulous

I sent another query out. This one directly to a publisher. I'm sure nothing'll come of it, but I have to try, anyway.

Albedo 1

Looks like Issue 37 of ALBEDO 1 is finally available for the reading public. My second-place Aeon Award-winning short story, "Aegis," is in there, if you're jonesing for some kickass fiction...

http://www.albedo1.com/

There are some reviews out there for my short story, "Rotgut," which was in Issue 36 of ALBEDO 1. Here are a couple I found. First, from Colin Harvey...

"D. T. Neal's 'Rotgut' takes the theme of alien infestation to its furthest extreme, and maybe beyond. A terrific story."

Also, from Stephen Hunt's SF Crowsnest...

'Rotgut' by DT Neal was a rather frightening story. A man explodes on the train and infects everyone with a strange alien parasite. We know the man in the story is doomed from the start but we follow his progress, analytically from a microbiologist's point of view, to witness the parasite take hold of his body. I've read many stories in the past before about parasites, including 'Invasion Of The Body Snatchers', that have always been from the perspective of an observer. Neal gets right inside the host to realistically let you know what's happening. Chilling to say the least!

Finally, from Tangent...

“Rotgut” by D.T. Neal is weird. A man on a train blows up. No, he’s not a terrorist, he’s been infected or infested. I can’t say a whole lot more without spoiling the story, and I don’t want to do that. I liked it, in a morbid sort of way.

So, that's nice, although I'm very curious how people receive "Aegis." I think it's one of my best short stories to date.

Definitely give ALBEDO 1 a look, if you get the chance.

This and that

1424 words this morning for "Old Hickory." It's coming along very nicely. I think I'm about two-thirds of the way there with it. A short story. I think it'll be a sure bet to be published, just because of the nature of the tale. May need a bit of revision when I'm done with it, but that's all part of the dance, yes? Heh.

Oh, another story idea came to me yesterday. Here's the title, so it doesn't get lost (I always put my ideas down on paper slips, but sometimes I launder them or whatever. This way, they're at least likelier not to get lost)...

• It Takes One To Know One

I won't tell what that one's about, because that would spoil it. But it's fucking cool, rest assured. Another short story, that.

I'm pleased that my idea factory in my head seems to be humming along. I was preoccupied in 2008 with a lot of things, and was wrapping up one of my books, which ate up a lot of attention. I'm just pleased to "take a break" with a batch of short stories for 2009. I enjoy short stories as much as I enjoy novel-writing. It's a very different discipline, demands clean, lean prose; there's precious little fat to trim in them, not so much wiggle room. I like that.

Not that I don't enjoy a good wiggle, mind you, but in fiction, clean and lean is the way to go -- lush descriptions, but economy still rules the roost. Every word must matter. Not quite as much as with poetry, but nearly so.

I may take to writing longhand during lunch. I'll just drop down to the cafe and write down there, tune everybody out. Lately, Bossie has been coming by brandishing lists and what-not, taking advantage of me being at my desk (usually) during lunch, so I figure if I'm not there, am down in the cafe writing, I gain the benefit of an extra half-hour of writing time AND the benefit of not getting bothered by Bossie.