Hoping to Publish Novella

[robousy]

Hello all. I am new to this forum so nice to meet you.

I finished my first novella (15'000 words) in january and am hoping to get it published in a SF magazine. I am not fussy where.

I really just need some guidance on where to start sending it.
I am from the UK originally but now live in Texas. I know this is a UK website but if anyone has experience with US publishers that would be great.

Here is a short excerpt:

-------------------------

The trio assembled in the closet and ran through the drill once again. CJ stripped to his underwear while Max attached the breathing apparatus, and Fido pulled a syringe-full of God’s Tail from a metallic flask that had been prepared.

CJ eagerly climbed into the tank, and the warm water flowed in and filled the tank quickly. CJ gave the thumbs up and signaled that the breathing apparatus was working. Soon he was submerged and once again hung suspended in the chamber. Max nodded to Fido who administered the hybrid psychotropic waiting in the syringe. The chemicals began to course through CJ’s veins.

CJ’s mind quivered and his hands became numb. The initial ascension was similar to the previous trip, but the duration appeared increased. He still saw swirling geometrical patterns, but this time his own memories became map-like pathways that, by pure volition, he could explore like a vinyl disk: backwards, forwards and at any rate he desired. He had never known his memories were so indelibly imprinted in his mind. It was nothing short of miraculous. Just as he began to enjoy playing past experiences back to himself, the fear gripped him again, as he realized he was losing his sense of self.

BANG

…Once again, this comical land. The scenery seemed unchanged. The rock, the meadow, the stream. CJ smiled to himself and wandered over to the rock on which he had rested upon during his previous visit. The colors were bland, and the grass, pale and sullen. He began to wonder if the little creature that he had spoken to before was actually real, or nothing more than a figment of his imagination. He really didn’t think his mind was capable of generating such lucid encounters; however, he was really beginning to believe that the elf-man that he saw in his last visit was real.

A commotion from over his shoulder alerted him to his little friend’s presence. Again the creature waddled towards him, but this time with more purpose. CJ felt no fear and was looking forward to talking to this curiosity. He was beginning to think it might be some kind of angel come to give him the message from God.

The creature again stopped short of five feet from CJ and opened his little mouth.

“I am glad you have returned. I fear that I may have scared you before.”

CJ smiled and replied, “You damn near frightened the wits from ma skin with that accent of yours. Where d’ya learn to speak English?”

-------------------------

 

[Susan Boulton]

Hi, and welcome! Congrats on getting the novella done, now the hard work of trying to sell it begins

Here are a few sites that lists magazines both pro and for the love of....

Take a look, read and digest!


http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pema.htm


http://ralan.com/

http://www.theedge.abelgratis.co.uk/links/magazinelinks.htm


http://www.spicygreeniguana.com/

 

[Mark Robson]

Welcome to Chronicles, Robousy. Brian has also posted many links that may be of interest on the Resources board. I think I might be at least slightly picky as to where my stories were published, but it's your work. Good luck with your bid to become published.

 

[robousy]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I would post a smiley but I think that is only allowed after 15 posts!

Maybe I should be picky Mark, I am not too sure. Whenever I read about first time authors it always seems that its far harder to break into the field. I am weighing up being picky against just getting my name out there.

Thanks again.

 

[John Jarrold]

And be prepared to be turned down over a long period of time before you sell your first story, of course...

 

[Susan Boulton]

robousy; it is also important to research the type of stories a magazine prints. Buying a few is a good way of getting a feel of what they want.

To often writers submit to magazines but don't support them, especially the small press ones. It is tough enough for major magazine publishers at present, the small independent ones often don't last beyond a few issues, which is a shame. The market for short stories and novellas does seem to be getting smaller. E-zines appear over night and are gone as quickly.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Moved to the critiques section.

 

[Green Knight]

I think I might be at least slightly picky as to where my stories were published, but it's your work.

I think there is a time when you have the luxury of being picky, and that time is after one has already been published, probably several times. I think a new writer has to take whatever comes their way.

As to the extract, I really rather enjoyed it. A promising glimpse at an altered-state-of-consciousness story. (Which of course is going to turn out to be more than mere hallucination...!)

 

[robousy]

And be prepared to be turned down over a long period of time before you sell your first story, of course...

Yes, I really do appreciate that. I have a fairly thick skin however and it was strangely reassuring to read that Frank Herberts Dune was turned down something like 25 times before being accepted!

...not that my little novella is another dune (!!) but you know what I mean.

 

[robousy]

robousy; it is also important to research the type of stories a magazine prints. Buying a few is a good way of getting a feel of what they want.

To often writers submit to magazines but don't support them, especially the small press ones. It is tough enough for major magazine publishers at present, the small independent ones often don't last beyond a few issues, which is a shame. The market for short stories and novellas does seem to be getting smaller. E-zines appear over night and are gone as quickly.

Mmmmm. Thanks for the advice. I must admit I'm quite lackadaisical when it comes to doing my research on the magazines. I'll try and put more thought into this.

 

[robousy]

Moved to the critiques section.

No probs!

 

[robousy]

I think there is a time when you have the luxury of being picky, and that time is after one has already been published, probably several times. I think a new writer has to take whatever comes their way.

As to the extract, I really rather enjoyed it. A promising glimpse at an altered-state-of-consciousness story. (Which of course is going to turn out to be more than mere hallucination...!)

I'm thinking the same about not being too picky. Do you think its worth mentioning scientific publications in a cover letter? I'm guessing probably not.

I'm glad you enjoyed the extract! Yes, it most definitely is more than a hallucination!! lol, that would be almost as bad as 'it was all a dream!' I think I played that card when I was nine years old two or three times and was scolded by the teacher enough to know not to do it again...good lesson!

 

[Brian G Turner]

I believe it's been mentioned elsewhere that publishers are really looking for full-length novels, and that while there's a market for short-stories in SFF magazines, trying to get a novella published by a first-time writer is...well, working against the buying market.

Have you considered expanding it into a novel?

 

[robousy]

thanks for the input Brian. I have considered the idea of expanding it.

Am I right in saying a novel should be around 75'000 words? Its only 15'000 now so that would be an awful lot of expansion, but certainly do-able.

I was actually thinking it might be easier to try and do three of four short stories of about 1 to 2000 words to get my name out there. Maybe that would make it easier to publish a novella.

I appreciate your ideas, it seems like you really know your stuff.

 

[Marky Lazer]

Check out www.duotrope.com

 

[robousy]

what a great link!!

Thanks a lot, thats just what I'm looking for.

 

[pendragonpress]

Novellas are notoriously difficult to publish, though there are a few small presses who specialise in that area - myself included.

Personally, I've always preferred novellas: they're lean, mean, story machines - many of the great works of fantastic fiction are novellas with a slightly bigger typeface.

 

[robousy]

Novellas are notoriously difficult to publish, though there are a few small presses who specialise in that area - myself included.

Personally, I've always preferred novellas: they're lean, mean, story machines - many of the great works of fantastic fiction are novellas with a slightly bigger typeface.

Aaaah, Brigend. I once dated a lovely welsh girl who came from Brigend.

I'm getting the impression that a novella is pretty hard to publish. I've submitted it to the 'L Ron Hubbards science fiction writers of the future' contest! Anyone heard of it?? Its supposed to be quite prestigious. They seem to like novellas and only publish the unpublished. Right up my street!

 

[pendragonpress]

Aaaah, Brigend. I once dated a lovely welsh girl who came from Brigend.

There's quite a few of those about...

As for the L Ron Hubbard prize, I've heard of it and it does sound like a very prestigious prize - well worth going for.