I've Been Abducted by Aliens

I decided to post a quick post explanation for my absence from crit circles and social networking. Actually, my absence from anything but my office, car, or kitchen.

Alien being, in the form of teenagers, have sucked me into their world and are holding me hostage. My own two teenagers (and all their associated drama including mischief, college selection/auditions, sports, birthdays, school events, concerts…) plus the 1000 or so entrusted to me in the school based health center I staff in a New York City public high school (lots of mischief and mayhem, asthma and viruses, but thankfully no swine flu this year).

Any spare time, and it isn't much, has been spent on another revision of Unfinished Business, based up comments I got from an editor at Anticipation last year, as well as some superb crit partners helping me re-work the opening. I'm up to Chapter 36 of 42 and on target for another round of submissions by June 1. But if I don't stay focused and off the Internet, that rather unpalatable task will never get done.

Except for some contracted assignments and reviews already promised, I will not be doing new writing, marketing, critting, or subbing until the end of the school year on June 30. Haven't made it to Fantastic Fiction since February, and May doesn't look good with a 6 p.m. ball game scheduled.

Here's what has been published over the last month or so:

Reviews:

Tails of Wonder and Imagination, edited by Ellen Datlow

http://www.tangentonline.com/print--other-reviewsmenu-263/anthologies-reviewsmenu-107/1335-tails-of-wonder-and-imagination

Articles: "What Not to Drink When Kayaking"

http://www.inflatablekayakblog.com/general-subjects/811-what-not-to-drink-when-kayaking/

Fiction:

An excerpt of Unfinished Business that really did have a kayak in it before this gig (not an inflatable with the buy link embedded) but this is ad copy after all.

http://www.inflatablekayakblog.com/adventures/842-paines-creek-a-fictional-kayak-story/

Time to make my captors breakfast and get going on today's activities.

Women's Fiction, Romance and Erotica

I've just done a guest spot on Rachel Brimble's blog, and there is quite a discusion going. I thought some of my friends on LJ might be interested.

I'm talking about the derision romance and erotica writers experience, and pose an interesting question: Why do we call it "women's fiction" when the majority of readers are women.

Join us as I list some of my all time favorite chicklit/romance/erotica stories, some relevant nonfiction, and reviews I've done for The Fix and Tangent Online, including that of Best Fantastic Erotica edited by Cecilia Tan. Included in that list are three male authors, two of whom were Hugo nominated for their stories, one of whom won the award in 2007. One is chick lit, the other paranormal romance. Hop on over to Rachel's blog and join the discussion.
Carole Ann Moleti probes a little deeper into "Women's Fiction"

Let It Snow!

Yet another winter storm is bearing down on the Northeast. I went skiing last weekend and hope to get more in next Sunday. The Olympics have me psyched for the challenge, though it won’t be along the lines of downhill racing. I just have to survive getting the kids there and up and down the mountain, and back home.

I think a weekly snowstorm is just grand-it is supposed to be cold in the winter-and my whole family has enjoyed snow days. We’ve sledded, cross country skied down the city streets, built a snow fort and a snowman, and savored the beauty of snow laden pine trees on a stormy morning.

I’ve got two new novel projects in progress, one further along than the other, but it’s been fun starting something fresh.

Marketing my other novel, memoir, and a few shorts is a time consuming black hole which I fell into about two years ago and have just emerged from. There were a breaths of fresh air along the way with lots of nonfiction publications and one piece of fiction released in January with reviewers asking to "see more from this author."

Two other pieces of fiction are under serious consideration with independent publishers.While I’m not giving up the agent search, it seems ridiculous to not query those who will accept unagented submissions. I'd love an agent, but not at the expense of never seeing my work in print because it "doesn't fit my list."

I’m doing anthology and collection reviews now for Tangent and the reading has been challenging but worthwhile. Check out my latest two reviews: Ars Memoraie by Beth Bernobich (alternate history/steampunk)and Slightly Behind and to the Left by Claire Light (hardcore feminist sci fi, for those willing to work a bit). I’m now working on Tails of Wonder edited by Ellen Datlow. Sneak preview: missed a subway stopped while engrossed in story # 3.

http://www.tangentonline.com/index.php/print--other-reviewsmenu-263/novellas-chapbooks-misc-reviewsmenu-338


To discuss or quibble about reviews or to find out more about my literary adventures, including the Fantastic Fiction reading series in New York City hosted by Ellen Datlow and Matt Kressel, please stop by my website forums:

http://www.caroleannmoleti.com/forum.html#bn-forum-1-1-4113162193/6990

Keep up with postings, new projects, publications, where I’ve been and where I’m going:

http://twitter.com/Cmoleti

For my take on health care reform/politics/women’s and children’s health:

http://cmoleticnm.blogspot.com/

I'm also on Facebook (more pictures!)

http://facebook.com/Cmoleti