ARC readers wanted + writing updates & more!
It's been busy!
Happy August wonderful writers and readers!
It’s time for another monthly update. There’s a lot happening around these parts. First and foremost, the most exciting news:
Uncouth & Uncanny
You can now sign up to be an ARC reader for the Uncanny & Uncouth anthology! It’s a great way to read and support some really talented and hard-working fiction authors, all of who are on Substack:
When I first asked for writers to join me on this project, I was hoping they’d let their indie spirits fly in their stories, and they have! Whereas traditional publishers have to put marketability and ROI’s first, indie authors can be a little rebellious and write the uncanny and uncouth that may normally get rejected. The result, as you’ll see, are some super fun and unique stories written with great thought and consideration! So, if interested, consider signing up to be an ARC reader! I do, afterall, hope these lovely authors see LOTS of love and support!
ARC= Advanced Reader Copy. It’s one of the best ways for writers to achieve a successful launch. You can read more about what’s expected, etc at the sign-up form:
Aloe by Artemis Quinn
Another ARC reader opportunity! Artemis is releasing book 2 of Tales From The Night Garden. I read book 1, Lemon Balm, and I loved it! If you’re craving an LGBTQ+ contemporary dark fantasy, this is for you. Lemon Balm’s prose is stunning. It’s such a fun, impactful story! I’m certain that Aloe will be just as amazing!
Furthermore, Artemis is just awesome. They’re driven and extremely creative. But, most important to me, they’re a kind community player. And that’s the type of people whose work I absolutely love to recommend!
In Roaring She Shall Rise Update
For those who are wondering: When is she going to release her pirate fantasy? I wrote the book. I did the edits. I had the cover art done. And somewhere in all that, while having significant time away from the manuscript (aka “letting it marinate”), I realized that some of the big story elements were not making me happy. So, I am revising yet again. I know, I know. There has to come a point when the book is good enough and I yeet it out into the world. After these revisions, I’m going to put it out there. I’m aiming for November and I’ll know for sure by the end of this month!!
Subtack, Writing, and… AI
I’ve been struggling with how to approach Substack. My most creative work happens in edits and revisions, especially after I let things marinate. When I do not allow myself time away from my work, I always feel disappointed later. And, well, when sharing creative work to Substack, I feel pressured (by nobody and nothing other than myself) to share as quickly as possible. I hate it. So, I am trying to build a backlog of creative work to post to Substack, giving myself time away from these small projects. That means I don’t really have much to post for now.
In addition to that, I do take issue with the AI detector. My creative work comes directly from my overthinking, perfectionist, self-doubting brain. I’m not concerned about my work being falsely flagged as AI because I’ve been very open about my AI stance. It is as follows:
I don’t think writers should use AI, no matter how nagging the self-doubt is. I hate witch hunts. They encourage cancel culture (which is unusually cruel ostracization that often doesn’t fit the perceived “crime”), doxxing, and threats (these threats often extend to the person’s family including small children and that is NEVER okay). Furthermore, it encourages surveillance culture. And just no.
But the reality is that there are folks who COULD be falsely accused, and I’ve seen the fallout people can face from that. It’s like the death penalty: we can debate all day about whether it’s ethical or not. But I think we will all agree that innocent people receiving the death penalty is never okay. Knowing there’s a chance, even if it’s small, that people’s work can be falsely flagged as AI-generated and they could face cancel culture, doxxing, and threats…I can’t get behind that. And the “just turn it off” idea is great but I have also seen the skepticism on Substack itself and the subreddit. There are people who think that indicates “guilt” of AI use. So, take that how you will. I don’t know the solution. I’m tired of the AI conversation as much as everyone else, but it’s one that needs to be had until there are resolutions. As for me? I don’t even know what to think about it all. But I don’t like that Substack implemented the tool without, at least, letting folks know in advance.
Mythic Mondays: Shut Up & Write! with Me Vanessa
If you’re a writer looking to build a routine and connect with other writers without the hooplah and pressure of workshopping your projects, this is for you! Every Monday morning, starting August 17, I will host a Zoom where we meet to write and just hang out. The method is really cool and simply relies on shared spaces. It’s free and I promise it will be low-stress! Read more about it and sign up:
*After I get into the routine, I may offer another day and time.
Thank you!
Thank you all for being so awesome. For being patient and kind with me. I am scatter-brained without my planner. And not everything finds its way into my planner. Plus, I’ve been on a bumpy journey of health recovery this year and it says: Fuck your planner. 😂 I’m doing my best. But, ya’ll, I’m a perfectionist with huge ideas so it sucks. Still, I am gratsful that I feel infinitely better than a year ago when I felt like death incarnate every single day. I can deal with a bad flare up every few months, right? I got this! And I got this because of people like YOU who are so encouraging and compassionate. You’d be surprised how much the littlest kindnesses can boost a person. So thank you for being here.
Vanessa
OOh, just signed up to be an ARC reader for your anthology! A lot of great names there
Am an arc reader and am interested in reading your book