Reading Time

This isn’t directly related to my previous post, or to any posts out there on the net about the death of the short story market in speculative fiction. Just so you know.

I’ve recently started submitting my work again. I’ve been in a rut for a while as far as submitting goes. I was doing The World in the Satin Bag (which you can find all the links to the semi-edited, experimental form on the right hand side), and that was all I was doing. I didn’t do much other writing. But I’m writing other stuff now. Yes, I am still working on The Spellweaver of Dern, the sequel to The World in the Satin Bag. I really hate that word ‘sequel’ in reference to WISB though. I think I’ll simply call it the ‘other half to an epic’. In any case, I am working on it. Mostly my brain is milling it around in my head. I want to have a better idea of what happens this time around so I can keep focus. I also need to go back to WISB and find all the plot points that I need to close up and figure out if I can do that in one novel or if I will have to do a third. In essence, I know what is ‘going’ to happen in the beginning, but not beyond that.
So, I’m writing other stuff, and I have two submissions out as you can see on the side there. In submitting, however, I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I recently subscribed to Analog, and have bought the most recent issues of Neo-Opsis, Shimmer, Andromeda Spaceways, ON Spec, and Apex to give them a try (since I am not familiar with any of them on a personal basis). Analog I expect to like again since I have some 20 years or so worth of back issues going as far back as the early 60’s. I was subscribed once before but when my cancer hit I didn’t have much energy to do anything other than sleep. The others are basically testers. I have high hopes for Shimmer, since I’ve read it is good, and Neo-Opsis sounds interesting. I’ve seen a lot of stuff about Andromeda Spaceways and ON Spec, but Apex I’m somewhat unfamiliar with, though it looks to be of quality.
What other magazines are there that I should be reading though? I wanted to test out F&SF and Asimov’s, but their stupid site is so hard to navigate I couldn’t seem to find a place to order the current issue direct in print format. I have problems reading on the computer–real reading I mean. I know I can print stuff out, but I would rather have a real copy in my hands.
But what other magazines are out there? What are you reading? What do you recommend? I want to broaden my horizons here and find some new reading experiences in short fiction! (Doesn’t matter if it’s not in the USA. UK, AU, wherever, it’s fine)

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2 Responses

  1. Hope you enjoy your copy of Shimmer!

    Two of my favorites are Electric Velocipede and Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet – both worth checking out.

  2. I am looking forward to it. It’s third or fourth on the list of short fic to read. I have high expectations though as I’ve heard great things about it.

    I should really look into EV and I was interested in LCRW, but I was also sort of skeptical because so many reviews made that mag seem very un-specfic. But I should look into that too. Thanks for the suggestions!

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