Friday Fricasee

So I've realized there are a lot of new readers/participators here, which is something that seems to escape me.  I tend to think about this community as a static entity--My Blog Family, as it were.  And of course, no online community is static.  People leave, people arrive.  People send expensive chocolate.

(Well, nobody's actually done that.)*

Anyway, allow me to correct my error and WARMLY WELCOME everyone who has recently arrived.  I imagine that the weight of the archives may prove ponderous, and at some point I may have to do something about that.  For now, your best best is to check out "Authoress" and "Crits and Contests" and "FAQ" above.  The Success Stories are on hold because, frankly, I just haven't had the time to compile them into a readable order.

Perhaps a few bullet points are in order:

• Concerning critiques and contests:  All entries are posted anonymously out of respect for the authors.  It is admittedly easier to put our work in a public forum without attaching our name.  Some of you wouldn't mind; some of you would rather ingest termite sticks than let people know an excerpt is yours.  In any case, I want you all to know that your identity will never be attached to your work unless you attach it yourself.

• If your work is posted here, you are (strongly) encouraged to critique a minimum of 5 other entries.  I believe in "give and take" and not "take and take."

• Almost every question you could think of is answered somewhere on the blog.  When I post submission guidelines, read them carefully, as they contain all the information you will need for submitting.  HOWEVER: Don't hesitate to email me if you're confused about something.  Also if you notice an error in your entry in a contest/critique.  Because I will always--ALWAYS--fix formatting errors.  We all want our work to look pretty.

• The DONATE button to the right is voluntary.  I do pay a nominal monthly hosting fee for the automated submission system that Michael Wulf has so graciously created for me (and is still working to perfect--this guy is amazing).  Among other things. So aside from simply receiving your gifts as a "thank you," there are actually things for which I have to pay, and your generosity makes it easier.  

• If you haven't subscribed to the blog, I suggest a feed instead of email.  The email subscription brings the latest posts directly to your inbox, but if it's time-sensitive, like an off-the-cuff call for submissions, you'll miss it, because the emails goes out only once a day.  Also, I think you'll benefit more from being an active part of the community that happens in the comment boxes here.  I often receive emails that are meant to be comments because email subscribers have hit "reply" instead of clicking over to the blog.  In short--I'd like you to take your seat at the party!

Let today's comment box be a free-for-all for any questions from newbies AND oldies!  I'm sure there are things I simply haven't thought of, or that I've answered before but you feel need to be more prominently displayed.  I want this blog to be first-time-user-friendly, and I know you can help me accomplish that.

I may strive to be highly organized, but there's way too much scatter in my brain.  Amazing I can throw together a novel at all.

(Meh.  "Throw."  Totally wrong word.)

Have a joyous weekend!



* To be perfectly honest, I did receive expensive chocolates from someone when I signed with Josh.  Champagne truffles, actually.  But then, they came from one of my dearly beloved writing buddies/crit partners.  Not a random writerly person.  (There. I feel better now.)