Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Hey there world!

I know this isn't super extravagant Soft Whispers you may have thought it would be. . . but it’s what we have right now! I am working on a web site but as for now, it’s taking more time than I hoped and frankly, I don’t want to waste anymore time waiting for you great writers (and artists) to submit your work. It’s the start of a new year and this is the year 2k10 which is the year of FUN! For those who didn’t read my post on Wiz World about my thoughts on 2009 and 2010, check it out here: Wiz World I have the submissions post up and the welcome post up so take some time and look around for a minute or two and let me know what you think. The history of Soft Whispers: it started as a cool name and then grew into a publication. I wanted to provide an outlet for writers. I also wanted it to be published monthly and in print. The project never took off the way I hoped for various reasons but mostly revolving around money. Its costs too much to print and it started to take too much time away from my writing which is where I cut the cord. What’s the difference now? First, we have very limited fiction – a program that has 100 word count and one that had 1,000 word count. Mostly because as an ezine, I prefer to read short stories. I tried the longer stories with the original concept and they were too much to work with electronically. Second, I want this to be about the writing. So there’s no money involved. No costs to submit, no costs to see the issues, but also no payments for contributors. I’m looking to share poetry, art, super short fiction, and creativity. Anyone who has participated in A Line at a Time so far knows what I’m talking about. Third, there’s going to be tons of action here. My goal is something new everyday. Maybe not right off the bat, but in time. New poetry, new pictures, new, new, new. And then of course, the monthly issue which as I said will be free. There is also going to be a chance for contributors to win interviews on the blog to promote their own projects and sites. Finally, it’s going to be fun! The original concept was killer on me. I hated working with it. I hated checking my email and trying to check issues and costs. . . and I hated getting nasty emails from authors that I didn’t answer in the first five seconds of submitting or if I decided not to use their 10,000 word story that was so incoherent by the time I got to the end of it, I had no idea what happened! I know, you’re asking – how is it going to be any different with the hate mail? I’m sure I’ll get hate mail. . . but I hope not. BUT – I’ve found my comfort zone as far as what I can reply to and when and I’ve clearly posted it in the submissions page! Okay then, with that said. . . the first issue of the NEW Soft Whispers will be available February 5, 2010! So, get thinking, get writing, and get submitting!

1 comment:

Lily Mulholland said...

Congrats, good luck, and I hope you have a list of those nasty, incompetent authors so you know to no longer open their emails!