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Ahoy, Critterfolk!
New entry Dec 07
Critter Notices
[It's Freebie Friday in the Critters Store...]
Critters is almost 25!
In November, Critters will be 25 years old! Wow! Thanks so much to all of you, who've made it such a resounding success!
Books from Critters!
Check out Books by Critters for books by your fellow
Critterfolk, as well as my list of recommended books for writers.
The Sigil Trilogy
If you're looking for an amazing, WOW! science fiction story, check out THE SIGIL TRILOGY. This is — literally — one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read.
Stayin' Alive
If you want to make a career of SF writing, STAYING ALIVE - A WRITER'S GUIDE by three-time SFWA President Norman Spinrad, published by your Critter Captain's ReAnimus Press, is an indispensable guide to the inside workings of the SF publishing industry by an expert.
Interviewed!
I was interviewed live on public radio for Critters' birthday, for those who want to listen.
Free Web Sites
Free web sites for authors (and others) are available at www.nyx.net.
ReAnimus Acquires Advent!
ReAnimus Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the legendary Advent Publishers! Advent is now a subsidiary of ReAnimus Press, and we will continue to publish Advent's titles under the Advent name. Advent was founded in 1956 by Earl Kemp and others, and has published the likes of James Blish, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, Damon Knight, E.E. "Doc" Smith, and many others. Advent's high quality titles have won and been finalists for several Hugo Awards, such as The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Heinlein's Children. Watch this space for ebook and print editions of all of Advent's current titles!
Book Recommendation
THE SIGIL TRILOGY:
The universe is dying from within...
"Great stuff... Really enjoyed it." — SFWA Grandmaster Michael Moorcock
Announcing ReAnimus Press
If you're looking for great stuff to read from bestselling and award-winning authors—look no further! ReAnimus Press was founded by your very own Critter Captain. (And with a 12% Affiliate program.) [More]
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FEATURED BOOK
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Weekly Notes
Notes for 05-Aug-2020...
With all the cool news about SpaceX recently, it seems like a reasonable time to have this title help out the Critters Fund drive:
BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD - An Autobiography of an Aviator and Astronaut
by William R. Pogue - $3.99
The amazing memoir of Thunderbird and astronaut Bill Pogue,
long-time holder of the world record for most days in space.
ReAnimus Press Store: www.ReAnimus.com/1460
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3EA7OU/?tag=critters3a-20
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Thanks for the donations, folks! Thanks especially to
Judy Matulich
Bret Lynn
for their recent donations to help keep Critters going. Much appreciated!
[See http://www.critters.org/donate.php for more information.]
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Woohoo! Congratulations to...
- Guy McDonnell, who sold his (Critter'd) short story, "A Twisted
Run" to Dark Matter Magazine.
- Jim Keane, whose (Critter'd) short story, "A Line in the Sand"
is now out in the current issue of Haunted MTL 101 Proof Horror
Anthology. {Thanks to the folks at Critters who helped clean up
my story.}
Please report your Woohoo!s via the www.critters.org/telldaworld.ht web page.
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This week's Most Productive Critter award, for 10 critiques (at time
of judging), averaging almost 500 words each, goes to...
Adam Pitts
To redeem an MPC, visit: www.critters.org/usempc.ht
Congratulations! To everyone else -- Crit early and often!
(For an explanation of the MPC award, see the www.critters.org/award.ht page.)
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Recommended Reading...
One of the best writing books - Secrets from the 6-time Best Editor
Hugo Award Master, Ben Bova: THE CRAFT OF WRITING SCIENCE FICTION THAT SELLS
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
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Critters Workshop
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This week we have... [get from http://www.critters.org/private/mss.php ]...
Title Author
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Week of 5-Aug-2020 (Crits due 12-Aug-2020):
SF Let it Go [mpc] Adam Pitts -#29336
H Ghosts of Wars Past Sean Masters -#29337
F A Tribute of Bulls, Chapter Two Kerry Cathers -#29338
F Small Demons - Part One Jude Matulich -#29339
SF Exterminites Scott Morgan -#29340
H A Maze, Heartless and Cold Glen Noble -#29341
H Halloween Is for Starting Over Madeline Jacobson -#29342
F Drought Mani Nezami -#29343
SF The Found Ship Joe Belarge -#29344
H Deathly Denial Kelly Parrish -#29345
F I Will, If You Will Michael Bondies -#29346
SF Convergence Devon Delfino -#29347
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Recommended books on writing:
THE CRAFT OF WRITING AND SELLING SCIENCE FICTION by Ben Bova
ReAnimus Press Store: http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/dp/B006MAZPEI
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SPECULATIVE FICTION OPENINGS By (Critter member) Robert Qualkinbush
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1184 | http://Amazon.com/dp/B007O272ZI
STAYIN' ALIVE - A WRITER'S GUIDE by three-time SFWA President Norman Spinrad
How things really work in the art and commerce of publishing
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1179 | http://Amazon.com/dp/B007SIC4I8
EXPERIMENT PERILOUS: THE 'BUG JACK BARRON' PAPERS by Norman Spinrad
(A 99cent essay on SF and writing)
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1180 | http://Amazon.com/dp/B007MF3MS8
Because you might enjoy it... TEST OF FIRE by BEN BOVA
A small group of survivors fight to rebuild civilization after the Earth is devastated by a huge solar flare.
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1220
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Pieces up for critique in other workshops...
In the lit workshop - http://critique.org/lit :
L Dreamer Joe Vance -#29318
In the mystery workshop - http://critique.org/mystery :
T Just, Gone Chapters 1-5 Eryn Gordon -#29335
In the nonfiction workshop - http://critique.org/nonfiction :
NH That Woman Wanda Little Fenimore -#29130
In the script workshop - http://critique.org/script :
SC Perspective in Three Parts Sarah Joynt Borger -#29179
In the kids workshop - http://critique.org/kids :
BK Monarchs of Greenwood - Fly With Me, CH. 1-3 Emmanuel Agyei-Boatey -#29197
In the comics workshop - http://critique.org/comics :
CG Magna. logline/ synopsis Brent Claridge -#28885
In the western workshop - http://critique.org/western :
W A Message to Santa Fe, Chap 1-3 Frank Coombs -#25375
In the video workshop - http://critique.org/video :
VS The Gallery of Henri Beauchamp Jay DeTalente -#21424
In the music workshop - http://critique.org/music :
MP The Shade Riders and Nocturnal Ned song Beth Zurkowski -#21675
In the photo workshop - http://critique.org/photo :
PH Dry Mud and Cinder Cone Bill Wight -#19627
In the art workshop - http://critique.org/art :
AH Art Man, a portrait Robert J Cleary -#27847
In the website workshop - http://critique.org/website :
WW ReAnimus Press Andrew Burt -#29320
In the critters workshop - http://critique.org/critters :
SF Let it Go [mpc] Adam Pitts -#29336
H Ghosts of Wars Past Sean Masters -#29337
F A Tribute of Bulls, Chapter Two Kerry Cathers -#29338
F Small Demons - Part One Jude Matulich -#29339
SF Exterminites Scott Morgan -#29340
H A Maze, Heartless and Cold Glen Noble -#29341
H Halloween Is for Starting Over Madeline Jacobson -#29342
F Drought Mani Nezami -#29343
SF The Found Ship Joe Belarge -#29344
H Deathly Denial Kelly Parrish -#29345
F I Will, If You Will Michael Bondies -#29346
SF Convergence Devon Delfino -#29347
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You might also like... THE ALIEN YEARS by ROBERT SILVERBERG
The ultimate alien invasion novel
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1622
Standard notes:
HELP:
If you need help with anything, see http://www.critters.org/help -- there
are FAQs and a form to ask questions.
HELPING CRITTERS:
Critters is donation funded & volunteer run, so if you'd like to
help out with our current fund drive or otherwise, please visit
http://www.critters.org/donate.php -- Thanks!!
HOW TO SEND CRITIQUES:
Remember to send the critiques directly to me, critters@critique.org, so
I can forward them to the authors _and_ give you credit for your effort.
Please send only one critique per mail message (makes it easier to
archive). Please make sure the "#" symbol and manuscript number are in
the email Subject: line, like Subject: #1234. (Conversely, if you want
ol' Aburt to personally read the message, i.e., it's _not_ a critique,
don't put a "#" in the subject or I won't see it. Also -- put my current
anti-spam code word in there: see http://www.critters.org/antispam.ht .)
You may also send your critiques via http://www.critters.org/webcrit.ht .
Note that all critiques will be available to everyone to read the next Saturday.
DIPLOMACY:
Remember, authors and critiquers, we're all friends here. Be polite. Be
considerate. Be tactful. You can say you thought a story was drivel in a
courteous way. Try to point out the good and the bad; offer alternatives
if you can. Never, ever, attack the author -- only the story. Authors:
Remember that some reviewers may lack tact. Try to be understanding,
but if you get any that you feel are just plain mean-spirited, too short
to be of any use, or too "feel good," let me know and I'll withhold the
reviewer's "credit" for that story and/or cajole them into something
more insightful. See http://www.critters.org/diplomacy.ht for more...
CRITIQUE LENGTH:
If you want to send a short critique that you know is too short for
credit (200 words or less of your own meaningful content) please put
"NC#" in the Subject (NC=No Credit, like Subject: NC#1234) -and- say
something like "not for credit" inside your critique. (Remember also that
for MPC purposes, a critique must be 300 words or more.)
CHATTING:
Comments -other- than critiques (such as discussion of the critiques,
or Woohoo! announcements, or chit chat) should be posted to one of the
official Critters discussion forums (See the http://www.critters.org/newsgroups.ht
web page for full info, guidelines, etc.) Don't post stories or critiques
(mail those to critters@critique.org).
QUOTING:
Please pare the ms. down if critiquing in-line (don't quote the whole ms.!).
Other format rules are at http://www.critters.org/format.ht .
EVERYTHING'S ON THE WEB:
Past reviews are on the web page. The current week's manuscripts are
also there, as are prior mss. and even some rewrites. There's a Master
Page Index (site map) with tons of links to common items.
AUTHORS:
Authors for this week -- if you aren't getting email'd critiques from
me (as they come in) within a couple days -- ask me and we can verify
I'm sending them to the correct address. (Send me a phone# in case I
can't get email to you.) Check the format of your story ASAP to make sure
it's all there and readable.
EMAIL ISSUES:
If you want to change your email address or preferences (# mss. emailed,
SF/F/H type, or whether you get the huge critique batches at week's end),
point your browser to http://www.critters.org/admin.ht . Please don't
ask me to do this by hand, it's quite a chore! (E.g., if you're going
on vacation and want to suspend mail from me -- do this before/after
your trip.)
BACKUP SITE:
If you're unable to reach www.critters.org to get manuscripts, I've set up
an emergency backup site at http://backup.critters.org where you can get the
week's manuscripts (but not much of anything else :-). Speaking of backups --
don't forget to back up your own manuscripts so you don't lose them!
QUITTING:
If you want to quit or go inactive, drop by http://www.critters.org/admin.ht .
DONATIONS:
Critters is funded by donations, so visit http://www.critters.org/donate.php
if you'd like to help out.
Because you might enjoy it... MEET THE THRADONS by J. D. AUSTIN
Sequel to Bobby's Girl: Modern-day Bobby goes home to meet his new in-laws - on another planet
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1521
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