Exposing myself to hundreds of new readers...wait, that doesn't sound right...

[mollyringle]

Note the first:

Once Upon a Time Online has offered to buy one of my short stories for $30! Woo! It's not the 30 bucks I'm excited about, really - though that's nice. It's the fact that someone actually was willing to shell it out for one of my stories. That's a first! Especially considering this was a story I wrote 9 years ago for a college creative writing course, and just recently fixed up for submission. Also, I figure this will make it worthwhile to add a "writings sold" section to my resume, and shall make me look like I actually have something of a fiction career going on.

By the way, note this from their website: "Authors...We are actively seeking submissions! Don't miss out on this terrific opportunity to showcase your talent, while exposing yourself to hundreds of new readers each month!" *snicker, giggle* Someone needs an editor...

---

Note the second:

Saw my parents over the weekend. My wonderfully un-PC Dad told me some jokes. This was my favorite...


A Catholic priest was walking through a forest when a big frog jumped into his path and said in a dejected voice, "Hello."

"Hello," said the surprised priest. "And how are you today, frog?"

"Not so great, actually," said the frog. "You see, I used to be an 11-year-old choirboy, but one day I was walking through these woods, and a witch caught me. She put a curse on me, and turned me into a frog."

"That's awful," sympathized the priest. "And you're just stuck as a frog for the rest of your life?"

"Well, no - there's a way to break the spell. I just need to find someone who will be kind to me, take me home, give me a meal and a warm place to sleep, and then I'll turn back into myself."

"Then this is your lucky day," said the priest. "I would be happy to show you that kindness and save you."

So the priest took the frog home, gave it some food, and set it on the pillow beside him when he settled down to sleep that night. When he woke up the next morning, lo and behold, there was an 11-year-old choirboy in bed beside him!

And that, Your Honor, is the case for the defense.

:D

---

Note the third:

Elbow's "Cast of Thousands" album is quite beautiful. A pleasant surprise indeed.

Comments

[celli]

Congrats on the, er, exposure! *giggle*

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

*giggles like middle-schooler*
Thank you!

[celtic4.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! :D

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[madbard.livejournal.com]

Congrats! That's awesome!

(Please don't blow the money on coke.)

[wandererrob.livejournal.com]

I agree. Instead might I suggest either Mountain Dew or Dr. Pepper.

Anyway, congrats on the offer. And thanks for the chuckle. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I think for that price, Mtn Dew is really more of an option than the hard stuff. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Hehe. Don't think I could get much coke for thirty bucks. But then, haven't checked prices lately. May need to call Manny and see where things stand.

Right. Thank you!

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, just about. Heehee. Anyway, thank you. :)

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the sale!

I didn't see anything on the site about what kind of contract they're offering. (This is the sort of thing I think about a lot.) What rights are they buying? Are these characters that you might want to use again in other work? Can you re-sell the work elsewhere? (This is purely rhetorical, of course, but they're things you might want to think about.)

Selling short stories is tough anywhere, and my impression is that selling romance ss is even tougher. So this is quite an achievement no matter how you look at it. May it be only the first!

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

They just want "exclusive electronic distribution rights," for one year; which, considering I wasn't planning on doing anything at all with this story or its characters, is perfectly fine with me. I have seen some freaky contracts before - someone wanted all rights to a novel, for instance. Including film, electronic, print, and media yet to be invented. They were not negotiating this point. Yeah, sorry, I'll have to pass on that one.

I've pretty much never tried to sell a short story before, figuring it was too hard, and that short stories aren't my forte anyway (I prefer writing novels). But, hey, this time it worked out. Thanks for the well-wishes!

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

Can you ask them to take the story down after one year? It might be difficult to re-sell it otherwise.

And boy do I hear you about those all-rights thieves.

Yeah, get a bunch of writers together in a bar, and they talk about contracts. [ G ]

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

What it sez is... "Exclusive worldwide English language electronic rights to publish and distribute the Work in Once Upon a Time Online Newsletter, a twice-monthly e-zine published by the Publisher, for a period of 1 year from the date of publication."

Think that means if I want it to be sold elsewhere, I do have the right to ask them to take it down. *shrug* But I had no plans for it, offhand.

Heh, better talking about contracts than getting together and saying things like "my craft" and "as an artist, I feel..." :)

[impetuousnote.livejournal.com]

Hee hee...I applaud you. I wish I had the guts to expose myself to people. And they're paying you to do it too! ; )

I like the joke too. Your dad sounds cool.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

heehee. Yes, exhibitionists finally get their due! Or something. :)

[rachel2205.livejournal.com]

Woo to the story! :D

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[(Anonymous)]

*dies laughing* "Peter the Flasher considered retiring, but then decided to stick it out for another year." Affct'ly yrs, April.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

*snicker* Good one! Hee hee...