On Previously Published Work

In FlashFiction-W (my online workshop) we're discussing sending out previously published work. And I agree that we should get as many publications as possible for our work. But markets that accept previously published work are more difficult to find (since there are fewer of them). Here's something I remain stuck on . . .

Some of my own favorite pieces have been published in print publications. One was published in a start-up publication that went belly up right after my piece was published (and I don't think it was because of my work :-)). Very few people would have seen that piece (if any at all). So it seems like it should be legitimate to circulate it as not previously published. (Most certainly it has never been published online.)

Another piece I published in a print publication received a Pushcart nomination so I'd love to see that one published again too. The place that published my piece was also a smaller place and is also no longer publishing (for some years now).

But it's so much work to find the scarcer markets willing to use previously published work. (Plus, some who accept such work also pay a reduced fee for it.) So some of my work sits idle and mostly unread.

One writer I know was banned (for life!) at one prominent publication for accidentally submitting a previously published piece so some editors do take a determined and stubborn stand on this issue.

I also read about a more well-known writer who says we should never abide by editor/ publisher rules and if we want to see a piece published again we should submit it without stating that it's been published before. He claims to do it all the time.

I can understand why an editor wouldn't want to publish something that too many have already seen. But for the print publications, those with smaller audiences, I think writers should be able to submit such work as fresh (if a publication refuses to consider previously published work).

I often suspect that some won't accept such work because they don't want to bother with noting where it was first published. That's understandable because that's extra work. But I also think writers should be able to decide for themselves what's been seen by too many already and what has not.

If you know of markets that accept previously published work, please do let me know about them. Maybe then I can get some of my previously published work shown once more.

NEW TWEETER ON TWITTER

I'm a new Tweeter and I'm still trying to figure out how it works. But I've found it to be a great way of following various writers and editors. So I look forward to the time when I understand more. I'm not sure how you can follow me but I'm available under @graphomaniacal if you'd like to try.

G. CAMERON FULLER'S NEW NOVEL: FULL BONE MOON

I'm excited about Fuller's newly published novel, FULL BONE MOON. I've co-written articles on flash fiction with Fuller for Writer's Digest and we at one time team-taught an online flash fiction course, so I'm very familiar with his strong writing talent and know the new novel's going to be great. You can order it at http://www.woodlandpress.com/book/fiction/full-bone-moon-now-shipping

WORKSHOP WRITING PROJECTS (OLD AND NEW)

Write-A-Story-A-Day Project:
Members of my FlashFiction-W group joined in on a write-a-story-a-day project for all of October. It was wonderful to watch all that creativity and so many turned out several fine stories while participating. It went so well that I'll be setting it up again in January (so we can start the New Year off right). More details on that another day. (And thanks to Dow Ford for the fine idea.)

Flash Literature Winter Solstice Project:
This time last year I also set up a special one-day Winter Solstice project for writers/ lovers of flash fiction. About 50 writers participated last year and maybe even more will be joining us this year. I'll be getting that going again too because it was also a highly successful project. More info on that will arrive another time. But keep it in mind and check back for full details (when I get it set up again).

Until next time . . .

Flash Fiction and Enlargement of Readers

Clifton Fadiman wrote: "When you reread a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before, you see more in you than there was."

The above quote also applies to great flash fiction. The best work enlarges the careful reader and the work itself won't suffer from further exploration nor from several re-readings. I often like to do a thorough story analysis of a great short-short and I find that the richer the piece, the more words and thoughts it pulls from my own mind. It often brings out more of me than I knew even existed. My next blog I hope to list some of my very favorite flash fiction pieces. I hope any readers will tell me some of their own favorites, too.

Flash Fiction Flash Newsletter

For those of you who don't know . . . I also publish a free monthly newsletter, The Flash Fiction Flash. You can subscribe by sending a blank email message to FlashFictionFlash+Subscribe@groups.io

Flash Fiction Workshop

No longer running. 

I also run a free online flash fiction workshop that's been going strong for over thirteen years now. Shortly I'll be accepting new members. If you'd like to join this thriving workshop, send a blank email message to ... and in the message section write only this: subscribe FlashFiction-W

There's nothing quite like a good and satisfying work of flash fiction.

FLASH FICTION - WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Takes place online December 20, 21, 22, 2010

Join me for a free three-day online Flash Fiction - Winter Solstice Celebration. We'll be celebrating the shortest day of the year (Dec. 21) and celebrating the shortest fiction (flash fiction).

I'm hoping everyone who loves flash fictionwill take part in this good old-fashioned Information Grab.

What sorts of information might you grab? Editor calls for submissions, flash fiction markets, flash fiction contests, favorite online stories, favorite markets, favorite writing prompts, articles or links pertaining to flash fiction, along with anthology/ collection reviews and announcements of new publications. And whatever else anyone thinks would be information worth having. (No submitting or critiquing, however-- just straight info on flash fiction.)

So start collecting the info you'll post now and in return you'll get a lot of info from me when the event begins. (Editors are welcome to post calls for submissions or tell us what might "sink a sub(mission)."

And please do sign up *today*! That way I'll have a better idea of how many might be taking part. Once you've signed up, you need do nothing more beforehand. Once the 20th arrives I'll approve you for posting and you can post to your heart's content (appropriate flash fiction info, anyway).

To subscribe send a blank subject header message to

FlashFiction_WinterSolstice-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

or go to the ‘net site to sign up
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flashfiction_wintersolstice/

Special thanks to Daneet Steffans for inspiring and urging me to participate in this project. See what's taking place across the U.K. in celebration of National Short Story Day http://www.nationalshortstoryday.co.uk/

So please do sign up for the Three-Day Flash Fiction Info Grab today. And help me make the event a huge success. If this experiment goes well, I'll likely make it an annual event. And please do spread the word among your flash fiction writer friends.