Author: emmakosborne

Fiction writer and poet. Non-binary and queer. Writes SF, fantasy and horror. Champions diverse books.

Novel Draft Done!

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Whew. So! I managed to finish writing the draft of the novel that I’ve been working on since GenreCon after Chuck Wendig gave me the challenge of finishing it in a year.

I am SO GLAD that I knocked it over. I’ve written a bunch of longer things throughout my writing life but have rarely (if ever) gotten close to the/an end and have never actually finished a novel-length story completely. Just almost. Which, I have discovered, is not the same at all.

I wrote the last chapter whilst sitting in a terribly expensive fancy organic cafe in Paris. Yep, I wrote on holidays (of course!) I wouldn’t have made my deadline otherwise, and what are holidays for if not traipsing around the world, sleeping in and writing?

That day felt amazing. The rush was incredible. I could finally see the whole shape of it. I have a bunch of things to work on when it is time for editing (it is being shelved for a couple of months at least) but overall, I’m really happy with how the story worked out in the end. And, you know, I’m really surprised with how some of it played out. When I got to the original end, I knew that there was more to tell, and the characters pushed the plot far beyond where my original ideas finished. Hmm!

So! Editing to come later, but until then, I’m going to start working on some shorter stories that have been tugging at my sleeve whilst I’ve been working on the novel.

Excelsior!

Cover Art for Shock Totem #9 Featuring The Box Wife

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I mentioned Shock Totem in my last post, and happily, I now have something to show off!

Behold, the absolutely GORGEOUS art for Shock Totem #9!

Shock Totem 9 Cover 04 (Mock Up) (1)

I have been completely spoiled with my covers from this year’s publications. Part of me wants to get this one (and hey, the delightful August Bastion SF cover) framed so that I can put it up in my house to swoon over.

My story in Shock Totem is called The Box Wife and it’s definitely the most disturbing thing I’ve ever written. I tend to write more fantasy and SF than horror, but this one came out of nowhere with an incredibly insistent voice that could not be ignored. Weirdly enough, when I made some edits (I ended up using this as a Clarion submission story for this year) I found that I could click into the voice pretty much at will. That’s never happened to me before, and it was rather disconcerting to have it happen with such difficult and challenging subject matter.

Shock Totem will be out shortly and when it is, I’ll trumpet the issue to the sky. I’m very excited and proud to share this story and I can’t wait to see what y’all think!

Long Haul Writing

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I mostly write short stories. In the last couple of years I’ve been writing and editing and submitting and editing and submitting and reworking and trunking and occasionally finding success and writing and editing poems and short pieces of fantasy, horror and SF. This year, I’ve had a couple of things come out (in places like Apex Magazine and Bastion SF, no less!) which has been very exciting and fun. I still have a story due out shortly at Shock Totem…

Aaaaaaaand that’s about it. Nothing out on sub, except a reprint. I’m waiting for a couple of markets to re-open, and I’ve been tinkering with some stories, but mostly, I’ve been clawing my way through draft zero of the novel I’m working on.

The first 25,000 words were pretty breezy. I knocked out quite a bit during Nanowrimo last year (although November is basically MONTH OF DEATH for my day job, so that kinda makes it difficult).

Let me tell you, the next 10,000 words or so were like simultaneously pulling teeth and fingernails whilst riding a large excitable dog and trying to put on eyeliner.*

Luckily for me (and anyone who spends time in my company) things are getting (slightly) easier. I think I’ve finally broken through the tricky bits and the end is in sight.

So, with a bit of work and luck, I’ll have my draft finished by October, which is the deadline Chuck Wendig gave me.

He’s promised to steal the idea if I don’t write it all down by then, the bastard.**

So! Wish me luck writing my rather queer YA science fiction adventure! I’m having a blast and I hope that I manage to pull it off!

 

 

*I am really, REALLY not good at this. It’s basically an awful lot of poking and cursing.

**I actually wildly adore Chuck and would never question his lineage.

 

Zip out at Bastion Science Fiction Magazine/Yay Diversity in SF!

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I’m very happy to announce that my short story Zip has recently been released in Bastion Science Fiction Magazine’s fifth issue!

August_cover

Cover art by Milan Jaram

You can download the issue right here, for less than the price of a cup of coffee:

Bastion SF Issue #5

There are some wonderful stories within, so please do check it out if you can. It is so lovely for me to show people my stories, as writing is so often a solitary process.

Bastion SF have been a delight to work with, and have been incredibly supportive and encouraging of my work. They are proud and excited to publish my military SF story, which, unlike many, features a gay protagonist yearning for his lost love. My story also includes a genderqueer character, which was also something they were very happy to see.

There has been a lot of talk about diversity in science fiction and fantasy lately, and I think we can all agree that diversity in race, gender, sexuality and religion is only ever going to make the field stronger. I’m very happy that my story can in some small way contribute to this diversification.

I’m lucky enough to have been positively reviewed already – Alexis A Hunter blogged about issue #5 kindly saying the following:

This story had to be my very favorite of the issue. It’s hard to find a single thing to dislike about this one. It hit all my favorite buttons: military sci-fi, a gay protagonist, so much glorious tech perfectly woven in, and true heart, true meaning.

I’m so happy that this story has struck a chord with people, and I’d like to thank Bastion SF for being amazingly positive about it all!

To everyone who has gone out of their way to purchase an issue, thank you. And thank you also to the spectacular people who critiqued the story for me. You guys are the best.

Zip to Appear in Bastion Science Fiction Magazine

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I am delighted to announce that my queer military science fiction story Zip will be appearing in Bastion Science Fiction Magazine in August! This is an exciting moment for me as it marks the first time that a story of mine with a gay protagonist has been accepted. It’s great to see that more and more magazines are proud to publish stories featuring gay and genderqueer characters – even Lightspeed are following up their Women Destroy Science Fiction campaign with a Queers Destroy Science Fiction special next year.

Bastion are a great new science fiction market with a focus on stories reminiscent of the golden age of SF. They’ve had just four issues out but have garnered considerable acclaim. Also, their website is gorgeous. Go look!

They’ve also been kind enough to tweet about my story:

https://twitter.com/BastionSF/statuses/488896941799915520

Lovely, eh?

Speaking of Bastion, Issue #4 features a story by the wonderful Eleanor Wood! Go read Remember Prometheus for a fascinating exploration of the nature of death.

I cannot wait to share this story! Hurrah!

The Sword

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On Friday I absently stuck a temporary tattoo on my arm. I got it from a sheet that came in a Neko Case LP – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You. On Saturday, I walked into a local tattoo parlour and made it permanent.

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I’ve written about Indelible Marks before.

I’ve been looking for a symbol. I’m yet to write it up, but three weeks ago I took my closest friends to the oak forest in Harcourt and held a goodbye ceremony for my twin sister, Penny. She died when we were thirteen months old. I was too young to remember the funeral. It was a beautiful day, and I feel like something within me has profoundly and forever changed.

I’d planned on getting an Alpha symbol, to remind me that I am the surviving twin, that I am strong, resilient. I just couldn’t see it. All of the placements felt slightly off. It wasn’t like the tree, that I imagined on my side every day for a year.

When I saw the sword on my arm, I knew. This tattoo is strength and passion and truth. It is a quest and a Needle and a cutter of knots. It is honesty and sharpness. It is intelligence, reason, fortitude. It is fierceness. It is forged, by hammers in hands.

The sword is to remind me that I have agency and personal power. It feels right. It feels perfect.

‘Clean Hands, Dirty Hands’ Reviewed!

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My story ‘Clean Hands, Dirty Hands’ which appeared in Aurealis #71 has been reviewed by Tangent!

You can read the positive and lovely review here.

This is essentially my first major review and I’m thrilled that the story has been called ‘excellent’ and ‘highly recommended’. It’s also the first story I’ve had published which meets the criteria for the Campbell Award for Best New Writer. My forthcoming story in Shock Totem #9 will be the second for 2014.

It’s a hugely exciting time for me and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who has given me words of encouragement and support, especially in terms of critiquing.

Aurealis #71 is available to purchase here.

‘Clean Hands, Dirty Hands’ Out Now at Aurealis

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I couldn’t ask for a lovelier thing to have happen on a dreary Monday morning – my fantasy story Clean Hands, Dirty Hands is now available in Aurealis #71! You can purchase a copy through Smashwords here.

And look at the pretty cover! Allow me to gush.

aurealis_71_cover_small

I’m really excited that this story is out in the world. It was originally written a couple of years ago with the applications for Clarion Writers’ Workshop and Clarion West in mind. I haven’t managed to sneak into a workshop yet, but I’m very happy that this story managed to find a home regardless.

I set Clean Hands, Dirty Hands in and around my home town, Castlemaine, albeit at a time when there were more tents than solid buildings. At its heart, it’s a story of loss and grief. Charmingly, Aurealis called my story ‘Australian Gothic writ large’. I must admit that I’m quite stoked with that.

Aurealis is also looking for subscribers to enable them to pay pro rates for their stories. They’re gunning for SFWA status as a pro market, so consider a subscription if you like what you read. It’s only $20 for a year of great fiction, and will go a long way to supporting the Australian speculative fiction community.

Edited to add: I forgot to put up a shout-out to my issue-buddy, Michael Grey. Congratulations, Michael!

“Crashdown” in Apex #60

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I’m beyond thrilled to announce that my science fiction poem Crashdown has been included in Apex Magazine’s 60 issue! Hurrah!

It has been a while since any of my poetry has seen publication (the last one being Throwback at Star*Line) and I’m delighted that Crashdown found such a prestigious and beautiful home. Apex has a history of publishing fascinating, incredible work (which shows in their impressive collection of award nominations – a Nebula and two Hugo noms this year!) and I’m exceptionally pleased to be featured in such a robust line-up.

Most of Apex #60 is up for free online here, but you get the benefit of a few extras if you purchase the issue for $2.99. It’s worth it.

I’ve switched my brain into poetry-mode quite a lot lately, and I’m hoping to have some more announcements of this ilk in the future. 

The Death of the Palace

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The Palace Theatre in Melbourne is shutting down. This is a terrible thing.

The Palace is, without doubt, one of the best live music venues in the City of Melbourne. I have seen some of the most phenomenal performers in the world on this stage, and have had experiences within these walls that I can call nothing but life-changing.

And they’re knocking it down (without the permits even clearing council as yet) to make a block of flats.

I’ve seen Silverchair here. Basement Jaxx. Foster the People. The Cat Empire (twice). Big Scary. Dappled Cities. The Lumineers. Aqua (yes, Aqua). Florence and the Machine. Sia. Tonight I’m here to see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

The night I saw The Lumineers I sang louder than I ever have in my life. The band glowed on stage. The energy in the room was crackling.

On a hot, sticky night I saw Florence Welch accidentally kick a glass of water all over a fan in the front row. She got down on her knees to apologise, and pulled off her necklace in order to gift it.

Sia broke my heart into fractured pieces when she dropped her hand and her band started and she launched into Breathe Me.

I’ve been here with countless friends, all of them dear to my heart. I’ve gone for drinks across the road and lined up to get to the front of the stage and have staggered out, exhausted and flush with happiness at the end of some of the most beautiful nights of my life.

Music is important. To me, yes. But in society. Go and read Why Music Matters, right now. Karl Paulnack welcomed students to the Boston Conservatory with this speech, telling them:

You’re here to become a sort of therapist for the human soul, a spiritual version of a chiropractor, physical therapist, someone who works with our insides to see if they get things to line up, to see if we can come into harmony with ourselves and be healthy and happy and well.

Save the Palace. It is an integral part of Melbourne’s music scene. There are other venues, yes, but the bones of this place are creaking with shared joy, community, happiness.

The old girl deserves your love. She has mine.