A Day In The Life: Announcements, Newsletter News & Updates!
Well, it didn't happen for me this time around. If you read my previous post of A Day In the Life, I submitted a short story to a contest and didn't make it in. The theme of this contest was for fairytale rewrites and I took a risk and opted for a fairytale-like rewrite of Swan Lake. Whether my choice of story--that isn't technically one of the classics--or something about my submission was not what the publisher was looking for, my submission didn't make the cut. Am I bummed that my submission didn't make it in? Sure. It's times like this where I just have to dust off my shoulders and say try, try again.
I’m an optimist by nature, but I’m not going to grandstand and say rejections never affect me. I was bummed this one didn’t get picked. There’s nothing quite like a story that surprises you, then later your critique group when you come up with something on a whim and it ends up having some strength to it. Here’s the piece that surprised me about the rejection further though. A week after I received the eminent email that my Swan Lake rewrite wasn’t being taken, I returned to critique group with my perverbial tail between my legs and broke the news to them.
Only to find each member of my critique group celebrating at the news.
Turns out, they were happy the story returned to my hands. They were happy this anthology didn’t take the story as is, because my fabulous critique group consisting of enormously talented authors reached a consensus. Expand the story into a novella or short novel. It’s that good. Rewrites are fun and popular nowadays anyway. Take a swing at it!
Of course I was elated to hear this considering I’d just had a brush with disappointment after submitting my writing—but now I’m nearly finished with chapter two and am already visualizing more. Guess who’s just adopted a secondary WIP? I’m no stranger to reading romantasy, but writing it’s another story. Here comes my crack at the genre but of course this will be in no way a departure from my love for fantasy and horror—gear up for a fantastical, romantically bloody time.
The origin story of the Mythic, Mischief Hotline awaits...
By the way, following my announcement of joining Fanstory and RoyalRoad, something rather mystical is coming to fanstory! Catch the origin story of the Mythic Mischief Hotline's host, Eulalie Baird in a prequel story set to publish October 2026! Look forward to witnessing Eulalie Baird's humble beginnings before the Mythic Mischief Hotline becomes the Thoveria Empire's go-to hotline for all manner of mayhem and mischief!
For those of you who read the Mythic Mischief Hotline on Fanstory, this is old news. For those who have vaguely seen mention of it because you follow me on social media, you’re familiar with the concept. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, let’s have a refresher. Here’s how the Mythic Mischief Hotline came about. There was a dialogue-only story contest on Fanstory that came about and I came up with the concept of a radio show that takes place in a high-fantasy world known as the Thoverian Empire. The host, Eulalie Baird, is also known as the Mystic of Knowledge. She delves into her powers one caller at a time to solve all manner of magical mischief suffered by the residents of the Thoverian Empire. Did my story win the contest? No. Did it get good ratings and reviews? Four out of five stars, baby! I’m on to something here, and it’s a good thing because I’ve found I’m not quite done with this world yet.
Yep, that means I have another WIP I’m adopting on the side but for an online series that will be absolutely free to read! What better way to introduce myself to readers by offering up some writing online besides my for purchase publications? I’m also not a stranger to cozy fantasy. Love it, in fact. Can’t get enough of it. Another genre I’ve considered delving into on the side, and wouldn’t you know it? That’s just what I’m doing. In fact, if you do follow me on social media you’ll know I’ve already announced Mythics, Mischief & a Hotline coming to Fanstory in October 2026! She’s all written up, just need to complete the final editing touches and the origin story of host Eulalie Baird will go live for you all to enjoy. This story, in case it needs to be said, will feature complete narrative unlike its predecessor—as will all further entries to this series.
Have I peaked your interest in Eulalie’s work? Below you’ll find a link to the original, dialogue only story that properly introduces The Mythic Mischief Hotline for you to catch up on the Thoveria Empire and the daily mayhem the residents encounter! If you really enjoy what you read, consider leaving me a rating or review—feedback is always welcome and crucial to honing my craft as a story teller.
On the topic of this contest entry, the contest itself—and others I’m planning to submit writing to are located on FanStory.com! I’ve set up a little profile here that offers a nifty little portfolio feature that will display all the writing I’ll submit to their site. If you’re interested in seeing what I’ll publish in the future, visit my profile below and hit the follow button you’ll find on the page!
During the final two weeks of September, I hosted a giveaway for copies of the Houston Writers Guild’s Journey Into Time and Journey Into Hope—both of which feature stories written by your’s truly! I’m happy to announce the contest was a success and the books are eagerly being claimed by the winners this week. This was my first ever giveaway and it was a ton of fun! When the next one will be, I have no idea—but the best way to catch the latest event on my social media is to subscribe to my newsletter!
Yeah, you probably saw that little plug coming but just as I announced in the last of this series of blog posts, I’m resurrecting the newsletter as well as my official blog. The newsletter will keep you in the know on new posts From The Writing Nook, future giveaways, publication news and so much more! Don’t miss out on any of these details by signing up to my newsletter to get the word sooner than on my social media platforms. Short, sweet, simple, to the point and only once a month are what I promise with each newsletter, so don't worry about a junk dump in the email of your choosing.
I’ve got more little announcements squirreled away but for now we’ll settle for what’s coming in the near future. It’s been inspiring to watch engagement on my online publications and social media grow thanks to the giveaway and I aim to keep that traction going. If you haven’t already, follow my accounts across social media and subscribe to my newsletter for the latest news and updates!
Until next time, from the Writing Nook!
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