Weekly Goals - May 12, 2009

Results for this week:

1. Approximately 1700 words edited.
2. Completed all publisher edits for Friends in Deed.

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (since April 8)
"Collateral" (re-submitted May 7)
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since May 3)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Guest Blogging Today!

I'll be guest-blogging over at The Writers Vineyard and You Gotta Read today! I'll also be giving away a free print copy of Heroes Die Young to one lucky commenter on each blog, so be sure to stop by both and say hi!

Weekly Goals - May 5, 2009

Went a little overboard on the publisher edits this week, but is that really a bad thing?

Results for this week:

1. Not started.
2. Went through one full edit of Friends in Deed.

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure
2. Complete all publisher edits for Friends in Deed

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (since April 8)
"Collateral" (rejected, need to re-submit)
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (re-submitted May 3)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - April 28, 2009

A little better this week...and now it's time for publisher edits to start

Results for this week:

1. Edited right around 3000 words on The Cure.

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure
2. Edit 5000 words on Friends in Deed

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (since April 8)
"Collateral" (submitted April 15)
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (rejected, need to re-submit)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Heroes Die Young Sale

For those who haven't yet picked up a copy of Heroes Die Young, and are trying to figure out what all of the fuss is about (as it picked up Champagne Books' Best-Selling Novel of 2008 Award), Fictionwise is offering copies at 50% off. Be sure to pick one up!

Conestoga, Day 2

Another good day, though it didn't seem like it was going to be for about the first half of the day (which were dismal numbers). Still lots of interest, though. I also had the misfortune of not being smart enough to know that my giveaways (bookmarks and sampler CDs) were going to be much like bags of mulch for our yard's landscaping. No matter how many you think you'll need, you'll always need more.

Fortunately, had some late afternoon/evening sales which was a pleasant end to the day. Unfortunately, I'm completely out of bookmarks, and down to a handful of sampler CDs. Tomorrow is a short day, though, so I have that going for me.

Hopefully everything will come together, and those who have expressed interest and haven't yet purchased will come by before the end of the convention. But, all in all, it's been a great time. Spreading the word is what most of this is all about...because if it was for the financial gain, I wouldn't have bothered starting attending conventions.

Conestoga, Day 1

Well, we're down here in Tulsa for Conestoga 13. So far, so good. Sales have been brisk, especially for the normally slow Friday crowd. Lots of interest in Heroes Die Young, and with my recent signing of a contract for Friends in Deed, I have something for all of my would-be fans to look forward to after reading the first book. This convention looks to be more literary-focused than others, even though the room is a bit smaller than our last con. Books, books, everywhere!

A good time has been had by all...looking forward to day 2.

Weekly Goals - April 21, 2009

Finally building up a little momentum, just in time for a visit to a convention. Keeping things about the same, goal-wise, with the limited time this week.

Results for this week:

1. Edited right around 2500 words on The Cure.
2. Submitted "Collateral"

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (since April 8)
"Collateral" (submitted April 15)
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since April 1)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - April 14, 2009

On a roll on the submissions, so hopefully things are getting back to normal...

Results for this week:

1. Not started.
2. Edited, not yet submitted.
3. Submitted "Some Assembly Required"

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure
2. Submit "Collateral"

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Some Assembly Required" (submitted April 8)
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (ACCEPTED April 10)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (April 1)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Another Short Story Acceptance!

I usually wait until a story actually comes out before posting notices like this, but this one has both been a long time coming, as well as being the first story accepted by a magazine other than Ray Gun Revival. Staffs and Starships has notified me that my story "Redemption" will be published in their fourth issue later this year.

The journey with this particular story started back in February of 2008 when I started submitting it around. Eventually, it made its way to Staffs and Starships in June of that same year. Those who follow some of my blogs will remember me discussing the fact that I'd mistakenly missed the part of their guidelines in which they'd stated they will not accept space opera. When I notified them of this error on my part, they mentioned that they really enjoyed the story and it was still going through their process. Long story short, the notice of acceptance finally came through this weekend.

So, I'm ecstatic as you can imagine. Not to take anything away from Ray Gun Revival (which I love), but there was always that nagging feeling in the back of my head which told me my short story writing was good enough to make it there, but nowhere else. This, finally, gives me some self-vindication.

I'll be sure to let everyone know when the issue is available...now, off to celebrate!

Weekly Goals - April 7, 2009

Doing a little better in April than I was in March, but still trying to gain some momentum.

Results for this week:

1. Not started.
2. Edited, not yet submitted.

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure
2. Edit and submit "Collateral"

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14, 2008)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (rejected, re-submitted April 1)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

The End to a Fabulous Week!

Nothing better, after receiving the best-selling novel of 2008 award, than to discover a glowing review for my book...

My favorite line: "I couldn’t put it down - and I was drawn in from the first page on."

I really am all smiles at this point... :-)

Heroes Die Young - Best-selling book of 2008

Just got done with the Champagne Books awards ceremonies, and came out with my own special award. Heroes Die Young picked up Best-Selling Novel of 2008!

Thanks to everyone who made this award possible!

And for those who haven't yet picked up a copy, the Champagne Bookstore currently has copies on sale (for a discounted price)!

Weekly Goals - March 31, 2009

March has not been kind to me. This week is unfortunately no different.

Results for this week:

1. Right around 2500 words edited on The Cure
2. Partially edited, not submitted.

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 2500 words on The Cure
2. Edit and submit "Some Assembly Required" (new title in process)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - March 24, 2009

Unfortunately, still struggling towards reaching my editing goals.

Results for this week:

1. Right around 2500 words edited on The Cure

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 5000 words on The Cure
2. Edit and submit "Some Assembly Required" (new title in process)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - March 17, 2009

Still ugly...and realized that I fouled up last week's goal-setting. No, I really didn't set a goal of not editing a thing on The Cure. Oops!

Results for this week:

1. Right around 2500 words edited on The Cure

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 5000 words on The Cure

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - March 10, 2009

Rather a dismal week. Trying to take myself in too many directions, I'm afraid.

Results for this week:

1. A little over 400 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Preliminary editing is just barely started

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Edit 000 words on The Cure

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - March 3, 2009

An okay week, though not quite up to my expectations...

Results for this week:

1. A little over 1500 words on Death Brings the Victory

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Edit 10000 words on The Cure

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - February 23, 2009

Had a great time at ConDFW. So much so, that I'm attempting to get myself set up for a visit to Conestoga in Tulsa (late April).

Results for this week:

1. Finished the complete story, with a little over 1700 words on "Collateral"
2. Completed

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since February 10)
"Trust" (since February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

ConDFW - Day Three

Well, finally made it home after a 6-hour drive from Dallas. I imagine if I wasn't such a cheap bastard, we would have stayed another night at the hotel. But all's well that ends well.

Although sales didn't build on yesterday as I'd hoped, there were a few folks who stopped by and picked up a copy. Overall, it seemed like this last day of the con was rather empty in terms of visitors. Had I realized this ahead of time, I would have brought out my laptop and finished up the remainder of my short story "Collateral" which has been nagging at me for the entire weekend.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and hope to return next year. I may try to make a stop at another Dallas con this year, though I think I'm probably going to set my eye on some closer ones in Kansas City (ConQuest) or Oklahoma City (Conestoga). I'll also be trying to get into a writer's conference (as a writer, not a dealer) sometime this year, if finances allow.

So, good night and good writing!

ConDFW - Day Two

So, another fine day at ConDFW here in Dallas...excellent response to my book, and doubled sales over yesterday. All in all, I enjoyed it a lot.

Some takeaway thoughts:

- As a married man at a con, one should think twice about bringing their wives. Some of the outfits were a bit risque, including one where a lady was wearing skin-tight leather with a chain mail bra. With the wife manning the camera, little chance of photos. Sorry to all you guys who missed it!

- People are as widely varied as one would think coming to these conventions, but for the most part are a happy bunch. There were a few, however, who would not even respond to a hello as they whizzed by. Not sure what they entered the Dealer Room for if not to browse through tables of merchandise.

- Watching others as they conduct business at their table gives you a good idea of what does work and doesn't work from a promotion standpoint. Sitting behind your table and expecting people to stop and browse doesn't. Free samples do. Samples that cost people money to buy, not so much. Chain mail undergarments definitely garner attention as the model walks around the Dealer Room.

- When figuring out how much swag to bring to the convention, always realize that whatever you have left over can be used for the next convention. It's always better to have a little left over than to run out before the end of the convention.

- Conventions are not going to be a huge money-maker for an author with a small press (with no advertising budget). The amount of money brought in will be lucky to cover the expenses, if that. As such, one should go into a convention with the mindset that it's mostly about the promotion of your name and brand. If you go into it thinking you'll make a lot of money, you're probably going to be sadly mistaken.

Tomorrow is the last day of ConDFW, and I'll be heading out shortly after the closing for the drive home. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed these posts from the con, and remember to check out my regular site if you haven't already. There, you can pick up the same samplers as the con-goers this weekend, including a sample chapter from Heroes Die Young, as well as issues of Ray Gun Revival in which my short stories have been published.

ConDFW - Day One

Making this blog post while sitting here in the Dealers Room with a little over an hour before closing for the night.

It's been a great day today, despite some confusion about the registration time. Lots of interest in Heroes Die Young, and a few sales. Hoping all of the interest turns into sales from the repeats customers.

Overall, really enjoying the convention. It was a long drive, and a little much for the hotel stay, but it's been a great time thus far.

More later...

ConDFW - The Drive

So, for the next few days, I'll be blogging from ConDFW, both here and on my MySpace page (duplicated blogs).

Today was the drive down...an interesting experience to say the least. Things were about normal until we hit Dallas itself. Yikes! I've driven in major metropolitan areas like St. Louis before, but people are just plain strange here. Texas really is like a whole other country (as the advertisements claim).

Some notes from the trip:

- People claim Kansas is flat. Oklahoma isn't much better, aside from about a five mile stretch where we went up and down a big hill with "scenic turnoffs" at the top (I'm not sure what you're supposed to see from them, but I'm sure they're quite nice. We didn't stop).

- Oklahoma seems to have a casino at about every 3rd to 5th interstate exit. Meanwhile, Kansas towns battle over having one casino spread out about 20 miles apart.

- On passing the border between Oklahoma and Texas, a really smoky haze covered everything for several miles. I would have figured (growing up in the prairie country) they were burning something, but never saw any fire. It was a bit middle-of-the-day for fog off a body of water, so my only other thought is that there are still people battling the long-standing OU/TX feud with real weapons.

- Coming into the Dallas area, the major interstate remains 4-lane and has several on-ramps with really tiny merge lanes. I think maybe they should spring for some better roadways with some of that stimulus money.

- HOV lanes rock...though merging back into traffic at your exit is rather problematic. I like the way that St. Louis does theirs, where the HOV lanes are completely segregated from the main flow of traffic, including having their own exit ramps.

- MapQuest blows. Although it was useful for the main thrust of the trip, it failed at the very tail end of the trip. Slight lefts and go straights in heavy traffic while trying to discern the street names MapQuest is giving you is not a good way to go. We actually found a better way to get to the actual location by missing the turn MapQuest told us to take.

So, now it's off to find a place to eat around here...and hopefully I'll be back to give some more info (look for pictures later) on the convention.

Weekly Goals - February 16, 2009

Spent a bit too much time on edits, but hopefully it shows with the mags I submitted to. With my upcoming visit to ConDFW, this week's goals will be short and sweet.

Results for this week:

1. Finished just over 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Finished only around 400 words on "Collateral"
3. Edited and submitted
4. Edited and submitted

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on "Collateral"
2. Enjoy ConDFW

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (submitted February 10)
"Trust" (submitted February 14)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Notice?

Some may have noticed that I've removed the listing of my FID submissions. I wish I could say it was because the book was accepted, but we all know that isn't the case. Although there's always the off chance that one of those remaining submissions will come through with a magical acceptance (sight unseen) or even a partial/full request, those submissions have been out there for quite a while and I'm going to assume the agents in question were not interested.

Weekly Goals - February 9, 2009

A little better this week, but still a bit short on some goals.

Results for this week:

1. Finished almost 1900 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Finished over 1100 words on "Collateral" this evening
3. Not started

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. 1000 words on "Collateral"
3. Edit "Profit and Loss" for submission
4. Edit "Trust" for re-submission

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"Trust" (rejected, back in edits)
"Deadly Decisions" (since January 31)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - February 2, 2009

Didn't quite meet all of my goals this week. Not sure why, either, which is the odd part.

Results for this week:

1. Finished 1000 words on "Collateral" this evening
2. Edited and submitted
3. Not started

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. 1000 words on "Collateral"
3. Edit "Profit and Loss" for submission

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"Trust" (submitted February 1)
"Deadly Decisions" (submitted January 31)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED
1 full REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - January 27, 2009

Set the goals, and met them for the most part. Still not feeling confident in building up the goals.

Results for this week:

1. Just over 1900 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Submitted (and then rejected)
3. Just over 1000 words

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on new short story
2. Edit "Trust" for submission
3. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"Trust" (back in edits)
"Deadly Decisions" (rejected, needs re-submitted)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED
1 full REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - January 20, 2009

Unfortunately, I expected a little more out of myself this week, and couldn't deliver. So, backing off the expectations a bit.

Results for this week:

1. Just over 1900 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Submitted for beta feedback, preparing to edit
3. Not started
4. Not started

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Submit "Deadly Decisions" for anthology consideration
3. 1000 words on new short story

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (re-submitted December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"Trust" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED
1 full REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - January 13, 2009

A little better week. Helps to have taken small breaks from the internet...this week, expecting a little more out of myself.

Results for this week:

1. Around 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Completed initial edits, now time for some beta feedback

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1500 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Submit "Deadly Decisions" for beta feedback
3. Edit "Trust" for submission
4. 1500 words on new short story

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (re-submitted December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"Trust" (back in edits)
"Lifeline" (ACCEPTED)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
1 full remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - January 6, 2009

Slowly getting into the swing of things...almost.

Results for this week:

1. Only 350 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Completed the full short story, with around 850 words
3. Completed the first draft of an anthology submission, ~3100 words (extra goal)

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1500 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Edit the anthology submission

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (re-submitted December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"A Time for Trust" (back in edits)
"Lifeline" (submitted December 18)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
1 full remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Be Sure To Vote!

Both my novella Heroes Die Young and my short story "Obedience" have been nominated for Best of 2008 SF awards. Be sure to run over and vote!

You can vote for Heroes Die Young here.

You can vote for "Obedience" here.

For those who haven't yet read "Obedience" it's still up over at Ray Gun Revival. And you can check out Heroes Die Young here.

On Setting Goals

Something I've pointed to in the past, but something to remember when setting goals for yourself. Be sure to make them things you can accomplish on your own. If you want to get an agent, set the goal of getting your query and synopsis written, and then set goals for submitting them to fifty agents (or however many). Don't set your goal as "Get an agent this year."

See, even Joe agrees!

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year! Back to work next week...

Weekly Goals - December 30, 2008

Hope every had a Merry Christmas, and that you have a Happy New Year this coming week!

Results for this week:

1. Had a Merry Christmas
In addition, I also accomplished the following:
2. Completed rewrites on Entrapment, and re-submitted
3. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
4. 1700 words on my current short story in work

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 1000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. 1000 words on my current short story in work

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (re-submitted December 24)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (back in edits)
"A Time for Trust" (back in edits)
"Lifeline" (submitted December 18)
"A Thankful Heart" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
1 full remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - December 23, 2008

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!
Hope all is well with you and yours...looking forward to a brand new year soon?

Results for this week:

1. around 1300 words (though I may be back later to update this)
2. Still not completed - the book is really dragging

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Have a Merry Christmas!

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (back in edits)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (rejected, back in edits)
"A Time for Trust" (on hold)
"Lifeline" (submitted December 18)
"A Thankful Heart" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED:
(Out of 18 submissions)
5 queries remaining
1 full remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - December 16, 2008

Whew...burnout (and shoulder pain) easing up...

Results for this week:

1. Finally finished this evening
2. Not even started
3. Still not completed

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Finish reading a book

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (back in edits)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (on hold)
"Lifeline" (rejected December 12)
"A Thankful Heart" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
5 queries remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - December 9, 2008

Long week (especially in terms of the number of rejections), still suffering from shoulder pain...but time to increase the goals for the week

Results for this week:

1. Still trying to finish
2. Submitted (and promptly kicked back for no apparent reason)

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. 2000 words on "Some Assembly Required"
2. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
3. Finish reading a book

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (rejected December 1)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (on hold)
"Lifeline" (submitted December 3)
"A Thankful Heart" (rejected December 1)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
5 queries remaining
11 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - December 2, 2008

Hope all of you (all 2-3 of you) had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Now that I'm thoroughly doped up on muscle relaxers to help with my shoulder pain (likely due to pushing myself to meet my NaNo goal), it's time to put in my weekly goals for this next week.

Results for this week:

1. Completed (finished the first draft at 50,047 words)

And now the (greatly-relaxed) goals for this coming week:

1. Read a book.
2. Submit Friends in Deed to one publisher

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (on hold)
"Lifeline" (submitted November 4)
"A Thankful Heart" (since October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
6 queries remaining
10 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - November 25, 2008

With Thanksgiving nearly upon us, it's time to get things moving for the end of the month. With a pinched nerve or something, it's going to be all I can do to keep driving for the goal line, but here goes...

Results for this week:

1. Completed (currently at 40,398 words)

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Reach the 50K mark on The Cure (for NaNo)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (on hold)
"Lifeline" (submitted November 4)
"A Thankful Heart" (since October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
6 queries remaining
10 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - November 18, 2008

Still on track for NaNo...but running out of steam quickly.

Results for this week:

1. Completed (currently at 30,007 words)

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. 10000 words on The Cure (for NaNo)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (on hold)
"Lifeline" (submitted November 4)
"A Thankful Heart" (since October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
6 queries remaining
10 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Early Morning Thoughts

So, for reasons unknown to me, I'm sitting here at the computer, having awoken from a fitful night of sleep. Heading back to try again shortly, but figured I'd empty out my mind here first.

So, of course, the big thing this month is NaNoWriMo...sitting at just shy of 26K words. Right on track for where I should be at halfway through the month. My only worry now is running out of story before I hit the final 50K mark. Granted, that's always been my big issue, so I'm not really surprised. I imagine if I get to that point in the next few weeks, I'll need to go back to the beginning and start adding things which got left out in the initial drafting.

First round of layoffs are coming at work, probably this coming week (just after the deadline ends for those who want to leave voluntarily via a buyout). Have been through this before (back in 2002 or 2003-ish timeframe) and figure this first round won't affect me, but have this nagging feeling inside...

My wife goes in this week to visit with a surgeon regarding a biopsy procedure. Sure it's probably nothing, but those nagging feelings tend to throw parties and invite all their friends over to join them...

Still have a bunch of stories out on submission...not sure why RGR seems to be the only outlet that's open to my writing. Even RGR seems to be taking their sweet time on my most recent submissions...

But then, maybe there's really a good reason out of 3 reviews on Fictionwise, I've ended up with 2 "Poor" rankings...nagging feelings, anyone? I'd like to think that the reason is it's promotion via romance organizations (such as Coffee Time Romance), when it has no romance in it. That, or the old standard of having to be labeled science fiction when it's truly space opera (and trust me, not every SF fan enjoys space opera). Still, there's that nagging suspicion that people really think it's a stinker.

But even so, Heroes Die Young seems to be doing well, compared to its other stablemates from Champagne. It hits spurts compared to everyone else, but has slumped for the past few weeks.

Desperately want to get it in to local stores for stocking and signing...keep trying, but rules have changed since my really-want-to-forget-that-mistake past with a certain publisher, and finding it impossible to break in so far.

Not certain what to do with Friends in Deed...another friend of the nagging feelings is hanging around, convincing me that it's not going to find an agent or major publisher. Don't want to shelve it, but still not sure what my plans should be for it otherwise...all things considered.

My wife is still at odds with her sister from incidents that happened at the end of July. Neither one will apologize to the other, so neither one wants to speak or see each other. Win-win for me, though...

Reminds me, I should call my brother sometime Sunday.

Well, I think my brain is sufficiently empty now...so off to do the same to other parts of my body, and then it's time to try sleeping.

Night, all...

Weekly Goals - November 11, 2008

Busy this week with all things NaNo...which is probably why I missed my regular Tuesday night updates...

Results for this week:

1. Completed (currently, as of 11/11, at 19140)

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. 10000 words on The Cure (for NaNo)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (back in edits)
"Lifeline" (submitted November 4)
"A Thankful Heart" (since October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
6 queries remaining
10 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - November 4, 2008

Had a vacation this week, which isn't much of an excuse (in fact, I should have met all of my goals with ease)...and now, we're into NaNo mode full time...so the lists should get much shorter, but more brutal, for the coming weeks.

Results for this week:

1. Not started
2. Not started
3. Completed this evening (currently at 6697)

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. 10000 words on The Cure (for NaNo)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (back in edits)
"Lifeline" (rejected, looking for a spot to submit)
"A Thankful Heart" (submitted October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions)
6 queries remaining
10 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

New Story Published

Be sure to check out The Writer's Vineyard, where my brand new, never-before-seen story "Dirty Old Man" is now up.

Holiday Stories

During the months of November and December, a new (free) daily holiday story will be posted up at The Writer's Vineyard for your enjoyment. Be sure to check them out starting November 1 (a few hours from now)...

In addition, I'll be running a weekly contest...more details to come.

Mine comes out this coming week, and I'll remind everyone when it does. Should be a fun one!

Roasting a Few Heroes

Be sure to stop by Book Roast where I'll be answering questions about my book HEROES DIE YOUNG and giving away free copies!

I'll be there all day on October 29! Come by and say hi!

(Note: The post is already up, and the contest is open...so be sure to get over there!)

Weekly Goals - October 28, 2008

A little better this week, but still not quite there...

Results for this week:

1. Not started
2. Completed
3. Completed (just in time)

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. 1000 words on "Some Assembly Required"
3. 6000 words on The Cure (for NaNo)

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (back in edits)
"Lifeline" (submitted October 8)
"A Thankful Heart" (submitted October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 17 submissions (was 16))
6 queries remaining
10 queries REJECTED (was 9)
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - October 21, 2008

Terrible results this week, not sure what the issue is. Need to get myself back in the swing of things...

Results for this week:

1. Not even started
2. In work, about 2/3 completed
3. Submitted "A Thankful Heart" to Ray Gun Revival
4. Still in work

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. 2000 words on Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete plot line for The Cure
3. 1000 words on "Some Assembly Required"

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (rejected, back in edits)
"Lifeline" (submitted October 8)
"A Thankful Heart" (submitted October 14)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
6 queries remaining
9 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - October 14, 2008

Results for this week:

1. Revised three chapters of Death Brings the Victory (and finished all revisions on existing chapters)
2. Completed preliminary plot points, but not finished
3. Submitted "Lifeline" to Asimov's.

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Finish first draft for two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete plot line for The Cure
3. Submit a short story to an outlet
4. Finish first draft of "Some Assembly Required"

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (submitted October 8)
"A Thankful Heart" (ready to submit)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
6 queries remaining
9 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - October 7, 2008

Results for this week:

1. Revised three chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Completed
3. Waiting on one final beta...

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete plot line for The Cure
3. Submit a short story to an outlet

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (back in edits)
"Dirty Old Man" (ACCEPTED)
"A Thankful Heart" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
6 queries remaining
9 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - September 30, 2008

Results for this week:

1. Revised two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Story in work, not finished

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete character profiles for The Cure
3. Submit a short story to an outlet

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (rejected, re-submitted September 26)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (since September 21)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (back in edits)
"Dirty Old Man" (ACCEPTED)
"A Thankful Heart" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
6 queries remaining
9 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Playing Tag!

Joyce Scarbrough tagged me in the Meme Game, so here are the rules, my answers, and the next six people who get to take on the challenge.

The rules:

If you’ve been tagged with the Meme Game from Twitter, you must post 6 things no one knows about you on your BLOG. Then you have to tag 6 more people. (Don’t forget to let them know they’ve been tagged.) Leave me a comment letting me know you’ve accepted the tag.

My answers:

1. I have webbed skin between the second and third largest toe on either foot.

2. My first kiss didn't happen until I was in college.

3. I have a severe weakness for blackjack.

4. I am anal-retentive about saving money (which coincidentally doesn't go well with #3).

Tag, You're It:

Laurel Johnson -- LAUREL JOHNSON BLOGS -- http://laureljohnsonblogs.blogspot.com/
Dawno -- NVNC ID VIDES, NVNC NE VIDES -- http://dawnonowyouseeit.blogspot.com/
Nancy Mehl -- NANCY'S NOTES -- http://nancymehl.blogspot.com/
Alphabeter -- GAFFS OF TRUTH -- http://alphabeter.blogspot.com/

Sorry, those are all the ones I can think of who actually still maintain their blogs...so to make up for it, I only posted 4 items about myself.

But in my defense, I didn't get this tag from Twitter. :-)

Guest Blogging

Be sure to check out my guest blogs over at The Writer's Vineyard and Wild on Books. Two blog commenters over at Wild on Books will be winning free copies of HEROES DIE YOUNG, so be sure to stop by!

Weekly Goals - September 23, 2008

Results for this week:

1. Revised one chapter of Death Brings the Victory
2. Completed the final draft of "Dirty Old Man" and submitted
3. First draft of "Some Assembly Required" in work

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Revise one chapter of Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete a final draft for a contest short story

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Profit and Loss" (market closed, re-submitted September 21)
(was "Greed")
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (rejected, back in edits)
"Dirty Old Man" (submitted September 22)
"A Thankful Heart" (back in edits)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
6 queries remaining (was 7)
9 queries REJECTED (was 8)
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Le Sigh

As if it wasn't bad enough having to wait around for rejections to queries and stories, you also have to watch out for the outlets which close down without notice. I'd submitted a story back in May to a particular outlet, then decided to check on my submission this evening...only to find out that they'd closed down just a week ago. Oops!

Guess I'd better run through the story one more time (probably re-title it as well) and find a new home for it.

Weekly Goals - September 16, 2008

Doesn't seem like I got much done this past week, but apparently I met most of my goals. Time to increase the number of goals yet? No......

Results for this week:

1. Revised three chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Completed the final draft of "A Thankful Heart"
3. Not started

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete a first draft for another holiday blog story
3. Complete a first draft for a contest

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (since August 28)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
7 queries remaining (was 8)
8 queries REJECTED (was 7)
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - September 9, 2008

It seems like only yesterday I was in here posting up my goals. But, it's been a full week and here the new ones...

Results for this week:

1. Completed final draft of "Borne Leadership"
2. Revised two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
3. Completed plotting of "A Thankful Heart" and a story to be named
4. Added an additional scene to Death Brings the Victory [added]
5. Completed the first draft of "A Thankful Heart" [added]
6. Submitted a query for Friends in Deed to two literary agents [added]

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Revise three chapters of Death Brings the Victory
2. Complete final draft of "A Thankful Heart"
3. Begin character profiles for The Cure

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (since August 28)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 16 submissions)
8 queries remaining (was 7)
7 queries REJECTED (was 6)
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

A New Trend in Bookstores?

[cross-posted from my MySpace blog]

Just visited a local independent bookstore this morning, and couldn't find the science fiction section. When I asked, they said it was all part of the "fiction" area.

(I'll forego a discussion of why they had mystery segregated out)

How is a person supposed to find new books in a genre they like, when (almost) all types of fiction are lumped into one area of the store? How is someone supposed to know whether a book is romance, science fiction, horror, thriller, or suspense (among others) based on the spine title?

Is this a new trend for the future of bookstores, or simply one store's lackluster attempt to conserve floor space?

Weekly Goals - September 2, 2008

With all of the excitement yesterday, what with my story "Obedience" being up on RGR, then not really being up, and now up again (whew!), I'd completely forgotten to update my weekly goals. So, here they are

Results for this week:

1. Completed initial revisions on "Borne Leadership" and completed final draft of "Lifeline"
2. Revised one of two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
3. Not started
4. Finished reading In the Dead of Winter
5. Began plotting a new story for an October 1 holiday blog deadline [added]
6. Began plotting a new story for a September 30 contest deadline [added]
7. Submitted "Lifeline" for an anthology contest [added]

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Complete final draft of "Borne Leadership"
2. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
3. Complete plotting of two new stories (see above).

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)
"Lifeline" (since August 28)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 14 submissions)
7 queries remaining
6 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

"Obedience" Now Published in Ray Gun Revival!

Fresh on the heels of my novella's release from Champagne Books, I've just found out that my short story "Obedience" has been published in the September issue of Ray Gun Revival. Enjoy!

Heroes Die Young Now Available!

Check it out! My novella Heroes Die Young is now available from the fine folks over at Champagne Books, in both print and e-book formats!!! Check out the details over at AstonWest.com

Guest Blog

Hey, everyone! Be sure to check out my guest blog over at The Writer's Vineyard. Those who frequent my Myspace blog may find it a bit familiar, but tips on goal-setting never run out of style.

Contest Winners - Final Week

Congratulations to Laurel, Gloria, Michelle and Lisa - the final batch of contest winners! I thank everyone for entering and hope those who didn't win will check out AstonWest.com and purchase a copy of Heroes Die Young when it comes out in a few days.

Thanks everyone!

Weekly Goals - August 26, 2008

Results for this week:

1. Completed first draft query, but only started the synopsis for Resurrection
2. Completed first draft query and synopsis for The Cure
3. Completed revisions on two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
4. Sent out two queries for Friends in Deed to agents

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Begin revisions on "Borne Leadership" and "Lifeline" for September submission
2. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
3. Send out two queries for Friends in Deed to agents
(yes, I've changed the name back)
4. Finish reading In the Dead of Winter by Nancy Mehl

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)

FRIENDS IN DEED/HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 14 submissions)
7 queries remaining
6 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Contest Winners - Week 3

Congratulations to Laurel, Janet and Cassie, the big winners of a FREE print copy of Heroes Die Young in week 3 of my contest. Be looking tomorrow for the fourth (and final) set of questions at a website near you.

Weekly Goals - August 19, 2008

A much better week...helps to take a week of vacation from work.

Results for this week:

1. Completed
2. Decided to go ahead and submit instead - waiting on another story to sell first
3. Completed
4. Completed
5. Submitted "A Time for Trust" to an outlet [added]
6. Developed hooks for Resurrection and The Cure [added]

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Develop first draft query and synopsis for Resurrection (new novel)
2. Develop first draft query and synopsis for The Cure (new novel)
3. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
4. Send out two queries for Heroes Laugh Last to agents

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)
"A Time for Trust" (since August 16)

HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 12 submissions)
6 queries remaining
5 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

An Obnoxious B**** of a Muse

[cross-posted from my MySpace blog]

This was going to just be a single-topic post, but I'm feeling generous today.

Okay, I just had a small tidbit for the extra post: Those who've read my blog on goal-setting, I just wanted to get a little vindication. If setting goals, working toward them, and making yourself accountable for them will win you 8 gold medals in the Olympics, I have to say it can have the same effect on your writing.

From the link:

"Eight medals, one more than Mark Spitz won in Munich in 1972. This was, of course, the plan that he and his coach, Bob Bowman, had in mind all along. Every year, Phelps lays out his goals on a piece of paper and gives it to Bowman. Traditionally, Phelps has never said a word about what's on that paper. But now the 2008 version can be revealed:"

Of course, I'm assuming that Phelps works hard toward those goals... *eye roll*

Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled (writing) blog post...

Sometimes my muse can be an obnoxious b****. I'm just getting into the groove on my third novel, after an extended hiatus to both go through rewrites on HEROES DIE YOUNG and to go through edits and the query/synopsis/puke-my-guts-out/query/snyopsis/submit train for my second novel. In between all that, I've also been trying hard to get into a short-story-a-month mindset, and seem to be doing well toward my goals.

So, as I was saying, just getting into the groove on book three. Things are clicking, I'm doing a lot of "oh hell, that should have gone up in Chapter 1" and "where did this guy come from all of the sudden?" Then, the muse decides to play with my brain a bit, and introduces a brand new plot for a brand new novel...or short story...or novel in an entirely different vein from the Aston West story...or novel that's dependent on the second novel getting out there (I told you, that muse of mine can be obnoxious). I won't go into full details here, but I already have the title, which can probably give a small bit of insight...RESURRECTION.

Of course, my muse doesn't care that I need to get the third Aston West novel written, the second one published, or that I need to keep track of 4 short story submissions currently out (and 2 sold stories which should be coming out any day, not to mention the various pieces in work). She's got her own little warped agenda....which is basically to send me off the deep end, so she can laugh maniacally while they cart me off to the psych ward.

Good thing I'm off work all this week on a writing vacation (in my basement)...shhhh, don't tell her a thing. She'll probably stick a few more story ideas in, and ask me why I haven't done a thing with those screenplay plots she sent over several years ago.

Contest Winners - Week 2

Congratulations to Laurel (for the second week in a row) and Anissa, who were the big winners this week!!! Be looking for additional questions soon.

The Agent Form

[Cross-posted with my blog over at MySpace]

There's nothing more frustrating to me than agents who can't take a sentence to give the author an indication of why their work was rejected. I understand why they don't want to, considering the looney tunes out there who rip an e-mail off blasting them for their obvious lack of literary skills (which would include finding their book the best thing since sliced bread).

But there has to be something more than "Not right for me" or "Sorry, not interested."

Heck, one of them told me "Not enthusiastic about the premise." That at least is something to work with...

Maybe I should include a small checkbox postcard with the following options, to make it easier on the agents in question to reject my work:

[ ] I know my requirements include science fiction, but space opera? Puh-leeeze! Everyone knows that's not REAL science fiction.
[ ] Space pirates? Puh-shaw!
[ ] Isn't this like Battlestar Galactica, when Luke Skywalker saves Captain Picard from falling into a Reaver ambush?
[ ] 57,000 words? Look us up when you break the 80,000 mark.
[ ] Oh, darn it...maybe we should update our submission guidelines. Science fiction just isn't where it's at anymore.
[ ] Mostly dialogue and action, very little description? Don't you know that's against the rules?
[ ] You start off with a dream sequence? Don't you know that's against the rules?
[ ] A male protagonist trying to save the female lead? Don't you know that's against the rules?
[ ] Did we mention how droll space pirates are?

So, hopefully, this will help...now to figure out a way to pop it into the e-queries I send out...

Weekly Goals - August 12, 2008

This week, for whatever reason, was rather disheartening...so not much done toward the goals.

Results for this week:

1. Completed - story currently with some readers
2. Not started
3. Completed
4. No farther than last week
5. Rained out this weekend - no contacts

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Complete first draft of "Borne Leadership"
2. Re-start edits of "Double Trouble"
3. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
4. Send out two queries for Heroes Laugh Last to agents

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)

HEROES LAUGH LAST:
(Out of 10 submissions)
4 queries remaining
5 queries REJECTED
1 partial REJECTED

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

August Contest Winners - Week One

Congratulations to Laurel, Gloria, and Wendy...first week winners of a FREE PRINT COPY of my book Heroes Die Young! You'll be receiving an e-mail shortly to coordinate delivery.

It was a bit interesting to see the lack of response last week. I would have thought more people would want to have a FREE PRINT COPY of a book, no strings attached. Hopefully there will be more response in the second week. Posted notices with new questions will be out tomorrow, so stay tuned...

Weekly Goals - August 5, 2008

Results for this week:

1. Not Completed - need to return a story back to editing
2. Not Completed - working edits
3. Completed - actually finished all of them
4. Completed - have reached the end of available e-mail queries
5. Revised one chapter of Death Brings the Victory [added]
6. Contacted three bookstores for Heroes Die Young signings [added]

And now the goals for the coming week:

1. Complete final draft of "A Time for Truth"
2. Re-start edits of "Double Trouble"
3. Revise two chapters of Death Brings the Victory
4. Complete first draft of "Borne Leadership"
5. Contact three bookstores for Heroes Die Young signings

Submission status for the week:

Short stories:
"Entrapment" (since April 25)
"Redemption" (since June 14)
"Greed" (since May 15)

HEROES LAUGH LAST:
4 queries remaining

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Contest

Be sure to check out AstonWest.com for your chance to win a free print copy of HEROES DIE YOUNG!!! Winners will be posted here each Friday during the remainder of August...stay tuned.