Posts – Page 447 – A Slice of Orange

I’ll never forget the time I had the chance to see the cabin where Lincoln was born. I was nine years old.

It had a dirt floor. Cool, I thought, his mom can’t yell at him for tracking dirt into the house.

It wasn’t the “real” cabin,of course, but a symbolic reconstruction in Central Kentucky to honor our sixteenth President.

I grew up in different parts of the US…but my favorite time was in Lexington, Kentucky.

We lived in what I called the “Civil War” house. It was a big ole home out in the boonies with a barn and plenty of Kentucky bluegrass. According to the locals, the antebellum house was built before the Civil War.

Over the years, the house had different owners, but it never lost its splendor in my eyes. Sure, it was run-down and the plumbing more often than not didn’t work. God knows, it was cold in the winter, but my dad–a historical buff–rented it for as long as my poor mom could take it. It wasn’t easy for her with no dishwasher or washer and an old, wood burning stove with a husband and two kids to take care of. No neighbors for what seemed like miles.

I’d race around the house with fireplaces taller than I was for hours, pretending I was hosting tea with fancy ladies or meeting that special gentleman in what I called my “secret” room. Wearing my mother’s long dresses, I dreamed of being a true Southern belle (years later I got my own authentic hoop skirt from the costume department when I was doing theater).

So it’s no wonder I followed my heart and wrote my own Civil War novel — “The Bride Wore Gray.” It’s a time travel romance where my modern day heroine, Liberty Jordan, meets up with her ancestor–who looks exactly like her! The only problem is, Pauletta Sue, is a Southern spy…

I’m working on formatting my story, making a cover, etc. so I can self-pub it. Which brings up a question: with the popularity of Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” will the Civil War make a come-back in romance novels?

What do you think?

—-

Here’s a sample from the Prologue from “The Bride Wore Gray:”

On a lonely road in the Tennessee woods

1862

Even before she saw the swath of blue moving through the trees, Pauletta Sue could smell them.

Yankees.

The raw male odor of Federal soldiers made her nauseous, but she pushed her horse harder.

They won’t catch me.

â€œFaster, Savannah Lady, faster!â€

Crack! came the sound of her whip hitting the mare’s flanks. Her scarlet-gloved hand trembled as she repeated her command, louder now. The animal sensed her urgency, snorted, then raced ahead down the dark, country road, its hooves making dull, thudding sounds on the hard dirt as horse and rider went deeper into the woods.

The young woman riding sidesaddle winced. What had come over her? She had never struck the beautiful bay mare before, preferring to ride her with only the tight bit and an easy hand, but she had to get through the Yankee pickets. Nothing must stop her from carrying out her mission.

Nothing.

Her gray silk skirts, frayed at the hem, whipped at her ankles. Her long, hooded cloak made of fine black wool, threadbare in places, billowed behind her like heavy smoke, shielding her face from the demons in blue hidden all around her. Ready to strike her down if she dared to stop.

She couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

The danger of her mission chilled her. She dared not think about what lay ahead of her. She feared dying before she found the revenge she sought, for only then could she release the madness and torment of her broken heart.

The man she loved was dead.

Shot as a Confederate spy.

No, no!

All around her, the sounds of the forestâ€”the squeal of a trapped pig, the hard rumble of wagon wheels somewhere in the distance, a faraway cannon firing, the loud orders of Federal officers up ahead of herâ€”were muffled by the loud beating of her heart in her ears.

I will not allow you to die in vain, my love. I promise.

————–
Best,
Jina

Jina Bacarr
www.jinabacarr.com

‘

Calls for Submissions: Turning up the Heat!

January 31, 2013 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, Calls for Submissions, Cowboy Heat, Louisa Bacio, OCC/RWA, Writer's Success Stories

This month’s Calls for Submissions column features some exciting markets with cash prizes, payments and advances. As writers, we definitely like that!

The 2013 Short Story Award from Bethlehem Writers Roundtable

First prize is $200 and consideration for publication in BWG’s upcoming printed anthology titled: Once Around the Sun. The stories should be “Winter Tales” or “Spring Stories” of 2,000 words or less and unpublishedanywhere print or on the web and any fiction genre. The author, however, can have other stories or novels published. Second and third prize are $100 and $50 respectively plus publication in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable e-zine.

Final round judge is author, Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Again the anthology will be an actual book you can hold in your hands. The last anthology BWG published won two Next Generation Indie Book Awards: Best Anthology and Best Short Fiction.

Deadline is February 15. Here’s the contest link

Also, we publish short fiction each and every month on the e-zine. We don’t pay, but it is a publication credit. Here’s the submission guideline link http://bit.ly/IuVSls. The zine also does author (or editors or agents) interviews each month. Here is the link to this monthâ€™s interview with Lee Lofland http://bit.ly/uvQALJ . By clicking the Archives button authors can check out past interviews.

Writersâ€™ Success Stories Anthology

We want to hear real success stories from writers who didnâ€™t give up.

Itâ€™s tough to be a writer. Most people quit. But some people do not, or cannot, and those people change the world, whether for many people, or simply for themselves.

Whether youâ€™ve published, are still chipping away at your magnum ops, have written the book that freed you from a demon, or have simply scratched the itch that all writers know, we would love to hear your stories of strength, hope and success in a world that is so often painted as hopeless, and foolish – the writerâ€™s world.

Topics can include :

â— Success: professional, personal, spiritual, etc.

â— Community impact/change

â— Anything that might inspire a fellow writer whose spirit is flagging.

Editors:

Chad Carver http://chadcarver.com/

Lena Corazon http://lenacorazon.com/

Submission Guidelines:

A. Word Count: 500-1500 words (No reprints)

B. Please include a short blurb/bio, no longer that 2-3 sentences, along with links to your website and/or blog.

C. Email all submissions to weirdnessquared@gmail.comwith Anthology Submission in the subject line. Attach submission as a Word document AND paste in the body of the e-mail.

D. Rights: Non-exclusive right to publish in print and digital. If selected, you will be contacted and asked to sign an agreement granting permission for essay to be published.

E. Deadline: May 1, 2013

F. If selected, you will receive $50.00, and two (2) free copies of the anthology.

Questions?

Direct all queries to Chad Carver or Lena Corazon, weirdnessquared@gmail.com.

http://briclarkthebelleofboise.blogspot.com/2013/01/writerstell-us-your-story.html#.UPju0aV8zFJ

COWBOY HEATâ€¨

Editor: Delilah Devlin â€¨Publisher: Cleis Press Deadline: March 1, 2013. COWBOY HEAT is open to all authors.

Editor/Author Delilah Devlin is looking for hetero cowboy stories for a romantic erotica anthology tentatively entitled COWBOY HEAT.

Following the success of COWBOY LUST, Delilahâ€™s ready to construct the next delectable anthology of cowboy heroes. They may ride into the sunset, but cowboys never go out of style. They embody the fiercely independent, earthy alpha male and a hero who isnâ€™t afraid to show the gentle, nurturing side of his complex nature when heâ€™s faced with a woman or an animal in need.

Even when heâ€™s coated with dust from riding behind a herd of cattle, or up to his knees in mud freeing a calf from a wallow, his image doesnâ€™t tarnish. A womanâ€™s imagination sparks, filling in the detailsâ€”the scent of horse, cow, and crisp, clean sweat; the sight of sun-leathered skin and crows feet; the feel of work-hardened thighs and arms; and the sound of a deep-voiced, drawl.

COWBOY HEAT will seek stories that satisfy the reader who craves the romantic idea of that gruff, capable man while exploring stories set in the American West with a few exotic International settings thrown in for fun! The stories will be primarily contemporary with the possibility of a few historical Westerns. While traditional themes will be featured, writers are encouraged to dream big to create tales that surprise.

Be sure to check the descriptions of stories already featured in the previous volume, COWBOY LUST (http://cowboylust.net/about/). Delilah doesnâ€™t want repeats. Sheâ€™s seeking unique stories from authors with unique voices, and above all, sheâ€™s looking to be seduced by tales filled with vivid imagery and passion.

Published authors with an established Western world may use that setting for their original short story.

This is erotic romance, so donâ€™t hold back on the heat. Stories can be vanilla or filled with kink, but donâ€™t miss describing the connection between two strong-willed individuals learning to trust and love one another. A deep sensuality should linger in every word. And just think about the sexy possibilities of a cowboyâ€™s accoutrements. They have to know their wicked way around ropes, buckles and spurs. Not to mention how sexy one might look in just his chapsâ€¦

Exotic locations and scenarios are welcome. Keep in mind there must be a romantic element with a happy-for-now or happy-ever-after ending. Strong plots, engaging characters, and unique twists are the ultimate goal. Please no reprints. We are seeking original stories.

How to submit: Prepare your 1,500 to 4,500 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.

In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym, if applicable), mailing address, and 50 words or less bio in the third person and send to cleiscowboyheat@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one youâ€™d like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories. Delilah will respond in July 2013. The publisher has final approval over the stories included in the manuscript.

Payment will be $50.00 USD and two copies of the published book upon publication.

Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at cleiscowboyheat@gmail.com.

Magic & Mayhemâ€¨Theme:Halloween

Witches, warlocks, goblins, and ghouls. Bonfires, hayrides, and apple bobbing.

Spells whispered in the darkness. Screams heard in the still of the night. Magic sizzles in the air. Are those the screams of fearâ€”or of ecstasy?

Submit your stories that involve the Halloween season (All Hallows’ Eve, Samhain, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Day of the Deadâ€¦ or by any other name).

Dangerous, daring, sweet or sexy, the intensity and scare-factor are up to you.

Must have some romantic elements and either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending, but the scare factor is completely up to you.

Release: October 31â€¨Submission close: July 15

Cover: Shared cover, individual release

Length: 5-18k words

Heat rating: Any

Combinations: Any

https://spsilverpublishing.com/special-submissions-ezp-24.html?zenid=8562204ef2cc89bf0f7bae00c76bcd56

Masque Books Space Opera/Planetary Romance

Spaceships. Alien planets. Strange creatures. Action-packed adventure. Does your novella have all that and an emotionally satisfying romance too? Thatâ€™s what weâ€™re looking for!

Submissions must:

â—¦. Have a well-developed external conflict with believable world-building

â—¦. Be more like Bujoldâ€™s Shards of Honor than Heinleinâ€™s Friday

â—¦. Be filled with action and romance–HEA/HFN required

â—¦. Be 25,000 – 30,000 words

â—¦. Original stories only, no reprints

Submission Deadline: April 15, 2013

Collection Announced: May 1, 2013

Masque Books will select up to four novellas for its first Space Opera/Planetary Romance collection [Title to be announced]. Selected stories will be released digitally as individual titles and as collection in July or August of 2013. An advance of $100 will be paid for selected stories against royalties of 50% net of all digital receipts.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HNDlXRZM-rFa5l9AwIFp3ZgASfooNXEAge0rIMk6hUg/pub

— Louisa Bacio

http://louisabacio.blogspot.com/louisabacio

http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio

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