rayb wrote:

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So those of you thinking of submitting a short story to the Bean Leaf Press writing contest have about a month left to get those shortstories in... Don't cop out... Even if you think you suck as a writer, who knows, you might be the least sucky of those who submit... (that's the way I always feel about myself... I suck, but I do it... )

Here's a linky: http://beanleafpress.com ... Arb? TheOne? Cat? Others?

--Ray  

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I wrote this really cool story but they rejected it and sent me a nasty note.  It was a compelling story about an orphan named Larry Starter being raised by an unkind aunt and uncle who finds out that his parents had magical powers.  He is sent off to live in a boarding school where he can learn to control his powers.  Along the way he makes friends and must face a sinister villian who killed his parents named Count Ortilorve.  Together with his friends Von and Herman he must solve puzzles and outwit the teachers at the school in order to save the day.  I can't figure out what is wrong with those people!  It was a great story.

I figured that I'd take it easy on Cat and the others by submitting my story early. That way they'll have a better chance when they submit theirs just before the deadline. After all, the last story you've read will be freshest in your mind when you're judging.

Cat Herder wrote:

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Mine was submitted by snail mail sometime around the middle of this past week. Not sure which day Mrs. Cat Herder actually put the envelope out in the mail. Travis should be receiving it by the middle of this week. I sat on it for a couple weeks after finishing it.

Not to just toot my own horn there Arbi, but the folks who read it once I finished it before I mailed it in were left hungering for more... they were really drawn in and they aren't even fans of fantasy writing. See, the thing is, after the folks at Beanleaf read mine, regardless of whether it is first or last, they will say such things as "Bravo!" "Dang this is just what we've been lookin' for!" "Genius! Sheer genius!" and all other entries will be found somewhere around the middle of the bell curve.

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There can be only one!
Oh, sorry, wrong contest.

arbilad wrote:

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There can be only one!
Oh, sorry, wrong contest.

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Hee.

ego... shmeeeego...

--Ray

 

I had been tempted to try but time and place have not been available.  Of course, I'm not too confident that what I would write would be much good.  Lots of ideas in my head but execution is the problem.

Weren't the submissions supposed to be "in the world of Bean"?

No more than three pages, short story about a character/or set in the world of Bean's Song. Here's a copy of the contest rulez... complete with my abominable type about NY Times font, for Cat's sake... :)

 

(Not a lot of time remaining to get entries in... but Trav says he will consider late comers... if they don't suck... )

 

--Ray

 

 

 Bean Leaf Press Writing Contest:

Are you a highly motivated fantasy writer? Do you love to write short stories? Would you be willing to work with an editor and illustrator to polish that story and see it published with the works of other fantasy writers? Bean Leaf Press is looking to publish a collection of short stories, showcasing the artwork of Travis Hanson. The stories will revolve around a common setting and theme, using the characters and settings from the World of the Broken Moon.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA:

In order to qualify, submit a short fantasy story, based upon Bean’s Song. The first round of qualifiers should have their submissions postmarked or emailed by November 1st, 2006.

Initial submissions will not necessarily be published, but will be used to judge your aptitude as a writer. Short stories should be set in the world of Bean’s Song, and you are free to use characters or places found in the World of the Broken Moon. Use your imagination to write about events that might have happened—or shaped the life—of any one of the characters just before the first chapter of the book.

The initial submission will need to be short, no more than three pages long (12 point, NYT single spaced font), so it will only be a glimpse—a day in the life—of a character. Your ability to follow instructions is a factor in whether or not you’re considered for publication. Because the final stories are illustrated, submissions should be minimally descriptive, as the illustrations will show the characters and settings. Don’t spend time describing the character’s hair or facial features, unless it is directly relevant to your story, else you won’t have space for a story. Submissions should demonstrate something noteworthy: set up a conflict, provide a simple resolution, leave us wondering about some hidden intrigue, or show off the cleverness of the characters you've read about. Your ability to create something interesting from such limited guidelines will be your greatest selling point.

Bean Leaf Press holds itself to high standards of quality storytelling and positive artistry. There is to be no sexual content, vulgarity, obscene language, or undue graphic violence. Remember that the rating should be for audiences of PG/PG-13, such as is found in the family-friendly Harry Potter series. I know it’s a novel concept, but we believe strongly in providing fun, uplifting, and inspiring stories that need not pander to the baser elements of the human condition.

We will be choosing several writers to participate in this first project. If you are selected as one of the writers for the story collection, you will receive a writer’s packet filled with details about a new setting tied to the world of Bean's Song, but located in a different area of the world of the Broken Moon. You will also receive a contract to sign, giving the rights to the story to Bean Leaf Press, and a nondisclosure form, requesting that any story materials within the packet remain under your personal scrutiny alone—and that it not be distributed to the general public. If you want your submission returned, please include a self addressed stamped envelope.

Eventually this new setting will be the source of a new Series of books coming from Bean Leaf Press, so writers will comply to “continuity issues” that are managed by our continuity editor. The actual short story submission will be slightly longer than your initial submission, probably around five pages. You will get to work with an editor to polish the final draft. You will be expected to write and finish your story on given deadlines, with the goal of publishing the collection before next summer (which is a tight schedule).

Since Bean Leaf Press is still a small outfit, we have limited resources and are still struggling to reach that “impossible dream” of profitability. We are committed to giving back to the community by helping new writers have an outlet for their creativity and become known. Once published, contributors will have their names featured prominently in the story credits. They will also receive 2 copies of the book for their own personal use, as well as 2 limited edition prints as payment for their contributions. Contributors will also receive strong consideration for future projects with the publishing company, with the hope that as the company becomes more profitable, so will your further contributions.

Begin your story today and make the World of the Broken Moon a reality… Adventure is lurking just within the nib of your quill. November will be upon us shortly, so get those stories in NOW!

Send submissions to:

via Email: submissions@BeanLeafPress.com

or

via Mail:
Submissions
Bean Leaf Press
P.O. Box 6095
Moreno Valley, CA 92554

 

Really behind the lines.  What is "beans song" other than an ode to that one campfire scene in "Blazing Saddles".

Ok, Ray, those of us deluded enough to believe that we may have a slight chance are interested to know; now that the contest is closed to entries, how quickly is the decision going to be made? I'm assuming at the very least before next summer.

rayb wrote:

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I am bothering Trav daily. I think he expected to be closer to done with BOOK 2 than he is now, but I can't say more, cuz well... 1st-I don't know it and 2nd-It's not my place to say more... :) ANyhow You all have a good chance of consideration...

--Ray

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Fair enough Ray. I prefer things to be done according to the rules. I'm just incredibly impatient when I don't have an exact date to wait for. So that means, of course, that I usually don't have an exact date.
I imagine that there are several factors in Travis' decision. First, it has to be decided how many short story writers are needed. I assume it's more than two or three, and could be as many as ten or twenty. After all, why publish a book if you only have two or three short stories of 5 pages each?
If you have fewer total applicants than you have spots, then you still probably don't accept them all automatically. So you start asking several questions. How far are you willing to lower your standards? How much hope do you put in an editor being able to help them get their work up to par? What is the absolute minimum of stories that you need?
If you have more submissions than you needed, you have a different set of questions. If you really have a hard time eliminating people, can you use more stories than you thought? If the technical skills of one writer are worse than another, but he obviously has more creative thoughts, do you take a chance and hope that with good editing he can turn out good work? What do you do if none of the work is up to par?
I imagine that it's not an easy process deciding, especially with a book to finish.

I like thinking out loud sometimes. I wasn't really expecting answers.
Although the more I think about it, the more I think that whoever the editor is will have quite a job ahead of them. I can imagine needing to say things like, "No, no, we can't use a Bean/Ranma 1/2 crossover. For one thing, we don't have the rights. For another, it's a stupid idea."

So, you're saying he's gonna be a girlie-man and hide behind Ray?

oh wait, probably not scoring any points there with the judges again... my bad... what that was supposed to say is "Well, Ray you've got that knack of talking with people that helps them see their strengths and outlines areas of development in such a personable fashion."

Ray, can we at least assume that, whenever the decision is made, we will be told one way or the other?

 

I've evaluated all submissions of late. I've tried to get the other judges to make commentary, but they, as of yet, have not... due to the hard work they're doing on "other stuff"... so yeah, this may just be some long pointless process...  needless to say I'm a bit disappointed. (Btw, Arb I really liked your story... Cat... well... I couldn't tell which was yours... :) )

BTW, Ray, just a friendly reminder, you may not get the book of short stories ready for release this summer.

You'll notice that there doesn't seem to be any mention of the project on the website anymore. They're probably letting it die a quiet death and hoping that people forget.