Check out this interview I just did, discussing writing and editing advice and other things!
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Writing, Editing, Cats, and Hodor
Posted on February 19, 2024 by Michael A. Ventrella
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
Posted on January 26, 2024 by Michael A. Ventrella
I’ll be a guest speaker at the 50th Fest for Beatles Fans, and will have a table where I will be selling both my nonfiction book THE BEATLES ON THE CHARTS as well as the fiction anthology ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. Look, they even have my name on the poster!
I hope to see some of you there!
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The Four ???? of the Apocalypse
Posted on December 15, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
I had a great time participating in this interview with some of the wonderful authors in the new anthology The Four ???? of the Apocalypse. My story is about the four lawyers, called “Horseman, Horseman, Horseman & Horseman, Attorneys at Law.” I’m honored to be included in this collection with some of my favorite writers!
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Why your story was rejected
Posted on November 30, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
I’ve edited or co-edited over a dozen anthologies at this point, and have had to send out lots of rejection letters. You should never take those personally. It’s just all part of the process. (I’ve received plenty of my own as well).
Sometimes the rejection is because the story isn’t good enough. You can’t deny that’s the case. But sometimes it’s for other reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the story.
Such as:
It doesn’t fit with the theme. This one happens a lot. I have an anthology about dragons and you send me a perfectly fine story that does not have even one dragon in it. Great story, but doesn’t belong in this anthology. Plus, you’ve just made me mad at having to spend time reading a story that you sent in without reading the guidelines for submission. Which leads to the next point:
It doesn’t follow the guidelines. This makes editors the most frustrated. If we say we want stories under 5000 words, don’t go sending us a 7500 word story. Follow the guidelines!
It doesn’t fit with the other stories. Doing an anthology is like arranging a mix tape. You want a good variety of serious and funny and short and long, and you want to start and end strong, and if you have too many of one thing, you just have to cut something to make it all work well together. Or, alternatively, you have a whole bunch of really scary stories and then someone sends in a hilarious story that is otherwise great but would stick out terribly surrounded by all the other ones. All good anthology editors have to consider not just which stories they like best but which ones fit together to make the best collection.
It repeats a theme from another story. If I get two stories about court jesters wanting to marry the princess, I’m not going to pick both no matter how good they are. This is nothing you can prevent, of course, but it has happened. (The example about the court jesters is absolutely true and happened with one my anthologies.)
There’s no more room. My publisher won’t take an anthology over a certain number of words because then the book becomes too expensive to print without raising the cost to the point where it will hurt sales. I hate having to cut stories I love but I often have to do that because I only have so much room. I can’t take them all.
Personal taste. Hopefully, if you’ve read the anthologies I’ve edited or my own books, you know my tastes in stories. If you agree, then hopefully you’ll also like my next anthology. But obviously, I’m going to pick stories I like. A different editor could pick completely different ones. It doesn’t mean that your rejected story was bad–it just means I didn’t like it as much as other ones. When I edit an anthology with another editor, this point becomes very clear. There are stories I love that I want in the anthology that the other editor doesn’t want in, and vice versa.
The writer. I have to be honest here–writing is an art, but publishing is a business. If I have two stories I like but I only have room for one, I’m going to pick the writer who can better sell the book. If you’re a prominent author whose name on the cover will help sell the book, well, can you blame me for wanting that story? But even if you are not a Big Famous Author, if you have a great social media presence and I see that you’ll go out of your way to promote the book, I’m more likely to choose your story over the reclusive writer who never leaves their room.
(A caveat to that last bit: If you’ve never been published before, let the editor know that. We can use that in our publicity. We all want to discover the next great new talent. If your story is good enough, no one will care that you have never been published before.)
So if and when you get a rejection of your story, never take it personally. It doesn’t mean your story is bad. The rejection may have had nothing to do with the quality of your story.
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My Philcon 2023 Schedule
Posted on November 10, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
It’s time for Philcon, Philadelphia’s oldest literary convention. It’s in New Jersey. (Look, it was cheaper, okay?)
This year’s Guest of Honor is my good friend NY Times Bestselling Author Jonathan Maberry! Jonathan and I edited the Baker Street Irregulars series together and he’s also contributed a story to my anthology Three Time Travelers Walk Into… . We’re both featured in the new anthology The Four ??? of the Apocalypse, edited by Keith R.A. DeCandido and Wrenn Simms, and there will be a release party at the convention.
I’ve been a guest at Philcon for years, and it’s always great to go back there and see so many of my friends. This year’s event will be on the weekend of November 17-19.
Here’s my schedule:
Meet the Pros (Friday 9 pm): This is where all the guests come out and have a nice reception with everyone
Autographs (Saturday noon): Keith R.A. DeCandido and I will be sharing an autographing table
Bending the Elements: Comparing Avatar: The Last Airbender and the Dragon Prince (Saturday 3 pm): Tim Souder (moderator), Eric Hardenbrook, Michael A. Ventrella, Katrina S. Forest. Despite being released in 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender still resonates with audiences today. The first season of Dragon Prince premiered in 2018 to much anticipation. How does this new series compare – a triumph or a pale imitation? Is it a worthy successor to Avatar? What are the similarities and differences?
Reading (Saturday 4:40 pm): I’ll be reading my new story “Horseman, Horseman, Horseman & Horseman, Attorneys at Law” (assuming the Masquerade rehearsal is done in time)
Tips for New Writers (Saturday 5:00 pm): Michael A. Ventrella (moderator), Christopher Stout, P.D. Cacek, Jon McGoran, Kelley Armstrong. So you’ve got an idea for a story that you think could really *be* something. The problem is, you’ve not written much before – other than what you had to for school assignments – and you’re finding the process a little daunting. Here’s some advice that might help you find your groove. (And if you’ve got questions, please ask them!)
The Sandy Swank Memorial Masquerade (Saturday 8:00 pm): Abigail Welsher (moderator), Heidi Hooper, Michael A. Ventrella, Jonathan Maberry, Keyo: The Masquerade entrants take to the stage to show off all their hard work and creativity. Recreation costumes and cosplay, original designs, and historical recreations will all be on display. Our Young Fan Division will present first, with awards to follow immediately, then the adults will have their turn to shine. This year’s halftime will feature the triumphant return of “Trailer Park” to entertain you while the judges deliberate on awards. (I’m the Master of Ceremonies for this!)
The Four ???? of the Apocalypse Release Party (Saturday 9:00 pm): I’ll be attending this as soon as the Masquerade is over.
The Rejection Letter (Sunday 10 am): Ty Drago (moderator), Eric Avedissian, Neil Clarke, Christine Norris, Michael A. Ventrella. Every writer has received this politely worded “Thanks but no thanks” note, leaving the writer clueless about what might be a very good reason for the rejection. If a publication’s submission webpage mentions a 6-week turnaround time and you get a rejection within a day, what does that mean? What are the most common reasons for a rejection at the slush pile stage? At later stages? How can you tell when it’s worth resubmitting a new draft to the same publisher?
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The Four ???? of the Apocalypse
Posted on October 24, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
I’m thrilled to be included in this new anthology along with some of my favorite authors, including many NY Times Bestsellers and award-winners. Here’s the blurb:
AN ANTHOLOGY OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS!
We all know about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Death, War, Famine, and Pestilence riding on pale horses and all that Book-of-Revelation stuff. But why does it have to be four guys on horses? Why not the Four Cheerleaders of the Apocalypse? The Four Cats of the Apocalypse? The Four PTA Moms of the Apocalypse? The Four Lawyers, Librarians, or Lunch Ladies of the Apocalypse? The Four Drummers, Rock Stars, or Opera Singers of the Apocalypse? Or even the Four Squirrels of the Apocalypse or the Four Emojis of the Apocalypse?
My story is, of course, about the four lawyers of the Apocalypse: Horseman, Horseman, Horseman & Horseman, Attorneys at Law
Here’s the full table of contents:
- The Introduction of the Apocalypse by Keith R.A. DeCandido & Wrenn Simms
- The Apocalypse Will Be Televised by David Mack
- Well, That Escalated Quickly by Seanan McGuire
- The Four Opera Singers of the Apocalypse by Mary Fan
- Apocatlypse by Jody Lynn Nye
- The Four Stages of the Apocalypse by Derek Tyler Attico
- A Priest, a Rabbi, a Shinshoku, and an Imam Walk Into… by Peter David
- Blank Slates by Aaron Rosenberg
- For Whom the Bell Tolls by Laura Anne Gilman
- The Four Swords of the Apocalypse: A Tale of Kagen the Damned by Jonathan Maberry
- The Fifth Horseman by Randee Dawn
- To Brandish a White Ladle: A Chronicle of the Four Lunch Ladies of the Apocalypse by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
- Fate of the Final Four (A Fatalist Fable) by Gordon Linzner
- The Four Harschmans of the Apocalypse by Michael Jan Friedman
- Your Apocalypse Will Be Handled by the Next Available Representative by Wrenn Simms
- HHH 666 by Jenifer Purcell Rosenberg
- Horseman, Horseman, Horseman, & Horseman, Attorneys-at-Law by Michael A. Ventrella
- The Four Squirrels of the Apocalypse by Gerard Houarner
- The Four Angels of the Apocalypse by Megan Mackie
- The Arrival of Amber by Adam-Troy Castro
- Overdue by Gail Z. Martin
- The Four Bachelors of the Apocalypse by Hildy Silverman
- The Four Cheerleaders of the Apocalypse by Robert Greenberger
- What Do You Want from Me, I’m Old: A Tale of the Four Septuagenarians of the Apocalypse by Keith R.A. DeCandido
- Four Entrees by James D. Macdonald
- Prepocalypse Now by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore
- Live, Laugh, Apocalypse by Patrick Thomas
- We Got the Beat by Russ Colchamiro
- The Four Course Men by David Gerrold
- Putting Doom on Paws by Aaron Rosenberg
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Amazing Stories Interview
Posted on October 2, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
I had a great time answering Amazing Stories’ crazy questions and I hope my answers made people laugh. Check it out!
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My Capclave 2023 Schedule
Posted on September 13, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
Capclave is a fun convention for literary science fiction and fantasy fans. (It’s where I met George R.R. Martin all those years ago and had my 15 minutes of fame for predicting the Hodor plot).
It’s held near Washington, DC and this year’s is the weekend of September 29th.
It’s a small convention, concentrating on literary achievement. I always enjoy attending and meeting fellow authors and readers. Plus we usually have fun with the Eye of Argon reading.
Here’s my schedule:
| Friday 10:00 pm: Creating a Believable Legal System for Your Fantasy Participants: Cathy Green (M), David Keener, Mary G. Thompson, Michael A Ventrella Disputes are going to arise in your imagined world, and someone has to resolve them! There are hundreds of examples of how legal systems work in real life, but what about in the societies you create? How can you develop a legal system that is both realistic and also relevant to the story (and not an obstacle to your pacing and plot)? Panelists discuss what makes for a believable (or not) fantasy legal system. |
| Saturday 2:30 pm: A Little Perspective: POV in Fiction Participants: Charlie Jane Anders, Jean Marie Ward, Michael A Ventrella (M), Scott H. Andrews Who tells your story is as important as how it is told and what is in it. Changing the point of view can completely transform how a story is received. Panelists discuss options for experimenting with perspective, how to know what is most effective for a story, and why styles such as second-person are worth your consideration. |
| Saturday 10:00 pm: Eye of Argon (Ends at: 10:55 pm) Participants: Hildy Silverman (M), Ian Randal Strock, Michael A Ventrella Eye of Argon is back! Join us for a so bad it’s good (but still bad) live interactive performance of this convention classic. |
| Sunday 10:30 am: Author Reading: Michael A. Ventrella Participants:Michael A Ventrella Michael A. Ventrella reads from recent and upcoming works. |
| Sunday 11:30 am: Constructing Your Magic System Participants: Jeanne Adams, Ken Altabef, L. Penelope, Michael A Ventrella, Scott H. Andrews (M) Magic is an important element of fantasy stories. Unless you want to end up in ‘a wizard did it’ world for how every problem is resolved, your magic systems needs to be constructed with a set of rules. How should you begin constructing this system? What is the cost of using magic? How powerful do you want the magic to be? Panelists discuss these and other considerations for creating a compelling magical world. |
Pictures from previous Capclaves (click on a picture to enlarge):
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My Albacon 2023 schedule
Posted on September 6, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
I’ll be at Albacon this weekend (September 8 – 10) in Albany. Here’s my schedule:
The Eye of Argon and the Further Adventures of Grignr the Barbarian (Friday 9 pm): In which guests who have written hilarious stories for my latest anthology will read them!
Reading (Saturday 11:30 am): I’ll be reading a story that is soon to be available in a new anthology called THE FOUR ???? OF THE APOCALYPSE. My story is called “Horseman, Horseman, Horseman & Horseman, Attorneys at Law”
Interview with Walter H. Hunt (Saturday 3 pm): I’ve been asked to interview Guest of Honor Walter Hunt, and we’ll also be taking questions from the audience.
You Are Not The One (Saturday 4:30 pm): A panel discussion about The Chosen One
“That’s Not History, That’s Hollywood.” (Saturday 9:30 pm): A panel discussion about what TV and movies get wrong about history
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Beatles on the Charts interviews
Posted on May 31, 2023 by Michael A. Ventrella
Since the release of my nonfiction book THE BEATLES ON THE CHARTS, I’ve been thrilled to see it do well on Amazon’s top 100 “Beatles” chart. It has pretty much stayed there since its release!
I’ve been pleased to have been a guest on many blogs where we discuss the band and their chart performances. Have a look at some!
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Michael A. Ventrella 