Running On Empty

With the publication of Hemodialysis, I've realised that I'm completely out of stories for publication. I've got a few in half-arsed stages of completion, but I can't really see them going anywhere, and I'll probably scrap these ones completely and start fresh. Most of my concentration at the moment is going into the novel, codenamed "UC"... which at one point was seemingly dead in the water; however it has since picked-up momentum in the last couple of weeks. I'm currently around page 80 of 113 pages of the adaptation, and definitely on schedule to have this initial portion done by the end of December.

I've got some interesting ideas for Sci-fi themed stories, which is a market that I have been skirting around and flirting with for the last few months. Generally my work is fairly mainstream; however sci-fi and speculative fiction is definitely the next step.

I've never been interested in inter-galactic warfare, space ships or the like. My sort of speculative fiction and sci-fi will generally have a very Australian, and somewhat satirical flavour. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Skive Magazine Undergoes 'Hemodialysis'

'Hemodialysis' has been accepted for publication and should be appearing in the December 2007 issue of Skive Magazine. Skive is published quarterly and contains 'short stories from some of the world's most exciting authors.'

While I certainly don't consider myself one of 'the world's most exciting authors', I am certainly pleased to have my story appear in Skive. The last few months have been fairly uneventful from a creative standpoint, and this is definately a shot in the arm.

On a side note, 'Re-entry' doesn't appear to have been accepted into the Zombie Anthology that closed all the way back in May. Not really surprised, it was a bit of a rush job, and upon re-reading it, there were a hell of a lot of typos and such. Not my best work by a long shot. Plus upon doing some digging around, it looks like a lot of stories had already been accepted as early as December last year. To be honest I'm pleased in a way that it won't be seeing the light of day just yet. The overall story was really great (in my mind) and the 7000 word limitation and rushed writing could have never done it justice. Essentially the story captured a twenty minute period at the climax of the story, and none of the great build-up to it. I'll leave the idea on the backburner and I might get back around to it as a novel... assuming I ever finish UC that is.

One Bullet

My micro-fiction story 'One Bullet' finally appeared on Flashshot:

ONE BULLET
By Jamie Richter

“Salutations. You have been randomly selected to participate in One Bullet,” the loudspeaker crackled.

Emily opened her eyes. She was still groggy from the sedatives.

“The rules are simple. Sixteen contestants, each issued with one biometrically-encoded handgun, chambered with one bullet.”

The crowd erupted in applause.

Emily examined the weapon that sat on the floor of her cell. The tiny red light on the handgrip indicated that the gun was locked; it awaited Emily’s delicate, biometrically-matched grip to arm it. Armed was good.

“The Prize? Tonight’s sole survivor will be granted oblivion!”

The rusted cell door slid open.

“Happy hunting!”

Writing micro-fiction isn't as easy as it sounds... one hundred words isn't really a lot to play with. Give it a shot!