I realize my tone of text here has been negative and sometimes bitter, but now I face true economic oblivion that might result in personal bankruptcy and near-future homelessness. This is no exaggeration. My personal savings is hovering at just under $700, I lost my last job due to convalescence from a biopsy operation on a right foot ulcer that later became infected in the small toe bone taking more than 30 days, and despite new (and still active older) applications submitted for jobs from county storm disaster cleanup to delivering meals to elderly shut-ins, I am stuck here unable to earn any money. And of course the bills, rent and other obligations never stop coming when you're down and almost out.
All the paying writing markets I had submitted my stories to since June have all rejected those pieces of fiction. Only two more anthologies have yet to accept or reject one of my stories (one would only pay me about $3 if accepted and then months from now, and the other is more lucrative paying but can accept or reject my submission anytime between now and May 13, 2013), and one book publisher (Ace Books) has about two more months left at the latest for responding to my query about my last self-published book Sister Helena of the Sword. I naively sent it to them in hopes the story and its two eventual sequels would prove a great idea as other worlds fantasy fiction. However, the book is not selling as a self-published work and unless it did unexpectedly well there is little hope Ace will show any interest in my project.
I'm getting some exposure through online interviews and a few positive reactions from readers of my work, but that great leap forward into professional status (not necessarily best seller, but that would be nice too) still proves elusive. I intended to begin a new website at Weebly called The Many Worlds of John X. Grey for showcasing my work away from this blog and accentuate the positive in promoting my wares. Now, it appears that this site and any other plans will be going dark - unless something improves in my personal situation to return to a level of mere survival, which will be impossible after 2012 as things currently stand.
God help me.
All the paying writing markets I had submitted my stories to since June have all rejected those pieces of fiction. Only two more anthologies have yet to accept or reject one of my stories (one would only pay me about $3 if accepted and then months from now, and the other is more lucrative paying but can accept or reject my submission anytime between now and May 13, 2013), and one book publisher (Ace Books) has about two more months left at the latest for responding to my query about my last self-published book Sister Helena of the Sword. I naively sent it to them in hopes the story and its two eventual sequels would prove a great idea as other worlds fantasy fiction. However, the book is not selling as a self-published work and unless it did unexpectedly well there is little hope Ace will show any interest in my project.
I'm getting some exposure through online interviews and a few positive reactions from readers of my work, but that great leap forward into professional status (not necessarily best seller, but that would be nice too) still proves elusive. I intended to begin a new website at Weebly called The Many Worlds of John X. Grey for showcasing my work away from this blog and accentuate the positive in promoting my wares. Now, it appears that this site and any other plans will be going dark - unless something improves in my personal situation to return to a level of mere survival, which will be impossible after 2012 as things currently stand.
God help me.