Guess what? The process doesn't always end with acceptance.

An editor recently told me my stories are "always entertaining, but you sometimes need a second set of eyes." That's not a half-assed compliment, by the way. That might be how an amateur or angry loner who thinks they're incapable of anything less than perfection would react to it. But what it means is, "You write well and I want to help make sure the story is as good as it can be when it sees publication."

I wrote that first paragraph as a prelude to the letter I received from an editor below. The story in question, titled "The Party," has already been accepted for publication. However, there were a few minor points the editor felt needed to be addressed by me. I have the option to ignore him, of course, but I prefer professionalism over self-entitlement...call me nuts. So, for those interested in submitting fiction who are unsure what it entails, I thought I'd provide an intimate look into the feedback process:

Dear Christopher,

Below, please find your contract for Triangulation: Last Contact. Please read through it and reply with your assent to the terms. If you would be so kind as to include a short biography and picture (optional, but encouraged) we will be grateful.

Attached to this email are my suggested edits for the piece. This is a word document with Track Changes. If you are unable to open it or work with it, please let me know and I'll send another format. Otherwise, please accept/decline my marks and/or add your own and return the revised document to me by June 15.

One thing I mentioned in my reading notes is that I think the piece can benefit from a few concrete details placed judiciously in the party scenes (thus making the party feel more real to the reader to set it off from the dreamlike memory scenes). I didn't feel a strong need for that on this reading, but I'll suggest that you may want to consider adding a few really concrete physical details to Jackie (in both present and past) as a way to set her off from the other mostly faceless characters. She is the constant here, right? It might be an interesting way to contrast First-Jackie and New-Jackie without having to say anything beyond describing them. Maybe her hair is crumpled down in the Party and we see her wearing a nurse's hat at some point in the later memories (just a suggestion of the sort of detail I mean; something he fixates on and we can figure out through context eventually).

It's a neat story. Thanks for sending it to us.

(Name Omitted) Editor
Triangulation: Last Contact

Two Stories Accepted & a Cover!

In case you didn't know or care or care to know or know if you care, I am compiling an anthology of Apocalypse-themed tales with disappointing conclusions. Since I doubt Harold Camping will contribute anything, I am accepting submissions from everybody else on the planet.

So far, I've received two great short stories that I've accepted and a cover I absolutely love (below):







I love the juxtaposition of Hellfire and modern technology.
















Feel free to submit anything you think might meet the theme. Stories, poems, commentaries, all are welcome. You don't need to take the theme literally either. I'm interested in your interpretation, not an exact match-up of Apocalypse fiction.

Quote O' The Day

A Yahoo! poster in response to some pinhead who wrote "(Obama) he only puts his hand over his heart because of protocol (when a national anthem is playing."

"OH no!! we could not stand another four more years of this president falsely putting his hand over his heart! we know he's not patriotic! Just cuz he got thee most wanted man in the world for killing 3000 American does not make him a Patriot...no no, he needs to glue his right hand to his chest for the duration of his presidency and then maybe I'll believe it!"

Another 5-star Reader Review.

5.0 out of 5 stars a cracking collection, May 22, 2011

By

andy angel - See all my reviews

This review is from: FROM THE BRIDGE & SEVEN OTHER SHORT STORIES (Kindle Edition)

An interesting and eclectic mix of short stories that covers several types of story. One stand-out for me was "Super powers" where a small child is listening to his parents having yet another argument from behind his bedroom door - well told and the kicker at the end was one of those where you read it and then think - did he really do that!!!
"What spider-man's evil twin taught me about life" is an episode from the author's youth that captures childhood ways very well.
The final story in the collection is "Virtuatopia is burning" a pleasant enough story to end a superb book.
As with most short story collections some stories are better than others but this is a collection definitely worth dipping into.

Open Submissions for Apocalypse-themed Anthology.

I'm creating and editing an anthology of short stories about the Apocalypse called "Not in the Brochure" dealing with a disappointing resolution to the so-called end of the world. Genres and interpretations are open. This would be a "for the love" antho so please don't submit if you're not cool with that. The antho itself would be made available on Kindle and in other digital formats.

Any revenue will be donated to http://www.projectliteracyinc.org/

Reprints are welcome!

All writers retain the rights to their work.

Reply if interested here or email me at christophernadeau71@yahoo.com

Don't forget to "like" this anthology on Facebook!

Someone Finally Reviewed "In Green, Remembered."

This story, written as a tribute to one of my writing mentors, is an admittedly difficult read. However, that didn't stop the reader below from ranking it 5 stars:

5.0 out of 5 stars short but perfectly formed, May 18, 2011

By

andy angel - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Green, Remembered (Kindle Edition)

Another belting short story from Christopher Nadeau. In Green, Remembered, is one that makes you think about what you are reading, not just a 'drift through' story. I read this twice just to enjoy it more.
Also, the story is well written with very few (if any) grammatical or spelling errors (which is a refreshing change for a kindle ebook)
Mr Nadeau also has a novel published and when it comes to Kindle I'll be the first in the queue - this author is definitely one to watch

5-Star Reader Review for "The Sign-Maker."

From The UK:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sign Maker, May 16, 2011

By

andy angel - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sign-Maker (Kindle Edition)

A very good short story that kinda leaves you feeling kinda sorry for Willis, the lead character.
Willis believes the doctors are responsible for the death of his mother and drives round with a sign in the back of his car stating this fact. Willis has 'a plan' for revenge and when a representative of the the hospital turns up on his doorstep with proof of what really happened Willis's hand is forced and the plan kicks into motion.
Very well told story. I am looking forward to reading more of this authors works.

Excerpt from WIP: "The War Within"

This short story has been in the works for nearly a year. It's about the nature of warfare in the human heart as told through a horrifying event at a VFW Hall. Here's an excerpt:

When Mrs. Bailey opened the main entrance door, she heard the type of scream she didn’t think humanly possible. Movies never got that scream right. They always overdid it for dramatic effect. This was a scream that came from the very core of a man un-used to showing emotion, a primal release of fear and agony so powerful she nearly turned and ran from the building.

But something seemed to take hold of her and root her to the spot. Resistance never occurred to her as she moved forward, toward the large steel door she always had such difficulty pushing open. She reached out to touch the long handle and received a jolt of electricity that caused her arm to go numb.

Someone else screamed but his panic was cut short by a loud crashing sound.

“Oh, no,” Mrs. Bailey said. “Oh, no. Please.”

She started sobbing, wanting to open the door but knowing she would not be able to handle what she saw on the other side of it. More screams came from there, more sounds of crashing and things breaking and shattering. Someone or something struck the other side of the door, causing her to yelp and stumble backwards. It occurred to her she should probably call the police.

But the telephone was inside, with the screaming.

Quote O' The Day

Juan Epstein

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It's so great the Republican Party is able to offer such youthful, dynamic, tech-savvy candidates to lead the way for future generation­s. Newt Gingrinch, Ron Paul.... perhaps Ichabod Crane to complete the trifecta?

Your Favorite Author Does Oral...

On the radio, that is. See how I did that? Pretty clever, huh? That comes from all that book-readin' 'n such!

Anyway, click here to listen to Suspense Radio host John Raab interviewing me as I try everything I can not to sound like a complete ass:

Quote O' The Day

From a Yahoo poster:

Bristol Palin working for teen pregnancy prevention makes as much sense as Charlie Sheen running a rehab clinic!

Excerpt from a Work In Progress

Sometimes I like to post these as a way of helping myself remain motivated. This is from a story currently titled "Flame," about online message board arguing gone horribly wrong:

I’m ready when the kid lunges for my throat.

It’s kind of sad, really, the way he does it. It’s like watching a starving person make a dive for a table of mostly consumed food before the waiter can throw it out. It’s a move filled with rage and fear and desperation and a part of me thinks it might be better if I allow him to succeed.

Instead, I side-step his advance and sweep my foot under his ankle, his head missing the corner of my coffee table by barely an inch.

I stand in place and watch his shoulders and upper back shake violently as the kid sobs and moans on the floor.

“I just want it to be over!” he yells.

I shrug. “Me too, kid.”

Thoughts? Opinions? Insults?

Food orders?