Tonight, right now, very now in Melbourne Overland 188 is being launched.

Go to the website, order a copy now!

Such a hive of holiday activity I am.

I have finished my synopsis, my bio and my re-write of the novel. (OK I have one more change I want to make to the last chapter - but so close I'm going to call it done!)

I have emailed first three chapters to a very obliging friend who has offered feedback (thanks Z).

I have made some slight changes to 'The Chance' short story (recent 2nd prize getter in the KSP) and placed in an addressed envelope. Let's see if we can't find this sucker a home now its gone and won itself a prize.

I also squeezed in a trip to the bank (to bank prize cheque), lunch with a girl friend, bootcamp, a nap and other bits. Next I will write myself a list (cos it is upon lists that the empire was won) then off to see L.

I'm back!

Yup - one week of playing with family and doing rewrites in Bowral (not to mention the odd jog and a bit of pub trivia) is now over.

I'm almost through the entire manuscript and hopeful that by the end of the week I might be almost in a position to call it done!

In other news I have for the third time picked up 2nd place in the Katherine Susannah Prichard Fantasy and Science Fiction Awards!

The judge Dave Luckett said:

Although the runner-up and the other stories on the shortlist have definite merits, unlike the winner they have structural problems that cannot be overcome by editing or a minor rewrite. “The Chance” handles action and character very well, with strong narrative elements, including a working denouement, but the setting is not internally consistent. In this post-apocalyptic near-anarchy, metal would necessarily be scavenged and a set of simple machine tools and a working forge would be much-sought-after treasure trove. Someone would have found them - it’s not as though they’re hidden. For that matter, the protagonist and her brother have been actively trying to repair the railway equipment, for which they needed scrap. It’s impossible to believe that nobody has ever investigated a nearby shed large enough to contain a steam locomotive and a workshop, and it ruptures suspension of disbelief when this is demanded of the reader.

I have to say his comments on the value of scrap metal are certainly valid and I will definately be putting some greater thought into that aspect sometime soon - for the moment I am having a wry laugh. I mean what does a girl have to do to win FIRST place!

The galleys for Overland arrived yesterday - so I spent this evening proofing them. A couple of minor typos - but nothing significant. I'll send them back tomorrow along with my ATO Statement for why I'm not quoting an ABN.

Otherwise spent the evening snuffling a bit and doing a re-write of a story that is about 3 years old. I've decided if it cleans up ok I'll shoot it off to a historical writing competition. It's much improved - but I'm not sure if it's good enough. I'll play some more on the weekend and make the decision then.

A package at the post office to be picked up tomorrow. My e-tag I think. Don't tell L about it. He's philosophically opposed to them. I admit I'm pretty annoyed that the government is going crazy selling our roads off - but not so annoyed that I can be stuffed trying to find change OR avoiding using said roads.

Tomorrow last day of work before two weeks off. Yipee!

So in order to get the novel ready in time for the Manuscript Competition I need to:

Rewrite 10 pages a day (so 20 tonight cos I've got other stuff on tomorrow)
Write a 1 page synopsis (I hate those things)

And hopefully at the same time throw the odd word down on other projects.

That's the plan.

In Tasmania a giant squid washed up on a beach last night. Australian scientists have gone into a feeding frenzy. That's a whole heap of calamari.

An acceptance landed today - from Overland Magazine.

And there was much rejoicing.