Still about one scene away from finishing my story to submit to the editors of the new Bordertown anthology.  Still punishing for the mental stamina to just sit down and go at it.

Just got copy edits back on my short story "Emily Breakfast," which will be in an upcoming Canadian anthology (they've asked me not to say yet which one).  The copy editor had some great suggestions and asked some good questions.  They pointed to the differences in reading protocols between mimetic fiction and genre fantasy.  She also pointed me to this utterly hilarious and apparently true tale of dogs in an elk.

A few days ago, I heard that I'll be getting a writing grant through the Writers' Reserve programme of the Ontario Arts Council.  Thank you so much to the Diaspora Dialogues jury that recommended me.  When that money comes, it'll make whatever month it arrives in about a third more liveable.  It means a lot.

Today, I heard that I did not receive a writing grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.  A grant from them would have made the next eight months more liveable.  Still, they tell me that the jury recommended my project highly.  That's actually pretty encouraging.  I've been an arts grants officer and I know how many strong applications don't end up funded for lack of money.  It's still way better odds than sending your novel blind to a large publishing house; hundreds of applications versus thousands.  As much as I need the income, I've learned not to sweat hearing no.  It's really meaningful that this 'no' comes along with a vote of approval for the novel-in-progress.  It's a sign that I may be on the right track with it.

Okay, back to the borders of Elfland for me.  And I gotta work on my speech for ICFA in few days.  And finish critiquing manuscripts for this round of mentorships.  And answer those interview questions that have been lurking in my inbox for a couple of months.  It's going to be a full evening.