Anthology Call for Submission - Dead Robot's Society

Just thought I would share this one with anyone who might be interested:

The Dead Robots’ Society Podcast and MWS Media, LLC are proud to announce EXPLORERS: BEYOND THE HORIZON, a short story anthology to be published in 2011. The stories in EXPLORERS will feature characters forever changed by their discovery of lands and worlds beyond their own. Whether it’s by charting new stars, trekking across fantastical realms, sailing new oceans or traversing the wild and unknown spaces between dimensions, readers will find the unimaginable in the pages of EXPLORERS.

OPEN SUBMISSION CALL:

Submissions are now open for EXPLORERS: BEYOND THE HORIZON. All submissions must be primarily science fiction or fantasy. Horrific elements are acceptable so long as the emphasis is on science fiction or fantasy. The submission period will end at 11:59PM (CST) December 31st, 2010.

• NO reprints. Unpublished manuscripts only. One manuscript per author. Do not exceed 5,000 words.
• Please follow standard manuscript formatting.
• Submissions must be sent as e-mail attachments in .rtf or .doc format to submissions@deadrobotssociety.com.

 This is a paying market with royalty sharing. Space is limited, so good luck to everyone. Please see the FAQ section of the website (http://deadrobotssociety.com/)  for answers to most of your submissions questions.

Mommy? Is there a Santa Claus

I am not sure how many of you out there are parents, but that wonderfully hectic time of year fast approaching.  This year, we spoke to the girls about the possibility of having a "toned down" Christmas in favor of saving some money and taking a family vacation to Arizona in February. 

My sixteen year old daughter, well aware of the truths of Santa, readily agreed.  My ten year old, however, had questions. 

It wasn't until I heard the questions that I began to understand the workings of her young mind.

Shelby: First let me ask, is there really a Santa?
Mom: What does that have to do with anything?

Shelby: If there really isnt a Santa, and you say were going to have a smaller Christmas, than that means we wont get too many presents.  If there is a Santa, even if you tell us it will be a smaller Christmas, Santa will still bring what he usually brings, so it will be the same as always.

How does one argue with that logic?

Mom: Ok... Shelby, you got me.  There is a Santa, but he only brings kids one gift.  The rest are from moms and dads.  So you will still get one, but the others you would normally get, wont be as big -- so you would get less under the tree, but we would take a nice trip in February.

Shelby: Then how come we get lots of presents under the tree that say from Santa, and only one or two from you?

Damn, got me again...

Mom: Well, moms and dads put Santa's name on the other cards because you are always so happy when you see lots of Santa gifts

Shelby: Isn't that the same as lying?

Mom: No, not exactly.  You asked if there was a Santa, not if he brought all those gifts.  So technically, mommy hasn't lied to you.

Shelby:  Ok, I guess Arizona would be fun, then.

I guess my question here is: When the heck did children get so dang smart and world wise?  Is it just mine?  Or are all ten year olds this savy these days? 

Man I feel old :P

Nanowrimo, anyone?

November is fast approaching, and it is getting close to the chaos of Nanowrimo's annual fiction writing event.  I participated last year, and did manage to get about 20k words done for what has become The Machenwood Chronicles (my current WIP).  Didn't "win", but in a way I did, since I did manage to get a good start on a story that I think has some great potential for publication down the road (like when I actually finish it).

I am planning to give it a go again this year, but working on something different--though I have literally no clue what at this point.  I have a few more weeks to come up with some sort of plotline.  Anyway, thinking about it got me curious.

Is anyone else planning on participating in Nanowrimo this year?