In Today’s Journal * Writing Sex * Of Interest * The Numbers Writing Sex First, I’m not talking specifically about writing porn or erotica here. I’m talking about writing sex even in a family friendly novel. But if your genre is erotica or even something stronger, the following will apply for you too. Read on. Second, know that less is always more. In sensual scenes, the goal is to entice the reader and keep him or her reading. Third, know that focusing down matters. Less is more, but focusing down on what you DO put on the page makes it … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * The Bradbury Challenge * A New Bonus for the TRUE PULP Kickstarter * The Writing * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.” Michael J. Fox The Bradbury Challenge During the past week, in addition to whatever other fiction they’re writing, the following writers reported these new stories: Loyd Jenkins “The Long Walk of Deck Nine” 4600 Space Western Vanessa V. Kilmer “Gold-Tipped Feathers” 2999 Mystery Christopher Ridge “Whiplash” 1487 thriller … Read more

In Today’s Journal * A New Short Story * Bradbury Reminder * Shopify vs. Payhip and More * More on Dialogue * Only for Readers of TNDJ! * Of Interest * The Numbers A New Short Story “Down to the Wire” went live Friday at 10 a.m. on my Stanbrough Writes Substack. This is an odd short story. Go check it out. It’s free. If you enjoy the story, please click Like. Comments are welcome too. Both help with my Substack algorithms. Then tell Everyone else. Bradbury Reminder Today is Sunday. Just a reminder to get your Bradbury Challenge story … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Only for Readers of TNDJ! * More on Description * Of Interest * The Numbers Only for Readers of TNDJ! If you missed it, in yesterday’s issue of TNDJ, I published an off-the-grid stretch goal just for readers of TNDJ. You don’t even have to be a TNDJ subscriber. Be sure to take a look at that special offer. You can find it On Substack Or at the Journal website Support the TRUE PULP Kickstarter today! Thanks! More on Description I consider myself a studying master of setting and scene description. I have a good mastery … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Only for Readers of TNDJ! * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “Our First Teacher is our own heart.” Cheyenne proverb Only for Readers of TNDJ! An Off-the-Grid Stretch Goal! You might consider this Stretch Goal Zero. (grin) Our TRUE PULP Kickstarter surpassed its initial funding goal yesterday. Yay! Now we’re reaching for that first stretch goal. But I want to do something special just for readers of TNDJ. The Reward(s) ANYONE who donates at least $20 to the True Pulp Kickstarter will receive EITHER the complete, 10-volume … Read more

In Today’s Journal * Your Morning Serial: Description * Contest Update * Manuscript Format Redux * Love Live-Action Bits? * Of Interest * The Numbers Your Morning Serial: Description For a great example of down-in-the-weeds, next-level setting description, read The Journey Home: The Ark (Chapter 4). The chapter also actually stands alone as a short-short story, and in my opinion the description alone is worth studying. Contest Update Just so you know, I’ve narrowed the field of those vying for first place in the contest to five excellent stories. Please don’t ask about the titles or authors. I won’t tell … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The True Pulp Kickstarter Is Live! * Your Morning Serial * A Great Question and Some Clarity * The Numbers The True Pulp Kickstarter Is LIVE! The True Pulp Kickstarter went live yesterday. Everyone please stop by and check it out. Backers get early access plus exclusive covers and content. Authors, Merchandise, and Bonus Books. Oh My! An exclusive, collectible cover you can get only through the Kickstarter. And really great stretch goals. Be sure to read down for info on the authors, rewards for backing at the various levels, add-ons, stretch goals, and more. And … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The True Pulp Kickstarter Goes Live! * Notes on Manuscript Format * Of Interest * The Numbers The True Pulp Kickstarter Goes Live! The True Pulp Kickstarter will go live this morning at around 9 a.m. EST. Everyone please stop by and check it out. Backers get early access plus exclusive covers and content. Notes on Manuscript Format I didn’t provide a recommended format for manuscript submissions before the Echoes of Hemingway short story contest. Here are a few guidelines. Note: If you’re submitting to a specific venue, always check for that venue’s specific formatting guidelines. … Read more

In Today’s Journal * The Bradbury Challenge * A Few Tips for Entering Contests * Reading for the Contest * Of Interest * The Numbers The Bradbury Challenge The whole point of the Challenge is to have fun and grow as a writer. There is no cost. The only requirement is to write at least one short story per week. Feel free to jump in at any time. During the past week, in addition to whatever other fiction they’re writing, the following writers reported these new stories: Loyd Jenkins “A Day in Dead Man’s Drift” 1300 Space Western Vanessa V. … Read more

In Today’s Journal * We Might Have an Anthology * A Personal Recap of May * Of Interest * The Numbers We Might Have an Anthology As of 10 a.m. yesterday I’d received 18 entries from 13 writers for the Echoes of Hemingway short story contest. And as I write this (with submissions officially closed) I’ve received 22 entries from 15 writers. Woohoo! Congratulations to all of those writers for believing in themselves enough to write and submit a story to the contest. Now, for some of you, you still need to believe in yourself enough to Defend Your Work. … Read more