Let's Test Boris' Theory

After telling about my unconventional episode with rejection letters and the like, Boris bounced up in a helpful manner and told me I might want to try post some of them on the net where I could get feedback.

(Beautiful artwork for one of my published short stories by Victory)

Interestingly enough, I'd had that idea. I joined gather.com with exactly that idea myself some two years ago or so as part of a "first chapters" contest (where I was pretty much ignored entirely). For more than a year, I was a devoted Gather addict, adding stories and thoughts and ramblings and commenting on others... just to be pretty much ignored, especially my fiction.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Except I still think it's good. And, when many people I admire read it, they say they like it. But it has never stirred a lot of interest. I'm not sure Gather was a good home for it. While I was there, it went from looking at writing and stuff to pretty much focusing on fluff and games and griping. Which is why I'm rarely there any more.

But, was it the audience or the work. I'm game to test the theory. So, let's check it out.

I'm posting links to a number of stories I currently already have posted various places on the net. Do comment if you read it and tell me what you think (including expressing disgust - if I can't take criticism, I have no business doing anything more with it than stuffing it into a drawer).

I would love to find out people want to read it and would. Almost all of these are short stories. Note that many are science fiction or fantasy, particularly sword and sorcery fantasy which can get pretty violent.

These three have already been published in a magazine, the now defunct Plot (in the first three issues):

The Code of the Jenri
Cauchemar
Windrider

And then some I have posted on Gather (which haven't been published)

A Cold Wind on a Hill (my first poem)
Backseat Driver
Captain of the Guard
Masks

Then I have the Tarot Queen stories (the ones I learned tarot for - more forthcoming)
King of Swords
King of Wands
The Hanged Man

And the first chapter of my novel I'm trying to market
Curse of the Jenri

So, if any of you are willing to read them, I welcome your feedback or at least acknowledgment you did so. And Boris will be proved right.

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