Contents 03 Editor’s Forum Vol. 4 No. 1 2015 03 Editor Message From The President Mike Robinson 04 Elfkind Editorial Staff (Novel Excerpt) Catherine Cruzan Katherine Stewart, Barry Dale Gilfry Production & Design 11 Peeling The Onion: The Continuing Mystery of Michael Rushlow Sherlock Holmes, H.P. Lovecraft, and Twin Peaks Daniel Lambert Contributors Catherine Cruzan, Daniel Lambert, 13 Barry Dale Gilfry, Katherine Stewart, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Dialogue Tags and the Mythical Said Book Lisa Marguerite Mora, Gloria Shell Mitchell, Barry Dale Gilfry Carson Standifer, Beth Barany,Mike Robinson, Morgan St. James 16 Drought Visual Art Katherine Stewart Tony N. Todaro Michael Rushlow 17 Illuminated Manuscript GLAWS President (Poetry), Lisa Marguerite Mora Tony N. Todaro 18 GLAWS Vice President No Compromise On Prom Night Leslie Ann Moore Gloria Shell Mitchell Founders 23 The Man Who Went West Tony N. Todaro, Neil Citrin Carson Standifer www.glaws.org 28 10 Tips To Get Started For Self-Published Authors Literary Landscapes is the official periodical of The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society. All Rights Reserved 2014. Beth Barany All work remains the property of the individual author. The words of the writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the society’s members or staff. 30 What The Hell Is That? Original material may be submitted by GLAWS members in good standing for editorial consideration. Writing Contemporary Horror Fiction Mike Robinson We take poetry, fiction, articles and excerpts between 500 and 3,000 words (preferred). Send submissions by email to: [email protected] There is no reading fee. As this publication is distributed free, 32 Conduit no royalties are paid. GLAWS is a 501(c) non-profit. (Poetry), Lisa Marguerite Mora 32 Finding Your Niche Morgan St. James Message From The President Why You Should Attend (at least) Editor’s Forum One Writers Conference A Year By Tony N. Todaro By Mike Robinson Some writers are afraid to attend writers conferences. “The greatest thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Some because they think they don’t need one and won’t Certainly we all know the almost apocalyptic cir- learn anything new, which is ill-informed; others because cumstances under which FDR uttered those words, but he they are worried about the cost-to-benefit ratio, which is may as well have been addressing the (slightly-more-local- understandable. ized) apocalyptic condition of writers, of all stripes, all I suggest that every writer needs to attend at least levels. Because whether aspiring or accomplished, we all one conference a year. It doesn’t have to be big or expen- wrestle with, and indulge in, that one vice that hampers sive to have an effect on your career, but it does need to be our work. It was the reason Twain took seven years to get live and interactive (no online nonsense). out Huckleberry Finn. Booze? Drugs? No, though they I suggest you attend a conference where you can may be factors. I’m talking about the funny song-and- Smeet and network with other like-minded authors, hear Tdance production known as procrastination. For the most new presenters with fresh points-of-view, meet editors and part, a writer’s procrastination stems from over-intellectu- get professional critiques of your work, and pitch agents alization of the writing process. A fancy way of saying, on your finished, polished work. You can’t do any of this well, fear. sitting at home in your sweats. Fear of what? Of the words having left us. Of not I try to attend as many conferences and conven- bringing to the page the same fluid genius that birthed our tions as I have time and budget for – no matter the size – previous works (How did I ever do this before? you might using a philosophy of “I don’t know what I don’t know.” be silently asking). Of our time at the desk -- or Starbucks In fact, I’m going to a conference soon on how to produce table -- being wasted or unjustified. A good friend of mine better conferences. Really. remarked, “Every time I sit down to write, I feel like I re- learn how to do it.” Authors should attend to meet other writers from a variety of genres, whether they are traditionally or self- Happily, these concerns are pretty much baseless, published, have important information about agents, per- though overcoming their self-created reality requires haps making a killing selling E-books, have a great social some diligence. In setting down that first paragraph, network, are stocked in bookstores, or know how to at- you’ve fractured the fear, though it still feels brittle tend other conferences at lower rates. I also want to learn and obstructive. Keep chipping, however, and it what events to avoid, and why; what agents and publish- will crumble away, and the words and the vi- ers to avoid and why. I’m sure you could add your own sions will stream forth, sweeping you along. items that would help to further your career as a writer. I Sometimes it’s a creek, other times full-on want to exchange ideas and information, and conferences white-water rapids. are the best place to do it. Either way, at some point you’re bound to pop your head above the surface and re- And when you are there, make the most of your mark, “What was I so afraid of?” time. Recently, I moderated a panel of literary agents and publishers, then later over dinner, I made a shocking dis- And eventually, bobbing along, covery. Not one writer in the audience came up afterwards you’ll reach the wide open ocean of and asked an agent or publisher for a business card. I was the publishing and marketing world. But stunned. Here the agents had given up valuable time on a that’s a story for another time. holiday to attend and share their wisdom, and noted that they don’t take many submissions, but do attend confer- ences to meet new talent with polished manuscripts. And no one in the audience took advantage of this unparalleled opportunity. Don’t make this mistake. It seems ironic to say that there is only so much a writer The rewards of attending writers conferences are can get out of a text book, but it’s true. Writers confer- endless, providing you are willing to invest the time and ences are a great way to have a truely educational and in- money to get out there and network, and learn how to tell teractive experience that will inspire and motivate you to your story, polish it, and find a good agent and publisher. create a masterpiece worthy of publication. 203 2 Elfkind Chapter 1 – An Untimely Death Novel Excerpt By Catherine Cruzan If Lariel hadn’t spent half the she went to the wardrobe. night sneaking around the king’s per- The moment her father discovered sonal library, she might have woken in she’d been taking books again, he time to dress for the assassins headed would lock them away forever. her way. As it was, mid-morning sun His determination to separate her poured through her windows by the from anything adversely influential time she finally sat up in bed. Her was directly related to her level of neck and shoulders complained from interest in it. If she didn’t pretend to hours of hunched reading, so she set a loathe riding and archery lessons, he plan to get a rubbing salve from the would take them away too. physicians after she’d had something “It isn’t fair,” said Talia. “Matthias to eat. Ravil was going to take me to Half Without warning, her bedroom Moon Lake after church. He brought door opened. a whole team of stallions back from Her tutor strode in, dragging her Edditay last month, each horse as Ichildhood friend like a cat plucked white as snow and as tall as the city from an unwanted bath. Talia’s pouts gates. It’ll be a marvelous spectacle!” were decidedly effective on the men The gold flowers embroidered on around her, but old Master Grady was the girl’s gown personified her plight. categorically immune to protestation. Without a husband, her sole enterprise was to dote on “Good heavens,” he said. “You’re not even up yet.” the Tallen heir. Her father’s position at court ensured her an appropriate marriage, but like Lariel, she didn’t “Tell him, Lariel,” said Talia. “Tell him we don’t want to be sold off to the first prune-faced, spindle- have lessons today. It’s Sunday!” legged peacock to thrust a well-endowed purse under Grady eyed the plunder at the foot of Lariel’s bed, her father’s nose. with titles ranging from Mystical Applications of Gar- den Variety Herbs to Designing Mechanical Release De- Talia’s pouts were decidedly vices and Ancient Elvin Lore. “The king will burn me alive if he sees this mess!” effective on the men around “Then don’t show it to him,” said Lariel. She slid her, but old Master Grady was from her covers, sending books avalanching to the floor. categorically immune to “Mistress, please—” said Grady. “Some decorum protestation.” while you hurry.” He emphasized ‘hurry’ with an earnest grumble. “Tall as the gates, my auntie’s hairy chin,” Lariel wrapped a blanket around her nightdress so said Lariel. She rifled through the wardrobe looking the grizzled man wouldn’t have something to ogle while for something remotely appealing. 204 2 “ “Ladies, please,” said Grady.