Antibacterial Soaps

This is the first article I found from howstuffworks.com:

“….there are several main points to consider in our national antibacterial craze:
* The antibacterial components of soaps (usually triclosan or, less commonly, triclocarbon) need to be left on a surface for about two minutes in order to work. Most people are not this patient, and end up washing off the soap before the antibacterial ingredients can do their job.
* Some scientists theorize that bacteria may develop a resistance to bactericidal agents over time.
* Some bacteria actually benefit us. The normal population of bacteria on our bodies not only eats our sweat, but also helps defend us against truly harmful, invasive bacteria.
* Many common diseases are viral in nature, anyway, and are therefore not prevented by antibacterial products.
* According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibacterial soaps are not necessary, but washing your hands thoroughly with ordinary soap and warm water is one of the most effective ways to ward off infection.”

Okay, so let’s boil this down—Scott Rolsen style….
(1) It takes two minutes for an AB soap to work. (2) Since nobody uses soap for two minutes, the whole damned argument is TOTALLY false and USELESS on both sides.

Because my original argument is false, and my venerable wife’s subsequent objections are equally false (yep, we both suck), there’s no reason (a) not to use AB soap, and (b) no reason to use AB soap either.

Therefore, I like the foamy feeling.

I’m sticking with the AB foamy stuff for now. Next month, I may be in a creamy mode. No harm done on either side of the fence. Don’t you just love a bipartisan compromise? (If you answered no, vote for Oscar in 2008.)

WOTF Honorable Mention

My latest story is an Honorable Mention again in the Writers of the Future Contest. That makes five HM's or QF's now. My name will once again appear on the blog, and I will receive a certificate.

Honorable Mention Posted

My name has been posted along with 30 or so other Honorable Mentions for 4th quarter, 2007. Go check out the Writers of the Future website!

LINK: http://wotfblog.galaxypress.com/2008/01/and-4th-quarter-2007-l-ron-hubbard.html

Thrilling Tales Magazine

Received news today that my story, "Beneath Her Frozen Shores," is under consideration for the second issue of Thrilling Tales Magazine. Cool!

4th Quarter Honorable Mention

Just received word that my latest story is an Honorable Mention for the 4th quarter 2007. I'll be receiving a certificate, which is a nice touch.

Thanks WOTF!

Leading Edge Magazine

Leading Edge Science Fiction Magazine has expressed interest in publishing my short story "The Phobos Find."

Woo-hoo!

Aberrant Dreams Anthology

Well, after two rounds of edits, my story looks to move forward. I must say, the editor's comments really made the story much stronger, and I'm glad to have had the feedback!

I'm excited by being included in the anthology, which looks to be a teriffic volume of top-notch work.

More to come....

Aberrant Dreams Sale

Great news! I received word yesterday that Aberrant Dreams is interested in publishing "Lesson Learned, Good Doctor" for their website and the annual anthology. Sweet!

Writers of the Future Quarter Finalist, 4th Quarter 2006

This is my third quarter final. I sure wish they provided feedback to WOTF quarter finalists once in a while, because I must be missing something pretty strategic.

Anyway, it's better than an outright rejection. I've had a few of those as well!

MileHiCon Gift

What a Night!

MileHiCon was a hoot again this year. My goal was as usual at a Con: attend some panels, talk with a few folks, and learn as much as possible. This year turned to be a Con in spades! And it all happened for me at the end—the very last day—when I expected simply to go home.

Friday started nicely enough with a few smart panels, and the ever-cool “Networking with Writers in the Bar” event annually hosted by James Van Pelt. Jim is the best. If you ever get a chance to chat with him at an event, do it. He’s a great guy, super knowledgeable and always approachable. Jim’s first novel was just released on the heels of several anthologies. He’s “that veteran” writer more than a few steps ahead of us newbies, but none-the-less easy to talk it up with.

At the Networking event, I chatted with Carrie Vaughn and others—all fun and open to questions. I missed most of Saturday due to baby duties, and the ever-important Ohio State Buckeye football game, which I could not miss. My Bucks are Number One this year, afterall. A Phenom for us fans still quaking in the aftermath of the Cooper years. Plus, I had to attend a Halloween party near Wash Park, replete with my kickball team buddies. But I digress.

Sunday, I returned to the Con with the hopes of chatting with Rob Sawyer and Eric James Stone, two authors who amaze and empower me. Eric found me right after the “An Hour with Robert J. Sawyer” panel. What a terrific guy! Eric and I marched up to the Con Suite for munchies, and he chatted openly with me for an hour about writing and our experiences, and I can’t thank him enough for his openness.

Eric not only achieved published finalist in 2004 for Writers of the Future, but was an outright Winner again in 2005. That’s a two-time workshop attendee for those of you counting. I’d like to call him a lucky dog, but those of you in-the-know know he earned the honor both times! And stupid me, I forgot my anthology for an autograph. I really think my brain was in remission this weekend. Ughh.

I was about to leave for the weekend. Time to get home. It had been a great Con, but late afternoon was closing in, calling me back to the real world. It was over for another year, or so I thought.

I passed Jim on the second concourse and asked how the Con went. He said great, and that the dealer room had sold all but one of his debut novel copies. I remarked how nice that was, and said I wanted to go buy the last one—and could I get him to sign it for my Mom? My Mom, Kathy Rolsen, is a better SF fan than anyone I know, and she loves, LOVES, her first editions. Signed ones are even better.

I went and purchased the novel and met him in the bar, where he did indeed provide a kind inscription. Mom, if you are reading this, Merry Christmas—early.

Again, I was about to leave, but Jim asked me about my favorite panel. I told him that I’d just left the “An Hour with Robert J. Sawyer” panel, and that it had been the best. I noted what a great and open speaker Rob is, and proffered that Rob’s comments resonated very deeply for me. Jim mentioned that he had yet to spend time with Rob, so we headed downstairs so I could show him where Rob was being interviewed. We decided to wait, and I was glad to delay my departure from the Con for a few minutes to yap with Jim.

So we talked and talked. It was great for me, especially for a newbie who so very much respects Jim for his contributions to science fiction, and all that he has achieved.

After Rob was done with his interview, he came over to sit with us. I expected to excuse myself so they could talk, but that wasn’t necessary. They included me like old friends. Only in SF can this happen, methinks.

It was so cool. I mostly spent the time in awe, adding a meager comment here and there. We sat there for half an hour. I tell you, the conversation eclipsed everything else I’d heard or witnessed at the whole Convention! The candor was uncanny! And the insights blasted any panel forum!

When Jim got up to leave, so did I. Why not?

I expected that Rob would want to get on with more important Con-ending tasks, but he didn’t! He stayed, and so I plopped down in Jim’s seat and Rob and I chatted some more. We talked about the genre, themes, repeated themes, his novels and his aspirations. It was like two regular blokes hanging out.

Keep in mind. This is the man who owns SF today as far as I’m concerned.

I wanted to proffer my meager writing resume and hollar, “Hey, talking to me isn’t a waste of your time! I won an international science fiction contest. And, I’m a quarter finalist in WOTF on a regular basis!”

The truth is… it didn’t matter. Rob was glad just to stay and hang out. Can you imagine that?

—Well, I can’t.

So I sat and talked with arguably the greatest Science Fiction writer of our time for another 30 minutes—not because I cornered him or because he felt some life-long obligation to yapping it up with a MAYBE-MIGHT-BE, but because he is that kind of guy.

So I blog tonight because I’m humbled.

Not because of Rob’s greatness, or his award-winning stature, or his multi-novel legacy.

But simply because he spoke to me—like a regular guy.

MileHiCon had been over. I was on my way home. The real Con began in that last ninety minutes.

Thank you Rob—

—For the gift.

Cover Art Image from the 2005 Clarke-Bradbury Competition

Finally. In print.

Feels good all.

Hey, that lower left panel looks like my story. Hmmm.
Remember, YOU CAN READ THE STORY FREE online at the European Space Agency Competition website:

---> www.itsf.org/



Visit me and comment at www.scottrolsen.com.

2005 Clarke-Bradbury Story in Print

Well dang. It finally happened.

I'm in print.

My space elevator story has arrived!

The details:

"Science fiction is the realm of dreams, ambitions, hopes and fears. Science is what separates fiction from reality. But what happens when science and technology progress to the point where we can make science fiction reality? That junction is currently where we find the space elevator - poised at the brink of existence. Works of science fiction first fleshed out the concept of a space elevator and we have called upon the brightest young writers to explore the possibilities of a future with the space elevator. In Running the Line the dawning of the space elevator, the far distant future and every place in between is examined. Young authors tackle construction of the first elevator, skydiving from space, regattas, colonizing the galaxy to returning home. These brilliant stories give us a glimpse of what will happen and perhaps a warning of what to prepare for."

Product Details:

Printed: 201 pages, 6.00" x 9.00", perfect binding, black and white interior ink

ISBN: 0-9746-5172-9

Publisher: Bradley Edwards

Copyright: © 2006 by Bradley Edwards Standard Copyright License

Language: English

Country: United States

Edition: First Edition

WOTF Submission Out the Door

Well, I made the WOTF deadline again by the skin of my teeth.

DISCLAIMER: If you are a judge, -->SKIP THIS POST NOW<--.

Not that one would likely show up anyway, but just in case, I don't want to unfairly influence the integrity of the contest. (Thanks for stopping by though!)

For the rest of you...

My latest story involves piercing Europa’s icy surface, discovering intelligent life in her oceans and introduces a reluctant young hero who is forced to give up his dream of rising out of his caste to ‘do the right thing.’ All this is crammed into a 3,000 word frame. It’s really too much for a short story and I want the write it as a novel. There’s so much potential in this one. Maybe I’ll skip WOTF in the fall and start a novel. Who knows?

But for now, it feels good to have another story out the door, and to once again make the quarter-end deadline!

Not a sale, but...

Okay, yesterday's email from Apex Digest wasn't a sale, but the editor had some nice comments:

"I must say that I enjoyed reading your submission and would like to read more of your work in the future. Please do not hesitate to submit to Apex again at a later date."

Since this was my first submission to Apex, I don't know if this comment is part of a form letter or not. Either way, I like it.

So thanks Apex!

Neo-Opsis Rejection

Wow, the Black Hole shows a one-day turnaround for Neo-Opsis, and it wasn't kidding! I received some personal comments from the editor, but overall I think my main character was too dark for the magazine. The story was actually one of my WOTF Quarter Finalist submissions, so I'll turn it back around and try a better market for the piece.

Stories "In The Mail"

I now have stories out to the following publications:

Writers of the Future
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine
Neo-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine

New Strategy

Well, I've spent the last two years largely submitting only to Writers of the Future with the exception of a few submissions to Analog, Fantasy & Science Fiction and of course, the 2005 Clarke-Bradbury Competition, which I sold to as second place winner. We all remember that one, don't we?

In the last week, I've re-edited most of my stories and I'm going after a broader market range now. I figure that even if I sell two more stories and put myself out of WOTF contention, it will still take some time before the stories actually see publication, during which time I can still submit to WOTF. Got it??

Intergalactic Medicine Show Rejection

Edmund Schubert sent me an official rejection after 284 days at OSC's Intergalactic Medicine Show. More than anything else, I was disappointed that Orson Scott Card didn't read my story. Ah well, such is life.

WOTF Rejection

I'm on a roll. This is rejection number eight I believe from Writers of the Furture. Humph.

Interzone Rejection

This was my first submission to Interzone. They do a nice job during the email submission periods of updating a submission tracking forum. It makes the process a little more engaging.

Analog Rejection

Received a rejection from Stan Schmidt today, and he once again included a few personal comments. I know he is crazy busy, so I really appreciate his time. Analog is a class act methinks.

WOTF Quarter-Finalist

Rejection from Writers of the Future today. I was a Quarter-Finalist again, so that’s good and I’m not complaining. But it didn’t hold the excitement for me that the last Quarter-Finalist held. Call me crazy, but I sure would like to win! Onward….

SNAFU!

So much for my previous entry on the last-minute fast track. Yes, I wrote my story for WOTF, but then lost the whole thing. All of it. I was on such a role that the precautions and back-ups I normally do were skipped. It was heartbreaking. I vowed to forget that story and skip the quarter.

That vow lasted less than a day.

After getting my head straight, I pushed through, wrote the darned thing over again from scratch, and sent it. I’ve since set Word to create back-up copies of everything. Lesson Learned. Coincidentally, that’s also part of the title of my newest story.

Story Progress

Okay, six weeks until the next Writers of the Future deadline. I still have no concrete outline for my story. Ugh. I wonder how many WOTF applicants out there spend months polishing their story? Sometimes I wish that were me, although there is something to be said for the last-minute fast track. Once I have my plot hashed out, it becomes a story quickly! I wrote my December WOTF entry in 36 hours sandwiched between Christmas and New Years. And I feel like it was the best story I’ve written yet. Of course, what matters is what the judges think!

Analog Rejection

I received my 2nd rejection from Analog today. This one is noteworthy in that Stanley Schmidt typed a short note and signed it himself. My previous rejection from Analog was the usual form letter listing the various reasons a manuscript might not be appropriate for Analog. Thank you Dr. Schmidt for the personal touch!

Passed Slush

News today on my October Intergalactic Medicine Show submission: the story has passed the slush pile and Orson Scott Card will read it and make a final decision. That’s pretty exciting news for me. I have tremendous respect for OSC’s work and contributions to the science fiction genre, so it’s a terrific honor to know he will read a story of mine.