apathmakerstale

[apathmakerstale]

so I’m looking at short story publishers (fantasy)

Tor, cream of the crop. 25 cents a word. Stories can be read for free (YES). Slowish response time at ~3 months. Prefer under 12k, absolute maximum is 17.5k. Don’t bother if it’s not highly professional quality. SFWA qualifying.

Crossed Genres. 6 cents a word. Different theme each month (this month’s is “failure”). Submissions must combine either sci-fi or fantasy with the theme. Response time 1 month. 1k-6k, no exceptions. SFWA qualifying.

Long Hidden, anthology from CG. 6 cents a word. 2k-8k, no exceptions. Must take place before 1935. Protagonist(s) must be under 18 and marginalized in their time and place. Must be sci-fi/fantasy/horror. Deadline 30 April. Response by 1 October.

Queers Destroy Science Fiction. Sci-fi only right now, author must identify as queer (gay, lesbian, bi, ace, pan, trans, genderfluid, etc, just not cishet). 7.5k max. Deadline 15 February. Responses by 1 March. You can submit one flash fiction and one short story at the same time. (My network blocks the Lightspeed site for some reason, so I can’t get all the submission details. >_>) Probably SFWA qualifying?

Women in Practical Armor. 6 cents a word. 2k-5k. Must be about 1) a female warrior who 2) is already empowered and 3) wears sensible armour. Deadline 1 April. Response within three months.

Fiction Vortex. $10 per story, with $20 and $30 for editor’s and readers’ choice stories (hoping to improve). Speculative fiction only. Imaginative but non-florid stories. 7.5k maximum, preference for 5k and under. (I kind of want to support them on general principle.)

Urban Fantasy Magazine. 6 cents a word. 8k max, under 4k preferred. Must be urban fantasy (aka, the modern world, doesn’t need to be a literal city). 

Nightmare. 6 cents a word. 1.5-7.5k, preference for under 5k. Horror and dark fantasy. Response time up to two weeks. SFWA and HWA qualifying.

Apex Magazine. 6 cents a word. 7.5k max, no exceptions. Dark sci-fi/fantasy/horror. SFWA qualifying.

Asimov’s Science Fiction. 8-10 cents a word. 20k max, 1k minimum. Sci-fi; borderline fantasy is ok, but not S&S. Prefer character focused. Response time 5 weeks; query at 3 months. SFWA qualifying, ofc.

Buzzy Mag. 10 cents a word. 10k max. Should be acceptable for anyone 15+. Response time 6-8 weeks. SFWA qualifying.

Strange Horizons. 8 cents a word. Speculative fiction. 10k max, prefers under 5k. Response time 40 days. Particularly interested in diverse perspectives, nuanced approahces to political issues, and hypertexts. SFWA qualifying. 

Fantasy and Science Fiction. 7-12 cents a word. Speculative fiction, preference for character focus, would like more science-fiction or humour. 25k maximum. Prefers Courier. Response time 15 days.

Scigentasy. 3 cents a word. .5-5k. Science-fiction and fantasy, progressive/feminist emphasis. Fantastic Stories of the Imagination. 15 cents a word. 3k maximum. Any sci-fi/fantasy, they like a literary bent. (psst, steinbecks!) They also like to see both traditional and experimental approaches. Response time two weeks. 

Beneath Ceaseless Skies. 6 cents a word. 10k maximum. Fantasy in secondary worlds only (it can be Earth, but drastically different—alternate history or whatever). Character focus, prefer styles that are lush yet clear, limited first or third person narration. Response time usually 2-4 weeks, can be 5-7 weeks. SFWA qualifying.

Clarkesworld. 10 cents a word up to 4000, 7 afterwards. 1-8k, preferred is 4k. Science-fiction and fantasy. Needs to be well-written and convenient to read on-screen. Appreciates rigour. No talking cats. Response time 2 days. SFWA qualifying.

Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show. 6 cents a word. Any length. Science-fiction and fantasy (along with fantastic horror). Good world-building and characterization. Clear straightforward prose. Response time three months. Yes, OSC is editor-in-chief. SFWA qualifying.

Interzone. Sub-pro rates if anything (but highly respected). 10k max. Short cover letter. Science-fiction and fantasy.

[apathmakerstale]

Heavensward and Onward Spoilers.

Lorewise a Reaper’s Avatar devours their enemy’s aether while killing them. Either fully or only partially, since we are fully in synch with our Avatar and can control them- more so than any other Reaper in history since we are Them.

Theoretically does this mean that a Reaper can permanently kill an Ascian then like Thordan did to Lahabrea? By using their Avatar to drink their aether entirely? That would make us way more dangerous and for us at least eliminate the need to use white auracite for them.

There is also the little lorehook in the encyclopedia that heavily implies our avatar is the voids Azem shard fragment since the theory states that it might be because of identical souls from the sundering.

Which honestly is super cool and I hope that’s the case since it makes our 13th shard fragment just as cool as us and give a Ardbert and Frey a emo roommate in our soul.

#gaming #ffxiv #ff14 #ffxiv lore #lore theory #lore question #theory crafting #ffxiv spoilers

[apathmakerstale]

I dunno what it is, but nothing turns me off more from a game than when I'm presented with a two-choiced decision where I have to pick between two factions that I don't like.

It's not even that I don't even want a third answer that's the clear best, or reaches a middle-ground, or combines them.

Like I enjoyed Outer Worlds and Sinking City, but the lack of a third option in some of the choices turn me off from them a bit.

I want one that completely screws over both for my own-self gain or ends up making things worse for both. Like I went into this not liking one side, learned about the other, and realizing I don't like either but still have to pick one instead of saying screw both of them and me. Genuinely I'd take a path that ruins both than have to pick, or let me screw over them after I've gotten what I need. If an RPG has that then I like it.

That's kinda why I do really really like Wildcard New Vegas ending. It's one that's not necessary even the best or most moral, but it's one that lets you screw over everyone that tried to play you. Literally flipping the poker table and stealing the chair out of spite.

I love games that let you look at the world, realize you don't like anyone in it, and then forge your own path by yourself even if it's harder and worse than if you stayed on it.

#gaming #outer worlds #sinking city #fallout new vegas #endings #multiple choice endings #the 'I don't want to choose who gets the house- I'm burning it down!' ending

[apathmakerstale]

What's it called when you have fanfic ideas of your own story?

Canon? Non-canon extra?? Apocryphal??? Canon-Adjacent????

My god I am so obsessed with them that I makeup ideas to use in fanfics of my own stories and then fan about it.

#fanfiction #writing problems #fanfic #writing #canon fanfic????? #I am blorbo-fying my own creations #blorbing if you will

[apathmakerstale]

Have you ever just been sucker punched by some old writing you did when you were younger?

I did.

I've never felt such sheer surprise and whiplash from something I wrote. Completely different draft to what I'm working with now and whole different concept I forgot I started with! So strange you can forget something you've written a decade ago.

#misc.stuff #writing #old writing

[apathmakerstale]

I found an old drawing I did when I was way younger on the left. I redid it somewhat in Procreate on the left, it’s still messy since it was just something fun I did, but I do like the colors.

I don’t know why did the eyes like that, I think I just liked the way they looked.

I think I do remember them being an OC, but a vague one that never manifested fully into someone or a story. It’s nice to remember.

#artwork #drawing practice #my art #old art

[apathmakerstale]

Another poll! More Monster Hunter!!! MORE VOTES!!

I’m looking back on the various ‘mini games’ and collectibles put into World and previous titles, and want to see what people are looking for the most.

Reblog and the like for sample size if you want and add your thoughts too! I like reading them! Oh and mind my own illiterate-ion I meant Iterate!

Personally I LOVED the treasure hunts and Endemic life hunting. The sheer satisfaction I got when I finally got the Wintermoon Nettle almost equaled Fatalis. I also like the whole gathering ingredients for the Canteen, made it feel like we really were exploring the New World.

It’s one of the main reasons I didn’t vibe with Rise when they made them all utility only and gave them obvious names and stuff and got rid of the Canteen stuff.

#monhun #monster hunter #monster hunter world #mh6 #monster hunter wilds #mhw #monster hunter poll #poll #monster hunter speculation

[apathmakerstale]

Most seem to be ambivalent about it, which makes sense, I thought it was cool but it didn’t make Sunbreak for me.

Still I think my idea would be cool, and if it does I do hope that they put more work into it!

More Polls! More hype! I must MONSTER HUNTER WRITE!

This is an idea I had the other when thinking on a fic that made me realize I really want it for Wilds for one reason and you can read it after the poll if you want. Reblog if you want and put what you’d want in a follower system or what character.

How do you feel about, if Wilds will be more focused on open world, having three followers that are with you at all points to replace multiplayer if you don't co-op much. Like the ones in Sunbreak but with you constantly, or from how I've heard, the Dragons Dogma pawn system is.

I had this idea after wondering if Wilds is going to be the first direct 'sequel' to World (which I'm so-so on), and if they do then they could make The Handler, Serious Handler and Excitable A-Lister your three starter followers if they have the system.

For those who didn't like the Handler for being 'useless' (I don't agree but some think it) it'd make her useful, especially since being a big eater who likes mushrooms and is actively cataloging edible ingredients, they could have her be the starter Sword and Shield 'mushroomancer' healer and buffer or switch to the more advanced Hunting Horn like her concept art has later.

Serious Handler (or Lea, if the movie is canon) could be the Bowgunner and ranged hunter who doesn't stay close to the monster with lower health, and sets traps, shoots demon ammo, flash, slinger, and dung bombs.

And of course the A-Lister or Aiden would be the Jack-of-All Traders, master of all like us, and be able to use any weapon. Can put a lance on him and have him tank, put him as a SnS healer too, Dual Blade or Longsword for DPS, or in general mix him around. Being a former protag means he can be pretty much anything compared to the other two.

Obviously you'd still have your Palico too. Can't be missing out on your biggest ally!

It's just an idea I had that I thought would be fun, but I'd like to see what people want.

#monhun #monster hunter

[apathmakerstale]

The Fallout show being a binge drop is so disappointing. I feel like it’s gonna get swallowed up and passed over in a week now for anyone that isn’t a hardcore fan.

I love the week-to-week schedule for the anticipation. Like Dungeon Meshi.

#fallout #fallout tv series #fallout tv show #misc.stuff

[apathmakerstale]

I NEED a romcom fic about each of the nations leaders battling for the WoL post-Endwalker, either romantically, familiarly, and politically when they start to think about finally settling down.

Think about it.

A.U with Zenos making Garlemald make peace for the sole reason of the WoL, as him literally killing his father for them and deposing the government is a pretty big indication he would like them there to always be able to fu-fight regardless of what his countryman think.

Hien claiming that since they won him his country back, then they can be rightfully rule alongside him, as well as being vied for by many leaders of the Azim Steppes since whatever tribe they are apart of auto-wins the Naadam each year. Sadu, Magni, Cirina etc.

Lyse and Raubahn putting them up as a potential new leader of Ala Mhigo and what better to rule alongside as than the women who helped also free it and popular figurehead- this one works more personally since my WoL is a Highlander.

Ishgard with Aymeric saying who better to help lead than the person who ended their millennia long war, as well as being personally patronized by the Father of Dragons, and adopted by House Fortemps.

Gridania and the Seedseer council claiming that since they’re a White Mage, that means they’re a honorary Padjal and should settle there along- another personal aside since my WoL grew up there, that it’s their home.

Limsa can claim that where better than the place where they’re the leader of a company of prestigious heroes, fought side-by-side with their admiral and offered a premium place in Costa Del Sol or help with furnishing their personal Island Sanctuary.

Ul’Dah has a pincer attack, with them being a close personal friend of the Sultana, and with two members of the Syndicate, and having one in their 'debt' (meaning they don't want to piss them off more). With Raubahn also wanting to support his queen, and also being a personal friend of the Mandervilles.

You can say Sharlayan has a bit of stake in that the WoL is the only one to ever visit the edge of the universe and has a trove of knowledge only know to them like the First, as well as being a friend of a highly respected house, and access to a lot of lost magicks.

Maybe even with Radz-a-Han there could be a push for them being the new Satrap, despite it being a defunct ceremonial position now as a confidant of many other dragons and the savior of their loved rulers sister.

Hingashi and by that I mean Kugane I struggle with since they're really isolationist, but WoL do have the possibility of being a coveted artisan who has a lot of pull with traders and connections with half the world’s leaders, who may also be attempting to court them if the end of Endwalker means anything. Plus the Four Lords being nearby who would be glad to have Tenzen’s inheritor nearby.

Go even further and have The First and all the nations there asking for them since they’re the savior of their world, and the Crystarium basically sees them as a Legend anyway with how often the Crystal Exarch spoke of them so lovely and fondly and being the one who freed Eulemore.

GO FURTHER with even the Void with Zero and Golbez for pure humor.

Even toss in Ultima Thule to round out the absurdity.

And a dash of the Ancients watching it all and being jealous.

And all of these are backlit by the various Job/Class guilds who would love to have them in their respective nations, the allied tribes that would also love to have them, Bozja and the various other countries they've helped save- the possibilities are endless.

For maximum humor make it all during some world conference or peace talks or something so you have a ton of the rivals sniping at each other, bad flirting, and blatant attempts at bribery.

Annoyance, embarrassment or pure obliviousness could be the reaction of the WoL.

God I need to finish my backlog, I need this.

#ffxiv #ffxiv fanfiction #ff14 fanfic #ff14 #fanfiction #fanfic #fanfic ideas #fanfic prompt #warrior of light #ffxiv wol #wol x everyone

[apathmakerstale]

Reblog to open a rail line from your blog to the person you reblogged this from

#train #railway #misc.stuff

[apathmakerstale]

having an oc you havent drawn / written about publicly yet that only exist as a concept is so funny. i have special access to this limited edition guy from my brain

[apathmakerstale]

Bloodborne Heights

With how tall most Hunters seem to be, I just imagine that something in the Old Blood makes you taller when you receive it.

Feels right too, the horror of having your body suddenly change and have to adjust would be very fitting. Almost like your in the beginnings of beasthood by having your bones stretch in preparation.

Lady Maria is roughly 6'7, subsequently the Pale Doll is too, and Gehrman is taller than her.

Henryk and Gascoigne are about the players height but one gets twice as taller when giving into beasthood. Many of the other weaker hunters are around our height too.

That's why I ended up making Sherry so tall. Roughly 6'11. Was taller than usual before too. Started at 5'10 and grew a full head over the course of the hunt.

She got a boss model!

I know there's also the whole character design aspect that From Soft stated that they want the bosses to be bigger too for gameplay purposes but still I think it'd work in lore.

#bloodborne #bloodborne lore #bloodborne headcanons

[apathmakerstale]

[apathmakerstale]

More Polls! More hype! I must MONSTER HUNTER WRITE!

This is an idea I had the other when thinking on a fic that made me realize I really want it for Wilds for one reason and you can read it after the poll if you want. Reblog if you want and put what you’d want in a follower system or what character.

How do you feel about, if Wilds will be more focused on open world, having three followers that are with you at all points to replace multiplayer if you don't co-op much. Like the ones in Sunbreak but with you constantly, or from how I've heard, the Dragons Dogma pawn system is.

I had this idea after wondering if Wilds is going to be the first direct 'sequel' to World (which I'm so-so on), and if they do then they could make The Handler, Serious Handler and Excitable A-Lister your three starter followers if they have the system.

For those who didn't like the Handler for being 'useless' (I don't agree but some think it) it'd make her useful, especially since being a big eater who likes mushrooms and is actively cataloging edible ingredients, they could have her be the starter Sword and Shield 'mushroomancer' healer and buffer or switch to the more advanced Hunting Horn like her concept art has later.

Serious Handler (or Lea, if the movie is canon) could be the Bowgunner and ranged hunter who doesn't stay close to the monster with lower health, and sets traps, shoots demon ammo, flash, slinger, and dung bombs.

And of course the A-Lister or Aiden would be the Jack-of-All Traders, master of all like us, and be able to use any weapon. Can put a lance on him and have him tank, put him as a SnS healer too, Dual Blade or Longsword for DPS, or in general mix him around. Being a former protag means he can be pretty much anything compared to the other two.

Obviously you'd still have your Palico too. Can't be missing out on your biggest ally!

It's just an idea I had that I thought would be fun, but I'd like to see what people want.

#monster hunter #monhun #monster hunter wilds #monster hunter world #monster hunter sunbreak #mh6 #the handler #serious handler #excitable a-lister #mhw #mhrise #mhrsunbreak #polls #monster hunter poll #gaming

[apathmakerstale]

Shipping is powerful.

I restated Destiny 2 back during the Season of the Haunted after falling off after Forsaken and only got into it because I read a fantastic Drifter x Eris Morn fic.

Literally I ended up buying Beyond Light cuz I heard they interacted during it. I played all of it and Witch Queen to see if they was anymore. The sole reason I got the pass to 100 that season was because of Drifter x Eris. If it wasn’t for Season of Plundering gameplay making me fall and getting busy in general then I probably would still be playing it solely for them during the seasons

Literally paired two of my favorite archetypes and characters in game, that was tailor made for me. Eve the name works, Moondust- and I like Moonrat too.

I love them, I’ve read all their entires and believe they’re canon, seedy cowboy x eldritch witch!!!!

The fic was ‘In Turn’ on ao3 too by the way.

#gaming #shipping #destiny 2 #drifteris #eris x drifter #moondust

[apathmakerstale]

I pray everyday that the MHW: Iceborne complete works gets translated. I LOVE the World book, and am a scoutfly away from buying the book and translating it on my own somehow.

#gaming #monster hunter #monster hunter world #mhw iceborne