A Certain Lack of Focus

Monday, February 05, 2007

Illustrators of the Never

So I've received my last and probably final rejection from Illustrator's of the Future, let me tell you why I'm annoyed. First, I find it irritating that they always encourage entrants to enter more work in the next quarter of the contest, when the announcement comes far too late. I got my rejection about a week ago... the deadline for the current quarter was December 31st. That's about a month too late. Yes, obviously I can enter in the next one instead but I'm bitching here so bear with me. The other reason I'm annoyed is that this is the third time I've been a "semi-finalist" which means absolutely nothing. Now, the suggestions provided in the current rejection commented that my submissions looked a bit sketchy and unfinished. This is true enough, but I'm fairly certain that if I'd originally submitted my three best from my thesis show it wouldn't have been an issue. I would have done this, but I was trying to show some variety, now I don't think that's what they want. Ah well. I entered a fantasy art contest, should find out results in April. I doubt I have much of a chance, but I've seen worse make it in so, who knows? I'm also currently taking an illustration class which should hopefully allow me to broaden my portfolio. I have four sketches to do before tomorrow, then I get to start work on a color characture of Brian Froud. I'm always a little nervous about working in color, but for this I'm basicly imitating Brian Froud's style and making him a goblin or something, so it should be fun. In the world of literature, I have yet to receive any notice (good or bad) from Asimov's Science Fiction, where I submitted "Oh the Rats get into Everywhere." I'm meeting with a professor this week to talk about the story so hopefully by the time I hear one way or the other it will be better and ready for publication. "Silk Laces" was rejected from Fantasy Magazine, I haven't decided where to send it next. Probably either Realms of Fantasy or a journal I can't remember the name of that is supposedly dedicated to new writers... so I might have a better chance.

At the moment I'm worrying about applying for an internship at Cleveland Magazine. They say they are looking for journalism students (which I am not) but since I'm the editor of a student magazine I'm hoping that will give me at least some edge in applying. I'm meeting with someone in career services on Wednesday to spiff up my resume.