Withholding Personally Identifiable Information
Many writers feel unsafe putting their real names and contact information on their manuscript submissions. Is there any way around this requirement?
William Shunn
Hugo, Nebula, and Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award—nominated author
Latest posts
A Brief Manuscript Formatting Checklist
If all you need to do is review the basics, our handy formatting checklist is here to help.
My 2¢ (Two Cents?) on Spelling Out Numbers in Text
The question of when and how to use numerals in your manuscript is a complicated one, no 2 ways about it. Wait, 2? Two? Let’s dive into these murky waters and try to find some clarity.
How Bookstore Returns Forced Me to Rethink My Publishing Strategy
Returnable books are what enable brick-and-mortar stores to maintain an affordable inventory. But they also put a huge burden on small publishers—like me.
The Old Rule of Thumb for Estimating Word Count Is Obsolete
In days of yore, the accepted rule for estimating word count was 250 words per manuscript page. Is that still the case today? If not, how should it be done instead?
The First Paragraph of Your Manuscript Should Look Like Any Other
When it comes to indentation, keeps things as simple and uniform as possible. Don’t take your cues from the way published books look.
You Can’t Spell “Preventable” Without a Bee
Sometimes life (or a diabolical puzzle editor) throws you a curve you know is coming, and it still beans you in the brainpan. Bee alert!
To Pronoun or Not to Pronoun: That Is the Initial Question
Is it mandatory to include one’s personal pronouns on a manuscript submission? And is it acceptable to obscure one’s gender when submitting to certain publications?
“Proper Manuscript Format” Now Comes in Two Distinct Flavors
The latest update to the popular manuscript preparation guide can be viewed in either “Modern” or “Classic” format.
My Story “Last” Will Close Out Season 2 of the DUST Podcast
The top-rated audio series returns with stories adapted from the XPRIZE anthology Seat 14C, following the lives of hapless air travelers who find themselves transported to a world twenty years in their future.
November's Mix of the Month
My mix of the month (not on CD) for tonight's long-awaited November meetup is . This one's a collection entirely composed of instrumental tracks. (The story so far.)...
My Body Math Index
A miscalculation at a routine health screening presents a tantalizing mathematical mystery.
Hear My New Short Story Tonight at Liars’ League NYC!
If you’re in or near Manhattan tonight, I hope you’ll drop by to hear fiction by me and a few other excellent writers, in support of an excellent cause . . . Wednesday, October 2: 7:00-9:00 pm , 85 E. 4th St., Manhattan...
Hear Me Read Tonight at Write This Down in Brooklyn!
If you’re in or near Brooklyn tonight, I hope you’ll drop by to hear personal essays by me and some other excellent writers and storytellers . . . Monday, September 30: 7:30-10:30 pm , 603 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn At the “Back to School”...
Catch Me in New York City on September 30 and October 2
New Yorkers! I’m participating in two events next week that I hope you’ll be able to come out and see: Monday, September 30: 7:30-10:30 pm , 603 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn At the “Back to School” edition of this new...
Tour an Alternate 21st Century Through Six Near-Future Fictions
Announcing the ebook release of my rare 2007 chapbook, An Alternate History of the 21st Century, which includes two original stories.
A Coney Island Poem for the 4th of July
Today is America's day, and what's more American than Coney Island? I have a poem for Coney Island, so, by the transitive property, this poem is also for America. And like America, it perhaps contains some bad words. (It’s also...
Cast a Warm Eye on "Cast a Cold Eye"
Cast a Cold Eye, the ghostly novella I wrote with Derryl Murphy, appeared ten years ago as a limited-edition hardcover to exceptionally kind reviews. Now it's coming back to life as an ebook.
Reading at Lyrics, Lit & Liquor This Wednesday Evening
Bill will be one of more than half a dozen artists appearing at the upcoming edition of the Lyrics, Lit & Liquor perfomance series, at 2A Bar in Manhattan's East Village. He will read an excerpt from a new...
Calamity
Last January I staggered and collapsed. I landed flat on my back, snapping my scapula. But I can't be that mad. After all, assonance will happen....
February's CD Mixes of the Month
My CD mix of the month for tonight's February meetup is , with thrown in as a bonus. The first is a mix I put together to provide a friend's teenage son with an intro to hip-hop (he's a...
January's CD Mix of the Month
My CD mix of the month for January is . It's a (mostly) instrumental collection of many tasty and virtuosic varieties of (mostly) acoustic guitar music. (The story so far.)...
A Limerick for Larry
Larry Eisenberg, science fiction writer and biomedical engineer, passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 99. Despite his accomplishments in those fields, to readers of the New York Times online comments section he was best known as...
Ella's 2019 Memorial Calendar Is Available Now
Ella the Wonder Dog2003 - 2018In Memoriam Ella's calendars have been an annual tradition for many, many years. Even though she's gone now, and sorely missed, with a collection of photos drawn from throughout her life. In honor of Ella's...
I'll Be Reading at the Alternative on New Year's Day!
I'll be one of more than 150 scheduled performers at the , which takes place on January 1, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Greenwich Village. This year's theme is "Before the...