Positive stuff, for once

The last couple of days have been surprisingly good, especially considering the crap undergone in the last couple of weeks. My profile of Dr. Leslie Thompson was accepted by My Hero, and I have a profile of Dr. Martha Mecartney, a materials scientist of renown, in preparation. (My Hero wants profiles of female scientists.) Profiles take several months, because researchers at this level generally don't have time to give interviews or help with follow-up documentation, so one gathers information gradually over a long time. (I wonder if "real" journalists have techniques for getting fast access to important people; it may help to be from the Los Angeles Times rather than My Hero.)

I also sent my rhinoceros/octopus story out to ZYZZYVA, and I actually have hopes that it won't be rejected. I think I tailored it well to the magazine's themes -- recklessness, personal autonomy, California geography, and at least one drug reference. ZYZZYVA has the benefit of the editor replying to submissions in under two weeks. If he doesn't take it, the rejection letter will come just in time for me to enter the story in Glimmer Train's Short Fiction Contest.

If you have some connection to a female scientist who's making a big difference in the world and whom you'd like people to know about, contact me through my LJ email.