Take a good look at that cover for OUROBOROS, the novel co-written by Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes that Humdrumming Press was supposed to publish this month. That cover may never again see the light of day, although OUROBOROS surely will. After Norman Rubenstein submitted a rave review of the novel for his Macabre Musings column, Fear Zone decided to promote the book in a big way, with multiple interviews, excerpts, the works. Then Humdrumming folded up shop right before the announced publication, a writer's nightmare.

Michael Kelly, a good humored family man, works as a photos editor for "a major metropolitan newspaper," but he's also a hell of a short story writer and has served as fiction editor for Chizine and City Slab. He also plays a mean game of One-Handed-Beer-Ball.


PART I: MR. NICE GUY


When did you start writing short stories, and when were you first published?



I started writing somewhat seriously around 1996, and was published in some small magazines -- where I mostly still publish, truth be told -- right away.


What is the most times you submitted a story to different markets before it was accepted?


There was one particular story, "Flight of the Crystal Bird," that was rejected 22 times before selling to a small SF magazine in Ireland. I used to keep all my rejection and acceptance slips.


I wrote a short story once and it was a horrible experience. I didn't enjoy writing it, and after the second rejection I said, "Screw this!" It not only takes perseverance, but a certain degree of organizational skill. What's the greatest number of stories you've had out for submission at one time, and how do you keep track of them all?


Well, back when I wrote more, I'd have about a dozen stories floating around out there. Now I generally just have a few. I know writers who have upwards of 30 out at any given time. It does take some book-keeping skills, to be sure.


You've worked as a fiction editor for Chizine and City slab, among others. What are some of the most frustrating things you experienced reading the slush pile, and some of the most rewarding?


The most frustrating thing is the sheer amount of crap that comes in. I'm not talking about the large group of stories that are suitably well-written with predictable plots. That's a different frustration. A large percentage of the slush is just plain dreck. The rewarding part, of course, is finding that really good story. In my experience that's about 2, (yes, 2) percent of the slush pile.


Your stories have been published in some fine magazines and anthologies. Because you're also an editor, have you had any experiences where an editor has made "suggestions" regarding one of your stories, and you've thought he was nuts? I don't expect you to name names and endanger your career...


Where are these fine publications you mentioned? :) Kidding. I've had a few good sales, but they are few and far between. Hopefully, as I'm still learning, I can add a few more decent credits to the list. As far as editors go, I've been rather lucky. Generally all the suggestions I've ever received have been spot on. Perhaps because I've worn the editor's hat, I'm more amenable to suggestions. Most writers, I think, can tell if the suggestions are legitimate. I think it is incumbent upon writers to take suggestions, advice, and critiques very seriously.


On the other hand, there are some truly wonderful editors out there. Do you remember what the best advice you ever received from an editor was?


Work harder.


Do you enjoy or dislike having to shape your vision to meet the criteria for "theme" anthologies?


I know there are writers who can write to theme, but I'm not one of them. I find if I'm thinking of "theme," that's already a restriction. My attempts to write to theme are mostly failures. There's a generic flatness to many themed stories. I'd rather, like most writers I'd imagine, sit down to write unfettered.


Your first fiction collection is called Scratching the Surface. How did you decide which stories to include?


Once I'd realized I had enough stories for a collection, I re-read just about everything I'd written. The stronger stories delved into emotional areas of love, death and abandonment. Loss. So, the collection is rather loosely themed. Those are the only themes I can write to. :)


Your first novel, OUROBOROS, co-written with Carol Weekes, will soon be available from Humdrumming. Is this the first novel you've written, and how did you find the collaboration process?


Yes, first novel, and likely my last. I'm much more comfortable with short stories, and novel-length work, in general, doesn't give me the same pleasure as shorter work does, whether reading or writing.

Collaborating was, in this instance, rather easy. We just tossed it back and forth, each doing a chapter or two from a rough outline we'd conjured. Collaboration is a strange beast. It can often seem like twice the work. The key is to keep an open mind and to have fun with it. I just try to emulate the other author.


You seem unable to take off your editor's hat: in 2009, you have an anthology coming out called Apparitions. Why do you enjoy working with other writers.


That's a tough question. Truth is I don't know what draws me to the editorial side. I think I just like discovering and presenting good work by good writers. It's the same enjoyment I get from collaborating on a writing project because there is a similar shared focus. I play well with others, I guess.


How have you observed your own writing changing over the years?


I'm more methodical now. Which is to say I'm a much slower writer than I once was. I don't seem to get the same little bursts of creative energy. So, in some respects, it's a much more difficult task these days. The rewrite is the key. I think you'll find that holds true for most writers.


I won't ask you what advice you have for up and coming writers. Instead, I'll ask you what advice you have for people who have been at it for 10 or 20 years.


It's the same advice I'd give to new writers, the same advice I got: work harder. That's it. Go further. Stretch. Think. Work outside your comfort zone. Never stop learning, and always reach higher.


Norman Rubenstein, one of our book reviewers, is already raving about OUROBOROS. If it's a success, will you really stay away from that medium? Won't you be tempted to write one solo?


Another novel hasn't entered into my thoughts, at all. I think the only way I'd consider writing a solo one is if, perhaps, I could get a mass market deal for OUROBOROS and pitch and sell another idea. I'm not sure I have the mental fortitude to write 100, 000 words and then try to market a book. I think I need that carrot at the end of the stick to contemplate another novel.


What about a novella, then?


I've got a 11,000 word novelette, Undertow, which started life as a novel, but quickly ran out of steam. I'm not sure what to do with it, as there aren't a lot of places looking for stories of that length, especially ones that straddle the mainstream/horror boundaries.


PART II: SHIT HAPPENS


A lot has happened with--or to--OUROBOROS since we first conducted this interview. Please detail the horror .


Gah! It's the worst possible nightmare. Just days before publication the publisher goes insolvent, and claims bankruptcy. It was a bolt out of the blue, and completely unexpected. I guess, though, in the publishing world, nothing ever really should come as a surprise.


Not to wallow in negativity, but what was the first 24 hours like after you heard the news.


Oddly, I was rather accepting of the whole thing. I wasn't happy, mind you. Given the vagaries of the independent press, I've seen this happen a number of times. So, while I was rather saddened, I felt this almost Zen-like detachment. On occasion, though, the rage begins to well up and ... . Kidding. I'm okay. Really.


And with Carol living in the UK, you couldn't even get hammered together.


Carol actually lives in Ontario, about 5 hours east of me. No, we didn't
get drunk together, but we chatted on the phone, and we cursed the Gods of the
publishing world. We plotted our revenge.


Obviously, a novel that's as good as I've heard this is will rise from the ashes and see publication. Are you working toward that end right now?


Yes. We have had some very interesting developments since the death of our publisher. We hope to make an announcement very shortly about the novel. A bit later we may have some even bigger news. I hate to be so secretive about it, but, well, it's publishing. Anything can happen.


Has this experience changed your mind about not writing another novel?


No. I think I'm even less included to do a novel now. :)

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I'm confident that Michael and Carol will have good news to report on OUROBOROS soon, and we can get to that excerpt, review, and an interview with Carol.

Mr. Kelly does not have a website--something about national security--but you can read his otherwise clandestine thoughts on his Live Journal.