Like any other writer who's been submitting his work for a while, I've received a plethora of rejection letters. But over the past two years, I've never gotten one like this:I can't accept Captain Quasar fics. I've gotten many of them from several different authors.
My first thought: Maybe the editor didn't realize that I was the one sending him multiple Captain Quasar stories, hoping one would make the cut. My second thought: Maybe I should have run an Internet search back in July 2009 on the character's name before I wrote "Captain Quasar and the 'If Only' Elixir of Opsanus Tau Prime," just to see if I was plagiarizing another writer. My third thought: I really should have run that Internet search back in April before "Captain Quasar and the Insurmountable Barrier of Space Junk" was accepted by Ray Gun Revival.
But better late than never, right? So, without further ado, I ask:
Will the real Captain Quasar please stand up?
Is he an obscure Marvel Comics character?
An equally obscure video game hero?
An uber-low budget film persona?
A random Star Wars pilot?
An awe-inspiring DJ?
In a band?
Or a TV repairman?
The answer, of course, is that he's all of the above, and that's what makes him so stinkin' awesome. (Which is why there's a novel project in his future . . .)
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were able to spend plenty of quality time with your loved ones. As this year draws to a close, I've got to take this opportunity to thank my beloved wife for her relentless encouragement and our faithful God for His endless love and blessings worth counting.
Goodbye, 2011. You were my best yet. But I'll be aiming even higher next year.
Thanks for reading!
20 comments:
That's a lot of Captain Quasars.
And Amen, Milo - it was a blessed year. Here's to even greater things in 2012!
Over the year, I've been amazed at the various pubs you've found to submit your stuff.
I'm still amazed you can come up with so many ideas.
I once got back a manuscript with no rejection slip -- just a dirty footprint. A picture is worth a 1000 words for sure there!
Happy New Year! Roland
"The Character Formerly Known as Captain Quasar, and the Insurmountable Barrier of Space Junk"
or, maybe, you could come up with a cryptic symbol which represents the name :)
Here's to 2012!
Post some more of your craziest rejection notes. Keep them anonymous though, I don't want to find my name in that list, lol. JK'ing. :) Best wishes in 2012.
Oops... :-P Looks like a more popular name than "John Smith."
This *was* a great year all around. Looking forward to more of your awesomeness in 2012!
That is so odd, Milo. I think that others writers have been inspired by your story and have copied the name.
Hmmm, maybe flattering in a way.
Alex: Onward and upward, right?
Kay: Ideas are the easy part, but forcing them to make sense is where the work comes in.
Roland: Yikes! I guess email subs have their benefits.
Shane: That's it -- Prince Quasar! Eh?
Lyn: You'd have to reject my work first; so far, I'm 2 for 2 with your zines!
Anthony: Awesomeness? Oh boy, you've set the bar high, sir.
Deborah: I doubt that's the case, but thanks for suggesting so.
So far as I'm aware, yours is the real Captain Quasar. Congrats on a stellar year and here's to even greater things in 2012.
Ha! Your Captain Quasar should moonlight as a tv repairman / DJ at some point.
Simon: Honestly, I'd be content with another 2011, but if greater things are on the way, I'll try not to interfere.
Elizabeth: Now I owe you for my next Quasar story idea...
Ahahaa that is wild, man.
And totally adds to the already impressive appeal of Capt. Quasar :D
I read comics for years pretty heavily and don't recall a Captain Quasar. How could you plagiarize something you have no knowledge of? That's just weird.
I remember the Captain Quasar comic book, but never got into it.
And a Star Wars pilot? really???
Happy new year too, Milo. Here's to a prosperous and awesome new year, my friend.
Katey: I sure hope so!
Michael: Agreed.
Jay: And the same to you, Jay!
LOL! I wish you well with the real Captain Quasar.
I have some exciting new over at mine, thanks to you Milo.
Happy New Year to you and your wife
Ahhh! Too many Quasars! :D Funny how that's such a popular name.
Oh, just read your story in Arcane -- loved it!
Wishing you a happy New Year and much success with W1S1 in 2012!
Congratulations on W1S1, Milo :)
Yours is the real Captain Quasar, of course!
Good luck for next year.
Too funny, Milo. :P I'm glad you posted the links, saves me the time of Googling. Congrats on all the progress this year.
Madeleine: I'm hoping to have a general outline done in the next week or so, but I'm sure Quasar will have more say in how his novel progresses than I. Could the news, perchance, have something to do with Scifaikuest? =]
Defcon: So glad you enjoyed my weird western! Coyote Cal and Big Yap thank you for reading, as do I.
Lydia: Thanks; and to you, too!
Sealey: I also sent the links to the editor who contacted me about a potential Captain Quasar novel; she's currently checking into whether there are any copyright issues involved...
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