If there’s one thing the recent 2007 Snapshots of Aus Spec Fiction (which you should all read) has taught me, amongst other things, it’s that I have bugger all profile here in Australia in terms of my writing.  Yes, it’s a very egotistical conclusion to make – but there you go, I’m selfish and self absorbed. 

There’s a very good reason for this.  The last short story I wrote in this country was in Mitch 3 which was published… well… a long time ago.  Also, I’m simply not part of the scene.  I don’t submit my stuff to Aurealis, or to ASIM or to anyone else taking short stories.  I had a chance to submit to Cock – but I was lazy.  And then there’s Cat Sparx’s fine short story collections, which have been open to people like me… but I’ve never been motivated to submit.  So the blame is mine and mine alone.  

(In fact,

[info]girliejones

, as an example, is the antithesis of me. Someone whose really got involved with the scene and who has made a genuine impact.  That’s not me sucking up or throwing around platitudes.  It’s just a fact.)

My entire, short fiction career of the past, well… four years has appeared under the one publisher – Big Finish.  I’ve written four – soon to be five Doctor Who short stories and four Bernice Summerfield stories.

The experience writing Who stories has been brilliant, and to be frank a dream come true.  OK, the dream actually involved writing an episode of the actual series, but that wasn’t likely to happen, so 5 short stories was a decent enough substitute.  It’s been fun working with a number of UK editors, playing around with the Who Universe (I even got to do a fanwank multi Doctor story – 7th and 8th if you’re interested) and I was paid in UK pounds.  Not allot – if you’re living in the UK – but a decent amount when it’s converted to the Aussie dollars.

But, I’ve never, ever promoted my work – other than a few mentions on this LJ.  I think it’s because the work isn’t entirely my own, I’m playing in someone else’s sandpit.  Maybe, I only want to be noticed when I’ve written something set in my own world, with my own characters who aren’t limited by the dictates of Cardiff.

It’s the wrong attitude, of course.  Published writing is published writing and I should be proud of it – whether I’m sharing with others or it’s my own creation.  And like I said – and I want to make this clear – I’ve loved writing Who.  It’s been brilliant.  Even the bad reviews.  And writing for Bernice has been great as well.  The friends I’ve got from the experience have been wonderful.

But it’s time to boost my Aussie profile.  Time to get down and dirty in the Aussie spec fic market.  Not straight away – I have my Uncle’s memoir to finish.  But it will happen.  Because in reading the Snapshots I’m excited by how creative and brilliant and clever and interesting many of the writers and publishers etc in this country are.  We’re blessed in Australia to have so many writers who constantly strive to produce work that shits all over the norm.  And I want to be part of that.

So there.  That’s my mission statement.

Let’s see how I fare…