Volume 44/71

Fall/Winter 2023-2024

Biannual Online Magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror

Original Fiction by

Rob E. Boley

Sean E. Britten

Neva Bryan

Evan Burkin

Scott Craven

John Guo

Steve Loiaconi

D. Thomas Minton

A.R.C. Mitra

Mark Stawecki

Alden Terzo

George S. Walker


Plus Stories & Previews by Staff Members

Ty Drago

Kelly Ferjutz

Carrie Schweiger

J. E. Taylor

Volume 44/71

Fall/Winter 2023-2024

Allegory

Biannual Online Magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror

"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist." — Pablo Picasso

THE RULES FOR WRITING!

The esteemed novelist, playwright, and short story author, W. Somerset Maugham, famously wrote, “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”

Well, I respectfully disagree, except there’s five…not three.

When I teach creative writing, whether I’m focusing on short or novel-length fiction, I always start with what I’ve come to call The Five Rules of Writing. A couple of these are borrowed from Robert Heinlein’s writing rules but are modified to better fit the modern publishing arena. Writers then and writers now face different challenges.

And with that pesky preamble and disclaimer out of the way, here they are.

Rule 1: Write

Simple, huh? Try it. Sit down and write something, something creative. Go ahead. Do it now.

Rule 2: Finish What You Write

This is the one where most writers stumble. How many out there have unfinished novels hidden somewhere on your computer? And be honest: Did you really start to write something after Rule 1, only to give up?

Rule 3: Edit What You Write

80% of what I do as a writer consists of editing my own work. In general, no piece of fiction penned by Yours Truly goes out before the sixth (and sometimes seventh) revision. When you put your work in front of an editor, you have one brief window of time in which to make a good impression. So, polish, polish, polish!

Rule 4: Submit What You Write for Publication

It’s scary, I know. Consider Emily Dickinson, who published just seven poems in her lifetime. Then, upon her death, a thousand more were found throughout the house. If you’re okay with being Emily Dickinson, then fine, keep your work to yourself. But if you’re anything like me and eagerly (sometimes desperately) wish to be read, then you must submit your polished work to every market that fits!

Rule 5: Go Write Something Else

The wheel never stops turning, my friends. Being a professional (or even semi-professional) writer means creating a body of work and then putting that body of work to work. I am always either writing or editing something. I always have a project.

Our avocation isn’t an easy one. It makes demands on us, on our time, our imagination, our commitment, and our self-esteem. Out of any group of novice writers, the ones who succeed are not the ones with the most talent; they’re the ones with the most drive. Never, ever, ever, ever give up.

Now, as I’ve said many times before, go write something.

- Ty Drago
- Founder and Publisher
- ALLEGORY

P.S. And while you’re at it, consider contributing to ALLEGORY. We are not and have never been a business, and we subsist solely on crowdfunding via donations. Fortunately, donating is easy. Simply click the button below and let PayPal do the rest. Thank you in advance!

In This Issue

Fiction

Showcase

Honorable Mentions

Allegory deals with submissions in the way that, as far as I know, remains fairly unique in the publishing world. Each story is individually reviewed and, if considered publishable, is placed in our "Maybe" pile. At the end of each submission period, these "Maybes" are reviewed, and the best twelve chosen to appear in the next issue. This final cut is made on the basis of issue balance, and does NOT reflect the overall quality of these stories.

That said, here—in no particular order—are the "Maybes" who just missed publication in Allegory. Each one is a fine tale that we would have been proud to publish. Remember these names, friends and fellows. You'll be hearing from them in the future. I guarantee it!

Note: Explicit permission was secured from each author before either their name or the title of their story was included in this list.

Name In Lights

This issue’s Name in Lights goes to Carrie Lawrence, one of Allegory's senior editors. Carrie been with us for a few years now and has proven herself a tireless reader of slush with a keen eye from strong storytelling. She is absolutely one of the key reasons that we're still operating! Carrie, on behalf of myself, our staff, our contributing authors and, of course, our readers, thank you for everything you do for Allegory!!!

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