Nick Straatmann

Themes include writing, positive vibes, and empathy.
Shirley Jackson Award Finalist.

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Hoping to get in touch w/ anyone familiar with Nigerian culture and Nigerian-English dialect. Seeking to ensure accurate depictions in a short story I'm writing. Tweet or DM if you can help! Thx! #WritingCommunity #amwriting #amwritingfiction #writerslift #writersoftwitter

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Bold prediction: The rule changes won't have an impact on boring outcomes (home runs, walks, and strikeouts) because the variables that matter remain unchanged: glove dimensions are too big, outfield walls are too short, and the ball is too juiced. #MLBOpeningDay

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

@writingwings484 Just know that it's more like Hollywood than you'd think: If you don't have an "in" within the publishing world and you aren't connected to fame, then it is a years (decades?) long, arduous slog.

[Uncanny Magazine @UncannyMagazine]

Please RT!!! @UncannyMagazine will be opening to Short Story Submissions (750-6000 words) from May 16 to May 30!!! https://t.co/vX0moQt8Wb

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Every so often, a query just feels like... How to say it... Like, "This is a perfect match, right? It sure looks like a perfect match to me - your representation, my manuscript. They'd make such a great pair!" Feeling that feeling today. #amquerying #amwriting #WritingCommunity

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

@erin_clyburn Hi, Erin. The Querymanager link in your MSWL states that you are closed to queries except for previously requested material. Is that correct, and if so, would you be interested in requesting a query for my literary, adult horror/thriller set in northern Alabama (82k WC)? Thanks!

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Agents & writers,

Should I adopt a pseudonym? Anglicize my author name? I have:

- A weird surname that people never spell right
- A shortlisting for the Shirley Jackson Award
- Just two publishing credits and no traction as a writer

Thoughts?
#AskAnAgent #WritingCommunity

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Writers, if you are heading into the querying phase, I recommend viewing the bookends literary channel. Lots of great insights! #amquerying #amwriting
https://t.co/IhJKqSJevc

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Also this totally amazing and awesome magazine, if you have flash fiction (scifi and fantasy): https://t.co/wFpnDi5SUC

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Hey, you. Writer person. got scifi? Looking to submit? A totally amazing and awesome magazine is currently open to subs. #amwritingfiction #amquerying https://t.co/YOF1D0eCBp

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Today's writing exercise: Change the setting of your WIP and see what happens (for example, 'when the Terminator arrived in 1984 and needed to filch some clothes, he showed up, not in front of a biker bar, but in front of an Easter Bunny costume rental store.') #WritingCommunity

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

What are those moments in writing that totally ignite either joy or despair for you?
Today, I found that perfect entity to submit to, the one looking for everything that my ms is... but it does not accept unsolicited queries. #amquerying #killingmesmalls

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Can anybody tell me who decided that 'monolith' would be the next super trendy word? I would like to be the person to suggest rekindling with our relationship with a thesaurus.

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

What am I thankful for today? This author-signed copy of This Vale of Tears, penned by my friend and former coworker, @DarenDean1 ! A great story that is worth your attention! #GoForthAndRead #amreading

[John Cusick Updates Only @johnmcusick]

I say this as an agent and author: you should be paid for your work! But you also don't have to make work meant to sell. In fact, you can just write and make art without it being work. You don't have to do it every day, and you don't have to be the best at it. You can just do it.

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

The best stories are beautifully hidden arguments.

I read a really good one this morning.

[Lesley Conner @LesleyConner]

The @apexmag Holiday Horrors Flash Fiction contest is coming back! Theme is Halloween. Submissions are open from Oct 1st to Nov 15th. 250 words max!

I'm selecting the winner this year, so do your best to scare me!

Full details coming very soon.

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

@CollinPreciado Is this a movie version of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe?

[Nick Straatmann @NickStraatmann]

Well, I did it. I just sent off my first response to a full ms request. We'll see how this goes... #WritingCommunity #amwrriting #amquerying

[Pidgeonholes @pidgeonholes]

our submissions are open until September 10th!

✔️ fiction
✔️ nonfiction
✔️ poetry

we look forward to reading your work! ❤️

https://t.co/FT2qCow7K5