“Zombie Uprising!” – Our zombie horror short story anthology will be extending it’s deadline.  The original deadline of September 1st, 2010, is being pushed back until February 1st, 2011.  This will allow for the high quality submissions that we have been receiving to continue and create the best Zombie Anthology possible.

There are a lot of different ways to make your life simpler.  Some are technical while others are just useful tools.  Below are some of the useful technical tips I have come started to use that have helped me in my writing and other computer uses.

For the most part, these tools have to do with staying synced with multiple devices as a lot of my time when I am writing, I am not always on the same computer.  I do have my one main little netbook computer that I use to do most of my writing, but sometimes find that I like to write at my desk with my laptop or desktop computers.  This created issues while writing my first book, because I sometimes got lost on which version of the file was the latest version.

One of the first programs that I started to use, and this one is the greatest tool I found for backing up and keeping files in sync. The program is called Dropbox.  The program is simple, and free for up to 2 gb of usage. With dropbox, you first create an account with them, and then install the program on each of your computers.  Once installed, you just log into your account on each of your computers.

This will set up a folder on each computer, and everything that is “dropped” into that folder will be synced nearly instantly to any of your computers.  It also keeps a remote version of the file uploaded to their servers for access if you needed to log into your account while not at any of your computers.  This is good for using public computers if you needed quick access to print a file you were working on.

How I use this “dropped” folder, is that I have that folder set up as the default folder in which I save my writing.  I use this for many other applications and find that the 2 gigabytes of storage is more than enough space for basic usage.
https://www.dropbox.com/

Another tool that I use that also helps keeps things synced is an Iphone App called “Simplenote.”  I like simplenote because it is a lite weight text editing program that is great for making quick notes to myself.  I use this a lot when I have an idea on the go that I want to jot down in my phone.  Now what is nice about this able and makes it better than most the others out there, is that with this app, I can then instantly access that note on each of my computers, both pc and mac.  It has both software to install on both platforms, and in fact, is what I am currently typing the rough draft for this blog post in.

I should also mention that while this is primarily meant to be an Iphone app, it doesn’t have to be used 100% in that fashion.   For how I typed up the rough draft of this blog, I typed it on one computer in the program.   Closed it, and then opened it on another computer to cut and paste it into the blog.   I never actually used my Iphone while using the program.
http://simplenoteapp.com/

As you can tell, I like to keep things synced.  That to me is one of the greatest issues I had while writing my first novel, was keeping up with my ideas.  I would have an excellent idea, but would write it down somewhere or record it somewhere, never to be able to find it again.  It was very frustrating, and I actually feel that my first novel did suffer a little because of it.

Now my last recommendation for today is another item that “syncs,” but this one is for voice recording.  It is called “ITalk Sync.” Once again, it is an Iphone App, and you probably guessed what appeals to me about this app.  Yes, it syncs.  The voice files sync to my computer for quick access.  I like this because a large part of my best brainstorming is while I am driving.  I also like that this app uses a simple interface of a large red butten, easy to press while driving so I don’t have to take my eyes off of the road.
http://www.italksync.com/

These are three of my favorite basic tech tools to help keep my life a little simpler when it comes to writing.  I invite you to submit any ideas that you have or feedback to jason@iamdavis.com or follow me and direct message me on Twitter @iamjasondavis.  If you have any other great ideas, or software tips to help you write, I encourage you to send them.

-Jason R. Davis

Zombie Uprising!
Call for Submissions

FOF Publishing is pleased to announce an open submissions period for our first horror anthology, “Zombie Uprising” to be published in paperback early in 2011. With Zombie Uprising, we are looking for horror fiction of the highest order. We drive ourselves to disturb and provoke through the power of stories well told. Bring us your stories about zombies and the early days in the zombie apocalypse so that they will fill our pages with terror.

We place no prior restrictions on content, but please be aware that violence and/or perversity used simply for shock value won’t cut it with us. Works selected for ZU will be those that travel to a place beyond to carry readers into a world where comfort is in short supply, hope is insufficient to save the day and one’s complicity in one’s own fate is laid bare.

Guidelines:
For ZU, we will be reading original, stories of between 6,000 and 25,000 words in length. Each work must be accompanied by a separate synopsis, describing the story in full. All submissions will be reviewed by at least one editor, but a Senior Editor will read every synopsis. Only submissions e-mailed to the address below will be considered. Failure to follow guidelines may result in a submission being rejected without being read.

Submissions deadline is September 1st, 2010, with publication scheduled during the 1st half of 2011. A response to your submission should be expected from us within 90 days of receipt.

For works selected, we pay in one contributor copy. Additional copies will be available to authors at retailer prices and restrictions. For established authors, rates are negotiable. Final response time: six months or sooner. .

Manuscript format:
-12 point courier font
- standard margins
- left side of header: name, contact info
- right side of header: word count
- each paragraph standard indents

Send your submission to submissions@fofpublishing.com