It's always a challenge to keep those words flowing. But we're here to help! Who wants to join an attempt to write a story a week in June?

By short story, we mean SHORT story: 4,000 to 5,000 words. It's a great way to practice all the elements of writing -- character, description, plot, pacing, voice, etc. -- in one small package. Plus, you get the satisfaction of completing something.

And what does BSFW get? More short stories to critique! It's a win win win win.

We're not just leading you to the starting line and saying "go!" Start here, with this fantastic podcast episode on short story writing. You don't have to subscribe to the "Writing Excuses" podcast to listen, but we hope once you've heard this one, you'll be hooked on this amazing resource for writing advice.

We can keep each other appraised of our progress on our Facebook page.

Also, don't forget the BSFW Daily Writing Challenge! It's a worksheet on Google Drive that gives you points for writing at least 250 words each day. And who doesn't love points? Click here to email Brad to get started if you haven't yet. The June spreasheet will be ready by the end of the week.

Let's write some short stories! Who's in?

Book launch for Marcy: February 7
Our own beloved Marcy has a story in the latest sampler from Broad Universe, and we’re going to help her kick it off in style. Broad Universe is the international non-profit organization that, encourages, honors, and celebrates women writers and editors in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other speculative genres.

Stories will be read by the authors of the 2012 Broad Universe Sampler, Brad Parks, Robert Baumgardner, and Nannette Deasy.

When: February 7, 2013, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Singularity&Co Bookstore
18 Bridge Street, in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY

The number of novelists in the group has officially overwhelmed the one monthly meeting dedicated to novel critique. Right now, we have approximately 14 novels in the process of being critiqued or soon to be ready to present to the group. So we’re forming a second group! Here’s how it’s gonna go.

Cam's Group will be comprised of all the works currently in process.

Brad's Group is where the new projects will begin.

As novels work through the critiques, then both groups will become open.

This split only applies to writers with novels to critique. We’ll let you know which group you fall into. Everyone else, jump on board the group of your choice, but be prepared to stick with that group, so the writers get the benefit of critiquers who have followed their work from the beginning.

Learn from the pros by putting classic works under the microscope. This group will meet monthly to critique published works with an eye to the same issues we look at in any author’s work we critique: tension, drama, conflict, character, pacing, language, tone, style, point of view, etc. You’ll take away valuable insight you can apply to your own work.

We'll be starting with The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.