Status: 28 Feb 2023

OUT TODAY: ECLECTIC PROJECTS 002

The second issue of Eclectic Projects is out today, featuring four original short stories, one serial entry, and one long essay about the worst job I’ve ever worked, digital publishing technology, and the evolution of publishing scams in the age of the internet. Available from all good bookstores, via a Patreon subscription, or right here on the Eclectic Projects store in ebook and print.

STATE OF THE PETER

What started as 400-odd fraudulent orders over on Brain Jar Press has now escalated to a flurry of 3,000+ attempts, which basically means my email is a hellscape of notifications and chat messages. Our payment provider is still doing their job—none of the fraudulent purchases have gone through and I’m spared the mass refunding that would follow if they did—but it’s still a time-consuming process to stay on top of things.

Worse, today, because it’s release day for Matthew Davis’ Bites Eyes over on the Brain Jar site, so I’ll have to keep a wary eye out for the legitimate orders that come through.

ON THE DOCKET

Dealing with some personal stuff today, alongside the fraud orders, but the nice thing about release days is that a large chunk of my to-do list can be run from a phone (it’s all triggering newsletters and commenting on social media posts). Later tonight, when things calm down, I’ll be recording with the fine folks at the PratChat podcast where we talk about Terry Pratchett’s non-fiction collection.

PETER M. BALL INBOX: 91 (with about 1000+ emails due to land today)

BRAIN JAR INBOX: 13

BRAIN JAR SUBMISSION QUEUE: 6

Spent some time rebuilding our submission tracking now that I’m back to being the primary BJP filter for new work, so the submission queue number may be a little soft, but I think I’ve logged everything that needs handling on both the partial requests and initial submission side of things.