How One Question Turned My Writing from Invisible to Award-Winning
Unearth Your Voice | Authortunities 108 | April 5 — May 3
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In 2015, I felt invisible.
I was writing and publishing Gothic ghost stories—just like countless other authors—and wondering why my work wasn’t standing out. On my quest to solve this puzzle, I made one of the wisest decisions of my career: I applied for a mentor through the Horror Writers Association. They paired me with Bryan Thao Worra, whose keen insight sparked the question that pivoted my writing career… but more on that pivotal question in a moment.
Maybe right now you feel how I did back in 2015. You’re pouring your heart into your writing, but no one seems to notice. I tried making my stories weirder, scarier, more graphic. I created monsters, drabbled with demons, and agonized over which witches would finally grab attention. But nothing truly resonated with readers.
Perhaps you’ve also tried mimicking the style of your favorite authors or chasing popular writing trends, only to end up feeling disconnected or invisible. You’re not alone—and here’s the wonderful truth: you already have everything you need to stand out right now. Your voice isn’t something to invent; it’s something to uncover and reclaim.
Bryan Thao Worra had asked me a single transformative question that changed everything: “Where are YOU in your writing?” Initially, I was confused. I thought he was implying I hadn’t written the work myself. Flustered, I started to explain, but he gently clarified:
“No, I mean where are you in this story? It’s not a bad story, but you’re not here. You’re Asian, passionate about technology and sci-fi… but your stories don’t reflect that. Bring your culture and experience into your writing.”
It hadn’t clicked for me and I tried to come up with an excuse. “I can’t really write from an Asian perspective, I’m mixed,” I said.
Bryan simply replied, “Then write from where you are.” It clicked. When we are trying to stand out, why are we writing like everyone else?
The very next story I wrote was “Vanilla Rice,” a tale about an Asian mother who uses technology to make her daughter white-presenting—with devastating consequences. Appropriately, it’s about the power of authenticity. “Vanilla Rice” became my first pro sale, published in the anthology Where the Stars Rise: Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy, which garnered prestigious awards including the 2018 Alberta Book Publishing Award and was an Aurora Award Finalist.
The anthology was highly recommended by respected publications like American Library Association’s Booklist, Library Journal, and Locus. “Vanilla Rice” itself was republished twice more, with those anthologies receiving notable recognition—including a Bram Stoker Award and my own first Bram Stoker Finalist.
This is the transformative power of the authentic voice.
Why Your True Voice Matters
Your authentic writing voice resonates deeply with readers because it comes from a place of genuine self-expression. Readers connect more with authenticity than with perfection. Your unique perspective, experiences, and personality create a distinctive voice that no one else can replicate.
How to Start Uncovering Your Voice
Write What You Want to Read: Forget what’s popular or marketable. Write purely for yourself. Notice what naturally emerges when you remove the pressure of external judgment. Your authentic voice lies near your deepest passions and emotions. Are you obsessed with Corgis in Christmas sweaters? That is memorable—write it in. Figure everything else out in edits.
Embrace Your Quirks: Instead of suppressing what makes you unique, lean into it. Your particular blend of humor, interests, and observations are compelling for readers. We don’t read to find out what we already know, we read to explore something new. Here is an exercise: think of an iconic character, fiction or nonfiction. What is unique about them? Now try to imagine them without their individual quirks. That would be Einstein with a haircut? I can’t picture this.
Listen and Trust: Pay close attention to reader feedback that deeply resonates with your work. Notice recurring themes or elements that your readers appreciate. What are you becoming known for? That’s your voice.
This Week’s Download
Ever feel like your author voice is buried beneath trends, comparisons, and self-doubt? I crafted something special for you: Hear Yourself Clearly: A Guided Page for Discovering Your True Writing Voice.
This journaling guide gently leads you through thoughtful prompts and reflective rituals designed to reconnect you with your genuine voice. Create your personalized “Voice Declaration” to affirm and celebrate your uniqueness, accompanied by a gentle mirror ritual and a special Finding Your Voice Tea recipe and ritual to amplify your clarity, creativity, and authenticity.
Subscribers: Your download is available for just $8.88.
Supporting Subscribers: With deep appreciation for your generous support, your complimentary download awaits in your Supporting Subscriber area.
What Do You Think?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments or ask me yourself this Sunday at 5 pm EST in my (brand new) weekly Substack Live.
What’s one aspect of your writing voice you genuinely love?
What questions do you have about uncovering your authentic voice?
Let’s rediscover and celebrate our voices together—no matter how quiet or hidden they feel right now.
Readers want your voice, and only you can deliver that.
Watch my Substack Notes here for all updates including…
Authortunities Hub community | 24/7 writer support
Space and Time Magazine #147 | April 2025
Space & Time: Celebrating 50 Years of Speculative Fiction | April 2026
Space and Time Flash | July 2025
14 Spooky Stories for Boys and Girls | October 2025
Coven of the East: Reclaiming Asian Women’s Magical Histories | Fall 2025
Angela Yuriko Smith | 24/7 working writer
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My authortunities are organized by emoji!
🟢 opening for submissions
🔴 closing for submissions
⭐ events, classes, networking
♻️ reprints
🟢 WEEKLY· Reedsy Prompts is open until the following Friday for short fiction between 1,000 - 3,000 words based on one of five prompts. Writers have until the following Friday at 11.59 pm EST to enter. No fee to enter and have work posted. $5 fee to be eligible for the $250 cash prize. This week’s prompt is: Tick-Tock ⏰.
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
🟢 APR 5 · Cutleaf Journal is open until April 15 for fiction (flash up to 1,000 words; short stories 1,000–4,000 words), nonfiction (1,500–6,000 words), and poetry (up to 6 poems, any length). Payment ranges $100–$400 for prose and $50–$200 per poem. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints.
https://cutleafjournal.com/submit
🟢 APR 5 · Astrolabe is open until April 20 (or until they reach 150 subs) for fiction (flash up to 1,000 words; short stories 1,000–3,000 words, up to 3 pieces), narrative nonfiction (up to 3,000 words, up to 3 pieces), and visual art (up to 5 pieces, including photography). Payment is $50 per accepted submission. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints.
https://www.astrolabe.ooo/submissions
🟢 APR 5 · Meanjin Quarterly is open until April 21 for fiction (short stories 2,000–4,000 words) and poetry (up to 3 poems, no line limits). Payment: AUD $0.40/word minimum for fiction; AUD $250 minimum per poem. Submissions are restricted to Australian writers. Reprints are not accepted; simultaneous submissions policy is unspecified. Submit via Submittable.
https://meanjin.com.au/about-meanjin/get-in-touch/contribute-to-meanjin/
🟢 APR 5 · Dark Moments Drabble Monthly Challenge is open until April 30 for speculative fiction or horror drabbles (exactly 100 words) on the theme "Japanese Myths & Monsters." Payment is $0.04 USD per word. No simultaneous submissions, no reprints, one submission per pen name. Open internationally. Submit via email (include theme in subject line).
https://www.blackharepress.com/submissions
🟢 APR 5 · Flash Fiction Online is open until April 30 for a special call on the theme "Wilderness Horror" (500–1,000 words) and a general submissions call. Payment is $100 per story. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no multiple submissions; no reprints. Submit via Submittable.
https://ffo.submittable.com/submit/324555/special-call-wilderness-horror
🟢 APR 5 · The Pink Hydra is open until May 10 for fiction (up to 30,000 words) and narrative nonfiction. Genres: fantasy, horror, supernatural mystery/crime, speculative romance, science fiction, erotica, and weird western. Payment: $3–$17 USD or 1 ZAR/word (R50 minimum for Southern African writers). Simultaneous submissions and reprints allowed. Submit via email.
https://www.thepinkhydra.com/submissions/
🟢 APR 5 · The Writers College Short Story Competition is open until September 30 for short stories (1,000–2,000 words) on the theme "All the things we didn't learn." Payment: NZD $1,000 for the winner. Open to unpublished writers or those with fewer than four publications. No reprints; simultaneous submissions policy unspecified. Submit via email. Early bird entry is free until June 30; entries submitted after this date require a $15 fee.
https://www.thewriterscollege.com/the-writers-college-annual-short-story-competition/
🟢 APR 5 · Riddle Fence is open until September 30 for fiction (flash up to 1,000 words; short stories 1,000–3,000 words), nonfiction (up to 3,000 words), poetry (up to 5 poems), and visual art (various media). Payment: CAD $50 per published page (written work); CARFAC fees for art. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints. Submit via Submittable.
https://riddlefence.com/submit/
🟢 APR 5 · Short Story Substack is open until April 30 for short stories (any genre, 6–10,000 words). Payment: Base pay $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue. One winner per month. Simultaneous submissions policy unspecified; reprints accepted if distribution rights are available. Submit via email as a Word or Google Doc file.
https://shortstory.substack.com
🟢 APR 5 · Split Lip Magazine is open until May 31 for fiction (flash up to 1,000 words; short stories 1,000–3,000 words), memoir/nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), poetry (one poem per submission), and visual art/photography. Payment: $75 per piece (web); $5 per page (print anthology). Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints. Submit via Submittable.
https://splitlipthemag.com/submit
🟢 APR 5 · The Forge Literary Magazine is open until April 30 for fiction and nonfiction (up to 3,000 words). Payment: $100 per piece. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints. Submit via Submittable.
https://forgelitmag.com/submit/
🟢 APR 5 · Brigids Gate Press is open until April 30 for gothic romances (novels 70,000–90,000 words; novellas 40,000–60,000 words). Stories must blend romance with gothic elements (mystery, atmosphere, supernatural). Payment: 50% royalties for ebooks and audiobooks; 40% royalties for print editions. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints. Submit via email.
https://brigidsgatepress.com/submissions
🟢 APR 5 · Trollbreath Magazine is open until April 30 for speculative fiction (1,500–7,500 words, sweet spot 4,000–5,000 words), poetry, and nonfiction. Genres include dark fantasy, slipstream, fabulism, surrealism, and related subgenres. Payment: $0.04 per word (original fiction), $0.005 per word (reprints). Simultaneous submissions policy unspecified; reprints accepted. Submit via online form.
https://magazine.trollbreath.com/submissions/
🟢 APR 5 · ResAliens Online Zine is open until April 30 for space opera fiction (6,000–8,000 words) for themed volumes: First Contact, Alien Invasion, Generation Ship, and Colony World. Content should be rated PG. Payment: $50 per story, contingent upon successful Kickstarter funding. Simultaneous submissions policy unspecified; reprints accepted; submit up to two stories maximum. Submit via email.
https://residentialaliens.blogspot.com/p/resaliens-online-zine.html
🟢 APR 5 · Inky Bones Press-Creature Feature Anthology is open until April 30 for creature feature horror (1,500–3,500 words). Stories should involve a person or group actively seeking something (e.g., treasure hunters, cryptozoologists) whose plans go awry. Must include bones (explicitly mentioned) and a scary creature. Payment: $0.01 per word. Simultaneous submissions policy unspecified; no reprints. Submit via email.
https://robinknabel.squarespace.com/submissions
🔴 APR 5 · Variant Literature Journal closes for submissions of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Poetry submissions may include up to 5 poems, totaling no more than 10 pages. Fiction submissions should be up to 5,500 words. Nonfiction submissions are accepted as flash pieces up to 1,200 words. Payment is USD $10 per accepted piece. Simultaneous submissions are allowed; reprints are not accepted. Submissions are accepted via Submittable.
https://variantlit.com/submit/
⭐ APR 4-6 · The Trope Conference is a three day trope fest covering topics related to genre, tropes in relationships, craft and trends. From Jennifer Hilt, author of The Trope Thesaurus. Costs $99.
🔴 APR 6 · Symphonies of Imagination closes for submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry on the theme "Education." They seek literary works that challenge modern narratives and envision a desirable future. Payment is USD $0.005 per word for fiction and nonfiction, and $20 per poem. Submissions are accepted via email.
https://duotrope.com/magazine/symphonies-of-imagination-36801
🔴 APR 6 · The Masters Review's New Voices closes for submissions of fiction and narrative nonfiction (up to 7,000 words) from emerging writers who have not published a novel-length work. Payment is USD $100 for flash-length pieces (1,000 words or fewer) and USD $200 for longer works. Simultaneous submissions are accepted; reprints are not. Submissions via Submittable.
https://duotrope.com/magazine/masters-review-new-voices-masters-review-13529
⭐ APR 6 · Bookfest Spring 2025 a free Livestream Event featuring Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Conversations and Segments for the Reading and Writing Communities. an online event bringing readers, writers and publishing communities together. Free to attend, virtual.
⭐ APR 6 · Rattlecast livestreams, is part interview and open mic with a prompt-based open mic. Hangout with Rattle editor Timothy Green and Katie Dozier. Each Rattlecast begins with an interview, a writing prompt, and poets reading from the last week’s prompt. | Rattlecast at 8 pm EST.
🟢 APR 7 · Apex Magazine Monthly Flash Fiction Contest Submissions open to all for speculative flash fiction until the last day of the month at midnight. Winner will be announced no later than the 15th of the following month and be paid $0.08/word or $10, whichever is more and published on the Apex Magazine Patreon as an exclusive the month following and will be included in the forthcoming issue of Apex Magazine.
https://apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/apex-magazine-flash-fiction
🔴 APR 7 · Fraidy Cat Quarterly is closing regular submissions of horror flash fiction and short stories but remains open to submissions of black and white art from all. Extended deadline until April 14 for “LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Palestinian authors.” Payment is $10 for flash fiction and art artwork and $20 per short story. Work should be created with the theme of “Growth.”
https://fraidycatpress.com/submission-guidelines/
🔴 APR 11 · Rattle Magazine’s “Poets Respond” challenge calls for poems inspired by “a news story or public event from the previous week, and has been written in the time since.” Selected poems will appear as the Sunday poem at Rattle.com which appear to over 10,000 people via RSS feed and daily email service. Poets will receive $100 and a free print magazine subscription. Each week's deadline is Friday midnight PST.
https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/30232/poets-respond-online
⭐ APR 13 · Inspirational Indie Authors podcast with the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and Howard Lovy. Dive deep into personal stories of indie authors, understanding their pathways to success, challenges faced, and lessons learned. 1 pm GMT.
https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/inspirational-indie-author-interviews-podcast/
⭐ APR 13 · Rattlecast livestreams, is part interview and open mic with a prompt-based open mic. Hangout with Rattle editor Timothy Green and Katie Dozier. Each Rattlecast begins with an interview, a writing prompt, and poets reading from the last week’s prompt. | Rattlecast at 8 pm EST.
🔴 APR 14 · Wet Screams: A Monsterfucker Anthology closes for submissions of erotic creature feature short stories (2,000–6,000 words). They encourage creative explorations of creature intimacy, blending horror and erotica. Payment is CAD $0.10 per word. Simultaneous submissions and reprints are allowed. Submissions are accepted via email.
https://www.littleghostsbooks.com/wetscreams
🔴 APR 14 · Fraidy Cat Quarterly is closing the extended deadline for “LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Palestinian authors” but remains open to submissions of black and white art. Payment is $10 for flash fiction and art artwork and $20 per short story. Work should be created with the theme of “Growth.”
https://fraidycatpress.com/submission-guidelines/
🔴 APR 15 · Consequence closes for submissions of fiction (up to 5,000 words), nonfiction (up to 4,000 words), poetry (up to 3 poems), and visual art exploring the consequences and culture of war. Payment varies by genre and publication format: Poetry—$20 per poem (print), $50 for online features, and $30 for Substack; Prose: $50 for online features, $30 for Substack. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints. Submissions via Duosuma.
https://consequenceforum.org/submissions/
🔴♻️ APR 15 · Graveside Press Witchcraft Anthology closes for submissions of fiction (2,000–6,000 words) centered on witchcraft, encompassing both modern-day practices and traditional portrayals. Payment is USD $0.02 per word, paid 90 business days after publication. Simultaneous submissions and reprints are accepted; multiple submissions are not. Submissions via Duosuma.
https://graveside-press.com/call-for-submissions-witchcraft-anthology/
🔴 APR 15 · Translunar Travelers Lounge closes for submissions of speculative fiction (up to 5,000 words) in fantasy and science fiction genres. Payment is USD $0.03 per word, with a minimum of $20. Simultaneous submissions and reprints are not accepted. Submissions via Moksha submission manager.
https://translunartravelerslounge.com/submissions/
🔴♻️ APR 17 · Collaborature Monthly Contest is closing for fiction and poetry “written by more than one author or include a collaboration of two people (i.e., art and poetry).” Reprints are allowed. Payment is $20 USD.
https://collaborature.blogspot.com/p/contests.html
🔴 APR 15 · Electric Spec closes to speculative fiction stories of “science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre” between 250 and 7000 words for their May issue. Payment is $20 per piece.
http://www.electricspec.com/Submissions.html
🔴 APR 15 · The Threepenny Review closes for submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Fiction submissions should be up to 4,000 words; nonfiction articles between 1,200 and 2,500 words; and poetry submissions may include up to five poems, each no longer than 100 lines. Payment is USD $400 per story or article and $200 per poem. Simultaneous submissions and reprints are not accepted. Submissions are accepted via their online submission system or by mail.
https://www.threepennyreview.com/submissions.html
🔴 APR 15 · Tales from the Crosstimbers closes for submissions of fiction (1,000–5,000 words) in science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and horror genres, as well as nonfiction essays (1,000–2,500 words) related to these genres or the craft of writing. Payment is USD $0.01 per word, with a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $25. Simultaneous submissions are allowed; reprints are not accepted. Submissions are accepted via an online form.
https://thecrosstimbers.online/submission-requirements/
🔴 APR 15 · Fifth Wheel Press closes for submissions of fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), poetry (3–5 poems), and visual art. Fifth Wheel Press seeks submissions from individuals who belong to the queer, trans, and/or gender variant communities. The current theme is "Tragic-Romantic." Payment ranges from $5 to $50, depending on the submission category. Submit via Duosuma.
https://fifthwheelpress.com/submit
🔴 APR 15 · Cutleaf Journal closes for submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Payment ranges $100–$400 for prose, $50–$200 per poem. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints. Submit via Submittable.
https://cutleafjournal.com/submit
🔴 APR 17 · Epic Echoes Magazine closes for submissions of short fiction (1,000–3,000 words). Epic Echoes is a digital magazine that blends the spirit of vintage pulp fiction with modern sensibilities. They seek action-adventure, fantasy, horror, mystery/crime, and science fiction stories. Payment is a $10 honorarium. Reprints are not accepted; simultaneous submissions are allowed. Submit via email.
https://www.epicechoesmag.com/submissions
🔴 APR 18 · Rattle Magazine’s “Poets Respond” challenge calls for poems inspired by “a news story or public event from the previous week, and has been written in the time since.” Selected poems will appear as the Sunday poem at Rattle.com which appear to over 10,000 people via RSS feed and daily email service. Poets will receive $100 and a free print magazine subscription. Each week's deadline is Friday midnight PST.
https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/30232/poets-respond-online
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