Monday, March 29, 2010

Interview with Mindflights Submissions Editor and Author, Angie Lofthouse



Angie Lofthouse is with us today, talking about submissions, her short stories, and her writing journey. She's giving away a free issue of Mindflights print magazine #5 to a lucky commenter.

1. You've written several prize winning short stories and I've loved every one that I've read! Tell us about how long you've been writing and your body of work.

Thanks, Aubrie. I'm glad you've enjoyed my stories. I started writing sci-fi and fantasy in 1994, when my oldest child was a year old. In 2003, my first published story, "Blessing Stone," appeared in NFG magazine. Yep, it took nine long years to get something published. I'm nothing if not determined. Since then, I've published a dozen short pieces, ranging from short story to novella length, in a variety of print and online magazines. Since many of them are now out of print, I'm offering them to readers for free on my blog.

2. How did you get involved as an editor at Mindflights?

I published several stories in Amazing Journeys magazines, and became active on the bulletin boards there. In 2005, another Amazing Journeys author, Bill Snodgrass, approached me and asked if I'd be interested in being an assistant editor for a magazine he was starting up. That sounded like a fun opportunity, so I grabbed it, and I'm so glad I did. I started out with The Sword Review, which later merged with Dragons, Knights, and Angels magazine to become Mindflights. I enjoy working with Selena Thomason and the other Mindflights editors. Reading and judging submissions has done amazing things for my own writing.

3. What are some of the qualities in the stories that Mindflights looks for in submissions?

At Mindflights, we are looking for stories that are entertaining, enlightening and uplifting. We want stories that are family friendly and that uphold (or at least do not denigrate) Christian values. Beyond that, we like stories with great characters, engaging plots and well-written prose. We also accept poetry, though I am not heavily involved in the poetry end of things.

4. Tell us about your Work In Progress!

After a decade of writing short fiction, I finally decided last year that I could try a novel again. I wrote my first novel, Defenders of the Covenant, when I was pregnant with my third child, and put it away for ten years before pulling it back out, revising it, and falling in love with it again. My WIP is a sequel to that first novel. It's called The Ransomed Returning, and I am almost finished! Both novels are science fiction adventures with a religious base. I am excited to finish another novel, if just to prove to myself that I can do it.

5. Here's the zany question: If you could be in any of your stories, which one would you be in? What character would you be?

Wow. That's a tough one I have "lived" in all my stories for a time while writing them. I think I would be Tiann Woodland in "Brierly's Lilies." She gets to have a cockatrice for a pet. How cool would that be? (You can read "Brierly's Lilies" on my blog if you're interested.)

Thanks for the interview, Aubrie. I'd be happy to answer any questions in the comments.

Please comment below for a chance to win a copy of Mindflights issue #5! Here's their website.

And here is Angie's wonderful blog.

27 comments:

Julie Dao said...

Great interview, thank you Aubrie and Angie! I have never heard of Mindflights but will have to check it out for certain.

Talli Roland said...

Thanks, Aubrie and Angie, for sharing the wonderful interview!

Carol Kilgore said...

This was great. I always enjoy meeting other writers.

Angie said...

Thanks for the interview, Aubrie. It was fun!

Angie said...

BTW, the issue of Mindflights contains my novella, "The Bearer's Oath."

Lindsey Duncan said...

Very nice interview! I've worked with both The Sword Review and then Mindflights (as an author) and found them great, friendly folks.

Michelle H. said...

A great interview of a wonderful person! Angie is a very talented writer and I hope to see everything she writes in print.

Anonymous said...

I write about settings where I live and use real establishments as well as places I've never been but would like to. Best wishes for y9ur continued success.

Stephen Tremp

Anonymous said...

Great interview! I didn't know a lot of that about Angie. =] I have read several of her short stories (and think she's pretty amazing) but I didn't know about her journey. I'm so glad I came over here!

Angie said...

Thanks, you guys.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

wonderful interview! Thanks to both of you! :-)

L. D. Nash said...

Wow, great interview Aubrie.

I actually have a question for Angie. When you first started editing, was it on a volunteer basis?

I've recently accepted two editor's positions, but neither pays (in dinero) if you know what I mean. I'm super excited about the experience I'll gain and that's enough for me, I was just curious.

Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Cherie Reich said...

Wonderful interview! I'm surprised it took you so long to get a story published, Angie. I've loved the short stories of yours that you have on your blog, especially "Brierly's Lilies."

Thank you for sharing about your experiences with Mindflights. As an author, I know I always wonder why or why not a story might be accepted. It seems so subjective at times.

Christine Rains said...

Wonderful interview! I've always strongly admired people with such determination. The writing industry is not for the weak-hearted. It inspires me to see talented writers succeed.

Mary E Campbell said...

Great interview - thank you for conducting it. I didn't know all that about Angie and I've never read her stories(yet), but I do know she is an awesome person.

Terry W. Ervin II said...

Good short interview, Aubrie, and good luck with the novels, Angie.

Angie said...

Thanks for your question, Dawn. Yes, my editorial position was, and still is, voluntary. It's worth it to me. I work for Mindflights because I believe in our mission to provide clean, quality speculative fiction.

Thanks for the kind comments, everyone.

Conda Douglas said...

Thanks so much for posting this fascinating interview, always great to have a peek into an editor's mind.

L. D. Nash said...

Thanks Angie,

I feel much better now :D

I love what I do, it actually helps me with my own writing!

Cheers,
Dawn

sarahjayne smythe said...

Great interview. Thanks so much to both of you for it. :)

myletterstoemily said...

fabulous exposee into a talented
writer's world.

Suzette Saxton said...

This was fun to read! I love the questions and answers.

Nicole Zoltack said...

What a wonderful interview!

Lisa Rusczyk said...

Great interview! Enjoyed it. :)

Elana Johnson said...

Angie is such an awesome person. What a great interview, and I liked reading all the answers. Good luck with your novels, Angie!

Jackee said...

Such a great interview from an awesome person. Actually, you are both awesome. Thanks for sharing, ladies!

Aubrie said...

The winner is Michelle!!!! Congrats Michelle! I gave Angie your email.

Thank you, everyone for stopping by!