Deadlines Looming

Finding markets is a big part of a writer's job, especially if you're writing shorts. A couple of posts in different places reminded me that every zine you find isn't always an open market. So, how do you know and how do you to find out?

There's a couple of ways to figure this out. Check out the last posting, there's always dates on the issues or the last post if it's on a blog site. If you're looking at one that says Fall 2007 you can pretty much assume that they've folded. Some of the good owners will state in their guidelines that they're no longer open to subs but will leave the archives up so writers can link to their stories. In the last couple of years, many zines and print mags have started blogs or have a news section on their site with submission updates and publishing news. Check them out. When was the last post? And finally, if there's nothing else to check, scroll down to the bottom of the page, most zines will have a copyright note at the bottom if it's not the current year, it's probably closed.

E-mailing a query to an editor or publisher is another way to find out if the market is open, that's how I discovered that Pine Tree Mysteries was open to subs once again. And, of course, not all editors will respond. I know, I know, all of this is extra work, but writing isn't all fun. In the end, if you're going to stick with this writing bug, you have to realize that, yes, indeed, it is a business and you're self-employed. Doing the heavy lifting is entirely up to you.

***I almost forgot that at Ralan.com there is a dead markets listing. It's all in alphabetical order and gives the date of death.

And now, the looming deadlines:

A Twist of Noir's Alienation contest. You've got eleven more days to get those stories in, folks. Christopher says the entries are slow coming in and he'd like to see a lot more before the deadline. http://a-twist-of-noir.blogspot.com/2009/01/interlude-5.html And don't forget, first prize is $25 and there's no entry fee.

Crossed Genres western themed issue is down to the last few days, too. Again, March 31 is the deadline. Urls to the right.

Big Pulp also has a March 31 deadline.

Shroud is closing to subs on March 30, so you've only got ten days left if you're looking to submit here. But don't worry, if you miss this deadline they open again on June 1.

Over at Bad Things, Chris Pemental has put up a notice that he's going to do the weekly flash that I mentioned before. So, for you guys who love flash, check out the guidelines and get cracking.

And don't forget Crooked, Geoff is now publishing as the stories come in and he's put quite a few up in the last few weeks. Drop on over there and have a read, leave some comments ( writers love their egos rubbed once in a while ) and submit something. It's not just publishers that keep zines afloat, but the writers who submit and advertise them so readers can find the stories.

And a question for you guys. Paul Brazill had a flash published in the daily FlashShots ( snoopy dancing is recommended here, folks ) which reminded me that I have a lot of flash markets in my files. Since I started this blog with just crime zines and markets in mind, I left off quite a few markets that publish flash, most of them non-paying, but if you guys would like them listed in a separate flash column, I'd be happy to post them for you. Just drop me a note in the comments and if there's enough interest I'll put together a list for you.