Back in August I posted a link to Last Rites Publishing. They were launching a new zine and had 4 anthology calls listed. Now, according to Duotrope, they've closed up shop due to legal problems. Here's the original listing http://sandraseamans.blogspot.com/2010/08/oh-horror.html The anthology calls were:
Section 8: Tales from the Psychiatric Ward
Disciples of Poe
Experiment in Homicide
Terror, Horror, Gore
It's not a good day for the anthology market. And I'm thinking that I'll steer clear of posting calls from new and non-paying press, as this one was.
I wonder sometimes if people just suddenly decide to start up a press without looking into all the legal ramifications that come with starting a business or if they think writing is just a game that you can jump into and out of on a whim. Sure is discouraging.
2 comments:
That's why we leave Erie Tales Anthology for members of GLAHW only. We're a non-paying entity and all funds go back into the group.
I understand the purpose of submitting for exposure - however, small presses and magazines are one's best bet as anthologies as a general rule are expensive to produce. I'm not surprised so many fold. In practical terms how many people will take a chance on an $16-20 book to read unknowns when they can spend half of that on a magazine that has publishes on a regular basis?
If it's exposure writers are looking for, stick with mags and zines.
The problem is, it's not just the non-paying markets that are folding after setting up. This past summer Astra Publications did the same thing. They set up - offered pro rates - then said no pay - then folded.
I'm having a bit of trouble trusting the ebook publishers. They offer royalties but only on the net sales, which means they could forever claim they haven't made a profit.
And you're right, MontiLee, if a new writer wants exposure the best way to go is the online and print zines, especially if they've been around a while and have a good track record of working at a professional level. All of which I've learned the hard way. And something every writer needs to learn for themselves.
Post a Comment