Needle Magazine - Submissions are Open!!

Submissions have opened for the Spring/Summer issue of Needle magazine.  Check out the details here

Lucky Mojo Press - Anthology Call

Lucky Mojo Press is starting a line of anthologies that mesh together fantasy and detective/crime fiction.  Each anthology will based in a different city.  First up is post WWI LA.  Titled "Dirty Magick: LA they're looking for shorts of 3000 to 7500 words that mix elements of crime and magic.  Reprints are acceptable.  Payment is royalties.  You can find all the details here

The Were Traveler - Call for Submissions

This market link came via the lovely Paul Brazill.  The Were Traveler is a non-paying market which publishes bi-monthly.  They're looking for drabbles, flash, and shorts.  Each issue has a theme.  You can check them out here

Surreal Grotesque Magazine - Call for Submissions

Surreal Grotesque Magazine is looking for short stories for their zine.  The February theme is Twisted Love and the April theme is Deformities, real or imagined.  This is a non-paying market

Got Monsters? - No Fee Contest

The Horror Novel Review site is sponsoring a no fee short story contest.  The theme is monsters.  Stories must be no longer than 2500 words with a March 1 deadline.  First prize is $100 and publication on their site.  You can check out all the details here

New Book Review Site

I love how inventive the Internet allows people to be.  Eric Beetner has a new book review blog, but it's not your usual fare.  The book reviews are done in sixty second video clips.  The blog is called "60 Second Book Reviews".  Very cool!! 

Pulp Metal - All Female Issue

Now here's something you don't see often, an all female issue of an online noir zine.  Pulp Metal is featuring a "Deadlier Than the Male" issue with writers that include Lily Childs, Jodi McArthur, and Julia Madleine.  Click on the link and scroll down a bit to read.

On Writing Shorts

Brian Lindenmuth passed this link along so I thought I'd share.  It's about short story writer, George Saunders, and explains why he and every writer out there should be able to write whatever they damn well please.

Thanks Brian!!

In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson is Buried by Amy Hempel

I've seen Amy Hempel's name mentioned in a few places.  Other writers admiring the work of a short story writer.  Today I finally read one of her stories.  It's a story about death and friendship that makes you sad and yet blissfully happy at the same time.  You can read it here

Glitter and Madness Anthology - New Details

The other day I posted about the Kickstarter for the "Glitter & Madness" anthology.  Well, co-editor, Michael Damian Thomas dropped by and said that they were going to have an open call!!!  Once they receive 50% of their funding the submission period will open.  They want up to 6000 words using their theme.  The deadline will be March 15 and payment is 5cents a word.  You can check out all the details here
Just scroll down the page.

Pulp Modern #4 is Now Available

Pulp Modern #4 is now available. Check it out here

And they're open for submissions to issue 5.  You can find the submission guidelines here

Cemetery Dance Magazine - Reading Period Closing Soon

If you're planning on submitting a story to Cemetery Dance magazine you've only got a few days left.  Because of the overwhelming number of submissions they've received they'll be closing their reading period on January 31.

Hat tip to Hell Notes.

Surreal South - Anthology Call

Press 53 has opened submissions for their semi-annual anthology. "Surreal South".  The theme this year is A Surreal Lost and Found.  They're looking for stories of 1000 to 7000 words about "impossible finds or unthinkable losses" with a Southern setting.  The deadline is May 1.  This is a non-paying market but a very high profile publication.  You can find the details here

Anthology Calls

While doing a search for markets I stumbled across Gail Kavanagh's blog, A Writer in the Attic, and a list she's complied of anthologies that are open for submissions in 2013.  Drop on over and check them out

Playing the Short Game by Douglas Smith

Author, Douglas Smith is running a weekly series of articles called "Playing the Short Game" over at the Amazing Stories site.  While the series is aimed at newbies there's lot of good information for all writers.  You can check out the first three posts here

Yay Chris!!

Wahooo!!  Nice to see someone who started out in the short story field nail a spot on the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards.  Congrats to Chris Holm on his first novel nomination for "Dead Harvest".

Angelic Knight Press - Anthology Calls

Angelic Knight Press has posted a new anthology call for "Fairly Wicked Tales".  They're looking for shorts of 3000 to 8000 words that turn your fairy tales upside down.  The reading period is February 1 to March 30.  Payment is shared royalties.  There's also call for an urban fantasy anthology called "Manifesto: UF" that will be edited by Tim Marquitz.  I think I've posted this one before but the reading period has opened for stories of 3000 to 5000 words with the deadline May 15.  You find the details for this one here

The Unspeakable Oath - Call for Submissions

I've never been a member of the gaming world but I know that many of the younger writers that stop by here are so this market might be of interest to them.  "The Unspeakable Oath" is an online zine that focuses on the Cthulhu Mythos Games.  They're looking for articles, short stories, and artwork and best of all they're a paying market.  You can check them out here

Ryan Field Press - Anthology Call

Ryan Field is putting together an anthology of short stories about "The Women Who Love to Love Gay Romance".  As I read through the guidelines it's my understanding that he's looking for only female writers.  The deadline is May 1 for stories of 3000 to 7000 words of your best gay fantasy romances.  Payment is $25. 

Writing on the Wall by L. A. Sykes

Have you ever read a flash story where the character dragged you into the story and kept you reading?  "Writing on the Wall" was like that for me.  I loved the character of the street cleaner.  He had no name but was very serious about his work.  I also wanted to know more about him, what made him the way he was.  Hopefully he will be developed into more short stories by the author, L.A. Sykes.  You can read the story here

Diabolic Publications - Anthology Calls

Diabolic Publications has two anthology calls listed.  Both pay 3cents a word.  The first is "Diabolic Tales 3" which needs dark horror stories with no vampires.  The deadline for this one is July 1.  The second is "Dying to Live" which is a vampire anthology with a deadline of August 1.  You can find all the details here

UPDATE:  3/6/13  The deadline dates have changed on these calls so be sure to check before sending out your stories.

The "Glitter and Madness" Story Cupboard

Okay, I ran across this Kickstarter for a sci-fi anthology called "Glitter and Madness".  Sadly, the anthology was invitation only and already filled with great writers but the prompt they used was, well, perfect for a crime fiction story.  So I thought I'd share.  Here are the elements they were looking for:  Roller Derby, night clubs, glam aliens, (literal) party monsters, drugs, sex, glitter, and debauchery.  Now, aside from the glam aliens isn't that a perfect set up for a crime story?

Early Morning Coolness

Very cool to discover that the blog has been mentioned in a newspaper article by Gail Farrelly called "Got a Mystery up Your Sleeve?"  Check it out here as there's other links to very useful sites for the mystery writer.

A Quote

From Brian Keene via Steve Weddle's Twitter feed.  I just love this quote and it's so true!

"If you’re a short story writer, people just want to know ‘So when are you going to write a novel?’ Musicians are lucky. They can write a song, and it’s a good song, just a few minutes long, and no one ever asks ‘So when are you going to write an opera?’"

—	David Barr Kirtley

Alchemy Press - Anthology Calls

UK publisher, Alchemy Press has opened the submission window for their anthology and new novella line.  This is a paying market.  The deadline is March 31 for all the calls.  The anthology themes are:
Book of Astrologica
Book of Urban Mythic
Book of Pulp Heroes 2

MWA Edgar Nominees Announced

The Mystery Writers of America has announced the nominees for this year's Edgar Award.  Here's the short story group

BEST SHORT STORY

"Iphigenia in Aulis" – An Apple for the Creature by Mike Carey (Penguin Group USA – Ace Books)

"Hot Sugar Blues" – Mystery Writers of America Presents: Vengeance
by Steve Liskow (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company – Mulholland Books)

"The Void it Often Brings With It” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
by Tom Piccirilli (Dell Magazines)

"The Unremarkable Heart" – Mystery Writers of America Presents:  Vengeance
by Karin Slaughter (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company – Mulholland Books)

"Still Life No. 41" – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine by Teresa Solana
(Dell Magazines)

You can read the rest of the nominees over at Mystery Fanfare

Big round of Snoopy Dances for all the nominees!!!

ZZ Packer - Interview

This is a great interview with short story writer ZZ Packer.  While she writes literary short stories what she has to say about the short form applies to all genres.

Carina Press - Novella Calls

Carina Press has four novella calls listed that they've opened for public submissions instead of invitation only.  The deadline for all of them is March 1.  I couldn't find a mention of payment but I could have missed it somewhere because I do believe that this is a paying press.  The themes are:
Contemporary Romance
Erotica Romans
Harleys & Holidays
Military Men and Women: Home for the Holidays

Here a Screw Job, There a...

Even the pro markets are getting into the act of stealing from writers.  Watch you backs out there boys and girls.

Hat tip to Lee Goldberg's blog!

Why "Genre" is Poison by David Bryher

Over at Pornokitsch David Bryher takes a look at "Why 'Genre' is Poison".  While his post is about sci-fi and fantasy his musings can be applied to every genre.

Fearful Symmetries - Anthology Call

Ellen Datlow has posted the basic guidelines for "Fearful Symmetries".  She's looking for Horror stories up to 10,000 words but would prefer no longer than 7500.  Payment is 7cents a word.  The reading period will be May 1 to May 31.  The submission information will be coming later so you can't jump the gun on the reading period.  You can find the information here

UPDATE:  May 2, 2013  You'll find the submission link here

Cairn Press

Cairn Press will open for submissions February 1 to April 30.  They are looking for novels and short story collections with a sense of unity.  They published Seamus Scanlon's wonderful collection "As Close As You'll Ever Be" if you're looking for an example of what they publish in the way of collections.  His work walks the fine line of literary crime fiction.  You can find the details here

How Crime Fiction Lost the Plot by Christopher Fowler

On his blog, John Rickards pointed out this essay by Christopher Fowler.  Fowler's piece is an interesting look at how British crime fiction has lost its way.  You can read it here

The truth is I've been doing a lot of thinking about crime fiction lately and how it all seems the same.  In zine after zine the plots of revenge and mayhem all tend to blur together.  Yet if you try for something different by stepping outside the box, it doesn't always find a home.  Writers seem to be caught in the middle of wanting to write something different and having to write the same in order to be published.

A Twist of Noir - Call for Valentine's Day Stories

Editor, Christopher Grant is looking for Valentine's Day crime stories to publish over at A Twist of Noir.  The deadline is February 10.  You can read all about it here

LocoThology - Anthology Call

LocoThology:  Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction is an annual anthology.  This year they're looking for short stories using the theme of pirates.  The deadline is April 30.  Payment is 1cent a word up to $25.  You can find all the details here

Evil Girlfriend Media - Anthology Calls

Evil Girlfriend Media is a new publisher looking for novels of 65,000 to 150,000 words in various genres.  They also have three anthology calls each paying $20 per story for shorts of 5000 to 15,000 words.  The calls all have different themes and deadlines.  They also have a work for hire call - looking for editors mostly.  You can find all the details here

Soul Vomit - Anthology Call

Soul Vomit is a charity anthology that helps raise money to fight domestic abuse in the state of Washington.  70%  per cent of the profits will go into a donation fund to help raise awareness and support shelters.  They're looking for poetry, short stories to 5000 words, and non-fiction to 3000 words.  Work can be hard-hitting as they want to depict the reality of domestic abuse.  The working title is "Domestic Violence Aftermath".  The deadline is October 1.  This is their second anthology, the first is available for sale now.  You can check out the details here

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has posted her January anthology calls post.  Thanks, Angie!!

Saturday Fun

Oh yeah...I can really see my old man in these new fashion designs for men :)

The Drunken Moon by Joe R. Lansdale

Whenever I stumble across a Joe R. Lansdale story online I always stop to read.  "The Drunken Moon" is barely a thousand words but the shudder that shakes you at the end?  Oh, to be such a fine writer as that.

Subterranean Magazine - Free Downloads

Subterranean Magazine has their Fall 2012 and the Winter 2013 issues available for free downloads.  They're planning on making more available in the future.

Shorts vs Novels

Over at Galley Cat there's an interesting discussion about whether writers should start with short stories instead of jumping into the deep end of the pool with a novel.  If you click on the link at the top of the article you'll find an even longer discussion.

The Big Click - New Issue

The January issue of The Big Click has landed!!

Hey You Guys

Just ran across a brand spanking new e-publisher looking for novel submissions.  Upon reading the terms of use I decided NOT to post a link.  Don't expect me to spread the word about your site when you threaten me with a law suit if I don't properly use your site or its contents.  Way to get the word spread guys!

Tobias Buckell - Thoughts on Being a Writer

Tobias Buckell has put together a few thoughts on being a writer over at his blog.  He talks more about the art of writing rather than actually making a living as a writer.  I think the saddest part of this is knowing that even if you put in the work you might never reach the exalted heights of famous author.  Which brings up the question - Will you be happy if you don't make the big bucks and have adoring fans throw rose petals at your feet?

Since January is a time of looking forward and setting goals, what are your hopes and dreams as a writer?  How do you measure your own success?  In dollars and cents or one story at a time?

Perpetual Motion Publishing - Anthology Calls

Perpetual Motion Publishing has two open anthology calls.  The first is a charity anthology called "Bleed" with the proceeds going to the Children's Cancer Fund.  They're looking for "allegorical horror stories where the monster represents cancer".  Up to 10,000 words with a June 30 deadline.

The second anthology is called "Long Distance Drunks - A Tribute to Charles Bukowski".  The deadline for this one is December 31 for stories reflecting the style of Bukowski's writing.  1,000 to 10,000 words.  Payment is 50% royalty split.

You can find the details for both anthologies here

The Passing of Grandmother's Quilt by Cat Rambo

I love when a story creates a stir in its readers.  Over at Everyday Fiction Cat Rambo's flash piece, "The Passing of Grandmother's Quilt", created just such a stir.  The commenters either loved or hated it which, for me, shows the mastery of the writer.  You can read the story here

Marion Margaret Press - Anthology Call

Marion Margaret Press has issued a call for submissions for a steampunk anthology of sorts.  The theme is the "Confederacy of Steam vs Zombies".  They want up to 7000 words.  Payment is $10 and the deadline is March 31.  And you need to read the guidelines to get a feel for what exactly they want

Tor.com - Free ebook

Tor.com has collected together 10 of the best short stories from their archives and published them in a free ebook for your reading pleasure.  Check it out here

Kraken Press - Call for Submissions

Kraken Press has opened to submissions of novels, novellas, and short story collections in the horror, dark fantasy, and weird fiction genres.  You can find all the details here

Urban Fantasy Anthology - Call for Submissions

Editor, Tim Marquitz, has posted a call for submissions to his Urban Fantasy Anthology, "Manifesto: UF".  Stories should be 3000 to 5000 words.  Payment is shared royalties.  The submission period is January 15 to May 15 with publication set for September by Angelic Knight Press.  You can find the details here

Dark Hall Press - Open Submissions

Dark Hall Press is open for submissions of novels, novellas, and short story collections.  You can find submission details here.  They're also having a book giveaway contest, just click on their contest link and answer the question by January14.

Black Bed Sheets - Horror Publisher

Black Bed Sheets is a horror publisher and they're open to submissions of novels, novellas, and short story collections.  You must query first.  You can check them out here

Shimmer

Fantasy magazine "Shimmer" reopens for submissions tomorrow, January 7, for spec-fiction stories under 5000 words.  Payment is 5cents a word.  There is online content available so you can get a feel for what this magazine is looking for in the way of stories.

ThugLit - New Issue

The third issue of ThugLit is available for your Kindles

Level Best Books - Anthology Call for New England Writers

Level Best Books has opened for submissions to their 11th anthology "Best New England Crime Stories 2014:  Stone Cold".  And yes, this is open to New England authors only.  They're looking for shorts up to 5000 words set in New England.  Payment is $25.  You will find all the details here

Poor Town by Kathryn Kulpa

With the ShortStory 365 project wrapped up I've decided to post more short story links on the blog.  I didn't do well at posting everyday over at 365, so I thought I'd try posting at least one a week, more if I find something that really sings for me.

Today's story is "Poor Town" by Kathryn Kulpa.  A very fine piece of literary flash that takes you into the heart of what it means to live poor.

Rose & Thorn - Final Submission Call

I just stopped by the Rose & Thorn ezine and discovered that they'll be closing after their Spring issue is published.  Submissions are open for this issue until February 28, 2013.  Sorry to see this beautiful zine leaving the ether this year.

Less Than Three Press - Anthology Calls

Less Than Three Press has two anthology calls posted.

The first is "If You're Reading This" with a February 28, 2013 deadline for up to 10,000 words with the central theme of "messages cast adrift".  Stories can be in any genre.  Payment is $200 plus 5% of gross subscription sales.

The second is "Proud to be a Vampire" with an April 30, 2013 deadline for vampire stories of 15,000 to 50,000 words.  Payment here is royalties only.

You can find all the details here

Dark Moon Digest - YA Call for Submissions

Over at Hell Notes there's a call for submissions for a special YA issue of Dark Moon Digest posted.  They're looking for horror stories of 500 to 4000 words.  Payment is $10.  You can check out Dark Moon Books here.  They publish two magazines along with their book line.

Samhain Publishing - Call for Horror Novels

Samhain Publishing has an open call for horror novels.  You can find the details here

Samhain is a well established e-publisher.  Their usual fare is erotica and romance but they seem to be branching out with this line.

darkmarkets.com - submission calls

darkmarkets.com has new listings that might be of interest to readers here.  One is an anthology call, "Horrors of Church Hill" with is looking for shorts of 500 to 20,000 words about the Richmond Va. Church Hill mythos.  Payment is $25.  The other is a zine called Monster Corral which is looking for shorts up to 1000 with monsters as the central theme.  Payment is 1cent a word.  They're also looking for articles up to 500 words with pay of .5cent, that's one half cent a word.  Dark Markets is one of the best sources around, not just for horror markets, but dark markets in all the genres.

More Shorts

Chris Rhatigan is once again running his "Five You Can't Miss" short story series over at his Death by Killing blog.  Already up are Chris' picks, Paul Brazill, and mine went up today.  I love being a part of this series because I get to add five more stories that I've read and loved this year.  So, go have a read and pass the word that there's plenty of great short stories available out there.

The Alchemy Press - Anthology Calls

The Alchemy Press is a British press which has issued a call for submissions to three anthologies.  3000 to 8000 words with a deadline of March 31, 2013 for all of them.  Payment is 10 pounds, royalties, and a copy.  The themes are Astrologica, Urban Mythic, and Pulp Heroes 2.  You can find the announcement and links to each anthology here

Noir Nation - Call for Submissions

Noir Nation has opened for submissions.  Payment is $25 and the deadline for inclusion in issue #3 is May 15, 2013.  You can find the announcement here

Gutter Books - Call for Novel Submissions

Gutter Books has opened their doors for novel submissions.  You can find all the details here

2012 Market Review

It's been a good year market wise for short story writers.  There's been an explosion of ebook publishers who are looking for anthology shorts, novelettes, and novellas.  The new e-publishing has also helped create a new platform for online zines, allowing them to sell Kindle copies to help pay expenses and writers.  Along with that, there's the Kickstarter site that's helped launched more than one new zine and allowed the publishers to pay professional rates to their authors.

While there were more new sci-fi and fantasy markets, the mystery/crime markets weren't far behind.  The big surprise was finding quite a few new ones that paid, not big time professional rates, but at least enough to acknowledge the writer's efforts.

And now the year end roundup.

RIP:
The Back Alley
SnipLits
Bust Down the Doors and Eat all the Chickens
Dirty Noir
Withersin
Pine Tree Mysteries
Nefarious Muse
Brain Harvest
10Flash
Jake's Monthly
The Novella Project
Thieves Jargon closed but reopened on a new site as Nickel Steak
And on the iffy list is Comets and Criminals

On the up side it was with great joy that we saw ThugLit reopen as a Kindle zine.  And Out of the Gutter reopened as an online zine publishing both flash fiction and longer short stories and putting out issue #8.
New zines that opened:

The Big Click
Blood and Tacos
ActionHorror
Gore Stories
Nightmare Magazine
Crime City Central (podcast)
Grim Corps
Sanitarium
Inner Sins
Fireside
Misfit Inc
LampLight
Slit Your Wrists
White Cat Publications opened up six new zines with two especially aimed at crime fiction:
Night Fall and Dark Intent

Announced but not published yet are:
Plan B (March start up)
The Case Files
Malfeasance Occasional from Criminal Element got nailed by Hurricane Sandy so their start up was delayed.
The Big Adios (Western - February start up)
And on the iffy list is Fires on the Plains

One of the most exciting new developments is the number of ebook novella markets that have opened up by some of the established presses:
Cemetery Dance
Comet Press
Pro Se Press
and Pulp Line from Anachron Press

You'll find links to most all of these markets over there on the right.  Pencils ready?  Get writing and submitting.

Ten Favorites

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

I read a lot of short stories this year so picking just ten of my online favorites was one of the most difficult things I've done this year.  In no particular order here are a few of my favorites:

Pox by Patti Abbott 
Patti had so many stories published this year that it was hard to pick just one, but I really loved Pox and the way she stretched her writing muscles into the Western genre.

Winter by Heart by Charles Dodd White
I discovered Mr. White a couple of years ago and his stories always blow me away with their tragic endings.  He writes sadness beautifully.

Triangulation by Anonymous 9
I'm always fearful when I read one of Anon-9's stories.  She has a knack for turning my stomach at times but this story was different from her usual fare and a wonderfully written story.

A Job for Two by Eric Beetner
I love humorous crime stories and Eric just really nails the humor here.

Dust Clouds by Jane Hammons
Ms. Hammons is one of the newer writers I discovered this year.  She had a great story over at Shotgun Honey called Mapping the Territory but Dust Clouds really blew me away.

White People Problems by Thomas Pluck
Thomas also had a slew of stories published this year but I really loved this one.  For me, it hit the cozy side of mystery and as I read it I kept thinking he could have grabbed a spot at EQ or AHMM with this story.

The Rapture of Amee Grape by Brad Green
If you're looking for a prime example of noir, The Rapture of Amee Grape is your story.  It doesn't get any darker than this.

In the Wee Hours by John M. Floyd
I've been a big fan of John's for a long time.  He has a wonderful sense of humor that just makes this story work on so many levels.

The Dead Never Forget by Tina Lonergan
I figured this for a ghost story when I first started reading but the haunting is so much deeper.  A great piece of flash by a writer who was new to me.

Mcdojo by Gerard Brennan
Mr. Brennan just really rocked the ridiculous with this wonderful flash piece.

Happy reading!!