Jason Stuart - Editor Interview

Brian Lindenmuth has an interview with editor/publisher Jason Stuart of Burnt Bridge Publishing over at the Do Some Damage blog today.  Check it out here. 

Dark Moon Books - Magazines Open for Submissions

Dark Moon Books has opened submissions to both their magazines, Dark Moon Digest and Dark Eclipse.  They need horror poetry, flash fiction, and short stories.  There is no payment for poetry or flash but they are paying $10 for shorts of 1500 to 5000 words.  The specific guidelines are on their Submittable page

Dark Hall Press - Anthology Call

Dark Hall Press has posted a new anthology call for "Cosmic Horror".  They want stories under 5000 words and will be selecting ten stories to fill the anthology.  The deadline is January 1, 2014, payment is a profit split.  You can find the details here.

Chupa Cabra House - Anthology Call

Chupa Cabra House Publishing has posted a new anthology call for "New Whakazoid Circus".  They're looking for short stories of 2500 to 7500 words in the genre of Circus Punk (they have the definition in the guidelines).  The deadline is January 31, 2014.  Payment is listed as token plus a copy.  You can find all the details here.

Black Bed Sheets - Open for Submissions

Black Bed Sheets has opened submissions for their 2014 print releases.  They're looking for novels, novellas, and short story collections in the Horror related genres.  These folks have been in business since 2008.  I couldn't find a pay schedule so that's something that you'll have to query about.  You can check them out here.

A Question

A question for all you readers and writers out there.  When you're writing or reading historical stories exactly how accurate do you need things to be?  I was writing along this morning and used Lady Baltimore Cake in a bit of dialogue.  On checking, the cake seems to have first been mentioned in a book by Owen Wister and was of his own creation, the year was 1906 and my story takes place in 1900.  Is this something that would throw most readers out of the story or send them looking up references to prove me wrong?  I know I can find other cakes that would work but I like the way this one sounds in the conversation.

Just For Fun

Charlie Stross has the best how I came to write this story post ever over on his blog.  Check out "A Man Walks Into a Bar" here.

Dark Discoveries - Opens for Subs on October 1

This is just a heads up that Dark Discoveries will be opening for submissions on October 1.  They're looking for stories of 500 to 6500 words in the genres of Horror, Dark Fantasy, Dark Sci-fi, and Dark Mystery.  Payment is 5cents a word with a maximum payment of $250.  You can check out the guidelines here.

The Big Click - Limited Open Submission Period

Well, this is interesting.  The Big Click is open for submissions but only for a short time and for certain writers.  Here's a quote from the guidelines.

"We are temporarily open to unsolicited submissions only from proles, people of color, women, people of trans* experience, and other writers whose perspectives are underrepresented in crime fiction. Send submissions and questions to sethcadin at gmail.com."

It's a small window so get those subs in quickly.  Payment is $100.

Take the Heat - Crime Erotica Anthology Call

There's not too many paying crime markets but if you can combine crime with erotic this call might be for you.  Editor Skye Warren has issued a call for submissions for the anthology "Take the Heat".  She is looking for erotic stories of 4000 to 6000 words with a criminal or illegal activity theme.  Payment is $100 and the deadline is December 31.  You can find all the details here.

Ruins Excavation - Anthology Call

Editor Eric T. Reynolds has issued an anthology call for "Ruins Excavation".  The book will be published through Hadley Rille Books in 2014.  They want stories of 1500 to 6000 with a woman of color as the protag working in ruins on earth.  The story must have an archaeology theme.  Acceptable genres are fantasy, sci-fi, romance, historical, or mainstream.  The submission period begins on October 1 and ends December 31.  Payment is $20 plus royalties.  You can find all the details here.

Pet Peeves

I really hate markets that force me to use a dictionary to figure out exactly what they want.  Of course the up side of that is I know for sure what I write isn't for them. :)

What are some of your pet peeves when reading submission guidelines?

Flash Challenge Day

Patti Abbott's latest flash challenge was to write a story using this headline from a 1913 Detroit newspaper, "Michigan Man's Tastes Get Him Into Trouble".  I've posted mine below, you can find the links to the other stories over at Patti's blog.


HOW HUNGRY?
by Sandra Seamans

Dave Hilliard lay face down in a heavy thicket of tangled Multiflora Rose and black berry brambles.  Thorns ripped at his skin and embedded themselves into his camouflage fatigues.  He held his breath as the sound of voices drew closer to his hiding place.  If he moved or made a sound...stop, don’t even think that.

A sharp whistle filled the air and a pack of hounds bayed in reply.  Within minutes they were swarming around his hiding spot, both men and hounds poking through the thick brush searching for him.  The scent of the deer shit he’d smeared on his boots and clothes helped to throw the dogs off his scent, but for how long, he didn't know.  Dave wanted to shiver, wanted to swat at the spiders and centipedes climbing on his body, but he remained still, hoping the hounds couldn’t smell his fear.

One of the dogs began snuffing closer around Dave's thorny cage.  He closed his eyes and held his breath.  Dave wanted to pray but he needed all his strength to keep from moving or making a sound.  Besides who would he pray to?  No God in his right mind...no, easier to believe that God was dead.  No praying required.  He only needed to keep his wits about him, his life depended on it.

The men and dogs moved off deeper into the woods, but it still wasn't safe to leave.  Dave knew for a fact that they would hunt until first light.  The Hunters never left the woods empty-handed.  It wasn't their way.  Not until the sun began to roll over the top of the mountain would the Hunters consider leaving.  With the daylight they would dress out their game and head back to their cabins.  Back to hot food and warm beds.

A spooked deer snorted, twitched its tail, and crashed off through the woods, waking him from a fitful nap.  Was he safe yet, or were the Hunters still out and about?  Dave wasn't taking any chances, he waited in the bramble prison until the sun was straight above him.  The Hunters never entered the woods in full daylight.  As long as the Hunters didn't stare straight into the eyes of the wood creatures they could hunt without pity. 

Dave disentangled himself from the briars and moved on up the hill towards the rock ledges where he'd found a narrow opening that led back into a small den.  Along the way he retrieved the haversack he'd stashed.  As he approached the cave entrance his wife and children crawled out into the sunlight.  They were so thin.  Their hungry eyes and gaunt faces brought tears to Dave's eyes.

He knelt down before them and opened the sack.  Cans of fruit, vegetables, and meat spilled out on the ground.  Bait food he'd managed to steal from the Hunters' traps.  Food that would keep his family alive for another day or two.

It shouldn't be so hard to feed your family, but then your family shouldn't be the prey of Hunters whose taste in meat ran toward the human variety.

J. David Osborne - Interview

Over at Out of the Gutter online there's an interview with Broken River Books' publisher J. David Osborne.

And in case you've forgotten they also have a call for short stories for an anthology called INCOGNITO.  You can find the details here.

Bryan Thomas Schmidt

Well, this isn't good news.   Bryan Thomas Schmidt has resigned as editor of Blue Shift, one of the many magazines published by White Cat Publications.

Lemmings by Richard Matheson

I just finished reading a very short story called "Lemmings" by Richard Matheson.  I wanted to share and surprise - it's actually online.  One of the best end of the world stories.  On the site it's mentioned that they tried to ban this story and the author.  Since this is banned books week, why not a short story?

Angelique by Bill Pronzini

It's always fun finding a site that has stories by authors like Bill Pronzini.  I've only read a few of Mr. Pronzini's short stories but they never disappoint.  Over at the Horror Drive-in archives you'll find his horror story "Angelique".  There's also an interview on the same page.  Good stuff.

Inklings Publishing - Anthology Call

Inklings Publishing is a new small press looking for submissions to their second anthology called "Eclectically Criminal".  The want stories up to 5000 words in a variety of genres but they must all involve a crime in some way.  The deadline is October 15, payment is $25.  You can find the details on this page where you have to click on a link to a pdf file. 

The Alchemy Press - Anthology Call

British publisher The Alchemy Press has an anthology call posted for "Kneeling in the Silver Light".  They are looking for horror/dark fantasy stories that are set in, during, or around the great war (World War I for you young 'uns).  Stories should be 3000 to 6000 words.  The deadline is December 1.  Payment is 10pounds plus royalties and a copy.  You can find the details here.

Writing Career - Market Resource

In doing a market search this morning I came across a site called Writing Career that posts links to paying markets for both fiction and non-fiction.  On the right hand side are links for magazine and anthology calls.  Very useful resource.

Tesseracts 18 - Canadian Anthology Call

Tesseracts Eighteen: Wrestling with Gods is an anthology call for Canadian authors only.  They're looking for spec-fiction stories in all the sub-genres that deal with faith in one form or another.  The deadline is December 31 for short stories up to 5000 words.  Payment varies according to length with $50 being paid for stories up to 1500 words and $150 for 5000 words.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to the Literarium blog

Crime City Central - It's Me This Week!!

A little me news this morning.  I have a story up at the Crime City Central podcast this week called "The Creation of Ice".  This story was part of the wonderful anthology Pulp Ink.  Along with my story there's a story called "Rabid" by Matt Funk, who also has a story in Pulp Ink.  Nice way to start the week!

And as long as I'm selling myself today, you'll find a second Ice story in "Cold Rifts".  This character wanders off the beaten path for me because the stories tend toward the erotic which I don't normally write but seem to suit the character of Ice.

Bouchercon Award Winners

The Mystery Scene Blog has a rundown of all the winners of the various awards presented at Bouchercon this year.  Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!!!

For Breaking Bad Fans

I do believe the world has gone "Breaking Bad" mad.  Today I found a link to 5 sci-fi books every Breaking Bad fan needs to read.  Check it out here.

Hat tip to sfsignal.com

Bouchercon Awards

Bouchercon 2013 in Albany is in full swing and the first of the awards have been presented.  You can read the list of winners for the Barry Awards and Macavity Awards over at the Rap Sheet.  But here at the Corner we're doing a big Snoopy Dance for friend of the blog Barb Goffman who took home a Macavity for her short story "The Lord is My Shamus".  Way to go, Barb!!

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!!

Spanking Pulp Press - New Press

Okay, with a name like Spanking Pulp Press how could I not link to it?  This is a new press that publishes both POD and ebooks.  They're looking for dark stories of noir detectives, sci-fi, horror, dark fantasy, and zombies.  Pretty much any type of bizarre fiction.  They need shorts up to 10,000 words and novels to 100,000 words.  Payment is in royalty shares.  You can find all the details here.  There's a Facebook page here.  And an interview with James Newman, one of the founders here.

Oh the Vanity of Publishing

Sometimes looking for markets can be very disheartening.  I ran across this anthology call from Goose River Press today and boy do they have a way with words.  Like this "authors receive royalties on all sales they generate".  Yep, you only get paid for what you sell even though the company distributes through multiple markets.  Or this "No purchase is required and nothing is required of the author for publication."  Hmmm.  If you don't buy copies and sell them how do you make money?  Oh yes, and that $1 a page reading fee they charge should cover the publishing costs.

Checking out the site was a real eye-opener.  They charge a $30 reading fee for manuscript submissions.  And reading those testimonials brought home the fact that this was a pay your own way publisher.  This from a 22 year old who submitted her novelette, "Goose River Press was accepting of my budget..."

Nowhere on the site does it say they're a vanity press, or that they charge for their services, but all the signs are there if you read carefully and know what you're looking for.  Always be cautious out there.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has published her September anthology markets list.  Thanks, Angie!

Angelic Knight Press - Anthology Call

A couple of weeks ago I posted that Angelic Knight Press was open for submissions of novels, novellas, and short story collections but no anthologies.  Well, since then they've posted an anthology call for "Demon Rum and Other Evil Spirits".  The reading period will open on November 1 and close December 31.  They're looking for horror stories of 3000 to 7000 words that leave them "drunk and reeling with horror".  Payment is shared royalties.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to darkmarkets.com

SQ Magazine - Special Call - Australiana

While SQ Magazine has closed to regular submissions until January they have issued a special themed call for issue #14.  The theme is "Australiana".  They want spec-fiction ( science fiction, fantasy, or horror ) stories that are set in or associated with Australia in some way.  They accept flash fiction and short stories to 7000 words.  Payment is $15 and the deadline for this issue is April 15, 2014 for a May 1, 2014 publication.  You can find all the details here. 

The Model Short Story

Finding the model short story that appeals to everyone isn't easy.  Every reader has different tastes in writing styles and genres.  What I consider a model short story, might not appeal to that guy standing over there in the corner and vice versa.  But over at The Literarian they've attempted to point readers in the direction of what a few writers consider the model short story.  You can read them here.

One story that I like to use as a model for my own writing is "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell.  It was written in 1917 so many find it hard reading, but I like the way it's laid out.  You aren't told the straight up story of the murder that's taken place, you see it unfold through the eyes of the murderer's friends.

And while we're looking at model stories, feel free to add yours in the comments.  It's always fun to share stories.

Crime Factory - New Issue

Issue #14 of Crime Factory is now available in print or for download on your Kindle.  Check it out here. 

And submissions are still open for their special issue "Pink Factory".  Just scroll down a bit to find all the details.

Just Because

Because of the Times  This one really hit home for me, not because I read Science Fiction but because this is the reality in most of the fiction I read growing up.  Girls were always second class citizens or bitches or Scarlett O'Hara types.  No one you wanted to emulate or look up to.

On Writing

The Huffington Post has an interesting article by Michael Noll titled "7 Craft Lessons Every Writer Must Learn".  There's some good advice here to help with your writing.  As with all advice use what works for you and toss the rest.

Joe R. Lansdale - Interview

I always learn something new about the writing life or writing in general when I read an interview with Joe R. Lansdale.  Today he's at Den of Geek talking about his newest book.

Long Count Press - Anthology Call

Long Count Press, a new epublisher, has issued a call for submissions for the anthology "Shadows of a Fading World".  They are seeking stories of 3000 to 10,000 words of classic sword and sorcery style fantasy set on a "dying earth".  The deadline is October 31 and payment is $20 plus a profit share.  You can find all the details here.

Mystery and Horror LLC - Mardi Gras Murder Anthology Call

Mystery and Horror LLC has posted a new anthology call for "Mardi Gras Murder".  They are looking for mystery short stories of 2000 to 8000 words set during Mardi Gras.  Payment is one copy and a $5 advance against royalties.  The submission period begins on October 21 and ends January 5, 2014.  That gives you plenty of time to get your stories polished.  You can find the details here.

If you scroll down a bit you'll find that their anthology "Undead of Winter" is still open for submissions until October 1.

Thinking of Starting a Zine? - Read This First

There's a wonderful piece by editor Michael Kelly over at Wag the Fox about starting your own magazine called "It Won't Fly if It's Filled With Shit".

The Horror Zine - Submissions Are Open

The Horror Zine has reopened for submissions.  They're looking for short stories of 1900 to 5000 words.  What they don't want here is over the top gore and violence.  What they are looking for is ghost stories, psychological horror, stories that end with Hitchcock or Twilight Zone endings, and good old fashioned monster stories.  This is a non-paying market, but they've published writers like Joe Lansdale and Mort Castle so you'd be in good company.  You can find the details here.

Morpheus Tales - Call for Rural Horror

UK zine Morpheus Tales has posted a special issue call for Rural Horror.  Stories should be set in the countryside and average around 3500 words.  Anything over 5000 words will not be read.  While stories don't have to be set in the British countryside the editor says he might show a preference for those tales.  The deadline is January 31, 2014.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to horrortree.com

Sirens Call Publications - Call for Submissions

Sirens Call Publications is looking for short stories for their online ezine.  The theme for issue 11 is "Revenge".  They want shorts of 1000 to 2500 words and flash of 300 to 500 words.  The deadline is September 30.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find the details here.  There's also an anthology call listed on this page that is still open for subs. 

Fair Warning by Hilary Davidson

Some of the best fiction around can be found over at Beat to a Pulp.  This week's story, "Fair Warning" by Hilary Davidson is a prime example.

Flytrap - Call for Submissions

Author Tim Pratt is set to relaunch a magazine called "Flytrap" via a successful Kickstarter fund drive.  Submissions are open until October 31 for short stories up to 5,000 words in any genre.  Payment is 5cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Hat tip to horrortree.com

Reloaded - Now Available

Shotgun Honey's second anthology "Reloaded" is now available in both print and kindles editions at Amazon.

You can check out the Table of Contents here.

Prarie Rose Publications - New Western Press / Female Writers Only

Prairie Rose Publications is a new press that has just opened for business.  They're looking for Historical Westerns and Historical Western Romances written by women.  Yep, this is a market for females only.  They want short stories for digital release and novels and novellas for both print and ebooks.  Payment is a royalty share.  You can check them out here.

Hat tip to James Reasoner.

Hello Horror - New Market

I love sfsignal's free fiction posts because I often find new markets there.  Today's was Hello Horror which has just published its fourth issue.  They accept fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.  There's no pay.  You can find the submission details here.

Needle - Open for Submissions

Needle Magazine has opened for submissions.  Better hurry - they fill up fast!  This is a non-paying market, but you won't find a better place to have your crime fiction published.

Hazardous Press - Anthology Call

Hazardous Press has an anthology call posted for "Tales of the Black Arts".  They're looking for shorts of 2000 to 15,000 in the dark fantasy sword and sorcery genre.  Payment is $25 and the deadline is Oct 31.  You can find the details here.

Hat tip to ralan.com

Timeless Tales Magazine - Call for Submissions

I do believe that fairy tales are reclaiming the world.  Timeless Tales Magazine is a brand new zine looking to publish retold fairy tales and myths.  Each issue will have a theme and the first one up is "Puss in Boots".  They will accept stories up to 2000 words but prefer 1500 and under.  They would also like the stories kept at a PG 13 level.  Reprints are also accepted.  There is a sample issue on the site so you can get a feel for what they're looking for.  Payment is $15.  The deadline for the first issue is November 1.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to Pam Castro's Flash Fiction Flash Newsletter

Flash Markets

Author Michael Alexander Chaney has a list of "10 Literary Magazines for very, VERY Short Flashes" posted on his blog.  Always good to find new flash markets for that really short work.

A very big thank you to Paul Brazill for sending the link!!

Girl Trouble - Coming Soon

The Malfeasance Occasional "Girl Trouble" issue will finally be available on September 24.  You can check out the contents and find out how to order here.

Hic Dragones - Anthology Call

UK publisher Hic Dragones has posted a non-paying anthology call for "Hauntings: An Anthology".  They're looking for stories of 3000 to 7000 words with any interpretation of haunting.  All spec-fiction genres are welcome.  The deadline is October 31, authors receive a copy of the anthology.  You can find the details here.

Crime Wave Press - Open for Submissions

Crime Wave Press is looking for novels and novellas set in Asia or containing an Asian connection.  Novellas start at 10,000 words.  You can find all the submission details here.

Angelic Knight Press - Open for Submissions

Angelic Knight Press has opened submissions for novels, novellas, and short story collections.  The reading period will close on December 31.  This is a spec-fiction press.  You can find all the details here, just scroll down a bit as there are no anthology calls open at present.

Burnt Bridge - Call for Novel Submissions

After a revamp Burnt Bridge has opened for novel submissions.  You can check out what they're looking for here.

No Boundaries Press - Closed

No Boundaries Press has closed their doors.

Finding the Perfect Fit

As a short story writer I sometimes find myself in the odd position of having written a story that is too long.  I just put the finishing touches on a "short" story that I love.  The first draft was around 7000 words but still a fit for the market I had in mind.  I figured with editing and cutting and a bit of adding here and there I could keep within the word count required for my market.  Yeah, right.  I now have a finished piece of 8300 words and am scrambling to find a suitable market.

When I first started writing it was a struggle to get a thousand words, now I find myself writing in the weird place between short and novella.  Too long for magazines and anthologies and too short for novella publishers.  What do you folks do with these odd sized stories?

Dark Fuse - Anthology Call

I know today the markets are coming faster than I can keep up and tomorrow I won't be able to find any.  The thing is if I don't post them up, I'll forget where I found them :)

Dark Fuse has posted a call for a new anthology series for dark stories in the genres of horror, thriller, suspense, crime sci-fi, and bizarre.  2000 to 5,000 words with a payment of $50 plus royalties.

They're also open for novels and novellas (17,500 to 35,00).  All the submissions details are at Submittable.

Less Than Three Press - LGBTQ Anthology Calls

Less Than Three Press has added two more anthologies to their call page.  The calls are all for LGBTQ stories with a minimum of 10,000 words, the top word count varies for each call (more novella length than short).  Payment is $200 for each accepted story.  You can find all the details for each call here.  Below are the individual calls so you can see if anything piques your interest.

I've posted about "Won't Back Down" before which is open for fight stories.  Deadline is October 31.

"Satisfaction Guaranteed" is looking for stories about people working in minimum wage hell.  Deadline is December 31.

"Missed Connections" needs stories in any genre so long as the story is about capturing a lost moment.  You have to read their guidelines to understand exactly what they're looking for with this concept.  Deadline for this one is February 28, 2014.

Diabolic Publications - Anthology Call

Diabolic Publications has an anthology call up on their site.  It's a bit confusing because it says they're accepting stories now but the reading period is listed as November 1 to June 1, 2014.  Submissions are through Submittable and it's not listed there yet, so I'd guess the reading period dates are right.

Anyhoo, "Diabolic Tales IV: The Psychology of Death" is looking for "deranged, scarey stories about death" of 2500 to 5000 words.  Payment is 5cents a word.  The pro payment is why I'm listing this even though the submitting dates are confusing.  It's worth keeping an eye on plus you've got lots of time to write your story.  You can find all the details here.

Grinning Skull Press - Anthology Call

Grinning Skull Press has posted a new call.  "Cranial Leakage" will be a once a year unthemed horror anthology.  They need short stories of 1000 to 7000 words, payment is 1/4cent a word.  There's no deadline.  You can find the details here.

How Bad?

How bad do you want your villain to be?  "Bad Characters Do Bad Things" is an interesting essay on how evil you need to make the bad guy in your story.

Noir Riot - Open for Submissions

Noir Riot opened for submissions on the first of September and will be open until December 1 for short stories up to 5000 words.  Payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

Noir Riot is the official magazine of Noir Con and is published by the folks at Out of the Gutter.

Twelfth Planet Press - Call for Novella Submissions

Twelfth Planet Press is open for novella submissions for their digital line.  They want work in the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and crime.  10,000 to 40,000 words.  Payment is $100 to $200 against royalties of 50% net.  You can find the details here, just scroll down the page a bit.

Totally Disgusted

Well, I thought I'd seen it all, but this one takes the cake.  It's an anthology call where there is no payment except a copy but you have to pay a $15 fee to submit your story.  Oh, and to "further support _____ Publishing and to ensure you receive a copy when it comes out" you should use the $20 fee button to submit.  And guess what - there's no guarantee that your story will be included for that handsome fee of $20.

Some publishing houses have really large brass balls.

The Big Click - New Issue

The September issue of The Big Click is now available for purchase on your Kindles

Midnight Echo - Call for Submissions

Midnight Echo is the official magazine of the Australian Horror Writers Association.  They have opened submissions for issue #11 with the theme "sinister".  They need short stories up to 5000 words and they accept one novelette up to 10,000 words per issue.  You have to query for the novelette.  Payment is 3cents a word with a maximum of $150 for shorts and a maximum of $300 for the novelette.  The deadline is December 31.  You can find all the details here.

Shock Totem - Open for Submissions

Shock Totem has opened for submissions of short dark fiction.  Payment here is 5cents a word with a cap of $250.  You can find all the details here.  Submissions are through Submittable.

Nightmare Magazine - New Issue

The September issue of Nightmare Magazine is now available on Kindle and the entire August issue is free online at the site.

This is a pro-paying market and they are open for submissions of horror fiction.

ThugLit - New Issue

Issue #7 of ThugLit is now available for your Kindle.  Check it out here.