Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Another Thanksgiving day has slid under the bridge of time and as always on Thanksgiving my thoughts go to this story of "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" by O. Henry.  The site where this is posted also gives you a little bit of Thanksgiving history.

Whether you celebrate the holiday or not I hope your day was filled with good food, good friends, and loving family. 

Writing Combat in Fantasy

I just discovered a great site called Fantasy Fiction through a link to a post about "Writing Combat in Fantasy".  The piece is a list of the top ten tips and is very informative and funny.

Cat Rambo on Plot

This week's Craft post over at the SF Signal features Cat Rambo talking about plot.

Hell Notes - Seeking Reviewers

The Hell Notes web site is looking for book reviewers.  Payment is a copy of the book you're reviewing but if your review is selected for reprint in their print magazine Dark Discoveries they'll pay you a token payment of $10.  So if you love Horror books and like to review check them out here.

Forbidden Lust - Call for Submissions

Forbidden Lust is a brand new press looking for short stories and novellas in the Romance and Erotica genres.  Payment is 1/2cent a word for stories of 3500 to 25,000 words.  They also have six anthology calls listed with deadlines through 2014.  You can check them out here.

Circling by Jen Conley

Nice story by Jen Conley up at Beat to a Pulp this week called "Circling".  I remember the character Andrea Vogel from another story but can't for the life of me remember where I read it.  I so love it when a writer allows us to get to know a character through a series of short stories.

Not All Small Presses are Equal by Michael J. Sullivan

Getting a book deal is the dream of almost every writer out there and author Michael J. Sullivan has written a great post over at Amazing Stories about what to look for before you sign that contract.  The piece is called "Not All Small Presses are Equal".  Loads of excellent advice to help you make your decision.

Plan B Magazine - Open for Submissions

Plan B has opened for submissions of straight mystery short stories up to 5000 words.  Payment is 1cent a word with a max of $50.  The last submissions period wasn't open very long so if you've got a story ready make sure to get it in there as soon as you can.  You can find the submission details here.

Strange House Books - Call for Submissions

Strange House Books has opened submissions for novels, novellas, and short story collections in the genres of Hardcore Horror, Bizzaro, and Lovecraftian fiction.  You can find the details here.

Spectral Press - Anthology Call

UK publisher Spectral Press has issued a call for an anthology of "Industrial Horror".  They need stories of 8000 to 10,000 words that combine horror with machinery in some way.  There's no deadline set, and this will be a paying market.  You will find the call here.

The Unsettled Foundation - Call for Submissions

The Unsettled Foundation is a podcast site looking for darkly speculative fiction short stories up to 2000 words.  Payment is 5cents a word.  No reprints.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to Literarium

Thrills, Kills, 'n' Chaos - Open for Submissions

Thrills, Kills, 'n' Chaos has opened for submissions once again.  They're looking for stories up to 1000 words in a variety of genres.  They're also looking for Christmas themed stories to run through the holidays.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find the call here.

All Due Respect - New Issue

Looks like the first quarterly issue of All Due Respect has gone live on Kindle.  Check it out here.

Great Old Ones Publishing - Anthology Call

Great Old Ones Publishing has issued a call for submissions to an anthology titled "Bugs & Creepy-Crawlies".  They looking for spec-fiction (includes sci-fi and horror) stories of 3000 to 6000 words that involve bugs.  The deadline is January 31, 2014, payment is $25.  You can find the details for submitting here.

Hat tip to horrortree.com

Pulp Modern - New Issue

Editor Alec Cizak has announced that the JFK themed issue #6 of Pulp Modern is now available.  This link will take you to his blog where you'll find a link to Amazon and if you scroll down a bit you'll find a list of the authors included in this issue.

Pulp Modern is also open for submissions for the dystopia themed issue #7 until April 1.

Weird Tales - Open for Submissions

Weird Tales magazine has opened for submissions.  There are two themes that they are seeking stories for along with regular submissions.  The first theme is "Tesla" in which they're looking for stories about inventor Nicola Tesla.  The second theme is "Ice" which is pretty self-explanatory.  The new editor is Stephen Gracia.  Payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Hat tip to sfsignal.com

Beat to a Pulp - Submissions are Open

I just received word this morning from Beat to a Pulp editor David Cranmer that they've opened for submissions.  You can find the details here.

David has also brought a new editor on board - welcome Chad Eagleton!

L'ivoire Press - Call for Hunting Stories

L'ivoire Press has issued a call for hunting stories for their four book anthology series.  There isn't a deadline or word count listed, and you don't have to be a professional writer to submit.  Payment is $1,000.  You can find the details for submitting here.  I found this call in a newspaper sports column which has a bit more information.

What is a Short Story - An essay by Marion Zimmer Bradley

The Book View Cafe has an essay up by Marion Zimmer Bradley where she explains "What is a Short Story".  Good stuff for both beginners and those who've been at the writing game a while.

A Bit of Self-Promotion

I have a piece of flash up at Thrills, Kills, 'n' Chaos today titled "Cougar Bait".  Drop on over if you care to have a read.

Coffintree Hill - New Market Resource

It's always great to find a new market resource.  This one is Coffintree Hill and focuses on speculative fiction.  Check it out here.

Aswiebe's Market List

And Aswiebe's Market Listings for November has been posted.  Check it out here.

Cindi Meyers Market News Letter - Two Anthology Calls

Cindi Meyers Market News Letter has two anthology calls listed, one for Cleis Press (erotica) and the other for Sci-fi Romance.  You can check it out here.

Pantheon Magazine - Charity Anthology Call

Pantheon Magazine has issued a call for a charity anthology called "Gaia: Shadow & Breath".  They're looking for fantasy stories up to 7500 words.  The deadline is February 28, 2014, payment is a copy.  The proceeds will go to the Nature Conservancy.  You can find all the details here.

Dark Continents Publishing - Anthology Call

Dark Continents Publishing has issued a call for submissions to an anthology titled "Guns & Romance".  They're looking for stories of 3500 to 9000 words in any genre.  Payment is $20 plus a royalty cut.  The deadline is February 28, 2014.  You can find all the details here.

The 5-2: Crime Poetry Weekly - Call for Submissions

Editor Gerald So has posted a call for love themed crime poems for their February issue.  You can find all the details here.  This is a non-paying market.

Totally Bound - Erotica Romance Publisher

For those of you who write erotica romance you might want to check out Totally Bound Publishing.  They've been in business since 2006 and pay writers 40% royalties on ebook publications.  They have open calls for novels up to 100,000 words, novellas of 15,000 to 30,000 words, and shorts of 10,000 to 15,000 words in any genre.  They also have theme listings and reading periods for anthologies to be published in 2014.  You can check them out here.

Blank Fiction - New Issue

I always worry that new markets will fail to publish a first issue but Blank Fiction has gone live with issue #1.  Check it out here.

Luna Station Quarterly - Call for Submissions - Female Only

Luna Station Quarterly has opened submissions for issue #017.  This market is for female authors only.  They are looking for shorts of 500 to 7000 words.  The deadline for this issue is January 15, 2014, payment is $5.  You can check out the details here.

Third Flatiron Publishing - Anthology Call

Third Flatiron Publishing has posted the themes and reading schedules for their 2014 anthology series.  They are open for their Spring issue until January 15, 2014 with the theme "Astronomical Odds".  Payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here and on the submission page.

Just the Facts: A Zombie Story by Cat Rambo

Okay, so I'm a fan of Cat Rambo's short fiction.  One of the biggest reasons for this is that I never know what I'm going to be reading.  This morning's flash tale, "Just the Facts: A Zombie Story" was a delicious bit of humor written as a list.

Just out of curiosity, what online short story author always gets a click of the mouse when you see one of their stories published? 

SpeckLit - Call for Submissions

I've seen this new market listed in several places but their guidelines have me puzzled.  They are seeking drabbles - that's a story told in exactly 100 words and they're paying 5cents a word.  You can send up to ten drabbles at a time - which gives you room to write a continuing story with them if you so desire (my idea, not their's).  But...and this is the puzzling part.  They want to get to you the writer first.  Yep, you have to send them your name, your social media links, and a link to your most current work online.  I can't help but wonder how they know you'll be able to write a drabble by reading your other work or if they're just looking to see how much you'll promote the site.  Anyhoo, here's the link to the guidelines.

The Needle and the Spoon by Allan Leverone

Great piece of flash fiction by Allan Leverone up at Shotgun Honey today.  Beautifully done and full of heart.

Western Press Books - Anthology Call

Western Press Books has opened submissions for the next anthology in their Manifest West Series.  The theme for this one is "Diversity in the West".  They looking for poems, and short stories and creative non-fiction up to 8000 words.  The guidelines include a list of the different kinds of diversity they're looking for.  Payment here is one copy.  You can find the details here.

Chris Rhatigan - Editor Interview

Jim Harrington has posted an interview with Chris Rhatigan, the editor of crime magazine All Due Respect over at his blog Six Questions For...

Big Pulp - Open for Submissions

Big Pulp magazine has opened for submissions with the theme "Zombies".  Yep, they want zombie stories in any genre.  Payment is 1cent a word with a cap of $25.  The deadline is February 28, 2014.  You can find all the details here.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

And Angie has posted her November anthology calls list.  Thanks, Angie!!

A Writer in the Attic - Anthology Calls

Over at Gail Kavanagh's blog, A Writer in the Attic, you'll find a list of anthology calls that she's compiled.  Thanks, Gail!

Apex Publications - No Fee Christmas Flash Contest

Apex Publications is sponsoring a "Merry Little Apex Christmas Flash Fiction Contest".  They're looking for Christmas flash stories up to 250 words with an Apex slant.  The deadline is December 16.  There's no fee to enter and everyone who enters will receive a free back issue.  One first prize winner will be published on the Apex blog, receive a critique of a short story by the Apex editor, be paid 5cents a word and receive a free one year's subscription.  You can check out all the details here.  

Unlikely Stories - Editor Interview

I posted the other day that Unlikely Stories had opened for submissions.  Well, if you're thinking of submitting, Black Gate has an interview up today with the editors.  Check it out here, it's always great to get a feel for what an editor is looking for.

The Importance of Anthologies

Over at SF Signal there's a mindmeld discussion about why anthologies are important.  One thing that struck me while reading through the answers is how different sci-fi/fantasy anthologies are from the crime fiction anthologies.  With crime fiction anthologies there is a sameness.  There's a murder/crime and then it's solved.  Over and over, story to story.  Noir anthologies tend to side-step this problem as they focus more on people and their situations, but again we find an underlying feeling of stories repeating.  I wonder if this is why there are so few crime anthologies available.  Are there no new ideas that can be used to make for something new and original?

What do you think?  Are there any new ideas out there that haven't been explored that could make for a great crime anthology?  I remember seeing a Literary anthology call for stories revolving around a clothesline and thought the idea would make for a great crime anthology with the title "Dirty Laundry". 

Fae Anthology Update

Editor Rhonda Parrish has posted an update on the Fae anthology that will be published by World Weaver Press.  There's still time to submit (deadline is November 30) and Ms. Parrish has listed a few thoughts on what she's missing and would like to see.

Sirens Call Publications - Anthology Call

Sirens Call Publications has posted a new horror anthology call titled "The Odd & the Bizarre".  They're looking for horror stories of 4000 to 8000 words that sidestep the usual horror fare.  The deadline is January 31, 2014, payment is a royalty split.  You can find all the details here, just scroll down the page a bit.

Of Interest to Idaho Writers

I never know what I'm going to find when doing a market search but I thought this one might be of interest to some of you out there.  An Idaho writers group called The Other Bunch has issued a call for recipes accompanied by a piece of fiction, non-fiction, essay, or poetry that doesn't exceed 500 words (recipe word count not included).  Preference will be given to Idaho writers and/or recipes relating to Idaho.  The deadline is March 1, 2014 and payment is one copy.  You'll find the details here.

Unlikely Story - Call for Submissions

Unlikely Story publishes a variety of Journals with different themes.  The current reading period is for "The Journal of Unlikely Cartography".  They're looking for stories in any genre up to 5000 words that have maps of some sort as the central theme.  The deadline is February 1, 2014 and payment is 5cents a word.  You can find the details here, just scroll down the page for specific information.

A Pair of Token Sci-fi Markets

There seems to a massive lack of new markets for short stories of late.  The anthologies I've been finding are either non-paying or invitation only.  I found a pair of sci-fi markets today but they're only paying token payments, which is better than a kick in the teeth :)  One is Chrome Baby and the other is Scigentasy Magazine which is looking for gender (female) stories.

Pimping

Out of the Gutter editor Joe Clifford said I needed to be pimping today.  What?  Me pimp?  Well, yes, I have a flash piece up at the Gutter called "In Need of a Better Plan".  There, done pimping, head on over and have a read if you're of a mind.

Hopefully I'll be able to find a few markets today to balance out the pimpage.

Washington Irving

Over at Kirkus Review you'll find an interesting essay by Andrew Liptak about the writing life of Washington Irving, one of America's best know short story writers.

Where the Devil Lies by Jim Huang

Jim Huang has a very informative post about the latest clash between Amazon and the independent book stores.  "Where the Devil Lies"

Some Short Story Love

Lovely take by Sarah Selecky on "Why the Short Story is so Freaking Cool".

Are You a Writer?

There's been a big discussion in the SMFS group about what makes a professional writer.  The bottom line there is that they get paid for their work.  Professional = $'s.  Okay, I get that, but who or what is a writer besides the money aspect?

What makes a person a bona fide writer?  The fact that he sets his butt in a chair every day and writes?  The fact that he's published - paid or unpaid?  Or is a writer only a writer if he gets paid for his work?  Do we only measure the success of a writer by the number of books he has published and the amount of money he makes? 

What makes a writer a writer and why is success and money the only way to measure who might be a writer?  Can a person be a successful writer without a bank full of cash?

Big Bad 2 - Anthology Call

Editor John Hartness has posted a call for the anthology "Big Bad 2".  He's looking for bad guy stories of 3000 to 9000 words and the deadline is January 1, 2014.  Payment is a royalty split.  Dark Oak Press is the publisher.  You can find all the details here.

Reality Check

From Michael Bracken comes this link to Kris Rausch's blog and an excellent post about what it means to be a professional writer.  It's call "Reality Check".

The Two Annies of Windale Road by Patty Templeton

I've never heard of hellpunk but after reading "The Two Annies of Windale Road" by Patty Templeton I can certainly understand what it is.  This is a great story about two women in a nursing home who both believe they're Annie Oakley.  Merriment and confusion ensue.

Hellnotes - Horror in a Hundred - Call for Flash Fiction

Hellnotes is a site I visit on a regular basis because they sometimes post markets, along with great reviews and all things horror related.  Well, today they're the market.  They're open for submissions of horror flash up to 100 words.  There's no payment but the site gets thousands of hits and it's a good way to get your work and name out there.  You can check out all the details here.

Diabolic Publications - Two Anthology Calls

Diabolic Publications has two anthologies open for submissions according to their Submittable page.

Diabolic Tales IV - The Psychology of Death needs stories of 2500 to 5000 words.  The deadline is June 1, 2014 and payment is 5cents a word.

Tales From the Dead of Night needs stories of 1500 to 4500 words.  The deadline is June 1, 2014 and payment is 5cents a word.

Details for both are at Submittable.

Sekhmet Press LLC - Anthology Call

The reading period for this anthology starts on December 26 and runs through January 10, 2014 so you have plenty of time.  "Wrapped in White" will contain "Thirteen tales of spectres, ghosts and spirits".  Stories should be 4000 to 6000 words, and payment is $25.  You can find all the details here.

Some of the Best From Tor.Com - Free Anthology Download

Tor.com has put together an anthology of twenty-one of their 2013 published short stories.  And it's available for download FREE!  You can check out the table of contents here and find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Apple Store at the bottom of the post.

That Hoodoo, Voodoo, That You Do - Anthology Call

You have plenty of lead time for this anthology call as the reading period doesn't open until January 1, 2014 and ends June 1, 2014.  Editor  Lincoln Crisler has posted the call for "That Hoodoo, Voodoo, That You Do".  He's looking for Horror stories of 3000 to 5000 words that involve dark rituals either researched or totally made up.  The anthology will be be published by Angelic Knight Press and payment is split royalties.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to darkmarkets.com

The Big Click - New Issue

The November issue of The Big Click is now available for purchase or can be read during the month as stories and articles are made available.  They're still open for noir submissions from anyone who isn't a white middle class male.  Yes, it's a special issue and details are available in this month's Editorial, and on Twitter, as well as in the submission guidelines.

Noir Nation - Issue #2 Free Download

Noir Nation is giving away free Kindle copies of Issue #2 for the next five days.  Check it out here.

Hat tip to Thomas Pluck for the link!

Whippleshield Books - Anthology Call

British publisher Whippleshield Books has issued a call for submissions for the first in a series of mini-anthologies that they're going to publish.  This one is "Aphrodite Terra" and they want realistic stories that revolve around the planet Venus.  Stories should be no more than 6000 words and payment is 3p per word.  The deadline is February 1, 2014.  You can find all the details here.

Hat tip to the Literarium blog

My Belle Amie - Such Sweet Memories

It's funny what will set off a memory.  I was reading Bill Crider's blog and ran across his post about the passing of basketball player Walt Bellamy.  Now, I'm not a sports fan and barely know any of the players but Bellamy was different because of a song called "My Belle Amie".

My old '64 Dodge was full to overflowing (usually there was six to eight of us crammed in there) with our church basketball team heading to a game.  That song came on the radio and we're all singing along when we realized one of the guys was singing "Walt Bellamy, I'm so in love with you".  He wasn't hearing "My Belle Amie", nope, he was hearing Walt Bellamy and ever after when that song came on we sang it for Walt.

I'm pretty sure that's not the proper way to remember someone so famous, but that's my memory of Walt Bellamy.  RIP, good sir, you were the source of a lot of good memories.

Everybody Knows About a Broken Heart by Kent Gowran

Yes, two stories today.  "Everybody Knows About a Broken Heart" by Kent Gowran is up at Beat to a Pulp.  With Mr. Gowran you just never know where his story will take you, I discovered that when I read ".44 Blues" in the first issue of Needle.  Today's story is about a fight in a rest room, but there's so much more going on than you can imagine. 

El Monstruo by Taylor Brown

Spinetingler has been been publishing some short fiction over the past month, today's story is a real gem.  "El Monstruo" by Taylor Brown takes you on a repo that's turn on its ear.  

DarkFuse - Open for Submissions

DarkFuse Publishing is in the market for dark short stories for their anthology series.  Stories should be 2000 to 5000 words and payment is $50.  They're also open for novellas of 17.500 to 35.000 words.  Payment here is a flat fee for print and a percentage for ebooks (no specifics listed, so I assume this is negotiable at some point).  All their submission details are at Submittable.  Their website is here.

Bedlam Stories: The Anthology - Fan Fiction Call

If you're a fan of the Bedlam Stories World this anthology call is for you.  They're looking for fan fiction and art inspired by the Bedlam Universe.  You have to query your idea first.  The deadline is December 1, and payment is a royalty share.  You can find all the details on their website.

Hat tip to Hell Notes!

ThugLit - New Issue

Issue #8 of ThugLit has hit the virtual streets.  Check it out here.

The Bloghole - Market Resource

I just ran across a place called The Bloghole which has started posting markets once a week along with their regular fair.  Here's the direct link to their market news posts and be sure to click around a bit to see what they're all about.