Red Sun - Open for Submissions

Red Sun Magazine is currently open for stories of 500 to 3000 words in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative, and military science fiction.  The deadline is January 31, 2019 and payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here.

27 Paying Markets for January

Over at Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity Erica Verrillo has posted her January listing of paying markets.  Thanks, Erica!

The Bill Crider Prize for Short Fiction - Open for Submissions

Bouchercon 2019 is seeking submissions for The Bill Crider Prize for Short Fiction.  They're looking for short mystery/crime stories of 3500 to 5000 words using the theme Deep in the Heart (relating to Texas with an element of mystery or crime).  The deadline is March 1, 2019.  First prize is $1000, second $750, and third $500.  You can find the details here.  There are no fees to enter.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has posted her December list of anthology calls.  Thanks, Angie!

Yellow Mama - New Issue

The December issue of Yellow Mama has hit the virtual streets.  Read it free here.

Dark House Books - Anthology Calls

Dark House Books opened submissions today for their anthology "A Murder of Crows".  They're looking for cozy to cozy noir crime stories set in any time using the collective names of groups of animals.  The animals should be an integral part of the crimes.  Stories should be 2500 to 6000 words.  The deadline is April 30, 2019 and payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

If you click on the submission tab at the top of the page you'll find that there are three other anthologies currently open.  "Mid-Century Murder", "What We Talk About When We Talk About It" (Love), and "Fearrington Road" (Lovecraftian/Steampunk/Diesel Punk).

Fireside - Open for Submissions

Fireside Magazine opened submissions today for short stories up to 4000 words in any genre.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 12.5cents per word.  You can find the details here.

Unnerving - Open for Reprint Novella and Novel Submissions

Unnerving is currently looking for reprint novellas (16,500 ti 45,000 words) and novels (up to 250,000 words) in the genres of horror, suspense, thriller, and crime.  There's no deadline listed.  Payment is a 50% royalty split.  The details are on their Submittable page.

Crooked Holster - Closed

Looks like Crooked Holster has given up the ghost.  The website is gone.

Simian Publishing - Anthology Call

Simian Publishing opened submissions today for their anthology "Apotheosis 2".  They're looking for stories of of 2000 to 7000 words about human survival and defiance in a world subjugated by the return of the Elder Gods.  And yes, they explain it in more detail and give examples of stories and authors.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word for original stories and 1cent a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

38 Paying Markets for December

Over at the Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity blog Erica Verrillo has posted her December market listings.  Thanks, Erica!

StoryHack - Open for Submissions

StoryHack is now open for submissions.  They're looking for action and adventure stories of 2000 to 17,500 words, open to most genres so long as there is action and adventure.  The deadline is January 1, 2019 and payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

Aswiebe's Market List - Paying Markets

Aswiebe's Market List has been updated for November markets.  Thanks, Aswiebe!

Selene Quarterly - Advance Warning - Open for Submissions

Selene Quarterly will open submissions for their next issue on December 1 to December 15, 2018.  It's a short window so I'm posting early.  They're looking for speculative romance, mystery, and alternate histories stories of various lengths.  For drabbles they pay 6cents a word, flash of 101 to 1000 words they pay 1cent a word, and for shorts of 1001 to 1500 words they pay 2cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Grumpy Old Gods - Anthology Call

Editor Juneta Key has posted an anthology call for "Grumpy Old Gods".  She's looking for speculative fiction stories of 3000 to 4000 words featuring Mythical Gods who have retired.  Humor is a plus for this anthology.  The deadline is January 13, 2019 and payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

Arsenika - Open for Submissions

Arsenika Magazine is open for flash fiction and poetry submissions.  They're looking for stories up to 1000 words.  The deadline is December 15, 2018.  Payment is $60 for flash and $30 for poetry.  You can find the details here.  While they don't specify genre you can read stories online to get a feel for what they're looking for.

Switchblade - New Issue

Switchblade: Stiletto Heeled, the all female issue, is now available on Kindle.  You can check out all the details and find the link to purchase here.  Just scroll down the page.

Who Knocks? - New Market

Who Knocks? Magazine is currently looking for submissions for their first issue to published in January 2019.  They're looking for stories of 1500 to 5000 words in the genres of mystery, weird tales, suspense and horror.  Reprints are welcome.  Payment is 1cent a word with a $50 maximum for original stories and $25 max for reprints.  You can find the details here.  You'll also note that they have an anthology call but there is a $16 reading fee for that.  There's no fee to submit to the magazine.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has posted her November listing of anthology markets.  Thanks, Angie!

Dark Regions Press - Anthology Contest Call

Dark Regions Press has opened submissions for their latest anthology contest.  They're looking for psychological horror stories about individual possessed by internal and/or external forces.  Word count is 10 to 10,000 words.  The deadline is January 31, 2019.  Seven stories will be chosen and paid from a prize pool of $2000.  In order to enter you have to sign up for their newsletter which has the complete guidelines for submitting.  The link for the newsletter is on the page I linked to above.

Thuggish Itch - Open for Submissions

Gypsum Sound Tales has opened submissions for their Thuggish Itch  anthology collection.  The theme this time is theme park.  They're looking for stories of 1000 to 4000 words in the genres of horror, science fiction, and speculative fiction.  The deadline is December 28, 2018 and payment is AU$5 for stories under 2000 words and AU$10 for stories over 2000 words.  You can find the details here.

Pulp Modern - Submission Update

Editor Alec Cizak has posted an update on submissions for Pulp Modern in 2019.  He will be opening submissions one day month starting on January 15, 2019.  Not a very long window.  You can find the guidelines here.

Nightmare Press - Anthology Call

Nightmare Press has posted an animal horror anthology call.  They're looking for horror stories up to 10,000 words involving animal attacks.  Reprints are acceptable,  The deadline is January 1, 2019 and payment is $20.  You can find the details here.

Mysterical-E - New Issue

The Fall issue of Mysterical-E has gone live.  Read it for free here.

Death's Head Press - Open for Submissions

Death's Head Press has posted three anthology calls, two are currently open and the third opens on December 1, 2018.

The first is untitled but the theme is Revenge.  They're looking for dark fiction of 3000 to 8000 words.  The deadline is January 31, 2019 and payment is $10.

The second is "Rope Burns".  They're looking for erotic horror of 3000 to 8000 words.  The deadline is February 28, 2019 and payment is $10.

The third is "Breaking Bizzaro".  They're looking for weirdness stories of 3000 to 8000 words.  This one opens on December 1, 2018 with a deadline of March 31, 2019 and payment is $10.

They will also open for novel, novella, and short story collections in the genres of dark fiction on November 15, 2018 and will close on March 31, 2019.  Payment is 50% royalty split.

Writing Through Pain by Ken MacGregor

A bit of a companion piece to Michael's post yesterday at SleuthSayers is this essay over at Horror Tree by Ken MacGregor called "Writing Through Pain".

Everybody Hurts by Michael Bracken

Over at the SleuthSayers blog you'll find a beautiful essay by Michael Bracken about writing what you feel into your stories.

Blood Hound Books - Open for Novel Submissions

Blood Hound Books is currently open for submissions of crime and mystery thriller novels over 60,000 words.  There are no pay specifics listed.  They also mention that they work with an agent to sell film rights so be careful of how your contract reads if you submit.  You can find the details here.

Space Opera Libretti - Anthology Call

Space Opera Libretti is seeking space opera short stories of 2500 to 7000 words for their anthology.  Their guidelines will give you a better idea of exactly what they're looking for.  Reprints are acceptable.  The deadline is December 31, 2018.  Payment is 6cents a word if they have a successful KickStarter and royalties if not.  You can find all the details here.

Crystal Lake Publishing - Anthology Call

Crystal Lake Publishing has opened submissions for their anthology "Tales From the Lake Vol 6".  The anthology is non-themed but they want horror stories of 500 to 5000 words with 3000 to 5000 being the sweet spot.  The deadline is January 1, 2019 and payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Hidden Things: Stories of Crime & Horror - Anthology Call

Hidden Things:  Stories of Crime & Horror is a new anthology looking for stories of 3000 to 5000 words that blend crime and horror.  The publisher is Down & Out Books.  The deadline is December 15, 2018.  They will have an indiegogo fund raiser and are aiming at paying 6cents a word plus royalties but all depends on how well the fundraiser goes.  You can find the details here.  Sorry it's a facebook page.

Shock Totem - Open for Submissions

Print magazine Shock Totem is coming back from hiatus.  They're looking for stories up to 5000 words in the genres of dark fantasy and horror, mystery, suspense, supernatural, and morbid humor.  According to their submittable page submissions are open until May 31, 2019.  Payment is 5cents a word for original stories and 3cents a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

Thanks to Peter DiChellis for the link

Econoclash Review - Open for Submissions

And Econoclash Review opens for submissions today for stories of 1500 to 4500 words in most of  the pulp genres including crime and noir.  The deadline November 30, 2018 and payment is $10.  You can find the details here.

Broadswords and Blasters - Open for Submissions

Just a reminder that Broadswords and Blasters opens for submissions today.  They're looking for stories of 2000 to 5000 words in many genres including Westerns and Detective Fiction.  The deadline is November 30 and payment is $15.  You can find the details here.

Rooster Republic Press - Anthology Call - Female Writers

Rooster Republic Press has opened submissions for "Not All Monsters".  This is for female writers only.  They're looking for speculative fiction stories of 2000 to 8000 words that feature dark and twisted monsters.  They preface the call with "There are monsters in every woman's life." so that should give you a fair idea of what they're looking for.  The deadline is "when full" and payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

Galli Books - Anthology Call

Submissions open today for UK based Galli Books anthology "Rosalind's Siblings".  They're looking for speculative fiction stories of 500 to 7500 words about people of marginalized genders/sexes who are scientists.  You don't have to be a marginalized writer to submit.  The deadline is December 1, 2018 and payment is 8cents (pounds) a word.  You can find the details here.

Aswiebe's Market List - November Markets

Aswiebe's Market List has posted its November market listings.  Thanks, Aswiebe!

32 Paying Markets for November

Over at Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity Erica Verrillo has posted her November listing of paying markets.  Thanks, Erica!

Econoclash Review - New Issue

The Econoclash Review special edition "Trump Fiction" is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.  They will also be opening for submissions to their regular issue on November 1, 2018.

Switchblade - New Issue

Issue #7 of Switchblade has hit the marketplace.  You can check out the details and find the purchase link here, just scroll down the page.

Mystery Weekly - New Issue

The October print issue of Mystery Weekly is now available for purchase.

Inklings Press - Anthology Call

Inkling Press has opened submissions for their next "Tales" anthology.  The theme for this one is fantasy.  They're looking for all types of fantasy stories in the 5000 word range.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment if $50.  You can find the details here.

Crime Syndicate Magazine - Online Edition

Crime Syndicate Magazine is still living and breathing out there in the world.  They're looking for non-fiction articles and short crime stories of 1500 to 5000 word for their online zine.  Reprints are okay.  These are non-paying.  You just leave a pitch on the guidelines page.

Milhaven Tales - Closed

I sometimes wonder what zine publishers are thinking.  When I clicked on the Milhaven Tales site I found that they had closed the site to visitors.  In order to access their site you must have a WordPress Account and permission from the site owner.  I would consider this a closed market.  When you have to jump through hoops to find their guidelines or links to their magazines it means that readers will also have to go through those hoops and they probably won't bother.  No readers - No point.

UPDATE:  Thomas Pluck has found a new link and the zine is still open.  Thanks, Thomas!

Broadswords and Blasters - New Issue

Issue #7 of Broadswords and Blasters is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.  And a reminder that they open for new submissions on November 1, 2018 payment is $15.

Midnight Ink - Closing

Via The Rap Sheet comes news that Midnight Ink Publishing will be shutting their doors.

Gypsum Sound Tales - Call for Submissions

Australian based Gypsum Sound Tales is seeking stories of 1000 to 2500 words in any genre for their next issue of Colp.  For this issue the theme is "A Little Bit of Nonsense".  They want stories that don't seem to fit anywhere.  The deadline is November 22, 2018 and payment is AU$5.  You can find the details here.

Smoking Pen Press - Anthology Call

Smoking Pen Press has posted an anthology call for "Vampires, Zombies and Ghosts".  They're looking for stories of 1200 to 6000 words in any genre so long as there is a supernatural being in your story.  The deadline is December 15, 2018 and payment is $20.  Reprints are okay.  You can find the details here.

Horror Queen Media - Anthology Call

Horror Queen Media has posted an anthology call for "Vex Me No More".  They're looking for horror stories up to 5000 words that feature witches.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 2cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Markets

Lots of posts today :)  Angie has posted her October listing of paying anthology markets.  Thanks, Angie!!

Yellow Mama - New Issue

The October issue of Yellow Mama has hit the virtual streets.  Read it free here.

Darkhouse Books - Anthology Call

Darkhouse Books opened submissions today for an anthology called "Mid-Century Murder".  They're looking for crime stories of 2500 to 6000 words set in the late forties through the early sixties.  The deadline is March 31, 2019 and payment is a royalty split.  Reprints are okay.  You can find the details here.

Flash Bang Mysteries - New Issue

The Fall issue of Flash Bang Mysteries has hit the virtual streets.  Read it for free here.  And they're also open for flash submissions until the end of the month.

Best Laid Plans - Anthology Call

This call came through SMFS from editor Judy Penz Sheluck.  She's posted an anthology call for "Best Laid Plans".  She's looking for mystery/suspense stories of 1500 to 5000 words using the theme of best laid plans.  The deadline is January 18, 2019 and payment is $25 for original stories and $10 for reprints.  The publisher is Superior Shores Press.  You can find all the details here, they come up as a pdf file.

Break Out the Cake and Ice Cream

So...it's been ten years since I started this blog and it's been a lot of fun.  I've met a lot of great writers on their way up, even a few famous ones have stopped by like Ken Bruen and Sean Chercover.  We've all shared Snoopy Dances over publications and award winners.  The blog even managed to be nominated for a service to the community Spinetingler Award way back when.

The blog gives me pleasure and a feeling of accomplishment.  And I get great joying from hearing from writers who get their stories published because I posted a listing.

I never in a million years thought I could keep this blog going for ten years so thank you to all who visit and keeping me going.  It's a great pleasure to see your names in so many table of contents for anthologies and magazines.  May your success continue!

Thank you all for stopping by.

Tales to Terrify - Open for Submissions

The Tales to Terrify podcast has opened submissions for stories of 2000 to 10,000 words in the genres of horror, dark fantasy, and other disturbing fiction.  There's no deadline listed.  Payment is $50.  You can find the details here.

Iridium - Closing

They come and go so fast there's no keeping up.  Iridium is closing it's doors.  This was a new magazine for all genres.  They did manage to put up one issue before closing.

Gallery of Curiosities - Open for Submissions

The Gallery of Curiosities is open for submissions for their podcasts.  They want speculative fiction stories up to 7500 words.  They have some specific requirements in the guidelines so read them carefully.  The deadline is October 21, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word for original stories and 1cent a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

EconoClash Review - New Issue

Issue #2 of EconClash Review is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.

Cracked Fairy Tales and the Holocaust by Sabrina Orah Mark

I just found this beautiful essay by Sabrina Orah Mark that takes the reader into the mind of a writer and the bizarre way imagination takes over her mind and spins out stories.  It is elegant, beautiful, heartbreaking, and terribly sad.  But it makes perfect sense.

Bad Dream Entertainment - Anthology Call

Bad Dream Entertainment has posted a call for a horror/humor anthology (no title as yet).  They want stories of 1500 to 8000 words that combine horror and humor.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word plus royalties.  You can find the details here.

Lamplight - Open for Submissions

Lamplight is open for submissions of dark fiction up to 7000 words in a variety of genres.  The deadline is November 15, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word with a cap of $150 and 1cent a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

Unlit Press - Anthology Call

UK based Unlit Press has posted an anthology call for "Curse the Darkness".  They're looking for stories of 3000 to 10,000 words using the theme "darkness".  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 75pounds (approximately $100).  You can find the details here.

Pen & Kink Publishing - Anthology Call

Pen & Kink Publishing has posted an anthology call for "Haunted".  They want stories up to 4000 words featuring a female ghost and the story must be a romance (but no banging of corpses or ghosts).  The deadline is November 30, 2018 and payment is $20.  You can find the details here.

Down & Out The Magazine - Issue #4 Now Available

Issue #4 of Down & Out Books The Magazine has hit the stands ( In August - I'm late reporting it ).  You can find all the details here.

There are a lot of magazines like Down & Out and Black Cat Magazine that don't get the word out into the world.  If you want sales you need to let people know you've published a new issue not just depend on the writers to let everyone know.

Manslaughter Review - Closed Down

Online zine Manslaughter Review seems to have disappeared into the world of dead zines.

Blunder Woman Production - Call for Non-fiction Essays

I just found this, so sorry for the late notice.  Blunder Woman Productions has posted a call for "Nevertheless We Persist:  Me too".  They're looking for essays up to 4000 words about overcoming sexual discrimination, trauma, and/or abuse.  Submissions open on October 5 and close October 15, 2018.  Payment is $50.  You can find the details here.

Zombies Need Brains LLC - Anthology Calls

With a fully funded Kickstarter Zombies Need Brains LLC has posted the guidelines for three science fiction anthologies with the titles "The Portals", "Temporally Deactivated", "Alternate Peace".  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word plus royalties.  You can find the details here.

Switchblade - Open for Submissions

Switchblade has opened submissions but the reading period ends on October 5, 2018.  They're looking for crime stories in flash fiction to 1000 words and short stories of 2000 to 4500 words.  Payment is $15.  You can find the details here.  Just scroll down the page.

Flash Bang Mysteries - Open for Submissions

Flash Bang Mysteries opened for submissions today for crime flash stories of 500 to 750 words.  The deadline is October 31, 2018 and payment is $20.  You can find the details here.

St. Martin's Minotaur/MWA First Crime Novel Competitioon - Open for Submissions

St. Martin's Minotaur/ Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition is open for submissions.  Your novel must be at least 40,000 words with a murder or serious crime at the heart of the story.  The winner will receive a publishing contract and a $10,000 advance against royalties.  You can find all the details here.

io9 - Call for Short Story Submissions

io9 has posted a call for short stories in celebration of Halloween.  The theme is "The Future of Death".  They're looking for "works of short, speculative fiction that interrogates what death might mean, or be, in the future".  Stories should be under 2000 words.  The deadline is October 25, 2018 and payment is 50cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Nothing Without Us - Anthology Call - For Writers with Disabilites

Editors Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson have posted an anthology call for "Nothing Without Us".
They're looking for stories of 1000 to 3500 words from writers with disabilities in any genre with a lead character with a disability.  The publisher is Canadian based Renaissance so Canadian writers will receive preferred status.  Submissions open on September 30 and close December 31, 2018.  Payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Noir Nation - News Announcement

Noir Nation is making a come back and will be opening submissions for Issue #7 by the end of the year.  If you're a subscriber to their newsletter you can start emailing your submissions of poetry and short stories to them before the formal opening.  Here's a link to their current newsletter with the announcement.  To subscribe to their newsletter go to their home page and scroll down.  There's a link to their submission guidelines at the top of the page.  They are a paying market but don't list specifics.

32 Paying Markets for October

At Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity Erica Verrillo has posted her October listing of paying markets.  Thanks, Erica!

Villainous Press - Anthology Call

For you crime writers out there here's a really different take on doing crime.  Villainous Press is seeking stories of 5000 to 10,000 words for "Mechanical Miscreants".  They want at least one main character to be a mechanical or electronic "being" committing nefarious acts.  Underlying horror is a must.  The deadline is November 30, 2018 and payment is $25,  You can find the details here on their Submittable page.  Please note that I couldn't find anything about the press and no website though there is a url on the submittable page.

Aswiebe's Market List

I haven't posted about Aswiebe's Market List in while but thought I'd post a reminder.  Every month there's a new listing of paying markets in the speculative fiction genres.  You can check it out here.

18th Wall Publications - Anthology Call

18th Wall Publications has posted a new submission call for "War of the Worlds:  Absolute
War".  They're looking for stories of 4000 to 20,000 words in any genre using the theme of War of the Worlds by HG Wells.  They have a list of theme ideas and want queries for them.  Payment is a royalty split.  You can find all the details here.  Reprints are acceptable.

Flame Tree Publishing - Anthology Calls

Flame Tree Publishing has opened submissions for two anthologies "American Gothic" and "Urban Crime".  They want original or reprint stories of 2000 to 4000 words.  The deadline for both is October 14, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Tales From the Moonlit Path - Open for Submissions

Tales From the Moonlit Path has been resurrected from the land of dead zines.  They're looking for dark eerie speculative fiction stories up to 2000 words.  The deadline for their Halloween issue is October 25, 2018.  Payment is $10 for all stories.  You can find the details here.

The Society of Misfit Stories - Open for Submissions

Bards and Sages Publishing is looking for stories of 5000 to 20,000 words for their magazine "The Society of Misfit Stories".  The magazine will be published three times a year in both ebook and print form.  They are currently reading for their May 2019 issue.  Payment is $50.  Stories can be in a variety of genres and it seems like a good home for those too long stories.  You can find the details here.  Just scroll down the page.

Serial - New Market

Serial is a new pulp magazine open for submissions in the genres of action, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, and thriller.  Stories should be 500 to 10,000 words.  They will be doing serialized fiction for longer stories.  They will also take reprints.  There's no deadline listed but the first issue is due to go live on January 1, 2019.  Payment is $1.60 a page upfront plus royalties.  You can find the details here.

Those Pesky Submission Fees

I noticed the other day that Fahrenheit Press had opened submissions for their anthology Noirville 2.  So why didn't I post it?  Because they're charging a $10 fee to submit this year.  It created a bit of a backlash for them on Twitter.  And here.  The worst part is that the only payment to writers is a royalty split.  None of the fee money goes to the writers as it does in many other contests. 

Thuggish Itch - Open for Submissions

Australian based Gypsum Sound Tales has posted a call for their next Thuggish Itch issue.  They're looking for horror and speculative fiction stories of 1000 to 4000 words using the theme Devilish.  The deadline is October 1, 2018 and payment is $5AU.  You can find the details here.

Trigger Warning - Open for Submissions

Trigger Warning opened for submissions of short stories under 5000 words.  Payment is a stipend plus a copy of the illustration that accompanies your story.  They are open to many genres including crime fiction.  There's no deadline listed but they fill up fast so get your stories in as soon as you can.  Find the details here.

No Fee Science Fiction Contest

Jefferson ( a combination of two medical colleges) has posted the rules for a no fee contest called "2100:  A Health Odyssey".  They're looking for science fiction short stories up to 3000 words using the theme of health care in the year 2100.  The deadline is December 1, 2018.  The first place prize is $10,000 and second place is $5000.  You can find the details here.

Mind the Details

I just ran across an interesting anthology call from an editor but when I checked out the publisher I wasn't very impressed.  Over at Absolute Write Victoria Strauss pretty much gave them a thumbs down review.  Always check out the publisher when you find an editor call and watch your backs out there my friends.

The Short List

I stumbled across The Short List quite by accident and thought I'd pass along the link.  DL Shirey has composed a listing of short story markets by word count.  Some are paying.  There's links to all genres.  Check it out here.

Switchblade Magazine - Early Notice

Switchblade Magazine will open submissions for the next issue on October 1 and close October 5, 2018.  It's a very short opening so get your crime stories ready.  Payment here is $15.  You can find all the details here.

Otter Libris - Anthology Call

Otter Libris Publishing opened submissions today for their anthology "Still on Patrol".  They're looking for stories of 3000 to 10,000 words that portray military personnel who still protect humanity long after their last breath has been taken.  The deadline is December 15, 2018 and payment is $25.  You can find the details here.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Markets

Angie has posted her September listing of paying anthology markets.  Thanks, Angie!!

Canyons of the Damned - Open for Submissions

Canyons of the Damned is open for submissions to their next issue.  They're looking for stories of 500 to 5000 words in the genres of dark science fiction, horror, and slipstream.  Payment is 3cents a word for the first 5000 words with a cap of $150.  You can find the details here.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores - Early Notice

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores has a very short submission period so I'm posting this early.  They will open on September 21 and close September 28 for science fiction and fantasy stories of 1000 words and up.  Payment is 6cents a word for original work and 2cents a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

The Bouchercon Awards

I'm a little late with this but The Rap Sheet has a full listing of all the awards presented at Bouchercon this year.  Congratulations to all the winners!!

Speculative City - Open for Submissions

Speculative City has opened submissions for their next issue.  They're looking for speculative fiction stories up to 5500 words set in a cityscape and using the theme knowledge.  The deadline is November 11, 2018 and payment is $20 to $75 depending on length.  You can find the details here.

UPDATE:  September 14, 2018 - This site seems to have disappeared.  Sorry about that, folks.

UPDATE:  September 16, 2018 - And it's back!

From Bouchercon - The Macavity Award Winners

Over at The Rap Sheet you'll find a listing of the Macavity Award winners.  Congrats to all!!

Gypsum Sound Tales - Open for Submissions

Australian based Gypsum Sound Tales is seeking submissions for their next issue of Colp.  The theme is Suplex and they want stories of 1000 to 4000 words that feature "all things wresting".  The deadline is October 11, 2018 and payment is AU$5 up to 2000 words and AU$10 for over 2000 words.  You can find the details here.

Constellary Tales - New Market

Constellary Tales is a new market for science fiction and fantasy stories of 1000 to 3500 words.  Payment is 6cents a word.  You can find the details here.  Be sure to read their editorial letter to get a better idea of what they're looking for.

Fantasia Divinity Publishing - Anthology Call - Non Paying

Fantasia Divinity Publishing has a bunch of anthology posted but of interest here is their Detective Fantasy Anthology.  They're looking for mysteries of 500 to 10,500 words that are solved in a fantasy setting.  The deadline is October 25, 2018 and payment is one copy of the anthology.  They do accept reprints.  You can find the details here, just scroll down to the third call.

Tough Crime - First Print Anthology Now Available

The first print anthology of Tough Crime Stories is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.

One Story - Open for Submissions

One Story print magazine opened submissions today for literary fiction of 3000 to 8000 words.  The deadline is November 14, 2018 and payment is $500.  You can find the details here. 

Twelfth Planet Press - Open for Novella Submissions

Twelfth Planet Press opened submissions for their Novella Series today.  They're looking for stories of 17,000 to 40,000 words in a variety of genres.  They're also looking for light crime stories for their Deadlines imprint.  The deadline is November 30, 2018 and payment is $300 plus royalties.  You  can find the details here, just scroll down to the second call.

Freeze Frame Fiction - Open for Submissions

Freeze Frame Fiction opened for submissions of flash fiction up to 1000 words in any genre.  The deadline is January 31, 2019 and payment is $10.  You can find the details here.

Mickey Finn 21st Century Noir Anthology - Open for Submissions

Just a reminder that submissions opened today for the anthology "Mickey Finn 21st Century Noir".  They're looking for noir crime stories around 5000 words.  The deadline is November 30, 2018 and payment is a royalty share.  You can find the details here.

Belanger Books - Three Anthology Calls

Belanger Books has posted three anthology calls.  The first is "Sherlock Holmes:  Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk".  5000 to 10,000 words.  The deadline is December 15, 2018.  The second is "A Tribute to H.G. Wells:  Stories Inspired by the Master of Science Fiction".  For this one they want science fiction stories of 5000 to 10,000 words.  The deadline is February 15, 2019.  Payment for both of these payment is a percentage of the KickStarter plus royalties.

The third anthology is "The Irregular Adventures of Sherlock Holmes".  This one is a charity anthology and stories should be written for or by students.  1000 words and up.  The deadline is February 15, 2019.  Payment is copy only.

You can find the details for all three here.

33 Paying Markets for September

Over at Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity Erica Verrillo has posted her September listing of paying markets.  Thanks, Erica!!

Underground Writers - Open for Submissions

Australian based Underground Writers is open for submissions to issue #24.  The ezine is looking for stories in any genre up to 2000 words using the theme "Bars".  The deadline is September 23, 2018 and payment is AUD$50.  You can find the details here.  Please note that preference is given to Australian writers though they're open to all writers.

Apex Books - Anthology Call

The Apex Book Company has opened submissions for their anthology "Do Not Go Quietly".  They're looking for science fiction and fantasy stories up to 7500 word about those who resist.  The theme is victory in defiance.  The deadline is September 19, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word up to 7500 words.  The minimum payment will be $60.  You can find the details here.  This anthology is being finance by a Kickstarter that is 60% funded with two weeks to go.  If not funded there probably won't be an anthology if I'm reading the guidelines correctly.

Dead Gun Press - Anthology Call

And just when I think there are no open markets for crime stories I discover that Dead Gun Press has reopened their doors.  They're looking for crime stories of 1500 to 4500 words for their Hardboiled Anthology.  There's no deadline listed.  Pay is $25.  They're also open for stories of 500 to 1500 words for their ezine.  This is non-paying.  You can find the details for both here.

Hitting a Dry Spell

I've been coming up dry for new listing this past week.  Probably the end of summer slump when enjoying the sunshine outshines the need to post calls for submissions :)  Maybe next week will be better.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has posted her August list of paying anthology markets.  Thanks, Angie!

Rusty Barnes - Editor Interview

Duotrope has an interview with Rusty Barnes the editor of Tough Crime Magazine.

Thriller Magazine - New Issue - Open for Submissions

Thriller Magazine is currently open for submissions to their second issue,  They're looking for flash and short stories up to 5000 words.  The stories can be in any genre so long as the story is a thriller.  The deadline is October 15, 2018.  There's no mention of payment.  You can find the details here.

Their first issue was just recently published and you can find it here.

Uncanny - Open for Submissions

Uncanny Magazine is open for submissions of speculative fiction stories of 750 to 6000 words.  Payment is 8cents a word.  There's no deadline listed  You can find the details here.

A Note From New Wave Crime

Down & Out Books is closed for submissions except for their New Wave Crime imprint.  This was tweeted by the New Wave Crime editor

Chantelle Aimée‏ @SuspenseSiren 6h6 hours ago

I've been really disappointed at the gender disparity in @NewWaveCrime submissions. It's at least 10/1 men. And often, the few women I see are writing male voices. I'd love to see some really creative, unique female voices. Send 'em if you got 'em:

Broken River Review - First Issue

There's a new crime magazine that has hit the Amazon stands in paperback format called Broken River Review.  There's work by Nick Mamatas and James Sallis between the covers.  You can pick up a copy here.  I haven't been able to find any guidelines for submissions so I'd have to guess that this is an invitation only magazine.  If anyone knows any details about this publication please let me know.

Arsenika - Open for Flash Submssions

Arsenika is currently open for speculative flash fiction submissions up to 1000 words.  The deadline is September 15, 2018 and payment is $60.  You can find the details here.

Mischief Corner Books - Holiday Submission Call

Mischief Corner Books has posted a call for "Escape From the Holidays".  They're looking for short stories, novelettes, and novellas using the theme escaping the holidays.  The deadline is September 7, 2018.  Payment of novelettes and novellas is royalty based.  Payment for short stories is $80 for 5000 to 8500 words, $100 for 8501 to 12,000 words, and $120 for 12,001 to 15,000 words.  You can find the details here.

Tough - New Update

Tough ezine has posted a news update on submissions and a few notes about future postings.

Broadswords and Blasters - New Issue

Issue #6 of Broadswords and Blasters is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.

Grimbold Books - Anthology Call

Editor Peter Sutton has posted an anthology call for a series of three books.  This is a fantasy call and the themes are "Lost Gods", "Unexpected Heroines", and "Forgotten Sidekicks".  The word count is 4000 to 7000 words.  Submissions open on September 1, 2018 and close November 30, 2018.  Payment is 15pounds.  You can find the details here.

Space-Trucking Women - Just for Fun

The Nostromo Files is hosting a contest based on the "Alien" films.  They want female writers to write stories up to 1000 words based on their three female characters from the film.  There is no fee and all entries will be published on the website.  The deadline is October 11, 2018.  And the contest is called "Space-Trucking Women".  You can find the details here.

Down & Out The Magazine - New Issue

The fourth issue of Down & Out The Magazine is now available for purchase.  You can check it out here.

Yellow Mama - New Issue

The newest issue of Yellow Mama has hit the virtual streets.  Read it online for free.

Deranged - Anthology Call

If you like to write kinky sex then "Deranged" is the anthology for you.  They're looking for stories of 5000 to 10,000 words in the genres of horror, horrorerotica, splatterpunk, bizzaro, and black comedy with a woman as a key protagonist.  The deadline is March 1, 2019 and  payment is $25.  You can find the details here.

Blood and Bourbon - Open for Submissions

Blood and Bourbon is looking for hard, gritty, and raw stories up to 3000 words using the theme "Conflict".  This is for their Fall issue.  The deadline is November 10, 2018.  There's no mention of payment.  You can find the details here.

Crime Wave Press - Open for Novel Submissions

Hong Kong based Crime Wave Press has reopened for novel and short story collection submissions of 60,000 words and up.  The stories can be from locations around the word, this is a change as they used to only take stories set in the orient.  Payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

27 Paying Markets for August

Since I was offline for the first half of August I didn't get Erica Verrillo's August postings up yet.  You can check them out here, some are too late but others are still open.

Twelfth Planet Press - Open for Novella Submissions

I posted about this one from Twelfth Planet Press earlier this year and they are now open.  They are looking for festive-themed novellas of 17,000 to 40,000 words that will bring joy, laughter, and comfort.  While their usual genres are sci-fi, fantasy, and horror for this call they're also accepting crime, romance, and contemporary fiction.  The deadline is August 31, 2018 and payment is a $300 advance plus royalties.  You can find the details here along with a second call that opens on September 1, 2018.

Millhaven Tales - Open for Submissions

Millhaven Tales has opened submissions for their Winter issue.  They are looking for stories of 2000 to 8000 words in the genres of action, adventure, and western.  They want original stories but stories published on a personal blog are okay.  The deadline is November 1, 2018 and payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

Spring Song Press - Anthology Call

Spring Song Press has posted a Steampunk anthology call for "Steam and Lace".  They're looking for fantasy and speculative stories of 1000 to 10,000 words that use the theme of steam and lace.  The deadline is November 1, 2018 and  payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

Occult Detective - Open for Submissions

Occult Detective opened for submissions August 1 for short stories of 3000 to 6000 words.  They want stories with investigators who explore the weird, exotic, and bizarre.  Payment is 1cent a word with a $50 cap.  There's no deadline listed but they usually are only open for a month.  You can find details and a link to their pdf submission guidelines here.  The pdf file lists their 2017 submission dates but the current blog page lists August 1, 2018.

Blunder Woman Productions - Call for Short Crime Stories

Blunder Woman Productions has posted a call for short crime stories using the theme of Wrong Turn.  Payment is $50 for stories up to 5000 words and $100 for stories over 5000 words.  The deadline is September 1, 2018.  You can find the details here.  Thanks to Michael Bracken for the link!

A Murder of Storytellers - Submission Call

A Murder of Storytellers has posted a call for "Sorry We're Closed".  They're looking for horror stories up to 10,000 words using the theme of abandoned buildings.  Reprints are okay.  The deadline is August 13, 2018 and payment is $15.  You can find the details here.

Robot Dinosaurs - Early Notice

Robot Dinosaurs has posted a call for short stories of 750 to 1200 words that feature a robot dinosaur.  The submission period is August 1 to August 15, 2018.  Payment is $60.  You can find the details here.

Camden Park Press - Anthology Call

This anthology call came through SMFS from Camden Park Press.  They are looking for short stories of 3000 to 7000 words for their anthology "Quoth the Raven".  They want the stories to be a 21st century perspective of Poe's work.  The deadline is August 30, 2018 and payment is a royalty share.  You can find the details here.

Feral Cat Publications - Anthology Call

Feral Cat Publications has posted an anthology call for "Bubble Off-Plumb".  They're looking for stories of 1000 to 5000 words in any genre.  The deadline is September 30, 2018 and payment is 3cents word plus a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

The Sirens Call - Open for Submissions

The Sirens Call is open for submissions for issue #40.  The theme is "As Summer Leaves and Autumn Falls".  They're looking for horror/dark fiction stories of 100 words to 2500 words that take place at the end of summer.  The deadline is August 10, 2018.  This is a non-paying market, but they also take reprints.  You can find the details here.  They also have all their back issues along with the current issue available for download on this page.

Escape Pod - Early Notice

Escape Pod has posted a call for holiday-themed science fiction stories of 1500 to 6000 words.  The submission period is October 1 to October 15.  Payment is 6cents a word for original stories.  Reprints are welcome and pay $20 for flash fiction and $100 for short stories.  You can find the call here.  Be sure to check out the regular submission guidelines for more details

Crossed Genres - Anthology Call

Crossed Genres has poked its head out of the sand to post an anthology call for "Resisting Fascism".  They're looking for science fiction and fantasy stories of 250 to 8000 words about resisting fascism.  The deadline is August 15, 2018 and payment is 7cents a word (maybe more depending on their fund raiser).  You can find the details here.  And welcome back to Crossed Genres!

Angie's Desk - Anthology Markets

Angie has posted her July listing of paying anthology markets.  Thanks, Angie!

Changes in the Process by Janet Hutchings

Over at the Ellery Queen blog editor Janet Hutchings takes a look back at how the publication process used to work and how much it's changed.

Unnerving Magazine - Call for Midnight Snacks

Unnerving Magazine has posted a call for Midnight Snacks.  They're looking for short stories of 6000 to 15,000 words to published individually.  They can be original or reprints.  Payment is a 50/50 royalty split.  The call is open until full.  The genres are horror, crime, monster adventures, dark science fiction or fantasy.  You can find the details on their Submittable page, formatting directions are on their own web site.

Delilah Devlin - Erotica Romance Anthology Call

Editor Delilah Devlin has posted an anthology call for "Stranded:  A Boy's Behaving Badly Anthology".  She's looking for erotica romance stories of 2500 to 5500 words that have a woman in jeopardy, a romance, and a bad boy.  The deadline is November 15, 2018 and  payment is $25.  You can find the details  here.

Journal Stone Publishing - Open for Novel Submissions

Journal Stone Publishing has opened submissions for novels and fiction collections in the genre of Horror.  Minimum word count is 50,000.  Payment is standard royalty terms.  You can find the details here.

Broadswords & Blasters - New Issue

Issue #6 of Broadswords & Blasters has just dropped.  You can check out the details and find links to purchase here.

The Dark City - New Issue

The Summer issue of The Dark City is now available to read online.

Dreaming Robot Press - YA Anthology Call

Dreaming Robot Press has opened submissions for their "2018 Young Explorer's Adventure Guide".  They're looking for science fiction adventure stories of 3000 to 6000 words that middle grade readers can identify with.  The deadline is December 15, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word.  You can find  the details here.

Rhonda Parrish - Anthology Calls

Editor Rhonda Parrish has three anthology calls posted on her website.  Two will open in 2019 but "Grim, Grit, and Gasoline:  An anthology of Dieselpunk and Decopunk Fairy Tales" will open for submissions on August 1, 2018.  She's looking for fairy tale storties up to 7500 words using Dieselpunk and Decopunk themes.  The deadline is September 30, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word.  World Weaver Press will publish.  You can find the calls and details here.

Thriller Magazine - New Market

There's a new zine just rolled out online called Thriller Magazine and they're open to submissions for their second issue.  They're looking for stories up to 5000 words.  Reprints are welcome.  They're open to horror or crime fiction with an emphasis on thriller.  The first issue is up as a pdf for you to read to get a feel for what they're looking for.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find the details here.  Thanks to Michael Bracken for the link!

Apex Magazine - Open for Submissions

Apex Magazine is currently open for science fiction stories up 7500 words.  There's no deadline listed and payment is 6cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Autonomous Press - Anthology Call

Autonomous Press has posted an anthology call for "Spoon Knife 4:  A Neurodivergent Guide to Spacetime".  They're looking for speculative fiction stories up to 10,000 words that use time and space to tell the story.  They also have a theme with very big words ( I didn't feel like using a dictionary to decipher what they wanted ) and examples for you to use.  The deadline is September 30, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

Switchblade - New Issue

Issue #6 of Switchblade Magazine is now available on Kindle with a print issue coming soon.  You can check it out here.

Flame Tree Press - Anthology Calls

Flame Tree Press is seeking stories of 2000 to 4000 words for two anthologies.  The anthologies are "Haunted House" and "Cosy Crime".  Reprints are okay.  The deadline is July 29, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Dark Helix Press - Anthology Call - Asian Writers

Canadian based Dark Helix Press has posted an anthology call for "Immersion:  An Asian Anthology of Love, Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction".  They're looking for stories with an Asian main character set in an immersive alternative past, present, or future.  Flash fiction stories up to 1800 words and and short stories up to 6000 words.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is $20CAD for flash and $40CAD for shorts.  Authors must have a geographical Asian heritage.  You can find the details here.

Pulp Modern - New Issue

The new issue of Pulp Modern is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.

Flash Bang Mysteries - New Issue - Open for Submissions

The Summer issue of Flash Bang Mysteries has hit the virtual streets.  You can read it for free here.  They're also open to submissions for their Fall issue until July 31.  They are looking for crime flash stories of 500 to 750 words.  Payment is $20.  You can find the details here.

My Apologies - Econoclash Review

My apologies!  Econoclash Review is currently closed to submissions.  I seem to have read the wrong page.

Mysterion - Anthology Call

Mysterion has posted a submission call for their next anthology.  They're looking for speculative fiction stories up to 9000 words that use Christian themes.  Be sure to click on their themes guideline page for a better understanding of what they're looking for.  The deadline is July 31, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word and 3cents a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

Gypsum Sound Tales - Call for Submissions

Gypsum Sound Tales has posted a call for submissions for the second issue of Thuggish Itch.  They're looking for horror, science fiction, and speculative fiction stories of 1000 to 5000 words.  They have ten concepts that they want you to use for your stories.  The deadline is September 14, 2018 and payment is AU$5.  You can find the details here.

Mystery Weekly - New Issue

The July issue of Mystery Weekly is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.

Diabolical Plots - Open for Submissions

Diabolical Plots opened for submissions today.  They are looking for stories up to 3500 words in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.  All stories must have a speculative element.  The deadline is July 31, 2018 and payment is 8cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Econoclash Review - Open for Submissions

Econoclash Review opens for submissions today for issue #3.  They're looking for contemporary pulp stories of 1500 to 4500 words.  The deadline is August 31, 2018 and payment is $10.  You can find the details here.

Journalstone Publishing - Open for Horror Novel Submissions

Journalstone Publishing is open for novel and fiction collections in the genre of horror.  Minimum word length for both is 50,000 words.  Payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

Unnerving Magazine - Open for Submissions

Submissions opened today at Unnerving Magazine for their "Inspired by Stephen King" issue.  They're looking for stories of 800 to 4000 words that are inspired by a Stephen King story.  Acceptable genres are horror, crime, science fiction, and suspense.  The deadline is August 31, 2018.  Payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details on their Submittable page.  Be sure to check out their guidelines page for formatting instructions.

A Little Respect Please

Today at the Writers Guild blog I read a post by Rebecca Graf called "Writing a Short Story:  Tips to Help You".  And yes, there were a few helpful tips for beginners but what really made me grind my teeth was this "Personally, I don't read many short stories...".  Her use of short stories is for a launching pad to write novels.

Now I love short stories and I've been reading them all my life starting with Grimm's Fairy Tales.  The best piece of advice I could give to any writer of short stories is to respect the form.  Yes, they're hard to write because you have to focus on one story, not a dozen side plots.  But when you focus on that one story it can turn into a thing of beauty.

You want to learn how to write a short story?  Read short stories.  Start with "Soft Monkey" by Harlan Ellison.  He teaches you how to break the rules and use an unreliable narrator.  "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor teaches you how to take the mundane pieces of life and turn them upside down.  "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl gives you the perfect murder mystery and shows you how to get away with murder.  "Cain" by Andrew Vachss turns the basic revenge plot on its ear.  And "The Payoff" by Stanley Ellin, well, it just leaves you shaking in your shoes at his audacity.

There are so many authors like O' Henry and Richard Matheson who cover the whole spectrum of genres.  Read them.  Learn from them.

Do you want something more current?  Pick up a copy of the novella "You Were Never Really Here" by Jonathan Ames.  When I finished this story I was so pissed at the ending, but as I thought about it I realized that it was the perfect ending.  Ames gives you Joe's story and by the time you finish reading you know exactly what he is going to do next, you didn't have to be told.  That short and you know the character inside and out.  Amazing.

If you're going to write short stories do it for the right reason, because they are a beautiful art form.  Don't use them to launch a career.  Love them for what they are.  And above all, give them the respect they deserve.

North to Alaska by Thomas Pluck

Over at SleuthSayers Thomas Pluck has a very beautiful piece on why writers should keep writing through the disasters that surround us.

Writers Thread - Anthology Call

Writers Thread has posted an anthology call for "Moonlit Dreams/Moonlit Nightmare".  They're looking for stories of 1500 to 10,000 words "that explore the nature of the psyche and the world around us" using the title theme.  The deadline is November 25, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

How to Evaluate Small Publishers

Jane Friedman has an interesting post about "How to Evaluate Small Publishers".

33 Paying Markets

Over at the Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity blog Erica Verrillo has posted her July list of paying markets.  Thanks, Erica!!

Left Hand Publishers - Anthology Call

Left Hand Publishers has posted an anthology call for "Mindscapes & Mysteries Unimagined".  I've read the guidelines twice and I'm still not sure if this is one anthology or two.  For Mindscapes Unimagined they want stories of 4000 to 9000 words that focus on supernatural, horror, urban fantasy, and speculative fiction.  For Mysteries Unimagined  they want stories of 4000 to 11,000 words that spotlight mysteries thriller, and crime drama.  All stories must have a twist ending.  The deadline is July 31, 2018 and payment is $25.  You can find the details here.

Release the Virgins - Anthology Call

Editor Michael A. Ventrella has posted an anthology call for "Release the Virgins".  He's looking for stories up to 5000 words that use the phrase "release the virgins" in the story.  You have to submit a proposal first to make sure your idea isn't already being used.  The deadline is September 1, 2018 and payment is 5cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Saddlebag Dispatches - Open for Submissions

This is a non-paying print market and I'm listing it only because it's a Western Market and they're few and far between.  They are open for submissions of short stories, poetry, and non-fiction articles about the West.  The deadline is August 1, 2018.  You can find the details here.

Blood Bath Lit Zine - New Market

Edinburgh based "Blood Bath Lit Zine" is a new market looking for short stories of 100 to 2500 words in the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and genre bending.  The theme for their first issue is "Bodies".  The deadline is August 1, 2018 and payment is 10lbs. per 1000 words.  You can  find the details here.  One note here, while it doesn't say it's open only to Scottish authors they do say they are "dedicated to exposing Scottish fiction's weird underbelly".

Buckshot Magazine - Open for Submissions

Buckshot Magazine is currently open for submissions of stories up to 2000 words in any genre.  There's no deadline listed.  The payment is $20 US and $25CAD.  This is a Canadian based magazine.  They have stories on site so you can get a feel for what they're looking for.  You can find the details here.

Shimmer - Closing

Shimmer magazine is closing up shop with one final issue.

Always the Fine Print

I really hate finding this clause in submission guidelines:

"C. The AUTHOR acknowledges that by submitting her/his work, she/he is donating their work to IWA PUBLISHING SERVICES/45 Magazine. The AUTHOR retains full rights to the submitted work and is giving IWA PUBLISHING SERVICES/45 Magazine permission to publish the submitted material via print, electronic publication, stage plays, screenplays, anthologies, and movie productions and will not receive any financial compensation or literary credit if their anonymously submitted work is chosen to be published via print, e-publication, or for stage plays, screenplays, and/or in movie productions.However,the AUTHOR will receive literary credit only for their creative work (poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, screenplays, and stageplays) submitted if they include their name. All personal (true) stories will remain anonymous."

As the author you are basically giving away all the rights to your story without being paid a cent.  Watch your backs out there, folks.  Oh yes, the name of this magazine is 45 Magazine Women's Literary Journal.

Author Gigs and Deadlines - Market Resource

If you have some short stories looking for a home try Author Gigs and Deadlines.  They have a listing of short story markets currently open for submissions and in various genres.  They seen to be paying markets as well.  Check them out here.  There are also lists for novels, check the tabs at the top of the page.

Fireside Magazine - Early Notice - Novel and Novella Call

Fireside Magazine has posted an early notice call for novel and novella submissions for the month of August.  All genres are welcome.  Word count is 20,000 to 120,000.  You can find the details here.  Payment is a royalty split.  I'll post this again when they open for submissions

Yellow Mama - New Issue

The June issue of Yellow Mama is now available to read online.

Unlocking the Magic - Anthology Call

I found this call at ralan.com  The title is "Unlocking the Magic:  A Fantasy Anthology".  They're looking for fantasy (and all the subgenres) stories of 3000 to 6000 words that show "the reality of being mentally ill within a fantasy setting".  Also they want noblebright not grimdark.  The deadline is November 1, 2018 and payment is $300 plus royalties.  You can find the details here.  It's their KickStarter page and they're fully funded.

Gypsum Sound Tales - Open for Submissions

Australian based Gypsum Sound Tales has opened submissions for their second issue of Colp.  They're looking for stories using the theme of "Sky's the Limit".  Stories need to be set in earth's atmosphere and not in outer space.  The genres are science fiction, fantasy, and horror.  The deadline is August 21, 2018.  Payment is AU $5 for stories under 2000 words and AU $10 for stories over 2000 words.  You can find the details here.

SleuthSayers - Editor Interviews

For the last three days SleuthSayers has been posting interviews with the editors of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.  The ladies are Linda Landrigan, Janet Hutchings, and Jackie Sherbow.  You'll find all three interviews here.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores - Open for Submissions

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores opened for submissions today.  They're looking for short stories of 1000 words and up in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.  Payment is 6cents a word for original stories and 2cents a word for reprints.  The deadline is June 28, 2018, they have a short reading period.  You can find the details here.

Editor Interview - Chantelle Aimee Osman - New Wave Crime

I guess it's editors day here on the blog :)  Over at the Unlawful Acts blog David Nemeth has an excellent interview with Chantelle Aimee Osman.  Ms. Osman is the editor of the new crime imprint New Wave Crime for Down & Out Books.

Anthology Editor Mary Helen Norris Talks

Over at the 18th Wall you'll find the post "If Walls Could Talk:  The Number One Reason Writers Get Rejected" by editor Mary Helen Norris.  Ms. Norris is one of  the editors of Overdue an anthology that is open for submissions until September 15, 2018.  It's always good when an editor takes the time to give you additional information.

The Cook by C.L. Clark

Love can take on different forms but it's always beautiful and fulfilling as told in "The Cook" by C. L. Clark in Uncanny Magazine.

Twelfth Planet Press - Early Warning Novella Call

Twelfth Planet Press has posted a call for Festive-themed Novellas.  They're looking for novellas of 17,000 to 40,000 words set during the festive season (Christmas, New Year, etc.).  They're open to all genres for this one including crime.  Submissions will open on August 1 and close August 31, 2018 which gives you plenty of time to write.  Payment is $300 against a royalty split.  You can find the details here.  I will post this again when they open.

Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir - Early Warning Anthology Call

From Michael Bracken comes word that he will be editing another anthology.  This one is called "Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir".  He's looking for hard-boiled and noir crime fiction stories of 3000 to 8000 words with the sweet spot being 5000 words.  Submissions will open on September 1 and close November 30, 2018 so you have plenty of lead time to get started.  Payment is a royalty split and the publisher is Down & Out Books.  You can find the details here.  I'll post this again when submissions open.

Always the Fine Print

WiDo Publishing is open for submissions.  I checked them out because they publish mystery fiction.  They also have a new imprint called E.L. Marker.  If your manuscript isn't suited for WiDo they transfer it to the E.L. Marker imprint.  Good deal?  The new imprint will publish your book for the low price of $3977.  Yep, at the bottom of the E. L. Marker imprint page they mention this.  NOT in the submission guidelines.  Watch your backs out there, folks.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has posted her June list of paying anthology markets.  Thanks, Angie!!

The 2018 Macavity Award Nominees

Mystery Fanfare has the list of the 2018 Macavity Award Nominees.  Lots of familiar names!  Congratulations to all the nominees!!

Test Patterns: Creature Features - Anthology Call

I found this anthology call posted over at Horror Tree.  "Test Patterns:  Creature Features" is looking for stories of 2500 to 7000 words with monsters.  The stories should be in the style of Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits.  The deadline is July 1, 2018 and payment is $100.  You can find the details on their Facebook page.

Third Flatiron - Anthology Call

Third Flatiron Anthologies opened for submissions today.  The theme for this one is "Terra! Tara! Terror!".  They're looking for stories of 1500 to 3000 words in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and light horror (pg-13).  The deadline is July 15, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word.  You can find the details here.  Be sure to click on the theme link so you can get an idea of what they're looking for with the theme.

Zizzle - New Children's Market

Zizzle is a literary magazine, both online and print, for children.  They're looking for stories of 500 to 1200 words for children ages 9 to 14.  This call is for their first issue.  Payment is $100 for stories published both online and in print.  You can find the details here.

Just a Coincidence?

Have you ever run across something that set your bullshit meter into high gear?  Today I found a publishing company called Wild Blue Press that was established by an online marketing specialist and an award winning writer.  Yep, I'd heard this before by a publisher I listed back in April, Severn River Publishing which was started by an online marketing specialist and a USA Today best selling writer.  Just a coincidence?  I tried to check out Severn River but I couldn't access the website.  Mozilla said my connection was not secure.

Now, the names aren't the same but it seemed a little coincidental that two companies started a few months apart are both established by authors and marketing specialists.  As I said, warning bells went off in my head and I thought I'd post my concerns.  The companies could be totally legit and I'm just seeing things through jaded eyes.  But please be careful out there when you're seeking a home for your work.

BLF Press - Anthology Call - Black Women Writers Only

This is short notice as the deadline is June 30, 2018 but many of you have stories looking for markets. :)  This call is from BLF Press and they want speculative fiction stories of 2000 to 5000 words from black women writers.  The anthology is called "Black FRom the Future:  A Collection of Black Speculative Writing".  Payment is $50.  The guidelines are on their Submittable page.

Vermont Magazine - No Fee Contest - Vermont Residents Only

If you are a Vermont resident and like writing contests you might give this one a try.  Green Mountain Power and Vermont Magazine are sponsoring a contest about Vermont.  They are looking for essays, short stories, plays, and poems up to 1500 words that use Vermont as their theme.  There is one prize of $1500 plus publication in Vermont Magazine.  You can find the details here.  There is no fee to enter.

River Ave Books - Horror Erotica Anthology Call

River Ave Books has posted an anthology call for "Dark Rainbow".  They're looking for LGBT horror erotica stories 2500 to 8000 words in length.  The deadline is July 6, 2018 and  payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

Jersey Pines Ink - Anthology Call

Jersey Pines Ink has posted an anthology call for "Crypt-Gnats".  They're looking for horror stories up to 3000 words using cemeteries or other forms of deceased placements as the theme.  The deadline is July 30, 2018 and payment is $5.  You can find the details here.

The 8 Keys to a Good Heist Story by Peter Derk

Over at LitReactor Peter Derk has an excellent essay about "The 8 Keys to a Good Heist Story".

Clash Media - Anthology Call

Clash Media has posted an anthology call for "Gimme the Loot:  Stories Inspired by The Notorious B.I.G.".  They're looking for stories of 2500 to 6000 words inspired by the songs of The Notorious B.I.G.  The deadline is October 1, 2018 and payment is $50.  You can find the details here.

Blood Bound Books - Anthology Call

Blood Bound Books has posted an anthology call for "Crash Code".  They're looking for stories of 1500 to 7000 words that portray "the pinnacle of our technology meeting the depths of our depravity".  And there are examples, many of them relating to the crime genre.  The deadline is October 1, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the third call.

Top Rules for Mystery Writing by Ginny Wiehardt

Top Rules for Mystery Writing by Ginny Wiehardt gives some very good advice for those of you setting out to write a mystery story.

16 Themed Calls for June

I love when people put together market lists :)  Over at Authors Publish is a list of 16 themed calls for June.  Most paying.

The Third Jump of Frankie Buffalo by Thomas Pluck

Over at Tough there's a beautiful story called "The Third Jump of Frankie Buffalo" by Thomas Pluck.  You know a story is good when you find yourself crying at the end.  If you  haven't read it yet, go. Now!

Molotov Editions - Open for Crime Novel Submissions

Molotov Editions is a small press that only publishes a few books a year but they are open for novel submissions.  They are interested in crime fiction submissions.  To submit send a cover letter and 10 pages of your manuscript.  There are no pay specifics.  You can find the details here, just scroll down the page.

Cemetery Dance Magazine - Open for Submissions

Cemetery Dance Magazine is open for submissions!  They are looking for short stories up to 5000 words by writers who have never sold a story to their magazine before.  The genres are horror, dark mystery, and suspense.  The deadline is July 5, 2018 and payment is 5cents a word with a max of $250.  You can find the details here on their Submittable page.  This is the first time in about two years that they've opened submissions so get on it and send in your best story.

Corpus Press - Anthology Call

Corpus Press has posted a call for non-themed horror anthologies for 2019.  They're looking for horror stories of 2500 to 4500 words.  The deadline is September 15, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word with a $150 cap.  You can find the details here.

Jolly Horror Press - Anthology Call

Jolly Horror Press has posted an anthology call for "Don't Cry to Mama".  They're looking for humorous horror stories of 2500 to 6000 words that include a reference to Mama and the things she warned you about.  The deadline is August 1, 2-18 and payment is $25.  You can find the details here.

Occult Detective - New Issue

The Spring issue of Occult Detective is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.  Also note that they will open for submissions on August 1st if you want some lead time.

The Carter Brown Mystery Writer Awards Contest - Early Notice

The Carter Brown Foundation along with Brio Books and Stark House Books have announced The Carter Brown Mystery Writer Awards Contest will open for submissions on August 1.  They are looking for novella length crime/mystery stories of 20,000 to 30,000 words.  The deadline is October 31, 2018 and the winner will receive a publishing contract.  You can find the details here.  I will post this again on August 1 when they open for submissions.

HellBound Books - Anthology Call - For Texas Writers

This is a short notice call as the deadline is June 15, 2018.  HellBound Books has posted an anthology call for "Roadkill:  Texas Horror by Texas Writers Vol 3".  They're looking for horror stories of 1500 to 10.000 words set in Texas and written by Texas writers.  Payment is $15 to $100 depending on length.  You can find the details here, just scroll down the page.  They have other anthologies listed, some paying, some not.

The Geeky Press - Anthology Call - Non-fiction and Fiction

The Geeky Press has an anthology call for "Bad Jobs & Bullshit: Summer Jobs".  They're looking for essays up to 5000 words and short stories of 1000 to 5000 words about those awful summer jobs.  The deadline is June 30, 2018 and payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here on their Submittable page.

Creating Tension in Your Fiction by Richard Thomas

Over at LitReactor Richard Thomas has a great essay on "Creating Tension in Your Fiction".

Milhaven Tales - Open for Submissions

Milhaven Press is open for submissions for their magazine "Milhaven Tales".  Each quarter has a different them and for Autumn it's "tales of terror" in the genres of horror and dark fantasy.  Stories should be 2000 to 8000 words.  The deadline is August 1, 2018 and payment is a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

Kelly Carter - Editor Interview

Joan Leotta has an interview with Kelly Carter the editor of Mystery Weekly on her blog today.

Mystery Weekly - New Issue

The June print issue of Mystery Weekly is now available for purchase.  Check it out here.

The Arcanist - Open for Submissions

The Arcanist is an online zine looking for fantasy and science fiction (this includes all the sub-genres including horror) flash fiction up to 1000 words.  There is no deadline and payment is $50.  They use Google Form for their submissions, there's a link in their guidelines.  You can find the details here. 

Twice-Told - Anthology Call

Editor C.M. Muller has posted an anthology call for "Twice-Told:  A Collection of Doubles".  She's looking for stories of 2000 to 7000 words using the theme "Doppelganger".  There's no mention of genre preference but her other anthologies lean toward dark stories.  The deadline is June 22, 2018 and payment is $22.  You can find the details here.

Texas Bound - Call for Submissions

The Dallas Museum of Art is looking for short stories of 2000 to 6000 words for their Texas Bound Series.  Stories selected will be read aloud by Texas based actors in front of a live audience.  "The stories can be on any theme written by an author who has lived in Texas OR short fiction with a Texas setting, character, or theme."  The deadline is June 15, 2018 but they will be accepting stories all summer.  Payment is $150 and two tickets to the reading of your story.  You can find the guidelines here, it comes up as a pdf file.

Thanks to Gail Farrelly for the link!

Parvus Press - Open for Novella Submissions

Parvus Press is open for novellas (17,500 words) and novels (60,000 words) in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.  They pay an advance up to $1000 plus royalties.  The deadline is July 15, 2018.  You can find the details here.

The Gallery of Curiosities - Open for Submissions

The Gallery of Curiosities opened for submissions today.  They're looking for speculative fiction stories up to 7500 words.  Under their title it says "It's like Steampunk had a baby with Tales from the Crypt" so that will give you a very fair idea of what they're looking for.  The deadline is June 30, 2018.  You can find the details here.  They're also open for art work submissions.

My apologies I put down the wrong pay scale.  They pay 3cents a word for original work and 1cent a word for reprints.  And yes, I deleted my mistake :)  

Owl Hollow Press - Anthology Call

Owl Hollow Press opened submissions today for their anthology "Under the Full Moon's Light".  They're looking for stories under 7500 words that use the "spells the moon has placed on humanity since the dawn of time".  And yes, they have more detail of what they're looking for in the guidelines.  The deadline is June 30, 2018 and payment is $50.  You can find the details here.

Colors in Darkness - Anthology Call

Colors in Darkness has posted a call for their next anthology "Deadly Bargain".  They're looking for horror/dark fantasy stories of 3000 to 7500 words that feature items purchased from a shady dealer.  They have a description of the dealer that you must use but you can name him/her.  The deadline is July 15, 2018 and payment is $20.  You can find the details here.

Tough - Looking for More Submissions

Editor Rusty Barnes announced on Twitter that the submission queue for crime magazine Tough is getting low so now's a good time to submit.  They're looking for crime stories of 1500 to 7500 words.  Payment is $25.  You can find the details here.  Also note that he doesn't mind a little mix of the weird or occult in your story.

Danger Grange by Wiebo Grange

Over at Horror Scribes I read this nice little slice of horror called "Danger Grange" by Wiebo Grobler.  You just never know where guilt will take you.

Belladonna Nightshade - Charity Anthology Call

Belladonna Nightshade has posted an anthology call for "Mars Needs Writers".  They are looking for stories of 2000 to 10,000 word (prefer 5000 to 7500) using the theme of The Red Planet.  Any speculative fiction genre is welcome.  Stories should be PG as they're also asking for young people to write for this anthology.  Reprints are okay.  The deadline is October 12, 2018.  There is no payment as this is a charity anthology with proceeds going to the Challenger Center's Martians of Tomorrow STEM education campaign.  You can find the details here.

Less Than Three Press - Anthology Call

Less Than Three Press has posted an anthology call for "Life After All".  They are looking for LGBTQIA stories of 8000 to 15,000 words in any genre that features "life after the end of the world".  The deadline is July 31, 2018 and payment is $150.  You can find the details here.

FurPlanet - Anthology Call

FurPlanet has posted an anthology call for "The Rabbit Dies First".  They're looking for anthropomorphic fiction stories of 2000 to 12,000 words using the concept "the rabbit is going to die, and someone else is next".  This anthology is open to all genres including mystery/crime.  The deadline is June 30, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word (please note that at the top of the page it says that all anthologies get paid 1/2 cent a word so I'm not sure if this is a misprint).  You can find the details here.

Unnerving Magazine - Advance Notice for a Special Edition

For you Stephen King fans out there Unnerving Magazine is going to have an extended "Inspired by Stephen King" issue with submissions opening on June 30, 2018.  There are no details yet, but you can check out their guidelines for story length and such.  Most of the details are published on their submittable page.  They are currently open for regular submissions.

39 Paying Markets for June

Over at Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity Erica Verrillo has posted her list of paying markets for June.  Thanks, Erica!!

Me Too Anthology - A Reminder

Editor Elizabeth Zelvin asked me to post a reminder that the "Me Too" anthology is still open for submissions until July 1, 2018.  They're looking for stories of 3000 to 5000 words in any genre using the theme of crimes against women.  Payment is to be decided but at least a token.  You can find the details here.

Econoclash Review - Open for Submissions - Special Trump Issue

Submissions opened today for Econoclash Review's special issue of "Trump Fiction".  They're looking for stories of 1500 to 4000 words featuring a fictional Donald Trump.  The deadline is July 4, 2018 and payment is $10.  You can find the details here.

Shamus Award Nominees

The Private Eye Writers of America has announced the 2018 Shamus Award Nominees.  You can find the complete list at Mystery Fanfare.  Congratulations to all the nominees!!

A Misunderstanding by Travis Richardson

Over at Out of the Gutter online you'll find "A Misunderstanding" by Travis Richardson.  It reads like an action movie but the ending just turns this sweet story on its ear.

Red Room Press - Anthology Call

Red Room Press has posted an anthology call for "American Psychos - A Serial Killer Anthology".  They're looking serial killer stories of 3500 to 5500 words that are brutal, graphic, disturbing and violent.  They must be set in the USA and the serial killer can be real or fictional.  The deadline is October 1, 2018 and payment is $100 (or $150 if their fund raiser is successful).  You can find the details here.

Spring Song Press - Anthology Call

Spring Song Press has posted an anthology call for "Oath & Iron".  They're looking for fantasy/speculative fiction stories of 1000 to 10,000 words that feature fairies.  The theme is oath and iron which they go into detail about at the end of the guidelines.  The deadline is July 1, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.  Also if you click on calls for submissions at the top of the page you'll find that they have a second anthology call that opens on August 1st for steampunk stories.

The Digest Enthusiast - New Issue

Issue #8 of The Digest Enthusiast is now available for purchase.  You can find the details and links here.

Grease Monkey Bokor by Ryan Sayles

I stopped by Shotgun Honey and noticed this story in the other stories column.  Six years ago I chose this flash story as one of my top ten stories of the year and it's as good as I remembered.  "Grease Monkey Bokor" by Ryan Sayles is an excellent glimpse into a man's downward spiral to the depths of insanity.  It's always fun to revisit stories that you love on the first read.

Black Orchid Novella Award - Deadline Reminder

The deadline is fast approaching for the Black Orchid Novella Contest.  They're looking for novellas of 15,000 to 20,000 words written in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe series by Rex Stout.  There is no fee to enter and the prize is $1000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.  The deadline is May 31, 2018.  You can find the details here.

Planet Scumm - Open for Submissions

Planet Scumm is open for submissions to their next issue.  They're looking for science fiction and speculative fiction stories of 1000 to 5000 words (Prefer under 3000 words).  The deadline is June 16, 2018 and payment is $20 plus a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

The Changing Face of Mystery Fiction by Marvin Kaye

Over at the Ellery Queen blog there's an essay called "The Changing Face of Mystery Fiction" by Marvin Kaye.  The essay is basically a how to write a who dunnit.

While the author misses this type of fiction, I've found over the years that I was getting bored with this type of puzzle solvers.  I was given a copy of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" for Christmas and I read over two hundred pages and with just forty-three pages left I set it aside.  I found that I didn't care who did the murder.  I got bored with Hercule Poirot sitting around and telling everyone they were wrong in their deductions and he was always right in that smug way of his.

I have read many of Agatha's Christie's books over the years, I'm a Miss Marple fan, but I love the newer books that have some action in them.  I don't care for the big reveals with everyone sitting in a room waiting for the detective to reveal the murderer.  In this day and age the murderer would have been long gone.  The truth is we're not a polite society anymore, maybe we never were.

Knowing this I can see why the new generation of writers want to put more action into their stories.  But the truth is there are still red herrings and plot twists in these new mysteries, the criminals and the detectives just aren't so very polite anymore.

How about you?  Do you miss the old puzzle solvers?

Gumshoe Review - Open for Submissions

As writers we sometimes forget about smaller markets so this post is a reminder that the Gumshoe Review publishes short mystery fiction.  They're open to short stories up to 1000 words and pay 5cents a word with a cap of $50 if your story runs longer.  They're also open to non-fiction essays up to 1000 words about the mystery genre.  Payment is 5cents a word with a $50 cap.  You can find the details here.  They're also looking for reviews but there's no payment only the book you're sent to review.

Murder Knows No Language by David Boop

Over at the Gumshoe Review there's a fun little story called "Murder Knows No Language" by David Boop.  The protagonist is a former PI who does temp work and his latest job leads him right into a murder scene.