The Dark City - New Issue

The Spring issue of The Dark City is now available to read online or purchase.  Check it out here.

Mystery Weekly - Pay Increase

Just heard from Chuck Carter of Mystery Weekly that they've increased the pay rate from a flat $25 to 1cent a word.  They accept crime/mystery stories from 2500 to 7500 words.  You can check out their submission guidelines here.

Drunken Pen Writing - Open for Submissions - Non Paying

Drunken Pen Writing has posted their Spring Open Submission Period call.  They're looking for short stories up to 5000 words and flash stories up to 500 words.  And they have topics for you - 1.  Hillbillies, 2. Spring Time, 3. Magic.  You must use one of these topics in your story.  The deadline is June 1, 2018.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find the details here.

I know, I don't usually publish non-paying markets but this one sounded interesting.

Sunday Morning Chuckle

This was just too good not to share.  50 Shades of Neustadt?

And if you're looking for a humorous story idea it's a good one.

Amazing Stories - Open for Submissions

Amazing Stories has posted their guidelines for submissions.  They're looking for science fiction stories of 1000 to 10,000 words.  Payment is 6cents a word.  In order to submit you have to sign in and open an account on the site.  The details are in the guidelines.

2018 Agatha Award Winners

Mystery Fanfare has a list of the 2018 Agatha Award winners presented Malice Domestic this weekend.  Congratulations to all the winners!!

New West Writers - Paying Markets for Writers

The New West Writers web site has a list of paying markets for writers.  The list is for both fiction and non-fiction. 

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest - No Fee Contest

The American Bar Association Journal is hosting the ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for legal short fiction.  They are looking for original short stories up to 5000 words "that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society".  First prize is $3000.  The deadline is June 1, 2018.  You can find the details here.  There is no fee to enter.

Titan Books - Looking for Ghost Writers

UK based Titan Books is looking writers who are interested in working on licensed fiction that they have already contracted.  You can find the details here.  This includes not only fiction but comics and non-fiction projects also.

Stupefying Stories - Open for Submissions

Okay, this one is a little tricky.  Stupefying Stories is open for submissions but there are no guidelines up yet.  On the left hand side of their blog page in red ink you'll find a short note that says they're open and gives you an email address to use for your submission.  As they say, you can take your chances on what they like.  There's no pay specifics mentioned either.  On the plus side, they have free issues that you can download until Monday.  Check it out here.

Politics and Prose Bookstore - Anthology Call

The Politics and Prose Bookstore has posted an anthology call for "District Lines Volume VI".  They're looking for short stories, essays, and poems that capture a sense of people and places in Washington DC and the surrounding metropolitan areas.  Under 3000 words for your pieces.  The deadline is July 1, 2018.  I had the feeling while reading the guidelines that they're especially looking for local writers.  There is no mention of payment.  You can find the details here.

Blood Bound Books - Open for Novel/Novella Submissions

Blood Bound Books is open for novel and novella submissions in the genres of Extreme Horror and Bizzarro or a combination of both.  The word count is 30,000 to 80,000 words.  The deadline is July 4, 2018 and payment is 50% royalty split,  You'll find the details here.

On the same page you'll find that their "Best Of" Horror anthology is still open for submissions until May 31, 2018.  Payment here is 5cents to 8cents a word.

A Conversation with Lawrence Kelter, Editor of The Black Car Business

Dana King has a great interview with anthology editor Lawrence Kelter over at his blog One Bite at a Time.

2018 Edgar Award Winners

The winners of the 2018 Edgar awards have been announced.  Congratulations to all the the winners!

Freeze-Dried Asshole - by Murphy Row

I love when I stumble across new writing blogs and Drinkers With Writing Problems left me laughing with this post by Murphy Row.  While he doesn't talk about writing he does give us a humorous look at the health care system.

Oh, and the best part about finding this post?  I was searching for "open calls for romance writers".

Drabbledark - Anthology Call

Editor Eric S Fomey is seeking drabbles for his anthology "Drabbledark".  Drabbles are exactly 100 words in length.  Mr. Fomey is a writer of science fiction and fantasy so consider that when you submit your stories since he doesn't specify genres only asking for dark stories.  Reprints are welcome for this call.  He also mentioned in his Twitter feed that he's not getting enough fantasy stories.  The deadline is "when full" and payment is 1cent a word plus a royalty split.  There will be a KickStarter so payment may be increased.  You can find the details here.

Cultivating Crime in the College Classrooom by Hollis Seamon

Over at the Ellery Queen Something is Going to Happen blog there's an interesting essay about the effects of teaching crime fiction to college students.  You can read it here.

Hysterical - New Market - Ladies Only

Hysterical is a new market looking for submissions to their first issue.  Only women, femmes, or non-binary persons may submit.  They're looking for humor, poetry, non-fiction, and fiction up to 5000 words.  The deadline is August 1, 2018 and payment is $50.

34 Paying Markets for May

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

Dale Cameron Lowry - Market Listings

It's been a while since I've mentioned Dale Cameron Lowry's blog.  If you're a writer it's one you should keep in mind because he posts paying markets almost daily in a variety of genres.  Here's a link to his market listings page.

Auto Crit - Market Listings

I found a place called Auto Crit that had a list of Writer's Markets.  They're all paying and broken down in the order of genre. 

Spectre Press - Anthology Calls

I found two anthology calls posted for Spectre Press.  The first is "The Realm of British Folklore" with a deadline of October 31, 2018 and payment of one penny sterling per word.  The second is for "The Children of Clark Ashton Smith".  Here they're looking for fantasy stories in the vein of Clark Ashton Smith.  The deadline is January 31, 2019 and payment is one penny sterling.  You'll find examples and tips of what they're looking for in the guidelines.

PMMP - Open for Flash Fiction Submissions

Just a reminder that Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing is looking for dark flash fiction up to 1500 words in the genres of horror, sci-fi, crime, and noir to be published in their newsletter.  The stories are also considered for their Dark Moon Magazine.  Payment is $25.  You can find the details here, just scroll down the page.  The site says that the magazine is open for submissions but their Submittable page says no.

Fireside Magazine - Open for Submissions

Fireside magazine opened submissions today.  This is a very short reading period as they close on April 27, 2018.  They are looking for stories up to 4000 words and flash fiction  up to 1000 words in any genre.  Payment is 12.5 cents a word.  You can find the details here.

The Things People Steal

It always amazes me what criminals will steal.  A Texas man spent nine years stealing 1.2 million dollars worth of fajitas.  Now he gets to spend the next fifty years of his life in prison.  And I thought stealing maple syrup was strange.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Angie has posted her April listing of paying anthology calls.  Thanks, Angie!

Tor.com - Advance Warning of Call for Novella Submissions

Tor.com will be opening for novella ( 20,000 to 40,000 words) submissions on May 1, 2018 in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.  The submissions period will close on May 15, 2018, so it is a very short window for submitting.  Payment is an advance against royalties or royalty only - your choice.  You can find the details here, just scroll down the page.

Engen Books - Contest - Anthology Call - Canadian Writers Only

Canadian publisher Engen Books has a flash fiction/photography contest open for Canadian citizens only.  They have a picture titled "Wind Up" and they want a 250 word story to match the picture.  The deadline is May 30, 2018 and payment for the winner is 10cents a word.  You can find the details here.  There's also an anthology call for "Flights From the Rock" which has a February 15, 2019 deadline and pays 1cent a word.  Also for Canadian writers only.

Level Best Books - Anthology Call Reminder

There are only ten days left to submit a crime/mystery story for Level Best Books "Landfall:  Best New England Crime Stories 2018".  They're looking for stories up to 5000 words set in New England or written by New England authors.  The deadline is April 30, 2018 and payment is $25.  You can find the details here.

The Things I Find

During one of my searches today I ran across this wikiHow article "How to write a Short Detective Story".  They make it sound so easy :)

Black Cat Mystery Magazine - New Issue

Issue #2 of Black Cat Mystery Magazine is now available for purchase.  You can find the contents and links to both print and kindle editions here.

The Lost Cat Story Cupboard

I haven't been finding very many markets of late especially in the crime fiction genre.  But during my search today I found this ad for a lost cat and all I could think was what a great start for a crime fiction story.  Don't see it?  Well, you have a woman's name, a street name, telephone numbers.  Perhaps her stalker stole the cat to get closer to her.  Perhaps the woman is looking to lure in a visitor.  Perhaps she starts getting calls at all hours, perhaps hangups, maybe heavy breathing, maybe pictures taken of her while she's unaware.  Or maybe the cat...  Let your imagination take you.

Food for Thought

David Nemeth has some interesting thoughts on "No One Wants to Read Your Book" over at the Do Some Damage blog.

What We Write

Clicking around the Internet I found this blog post written by Fran Wilde about her story "Clearly Lettered in a Mostly Steady Hand".  The post makes you really think about how we write and whether we're brave enough to peel back layers of ourself to find that one true story.  You can read her story here at Uncanny.

Pulp Literature - Open for Submissions

Pulp Literature has opened submissions for their next issue.  They're seeking stories up to 10,000 words in all genres.  The sweet spot being around 5000 words.  The deadline is April 30, 2018.  Payment varies with length but the basic is 31/2 cents to 7cents a word for stories up to 7000 words.  You can find the details here. 

Cloaked Press - Anthology Call

Cloaked Press has opened submissions for their annual anthology "Fall Into Fantasy".  They are looking for fantasy stories of 2000 to 7000 words.  All subgenres of fantasy are welcome.  The deadline is July 1, 2018 and payment is $10 plus one copy. There will also be a 3% bonus paid based on total sales after the first three months.  You can find the details here.

Kameron Hurley: Hard Publishing Truths: Relationships Matter

Over at the Locus blog there's a very interesting essay about the business end of writing by Kameron Hurley.  You can check it out here.

link via Indie Crime Scene

16 Paying Markets for Children's and YA Fiction

Over at the Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity blog Erica Verrillo has posted 16 children's and YA magazines that pay writers.  Thanks, Erica!

The 2018 Derringer Award Finalists

The Short Mystery Fiction Society has posted the 2018 Derringer Award Finalists.  Congrats to all the nominees!!

Broadswords and Blasters - Open for Submissions

Broadswords and Blasters opened for submissions today.  They're looking for stories of 2000 to 5000 words in all the pulp genres.  I didn't see a deadline listed.  Payment is $15.  You can find the details here.

LampLight - Open for Submissions

LampLight opens for submissions today.  They are looking for dark fiction up to 7000 words.  The deadline is June 15, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word with a cap of $150 for original fiction and 1cent a word for reprints.  You can find the details here.

The Cockroach Conservatory - New Market

The Cockroach Conservatory is a new market looking for stories up to 3000 words in the speculative fiction genres for their first issue.  They have a list of authors including Joe Lansdale and Brian Keene as examples of what they're looking for.  The deadline is June 5, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word. You can find the details here.

RIP Patrick F. McManus

I was sad to read that author Patrick F. McManus passed away.  He was an absolute treasure in our home.  My youngest son struggled with reading in grade school and I bought him a subscription to Outdoor Life, something that would interest him.  He loved McManus' "Exit Laughing" columns.

In Junior High he discovered that the school library had some of McManus' books and he brought home three of them one weekend.  That Sunday we sat and read the books laughing out loud and reading bits and pieces to each other until we were all nearly peeing our pants.

I remember best the story of Pat and Crazy Eddie Muldoon building a plane and "flying" it off the roof of the barn.  Other stories with Rancid Crabtree took us on hunting adventures that nobody should ever experience.  If something could go wrong it usually did and with the readers laughing hysterically.

Pat McManus gave our family laughter and gave my son a reason to read a book.  As writers we never know how our words can help people.  Thank you Mr. McManus for your gift of wonderful words and a house full of belly laughs.

Severn River Publishing - Open for Novel Submissions

Severn River Publishing is a brand new publishing house looking for novels in the thriller and mystery genres.  They're asking for a 5000 word sample of your manuscript to begin.  According to their About page (scroll down to FAQ)  they pay a royalty split but don't give specifics.  They also state that they give a small advance to previously published authors but not to new authors.  This is a new publisher with no published works as yet so be sure to check them out carefully if you decide to submit.  You can find the details here.

Elm Books - Romance Anthology Call

Elm Books has posted an anthology call for "Fae Romance".  They're looking for romance stories with a bit of magic of 2000 to 10,000 words.  The deadline is September 1, 2018.  There are no pay specifics listed but this press usually pays a royalty split for anthologies.  You can find the details here.

Shaking My Head

I just ran across an editor's anthology call that I thought might be interesting.  Of course, there was no payment but when I checked out the Press the editors were using I found that they'd published two other anthologies with a similar theme which sold for $60 and $65 for hardcover copies and $20 and $22 for paperback copies.  And they can't afford to pay the writers?  It may be a University Press and scholarly editors but they could still pay the writers.  Shame on them!

Econoclash Review - Early Notice Anthology Call

Econoclash Review has posted a call for a special edition anthology of "Trump Fiction".  They are looking for pulpy stories of 1500 to 4000 words that feature a fictional Trump.  And yes, they have a few ideas listed to get you started.  Submissions open on May 28, 2018 and close July 4, 2018.  Payment is $10.  You can find the details here.  I'll post again when the submission period opens.

Northern Lake Publishing LLC - Open for Novel Submissions

Northern Lake Publishing LLC is a brand new small publisher.  They're looking for novel length fiction of 40,000 to 90,000 words in several genres including mystery/crime.  Payment is a 50% royalty split.  You can find the details here, just scroll down.

Toe Six Press - New Issue

Toe Six Press has posted their first online issue - read it here.

DeadLights Horror Magazine - Closed

DeadLights Horror Magazine has closed up shop and the website is gone.

Yellow Mama - New Issue

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

Black Denim Lit - Closed

As of February 2, 2018 Black Denim Lit has permanently closed to submissions.

Me Too Anthology - New Website

There is now a website for the Me Too anthology.  You can find it here.

Bizzarro Central - Calls for Novella and Novel Submissions

From Bizzarro Central come word that both Eraserhead Press and Deadite Press have posted calls for submissions of novels and novellas of 20,000 to 100,000 words.  Eraserhead Press is seeking Bizzarro fiction and Deadlite Press is seeking extreme horror and splatterpunk.  The deadline is June 30, 2018 and payment is a 50% royalty split.  You can find the details for both here.

The Dark - Open for Submissions

The Dark, a monthly online zine, has raised their pay rate to 6cents a word.  They publish horror and dark fantasy stories of 2000 to 6000 words.  They also publish reprints for 1cent a word.  You can find the submission details here.  The also have many issues available for your to read online for free.

Me Too - Anthology Call - Female Writers Only

This call came from Elizabeth Zelvin:

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

ME TOO: An Anthology of Short Stories

About Crimes Against Women, Retribution, and Healing

Maybe there's a story that has haunted you—yours or someone else's—and you've wished that everyone could hear it. Maybe you've always wished that you could change the ending.

Women across the world are breaking silence in unprecedented numbers in an outcry against sexual violence and misconduct. In fiction, however, women's perspectives on these experiences are too often disregarded. These short stories feature women who are neither femmes fatales nor easily discarded pawns. If they are victims, it is not by choice, nor does it mean that they are voiceless. Victims can become survivors. These stories also show us men who are neither heroes, glamorous bad boys, nor harmless merely because they obey society's rules. Sexual violence and misconduct are ugly—violent, not sexual; unwelcome, not flattering; frightening, intimidating, disgusting. We know that they are wrong. Yet women still have to stand and say, "Me too!" These stories are the authors' efforts to help us hear them more clearly.

Editor

This anthology is an independent project by Elizabeth Zelvin, author of the Bruce Kohler Mysteries and the Mendoza Family Saga and editor of the anthology Where Crime Never Sleeps: Murder New York Style 4.* Liz's short stories have been nominated twice for the Derringer Award and three times for the Agatha Award, published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, and Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and listed in Best American Mystery Stories 2014.  

*by members of the New York/Tri-State Chapter of Sisters in Crime (Level Best, 2017) 

Guidelines

A 3,000 to 5,000 word short story (fiction, not memoir or creative nonfiction) on the theme of crimes against women, retribution, and healing...or justice.  All genres will be considered as long as the theme is addressed. 

Only stories by women authors will be considered.

Stories must be original, ie never before published in print or online, including the author's blog or website.

The deadline is July 1, 2018.

Formatting

Use standard manuscript format: Times New Roman 12 point, double spaced, use Format menu to indent first line of each paragraph 0.5".

Center title and author's name at top of ms, formatted without indent.

Number pages at top right, format author and title as header at top left.

Format section breaks with # centered without indent.

At the end, format ### centered without indent.

Submit via email to elizabeth.zelvin(at)gmail.com as a Word .doc or .docx attachment. The subject line should read "Anthology Submission" and the story title.

In the body of the email, include the word count of your story, your full name, and contact information—mailing and email address, phone, and website url—as well as an alternate email address and phone if you are hard to reach.

Only stories that comply substantially with the guidelines will be considered.

More About the Project

Several high-profile authors have already agreed to contribute stories. Once the roster is complete, the list of authors will be announced. Publishers will be approached when the manuscript is complete. Depending on the publisher and the deal, it is expected that we will be able to offer some compensation—at the very least, a small honorarium—to all contributors.

Banjaxed Books - Anthology Call

Banjaxed Books has posted an anthology call for "Deductions, Delinquents, & Detectives".  They're looking for mixed genre mystery/detective stories of 2000 to 7000 words.  The deadline is October 1, 2018 and payment is $15.  You can find the details here.

Thanks to Michael Bracken for the link!

Horror Tree - 5 Paying Non-fiction Markets

Over at Horror Tree Stuart Conover has posted a list of five paying non-fiction markets.  Thanks, Stuart!  This is the first of a new feature that Horror Tree is featuring.

Perpetuity Publising - Call for Crime Novel Submissions

Perpetuity Publishing is open for novel submissions and short story collections in the crime/mystery genres but no cozy mysteries.  There are no pay specifics listed so that's something you'll have to query.  You can find the details here.  This is a fairly new company and have only published two novels so far.

Pro Se - 12 New Anthology Calls

Pro Se has opened submissions for twelve new anthology calls.  They're looking for stories of 8000 to 10,000 words in a variety of genres including crime and westerns.  There are no pay specifics listed and they request that you query your story first.  You can find the details  here.

Speculative City - Open for Submissions

Speculative City has opened submissions for their second issue.  They are seeking speculative fiction stories centered in a cityscape up to 5500 words.  The theme for this issue is GAME.  The deadline is May 25, 2018 and payment is $20 to $75 depending on length.  You can find the details here.  And be sure to read the contract, there's a link in the guidelines and they take a lot of rights and time lengths for those rights.

Flash Bang Mysteries - New Issue

The Spring issue of Flash Bang Mysteries has gone live.  Read it for free here.

Mad Scientist Journal - Anthology Call

Mad Scientist Journal has posted an anthology call for "Battling in All Her Finery:  Historical accounts of Otherworldly Women Leaders".  They're looking for speculative fiction stories of 500 to 8000 words written in first person about women leaders in any field.  And yes, there are more details and examples in the guidelines.  The deadline is April 30, 2018 and payment is 2cents a word.  You can find all the details here.

Toe Six Press - Open for Submissions

Toe Six Press has opened submissions today for one week (deadline April 10, 2018).  They are seeking crime stories of 2000 to 6000 words.  Payment is $25.  You can find the details here.

The Horror Zine - Open for Submissions

The Horror Zine has opened for submissions for stories of 1900 to 4000 words.  This is a non-paying market but they do publish mystery and suspense stories as well as horror.  You can find the details here.

Slice - Open for Submissions

Slice magazine is open for submissions to issue #24.  This is a literary magazine looking for short stories and essays up to 5000 words for the theme "Time".  The deadline is June 1, 2018 and payment is $250.  You can find the details here.

The Never Beyond - New Speculative Fiction Market

The Never Beyond is seeking short speculative fiction for their first issue.  They want flash up to 1000 words and short stories up to 3500 words.  Pay is 1cent a word.  You can find the details here.

Down & Out Magazine - New Issue

Issue #3 of Down & Out The Magazine is now available.  You can find the details and links here.

Pulp Modern - Early Warning

Just a note to let you know that Pulp Modern will be opening for submissions on May 1.  The submission period is only ten days.  They're looking for stories of 3500 to 5000 words in all the pulp genres.  Payment is $10.  You can find the details here.  I'll post again when they open.

Gehenna & Hinnom Books - Call for Novellas, Novelettes, and Short Stories

Gehenna & Hinnom Books has opened submissions for novellas, novelettes, and short stories (chapbooks).  The genres they're looking for are cosmic horror and weird fiction.  The deadline is May 31, 2018.  For novellas the word count is 15,000 to 40,000 and payment is $300 to $400 advance.  For novelettes the word count is 7500 to 15,000 words and payment is 2cents a word with a $150 minimum and $300 maximum.  For short stories (chapbooks) the word count is 1500 to 5000 words.  Payment is 2cents a word with a minimum of $30 and a maximum of $100.  There are three chapbooks and the themes are "Nightscapes", "Have You Seen a Portal", and "Void Beckoning".  You can find the guidelines for all of them here.

The Thrilling Detective - New Issue

Editor Kevin Burton Smith has posted the 20th anniversary issue of The Thrilling Detective.  If you're not familiar with the site, you should be.  It's a wonderful collection of information and short fiction about the Private Eye genre.  Thank you, Kevin, for all your hard work over the years!

Flash Bang Mysteries - Open for Submissions

Submissions opened today for the next issue of Flash Bang Mysteries.  They're looking for crime flash fiction stories of 500 to 700 words.  The deadline is April 30, 2018 and payment is $20.  You can find the details here.