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.

Christopher Fielden - Short Story Magazine List

Christopher Fielden has a long list of short story magazines broken down by country and last updated this month.  There are both paying and non-paying markets listed.  You can find the lists here.

Enchanted Conversation Magazine - Open for Flash Submissions

Enchanted Conversation Magazine is looking for flash stories of 100 to 500 words that use fairy tale, folklore, or mythic templates.  Pay is $5.  You can find the details here.

Blood Bound Books - Anthology Call

Blood Bound Books has posted an anthology call for "Burnt Fur".  They're looking for horror stories of 1500 to 7000 words set in the "the dark underbelly of the furry world".  The deadline is September 1, 2018 and payment is 3cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Work Ethic by Steve Oliver

Over at The Dark City I read "Work Ethic" by Steve Oliver.  This is one of those stories where nothing is what it seems and the ending is a real shocker.

SmokeLong Quarterly - Now a Paying Market

Long time online flash market SmokeLong Quarterly is now a paying market.  They pay $25 for flash fiction up to 1000 words.  This is a literary market and hard to crack even when they didn't pay.  They're that good.

New Wave Crime - Open for Crime Novels and Novellas

Over at The Thrill Begins there's an interview with editor Chantelle Aimee Osman of the new Down and Out Books imprint New Wave Crime.  According to the interview they are open for submissions of crime novels and novellas with an email address of where to send your submission.  You'll find  the interview here.  I can't find a website for the new imprint nor a link for it at Down & Out.  Here is the Down & Out guidelines link so you know what to send and how to format it.

UPDATE:  I found a twitter page but no tweets.  Something to watch :)

Unnerving Magazine - Open for Submissions

Unnerving Magazine has opened submissions for their next issue.  They're looking for stories of 400 to 4000 words in the genres of horror, dark sci-fi, dark fantasy, crime, thriller, and suspense.  They do have a slight preference for horror.  The deadline is June 30, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word.  Submissions are through Submittable where you'll find the story guidelines.  They close submissions when they reach 300 subs.  On their site you'll find how they want the stories formatted.

Mysterical-E - New Issue

The Spring issue of Mysterical-E has hit the virtual streets.  It's free to read online.

18th Wall Productions - Anthology Call

18th Wall Productions has posted an anthology call for "Overdue - Tales of Mystery and Adventure".  They're looking for stories of 4000 to 20,000 words about questing for lost books.  This will be a shared universe anthology and they give you the set up and details of the shared universe.  It's open to many genres including adventure, mystery, thriller, horror, and pulp.  The deadline is September 15, 2018 and payment is 5% of the gross for each story.  Reprints are welcome.  You can find the details here.

The Good Cat by Vicki Hendricks

Retreats from Oblivion has posted a great story called "The Good Cat" by Vicki Hendricks.  I don't think I've ever read a noir story told from the cat's point of view but it does make for some very interesting storytelling.

Don't Text and Drive by Robert Petyo

Over at Flash Bang Mysteries I read a lovely little flash story called "Don't Text and Drive" by Robert Petyo.  A nice reminder that our bad habits can be used against us and not in a good way.

Malice Domestic - Anthology Call

Malice Domestic has posted a call for their next anthology.  The theme for #14 is "Mystery Most Edible"  They're looking for stories up to 5000 words that have a culinary aspect.  Keep in mind if you decide to write for this one that these are cozy mystery people.  The deadline is August 31, 2018.  There's no mention of payment.  You can find the details here.

Laurie by Stephen King

Stephen King has posted a new short story to his website and it's free to read.  "Laurie" comes up as a pdf file and is 32 pages long.  I only got half way through before my eyes petered out so no review.  I'll probably finish it tomorrow.  What I've read so far is good and kept me wanting to read more.

Angie's Desk - Anthology Calls

Over at Angie's Desk you'll find that Angie has published her May list of paying anthology markets.  Thanks Angie!!

Grace & Victory Publishing - Anthology Call

Grace & Victory Publishing has posted an anthology call for "So Here's My Plan...".  They're looking for fast paced dramatic stories up to 7000 words.  From the guidelines I'd say they're looking for crime stories in a speculative setting using the genres of sci-fi and fantasy.  The deadline is June 15, 2018 and payment is $5CAD plus a royalty split.  You can find the details here.

Miss Pearl by Hillary Lyon

Over at Yellow Mama today I found this fun little gem of a story called "Miss Pearl" by Hillary Lyon.  She actually made revenge fun and had me laughing at the end.

Lots of Paying Markets

Over at Publishing...and Other Forms of Insanity blogger Erica Verrillo has been busy posting up 51 paying markets for flash fiction and a megalist of Horror, Dark Fiction, and poetry.  You can find the lists here.  Thanks, Erica!

Just a quick side note - Erica has listed Black Petals and Yellow Mama which are not paying markets but good markets for crime fiction.

Death Pin by Bruce Harris

Over at Crimson Streets I found "Death Pin" by Bruce Harris.  Reading this story was like stepping into one of O. Henry's short stories.  I loved the setting of the bowling alley because my father used to tell me about setting pins when he was a kid, though I'm pretty sure nothing like this ever happened to him :)  As for the story, some guys just can't catch a break.

2018 Derringer Award Winners

The Short Mystery Fiction Society has announced the 2018 Derringer Award Winners.  Congratulations to all the winners!!

run, Jennifer by doungjai gam

Always nice to find a crime story that isn't all about the crime, such is "run, Jennifer" by doungjai gam published at Tough.  This story has more of a "white knight" flavor with a touch of noir to make it interesting.

PandaMoon Publishing - Open for Novel Submissions

PandaMoon Publishing is open for novel submissions in the genres of mystery, thriller, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and women's fiction.  They pay a royalty split but don't specify how much.  Please read all of their pages as they have a very different approach to publishing (You  have to become a Panda to participate).  You can find the details here.

The Bizarro Sideshow Podcast - New Market

There seems to be a lot of calls lately for stories that fit the bizarro genre.  This one is The Bizarro Sideshow Podcast.  They're looking for stories up to 5000 words both reprints and original.  The pay is 1cent a word.  This is a new market and if it does well the owner will be looking for funding for more.  You can find the details here.

Incident Report #41

The Unlawful Acts blog has moved but David Nemeth has posted up Incident Report #41 right on schedule.  You'll find loads of links to interviews and writing essays.

Mystery Weekly - New Print Issue

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

Mystery & Horror LLC - May Be Open for Novel Submissions

According to their Submissions page Mystery and Horror LLC is currently open for mystery and horror novel submissions through the end of May.  Yet, their guidelines page says they're closed.  So if this press interests you, send them a query.  They pay 35% royalties.  On the submissions page you'll also see a call posted for their annual anthology that will open in August.  I'll post again in August but this will give you a bit of lead time.

The Coyote Way by Kieran Shea

Over at the Beat to a Pulp archives I found "The Coyote Way" by Kieran Shea.  A very different type of Western story that shivers with so much noir that you know it isn't going to end well for anyone in town.

Gun Law by Tyler Boone

Over at Rope and Wire there's a nice Western story titled "Gun Law" by Tyler Boone.  It's not your usual shoot out cowboy story but a look into the lives of people who lived hard scrabble lives back in the 1800's.  Oh, and Tyler Boone is the pen name for Charles Gramlich.

Broken Eye Books - Call for Submissions - Short Stories

Broken Eye Books has posted a submission call for their Eyedolon Magazine.  The theme and title is "Nowhereville Weird is Other People".  They're looking for urban weird fiction of 3000 to 7500 words.  And yes, they have a description of weird at the bottom of the guidelines.  The deadline is July 1, 2018 and payment is 8cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Retreats from Oblivion - New Noir Market - Non-Paying

With a hat tip to David Nemski we have a new crime market called "Retreats from Oblivion:  The Journal of NoirCon.  They're looking for noir stories to publish online.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find the details here.  They will accept reprints but only if the story is out of print.

I Think I Have the Wrong House by Remy Barnes

When I need a literary short story fix I like to stop by Whiskeypaper and check out the archives.  Today's find was "I Think I Have the Wrong House" by Remy Barnes.  There's no action, no bad men, only a man trying to find himself in the life he's living.  Very thought provoking.

Iridium - New Market - Open for Submissions

Iridium is a new market that's looking for short stories up to 5000 words in the genres of Westerns, crime, horror, romance, science fiction, and speculative fiction.  Every story must have QUILTBAG+ content, but the author doesn't have to be QUILTBAG.  The deadline for this reading period is June 15, 2018.  Payment is 3cents a word for original content and they also accept reprints at 1cent a word.  If you click on current issue at the top of the page you'll find stories from their first issue so you can get an idea of what they're looking for.  You can find the submission details here.

Stupefying Stories - Guidelines Posted

Stupefying Stories has posted their new guidelines.  They're looking for science fiction, fantasy, and horror (in that order of preference) stories up to 10,000 words.  Payment is 1.5cents a word for longer stories and a flat rate of $15 for flash up to 1000 words.

Feed Your Monster - Open for Submissions

UK based Feed Your Monster magazine is open for submissions.  They are looking for horror stories up to 3000 words and flash up to 1000 words.  They also accept reprints.  Payment is 3.50lbs. for flash, 6lbs. for shorts, and 2.50lbs. for reprints.  You can find the details here.  There's also plenty of online stories to read to get a feel for what they're looking for.

Thin Lions by Joe Prosit

I just ran across this story over at the Dead Guns archives and thought I'd share.  "Thin Lions" by Joe Prosit gives a whole new meaning to thrill seeking robbers.

Switchblade - Open for Submissions

Submissions opened today for Switchblade Magazine.  They're looking for noir crime stories of 2000 to 4500 words and flash crime fiction up to 1000 words.  The deadline is May 25, 2018 and payment is $15.  You can find the details here.

Bloodhound Books - Open for Crime Novel Submissions

UK based Bloodhound Books is currently open for novel submissions in the various crime genres.  Your manuscript must be at least 60,000 words.

2018 Anthony Award Nominees

Mystery Fanfare has posted the 2018 Anthony Award Nominees.  Congratulations to all the nominees!!

Dates - Anthology Call - Comics and Short Stories

"Dates!  An Anthology of Queer Historical Fiction" is seeking pitches for comics, prose, and illustrations featuring queer characters living their lives in different periods of history around the world and living them well.  For this anthology the theme is "Adventure".  They want 5 to 15 pages for the comics and 2500 to 3000 words for prose.  The historical setting should be before the 1900's but they do state they will look at stories going up to 1964, but nothing set in the American West.  Payment for comics is $50 per page and a flat rate of $60 for prose.  The deadline to make your pitch is July 9, 2018.  You can find the details here.  There are a lot of details of what they do and don't want in the guidelines so read them carefully.

16 Paying Markets for May

Authors Publish has posted a list of 16 themed submission calls for May.  All paying :)

Zsenon Publishing - Anthology Call

Zsenon Publishing has posted an anthology call for "A Punk Rock Future".  They're looking for stories that explore a punk rock future in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.  They want flash stories of 350 to 500 words and short stories up to 6000 words.  The deadline is August 15, 2018 and payment is 6cents a word.  You can find the details here.

Always the Fine Print

When you're reading the guidelines for anything always read the fine print and read to the bottom of the page.  I found this in an anthology call today:

How much does it cost to participate?

"We’re asking for $25 from each participant to help cover the cost of the cover, website, graphic design, marketing, editing, formatting, etc. We’re also asking for $25 toward the cost of ads for the release. So $50 total to participate, though you’re welcome to donate more so that we can book more ads and do more creative things."

And this was after they stated at the beginning that they were supplying all of these things.  Watch your backs out there.

Deep South Magazine - Special Themed Call for Submissions

Deep South Magazine has posted a special themed called for short stories and creative non-fiction centered on "Summer".  The deadline is June 11, 2018, there's no mention of payment.  You can find the details here and a link to their special "Fall" themed stories so you can get an idea of what they're looking for.  If you submit you must state your connection to the South.

Schreyer Ink Publishing - Anthology Calls

Schreyer Ink Publishing has opened submissions for their anthology "Children of the Sky".  They're looking for stories about aliens.  The deadline is June 30, 2018 and payment is a royalty split.  And they accept reprints!  If you'd like to get a jump on what's coming they have a listing of anthology calls through 2019.  Just scroll down the page to "Save the Date".

Incident Report #40

Over at the Unlawful Acts blog David Nemeth has posted up his weekly Incident Report.  I've just recently discovered this blog and his incident reports are a great way to find out what's happening around the online crime writing scene.  It's become one of my regular stops when cruising about online.

Podcast Interview with Editor Douglas Draa

Courtesy of Michael Bracken we have a link to a Horror Pod interview with Douglas Draa the editor of Weirdbook.

Prairie Rose Publications - Open for Submissions

Prairie Rose Publications has posted two calls for short novels.  The first is Men in Uniform where they are looking for a mix of action and romance.  40,000 to 60,000 words.  The second call is for Witty Cozies.  Here they're looking for cozy mysteries of 40,000 to 80,000 words.  Payment is a royalty split, authors receiving 70% after publication costs are covered.  You can find the details  here.  At the bottom of the page you'll find links to six other imprints they publish which are looking for short story to novel length submissions.

Do You Really Want to Publish a Magazine?

In the ten years I've been posting on this blog I've seen so very many magazines come and go.  And very few that stick around for more than a couple of years.  Back in 2011 I wrote a post about starting a new zine.  What I said back then still applies so I thought I'd repost it.  Yes, some things have changed as there are more paying markets and with Amazon you can get your zines on Kindle or in print.  With the closing of Crime Syndicate, I'm sure that someone will step up and decide to start another zine, so here are a few tips:

I'm a huge fan of the online zines. They provide a place for beginning writers to cut their teeth by learning how to submit, deal with editors, and learn about rejection. And yes, with a few exceptions, they are looked down upon by many of the professional writers out there because they're not, for the most part, paying markets.

In the last few weeks I've found two new online markets, La Criminophile and Icemedia, for crime fiction. The blogs were set up and the calls for submissions issued, then bam, they were gone. No explanations, just vanished.

I was really excited about La Criminophile because I really believed that the people behind the zine had a great idea. Icemedia, I found a couple of days ago but didn't mention. Why? Because the editor had published one of her own stories as an example of what she was looking for, but reading through the story I found several misspellings. If she didn't care enough about her own work to edit it properly, how could she respect ours?

It is so easy to set up an ezine. Get an idea, set up a blog, and post a call for submissions. And this is the problem with many new zines. There's no thought put into it before the subs do or don't come rolling in. These are all things I look for when searching for new markets, you can almost tell who's in it for the long run and who's just starting up on a lark. And yeah, sometimes, they fool you.

I've been in on the beginnings of several new zines. The editors asked for feedback on their ideas. My first question has always been, "Are you sure you're up for this?". Zines are a lot of hard work, from setting up the pages to editing the stories and writing rejection letters. You're also going to have to put up with a lot of shit from writers who don't have a clue how to act professionally.

To start, you need to have a vision of what you want your zine to be and stick with it. You need to surround yourself with a support system of people who are willing to help with the work, especially if your zine takes off. You need to know that running a zine is time consuming and will eat into your writing time and your family time if you aren't careful.

If that doesn't scare you and you're still willing to get into the zine business here are a few tips that might help.

1. Run your zine like a business. You're offering a market for writers so be as professional as you expect them to be. Set up guidelines that say more than, "send me your best shit" but don't get so nit-picky that you scare off potential contributors. Set up a page that explains who you are and why you're getting into the zine business. If you're a weekly, monthly, or quarterly set the pub dates and hit them. People will only show up to read if you're there on time. They won't come back if your weekly issue turns into a whenever-I-feel-like-it issue. And writers get tired of their stories being held in limbo until you finally decide to put it up. Your new zine is a business, you're self-employed, and if you don't do the work it won't get done and you've failed.

2. Most zine editors are writers and you have a circle of writer friends and writers you admire. Tell them what you're doing and ask for submissions for your first issue. Most of them will be glad to supply a story, either new or a reprint. Once you've got your issue ready, post it. With this issue you've given new writers an example of what you're looking for, you've set the tone of your zine, and writers looking for markets know that you're taking this new project seriously. Don't believe me? Take a look at Needle magazine and Beat to a Pulp, that's how they got started.

3. Have fun with it. Yes, it's work, but it's also your "baby", so to speak. If you're having fun putting it together, it will show. Readers and writers both will respect the trouble you've gone to for them and they will spread the word. That word of mouth will be the best advertisement your zine will get to help turn it into a success.

There are probably a million other things that you need to know if you go ahead and start a new zine. What I've posted here are just a few basics I've learned along the way. Enough to know that I don't want to be in charge, but has given me a healthy respect for those who take on the job and succeed.

Here's a link to the original post if you'd like to take a look at the comments.  There was more good advice there.

Arsenika - Open for Submissions

Arsenika is open for speculative fiction flash and poetry up to 1000 words for their Summer issue.  The deadline is June 15, 2018 and payment is $60 for flash and $30 for poetry.  You can find the details here.  If you click on the about page you'll find a link to a sample copy of the magazine for you to read.

What Editors Want You to Know

Fellow SMFS member Joan Leotta has shifted the theme of her blog to "What Editors Want You to Know".  First up is an interview with Cherie Jung of Over My Dead Body.

Comet Press - Changing Their Name - Anthology Call

According to their newsletter, Comet Press has just announced what they call a new imprint call Red Room Press but looks to actually be a rebranding as all Comet Press links are being switched to Red Room Press.

And they've just released their third volume "Year's Best Hardcore Horror".  I was happy to see a story by Glen Gray was included in the ToC.  His stories always give me the chills.  They are also open for submissions for "Year's Best Hardcore Horror IV".  They are looking for horror reprints up to 6000 words published in 2018.  The deadline is December 31, 2018 and payment is 1cent a word with a cap of $60.  You can find the details here. 

Jellyfish Review - Special Issue Call

Literary magazine Jellyfish Review has posted a "Special Issue Call:  Stories for Dead People".  They're looking for flash fiction and creative non-fiction up to 1000 words and essays up to 2000 words.  The "dead people" can be anyone from history or as current as the latest school shootings.  The deadline is July 10, 2018.  There's no mention of payment but I thought this might interest some of you.  You can find the details here.

Apalling Stories 2 - Anthology Call

Editor David Dubrow has posted an anthology call for "Appalling Stories 2".  He's looking for old school stories of 2000 to 10,000 words in any genre.  The publisher is Obsidian Point.  The deadline is September 1, 2018 and payment is $30.  You can find the details here and also a description of what they mean by old school stories.

7 Markets for Short HIstorical Fiction

Authors Publish has posted a list of seven markets for short historical fiction.  All paying except for one.  You can find the list here.  It covers a variety of genres.

The Sirens Call - Open for Submissions

The Sirens Call is seeking horror stories from drabbles to shorts for issue #39.  They are also taking reprints which is why I'm mentioning this.  The deadline is May 31, 2018.  This is a non-paying market.  You can find the details here.

More Crime Syndicate News

Unless they can find a new editor willing to take over Crime Syndicate the magazine will be closing its doors.  Also editor Michael Pool has issued a statement that the fourth issue will not be published.  You can find all the details here.

Thanks to Michael Bracken for the new information.

Crime Syndicate - Closing Up Shop?

According to an interview with editor Michael Pool we might be losing Crime Syndicate as a market for short crime fiction.  Sad news to hear.

via SMFS

Dark Regions Press - Cthulahu Art Contest

I know some of you folks do artwork or know people that do so I thought I'd pass this along.  Dark Regions Press has announced a Cthulahu Art Contest.  All you have to do to enter is sign up for their newsletter.  The prizes are $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place.  The deadline is June 30, 2018.  You can find the details here.

Switchblade - Early Warning for the Next Submission Period

Switchblade magazine has posted the submission period for their next issue.  It's a short one - May 10 to May 25, 2018.  They're looking for crime stories of 2000 to 4500 words and flash stories up to 1000 words.  Payment is $15.  Submissions are still open for their special all female issue with the same guidelines in place.  You can find the details here.

Tor.com - Open for Novella Submissions

Tor.com opened for novella submissions today.  They're seeking novellas of 20,000 to 40,000 words in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.  There are no pay specifics listed.  The submission period closes on May 15, 2018.  You can find the details here.

Pulp Modern - Open for Submissions

Just a reminder that submissions open today for the next issue of Pulp Modern.  They're looking for stories of 3500 to 5000 words in any of the pulp genres.  Payment is $10.  The submission period ends on May 10, 2018.  You can find the details here.