CALLIHOO Newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------- Vol. 6 No. 8 Editor: Julia West July 14, 1998 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS Chris is taking the summer off from CALLIHOO, so we'll see him again in the fall. Have a great summer, Chris! DEADLINES Let me know if you need more information on the contests, anthologies or magazines listed below. =More Monsters From Memphis=, second in a series, deadline 30 July 1998. [horror about Memphis, 1000-10,000 wds, 1/2 to 6 cents/wd., $15 reading fee unless HWA or SFWA member, Beecher Smith, Editor, 44 N. Second St., Suite 1000, Memphis, TN 38103-2220. (GLs in Vol. 5, No. 41)] =World Wide Writers=, British quarterly contest/magazine, deadlines 31 Aug, 31 Oct 1998. [Prizes $200 to $1000 with yearly $5,000 grand prize, 2,000 to 5,000 wds. $10 (L6) entrance fee. E-mail subs okay. Requires entry form; can be downloaded from www.users. globalnet.co.uk/~writintl/, World Wide Writers Competition, PO Box 3229, Bournemouth BH1 1ZS, United Kingdom. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 5] UPC Science Fiction Award 1998, deadline 14 September 1998. [SF in Catalan, Spanish, English or French, 70 to 115 pages (25,000 to 40,000 words), first prize of 1,000,000 PTA (abt. $8,000), perhaps a special mention of 250,000 PTA. Winning novella published by the UPC through Ediciones B, in its collection "NOVA ciencia ficcion." Consell Social de la UPC, Edifici NEXUS, Gran Capita 2-4, 08034- Barcelona (SPAIN). (GLs in Vol. 5, No. 30)] =Writers of the Future=, 4th quarter 1998, deadline 30 September 1998. [$1000 first, $750 2nd, $500 3rd place. L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, P.O. Box 1630-JBW, Los Angeles, CA 90078. (GLs in Vol. 4, No. 32)] The next reading period for =Tales of the Unanticipated= (issue #20) is tentatively set for 1 September to 1 October 1998. Eighteenth Annual Science Fiction/fantasy Short Story Contest Sponsored by Science Fiction Writers of Earth, deadline 30 October 1998. [SF/F 2,000 - 7,500 wds, $5.00 entry fee 1st subm, $2.00 thereafter, unpublished writers. $200 1st prize, $100 2nd, $50 3rd. SFWoE, P.O. Box 121293, Fort Worth, Texas 76121. (GLs in Vol. 5 No. 34)] =Altair= Issue #3 competition, deadline 1 Nov 1998. [SF/F 2,000 to 10,000 wds, entry fee $5.00 U.S./each, mult. subm. okay, 1st $400, 2nd $200, 3rd $100. E-mail subm. okay to altair@senet.com.au (pay entry fee by credit card) or mail to Altair Publishing, PO Box 475, Blackwood 5051, South Australia, Australia. (GLs in Vol. 5 No. 32)] MARKET GUIDELINES =Aboriginal Science Fiction= [Printzine, quarterly, SF, no F or H, 2500-4500 wds, pays $200 for fiction, no sim subs or E-subs] Charles C. Ryan, Editor Aboriginal Science Fiction, P.O. Box 2449, Woburn, MA 01880 1. All stories must be in English. Stories submitted from foreign countries should first be translated into English. Stories sent from the Bronx also should be translated before submission. 2. All stories should be typed or printed, double-spaced, on one side of a sheet of white regular-sized paper (81/2 by 11 inches). We do not accept stories on disk. Good dot-matrix printing is acceptable. Computer printouts which haven't been separated into individual sheets will be considered replacement rolls of TP. Good quality photo copies are acceptable. Simultaneous submissions are not acceptable. 3. All submissions MUST be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope large enough for the manuscript's return and with adequate postage for that return. Manuscripts sent without proper return postage will not be returned. You may opt to simply enclose a smaller self-addressed envelope for our response if the manuscript is disposable. =Aboriginal Science Fiction= assumes no responsibility for submissions, lost manuscripts, or lost horizons. We respond within six to twelve weeks on most submissions, occasionally longer. Manuscript requirements Sorry, we do not accept electronic submissions until after an assignment has been accepted 1. =Aboriginal Science Fiction= will only consider original science fiction stories or science/science fiction poetry. We buy first North American serial rights and do not use reprints. Stories should be between 2,500 and 4,500 words in length, though some exceptions may be made. Poetry should be one to two pages, typed, double-spaced. All poems must be about a SF or science related topic. Payment will be $200 for stories; $15 to $20 for each poem; $100 for accepted science articles. Aboriginal Science Fiction also accepts cartoons and jokes. Jokes should be 50 to 150 words in length and be on a science or science fiction topic. We pay $5 for jokes and $20 for cartoons. All stories, poems, jokes and/or cartoons must be original and unpublished. 2. =Aboriginal Science Fiction= is looking for good science fiction stories. While "hard" science fiction will get more favorable attention, =Aboriginal Science Fiction= also wants good action-adventure stories, good space opera, and science fantasy. Stories with the best chance of acceptance will make unique use of the latest scientific theories and discoveries, have lively, convincing characters, an ingenious plot, a powerful and well-integrated theme and use an imaginative setting. 3. Do not submit fantasy, swords & sorcery, horror or Twilight Zone-type stories. They will not be accepted. Queries are unnecessary. We do not serialize novels, but we may consider a short excerpt from one. Do not send the entire novel; just send the excerpt which should stand on its own as a separate story. 4. We recommend you read =Aboriginal Science Fiction= to obtain an idea of the type of stories we publish and we also recommend you read other science fiction magazines. Watching science fiction on television or at the movies will not provide adequate background to write a good science fiction story. 5. Sample copies are available for $6.85 (including $1.90 in postage). Those who wish may subscribe at the special discounted rate for writers: $17 for four double issues (100 pages ea.). The discounted rate for writers or artists living outside of the United States is: $22 for 4 issues. All copies are mailed second class. Likewise, residents of foreign countries should add $1.25 per copy to any sample copy orders. Back issues, when available, sell for $6.85 each (including postage). All submissions must be sent to: Aboriginal Science Fiction, P.O. Box 2449, Woburn, MA 01880 [From =Aboriginal Science Fiction= website at: http://www.aboriginalsf.com/writguid.htm] =Aurealis= [Australian print magazine, SF/F/H 1500-6000 wds, no mult subs, $20-$60/1000 wds (Aust), no E-mail subs] Send submissions to: Chimaera Publications, PO Box 2164, Mt Waverley, Victoria 3149, Australia. Submission queries may be sent to the address above, or emailed to: Submission Enquiries. AUREALIS DOES NOT ACCEPT EMAIL SUBMISSIONS. Writers' Guidelines 1. We are open to unsolicited submissions of previously unpublished short science fiction, fantasy or horror stories of 1,500 to 6,000 words. Contributors should only submit one story at a time. 2. We are interested in articles between 500 and 4000 words about Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror, as well as articles of interest to Australian writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror. 3. We will consider reviews of recently released Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror books between 300 and 500 words. 4. We would also appreciate any market and publishing news of interest to Australian readers and writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror, including individual sales of short stories to paying markets. 5. We do not want any poetry or novel extracts. We do not serialise longer stories. 6. All types of science fiction, fantasy and horror will be considered, but we do not want stories which are derivative in nature, particularly those based on TV series. 7. Stories do not have to be explicitly Australian, although we would like to see some with Australian characterisation and background, provided the Australian element is not merely a self-conscious insertion into a standard plot. 8. =Aurealis= is a highly competitive market. We only want your best stories. Do not send us stories you know require more work. 9. Stories should have a cover page which has the author's name, address, phone and fax numbers, Email address, the title of the story and the word length. 10. Stories must be typed on one side of the page only, with double spacing and broad margins, and the pages should be numbered. They should be stapled in the top left hand corner. 11. A covering letter should accompany the submission containing the story's title and word length. It should indicate whether you wish the manuscript to be returned and whether the story is available on disk, and if so, which word-processing package was used. Queries, author bios, market news and other information should be on a separate page. 12. Stories must always be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. If you wish to have your manuscript returned, please ensure that your return envelope is adequate and that sufficient postage has been attached. 13. Our payment rates are between $20 and $60 per 1,000 words, depending on the level of Government grants received, and payment will be made soon after the publication of the issue containing your story. Minimum payment is $20. 14. We buy First Australian Serial Rights, the non-exclusive rights to publish the story electronically and the non-exclusive rights to reprint the story in a Collector's Edition anthology. All other rights remain with the contributor. 15. Our response time is around six months. Where time permits, unsuccessful authors will be sent a reply in the form of a checklist critique and/or a personal note. All submissions by subscribers will be fast-tracked through our assessment process, and will receive a personal note. Subscribers should write a large, circled "S" in the top right of the cover page and cover letter. Queries regarding submissions must be in writing and accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. 16. While the utmost care is taken, Chimaera Publications cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage of any of the manuscripts. Artists' Guidelines 1. We are looking for full colour cover art. Send colour samples with sufficient postage if you want them returned. 2. All covers must have some Australian element. Please study previous covers for the sorts of images and styles which have been used. 3. Aurealis buys the rights to use the cover on an issue of the magazine as well as for subsequent promotional purposes. We acknowledge the artist in the issue in which the work appears. 4. Internal artwork is commissioned, but we will consider samples of your black and white work if accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. Please supply an envelope with sufficient postage if you wish the samples to be returned. 5. Our payment is $75 for cover art, $25 for black and white story illustrations, and $10-15 for graphics. Payment is made soon after the publication of the issue with your work. 6. While the utmost care is taken, Chimaera Publications cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage of any artwork. [From =Aurealis= website at http://www.aurealis.hl.net/GUIDELIN.HTM] =Circuit Traces= [E-zine, bimonthly, does not pay, 2000-5000 wds, E-subs only] http://www.ctraces.com/Circuit_Traces/ =Circuit Traces= is a network-distributed bi-monthly magazine. Because it is a free publication =Circuit Traces= currently does not pay writers. Although we prefer stories in the 2000-5000 word range, =Circuit Traces= will consider material ranging from short-short pieces to large multi-part novellas or serials. Fiction of a speculative or surreal nature is preferred. Experimental and avant-garde work is also welcome. There are no restrictions on length or subject matter, other than that the story be well-written and thought-provoking. We are primarily interested in stories dealing with the problems raised by the interaction of technology and society, although we will consider anything that offers a unique insight into the current human condition. Non-fiction submissions should also focus on the technology/ society theme. All submissions should be submitted electronically -- either via electronic mail or on disk. Disks can be of either MS-DOS or Macintosh format. Straight text (ASCII) or RTF files are preferred, although other file formats are acceptable. Please include your full name, a brief biography, and electronic mail address with all submissions. Please proofread your work carefully. Submissions that require excessive editing will be rejected. All writers retain the copyright to their stories. Each issue is copyrighted by the editor, but all future rights to stories remain with the authors. [Editor's note: Although they say all mss. should be submitted electronically, they don't have an E-mail address--nor could I find a snailmail address on their web page! --Julia] [E-mail from Circuit Traces (Guidelines@ctraces.com) received 8 Jul 98] =Crystalline Sphere Publishing= [Canadian publisher, novels SF/F 50,000 to 90,000 wds, no E-mail subs] Dave Switzer, Editor Crystalline Sphere Publishing R.R. #6, St. Marys, Ontario, Canada N4X 1C8 E-mail: csp@golden.net http://www.golden.net/~csp/guidelin.htm Submission guidelines Note: The editors are taking a break from reading in July and August. Please refrain from sending manuscripts until September. If you would like to submit something to Crystalline Sphere Publishing, please read over the appropriate guidelines before you do so: Crystalline Sphere Publishing Novel Guidelines We're planning on publishing our first novel in early 1999. We're currently looking for manuscripts of science fiction or fantasy novels. We only want to see novels that are not part of a series, and we're looking for shorter novels--roughly in the range 50,000 to 90,000 words. If you'd like us to consider your novel, send us the first two chapters as well as a synopsis of the rest. If we like it, we'll ask to see the rest. Do not send us anything if you're novel isn't already completed. Send us your synopsis and two chapters by mail. We do not accept email submissions of novels. Our email address is csp@golden.net, and our mailing address for all correspondence is Dave Switzer, Editor Crystalline Sphere Publishing R.R. #6 St. Marys, Ontario Canada N4X 1C8 Note to non-Canadian writers: If you're sending a SASE, do not send stamps from your country. They are useless outside your country. Send International Reply Coupons instead. Last modified: April 13, 1998 [From Crystalline Sphere Publishing website at http://www.golden.net/~csp/guidelin.htm] =Challenging Destiny= [magazine from Crystalline Sphere publishing, Canadian, quarterly, SF/F, no H, 2000-10,000 wds, 1 cent Canadian/wd., E-mail subs okay] Dave Switzer, Editor Challenging Destiny R.R. #6, St. Marys, Ontario, Canada N4X 1C8 E-mail: csp@golden.net http://www.golden.net/~csp/guidelin.htm Submission Guidelines We're a quarterly magazine that publishes new science fiction and fantasy short stories. What's our definition of science fiction and fantasy? It's as broad as yours is, so if you think it's sf or f then we guarantee we won't reject it because it doesn't fit our definition. We're not looking for straight horror stories at this time. What kind of stories do we want? Good ones, of course. We're interested in stories where violence is rejected as a means for solving problems. We're also interested in stories with philosophical, political, or religious themes. =Challenging Destiny= is a Canadian magazine and in it you'll find mostly Canadian authors, but we will publish authors from other places. We encourage first-time authors to send us their stories. We buy first North American serial rights, and currently pay authors 1 cent per word plus 2 copies of the magazine upon publication. Normally stories we accept are between 2000 and 10,000 words, although we will consider shorter or longer works. As for the format, any readable format is fine. You can send stories by mail or email. Our email address is csp@golden.net, and our mailing address for all correspondence is Dave Switzer, Editor Challenging Destiny R.R. #6 St. Marys, Ontario Canada N4X 1C8 Note to non-Canadian writers: If you're sending a SASE, do not send stamps from your country. They are useless outside your country. Send International Reply Coupons instead. Last modified: June 8, 1998 Crystalline Sphere Publishing Illustration Guidelines If you're interested in doing some illustrations for us, just send us a small portfolio of your work. Or if you've got some work on your web site, just send us the address. Later this year we'll be looking for cover illustrations and possibly interior illustrations for our first novel. Challenging Destiny is a magazine that publishes new science fiction and fantasy short stories. We commission 1 or 2 black & white pen & ink-type drawings to go with each of our stories. We currently pay $10 per illustration plus 1 copy of the magazine upon publication. If you would like us to keep you in mind for novel illustrations, or you want to illustrate a story for the next issue of =Challenging Destiny=, contact us by email or at our mailing address above. Note to non-Canadian illustrators: If you're sending a SASE, do not send stamps from your country. They are useless outside your country. Send International Reply Coupons instead. Last modified: June 8, 1998 Copyright (c) 1998 by Crystalline Sphere Publishing [From Crystalline Sphere Publishing website at http://www.golden.net/~csp/guidelin.htm] =Odyssey= [British print mag, SF/F 750 wds, 1500-12,000 wds, pays 20 to 40 pounds per 1000 wds, no sim subs, mult subs, E-subs] Liz Holliday, Editor Odyssey Magazine, 31 Shottsford, Wessex Gardens, London W2 5LG, UK E-mail: liz@gila.demon.co.uk http://www.jeapes.ndirect.co.uk/odyssey/ Fiction guidelines We want excellent sf and fantasy of all kinds. It's that simple. So how do we define "excellent"? Stories that engage the reader's mind and heart and soul; stories that have a point, without confusing that point with a message better written about in an essay; stories that have characters (humans, aliens, demi-humans) that readers can empathise with, or love, or love to hate; stories with plots that hold together without being predictable; writing that uses the depth and richness of the English language to good effect; stories that take us to worlds of the universe, of mythology or of the human heart that we've never visited before. Stories that will live in the minds of our readers at least until the next issue of =Odyssey= comes along. What don't we want to see? Well, we generally get a lot of psychological horror, so that's always going to be a hard sell. We don't want excessive gore at all or any gore if it's not absolutely necessary to the story. We absolutely don't want stories set in someone else's universe Star Trek, Babylon 5, Star Wars, Xena or whatever. Though we love good writing, we don't want stories that are just mood pieces, or which sacrifice story-telling to style (or vice versa). Word lengths Generally from 1500 to 12,000; query for longer. Also one short short per issue around 750 words. Non-fiction No unsolicited non-fiction, please. All columns are assigned in house. Please enquire about interviews and reviews. Format Double spaced, one side of white paper with 1 inch margins all round. Supply an approximate word count. Include your name and page number on each sheet. No simultaneous submissions. No multiple submissions. Include an SAE for our reply, or an unstamped addressed envelope and at least 2 IRCs or an e-mail address we can't reply without at least one of these. Rights and payment We buy first English Language serial rights plus an option on reprints. We ask for permission to include a brief extract on our web page. We expect to be paying around œ40 per thousand words (on publication), but in any event will not be paying less than œ20 per thousand. Payment can be made in British or US funds. Address for submissions Liz Holliday, Editor Odyssey Magazine, 31 Shottsford, Wessex Gardens, London W2 5LG, UK. Please do NOT send e-mail submissions. [From =Odyssey= website at http://www.jeapes.ndirect.co.uk/odyssey/] =Show and Tell Magazine= [Print mag, SF/F no H, any length--under 2000 best, pays $5 - $15 ($7 to $17 if subscriber), no E-subs] Guidelines for Submission "Because all fiction really shows and tells a story" Thanks for taking the time to understand what kind of content and genres you'll find in Show and Tell! You're submitting to an editorial partnership with a heart for writers. Unless it's a submission we've clearly prohibited, we read everything we receive. If you read our guidelines and you polish your story, you've got a good chance of being published. We're your basic desktop published, one-color product. Each issue is definitely eclectic; no two issues look or read the same way. But we're looking for classic fiction and filler poetry that will stand on its own. We buy First North American rights, second (reprint) rights, and one-time rights. We sponsor two contests each year. The themes are relationships and holidays (Christmas and Thanksgiving). Write our contest coordinator for entry form. Subscriptions are $22.00 a year, plus free issues of anthologies. GENERAL INFORMATION You are welcome to submit a fictional work of any length. If the story is over 5,000 words, it'll have to be considered a novella. But don't grab that monster story just yet; we'll only publish long work if it's superior. Any story over 2,000 words will be read with stringent attention. Maximum poetry is 30 lines. Keep it healthy; try to send us something with an upbeat message. The following constitutes taboos; if we spot these in your cover letter or on the first page we will send back your manscript, unread (if no SASE is included, then you'll never see it from us again). Horror themed fiction, including the occult: all work about witches, psychics, white or black magic, spirits, and anything of the spirit world. Lesbian or gay fiction. Pornographic or heavily sexual fiction, including theme about AIDS, extra-marital affairs, and the like. Fiction which espouses any cause or makes blatant political, social, or religious statements. No racist material or derogatory commentaries on the church or orthodox religion, including satires. ACCEPTABLE GENRES Mainstream: non-genre fiction dealing with a subject. Literary: Intelligent, non-formulaic fiction not especially dealing with any subject. Juvenile: witty, light stories written by either an under 21 author or an adult writer of juvenile fiction. Western: fiction revolving around historical settings. Romance: contemporary, historical, futuristic, and intrigue/adventure all welcome. Fantasy: anything not plausible in today's world. Convince us that it could happen. Science Fiction: futuristic plots and anything involving space travel. Be sure all aliens have developed personalities. Includes time travel. Humorous: satire and knee slapping stuff. What Now? Send complete manuscript with near perfect word count and genre. Include a SASE! Please include a cover letter with your fiction. A lot of editors don't read them or want them, but we'd like to know a little about your story, why you wrote it, where it came from, and a little about what you've written. Include a four to eight line bio on yourself as it would read if you were published. One poem to a page, please. Name and address on each page. Include a 4 line bio. No cover letter is necessary. No queries, electronic submissions, or nonfiction please. We publish profiles of contributors. It doesn't matter if this is your first published credit or one thousandth. If you want to be in the running for a Featured Author spot, then send your strongest cover letter with your best work. If we see something in your writing style, we'll feature you and your story in an issue. Be yourself (don't try to dazzle us) and be patient. We may notice you but it may take time for us to contact you for a spot. Payment Policies We do not pay for fiction. We give the author a small cash payment which is designed to help defray the author's mailing and supply costs for their submission to us. You are free to take your "payment" all in copies at half off the cover price of $3.00 (i.e. 3 copies @ $1.50 = $4.50's worth). If you wish to buy extra copies when your story is published, you also get the half off rate. Poetry: one contributor copy Fiction: non-subscribers: $5.00. Subscribers: $7.00 plus a free issue of quarterly anthologies. Featured authors: regular compensation plus $10 Interviews (editors and established authors only may query): if published, $10 WHERE TO SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS Submissions, subscriptions, and letters: Donna Clark, Editor 2593 North 140 West Sunset, Utah 84015 Submissions, Contests, and Poetry: Thomas Conger, Editor P.O. Box 11087 Salt Lake City, Utah 84147 [From The Market List, http://www.marketlist.com/gls/showandt.htp] MARKET INFORMATION =Aboriginal Science Fiction= In an editorial on the magazine's web page (dated 8 July 1998), Editor Charles C. Ryan says, "We hope to keep making improvements to the magazine as we rebuild its circulation. "Toward that end, we are hiring a management company to run the business side of the magazine DNA Publications. "DNA will take over business operations with the Fall 1998 issue. We hope the transition will be seamless. Beginning with the Fall issue, all subscription and change of address information will go to DNA, rather than here. Likewise, DNA will handle all of the renewal operations, so this is the last issue you can send renewals to our postal box. We will continue to produce the editorial material. "DNA has experience publishing =Absolute Magnitude= and =Dreams of Decadence=, and recently took over the business operations of =Weird Tales=. "One of the biggest problems small press magazines have is getting advertising. It is our belief that having these four publications under one operation will provide strength, enough strength to obtain advertising. "While =Aboriginal= is owned by The 2nd Renaissance Foundation, Inc., a not for profit 501 (C) (3) organization, that does not automatically put money in the till to pay writers, artists, printers, shippers, and the Postal Service all of whom must be paid to keep issues coming out on a regular basis. "Subscriptions alone don't really do it. If you make the subscription and renewal price high enough to pay for all the operations, fewer people subscribe or renew, because they can get publications that have advertising content at a cheaper price. In publications with 20 to 50 percent advertising, the ads subsidize the cost of the subscription. Though I suspect most of our readers don't want to know all that, any more than they want to know how their sausages or Jell-o are actually made. This joint operation will also allow each of the participating magazines to save money in mailings to gather new subscribers, which will make all of them healthier." [http://www.aboriginalsf.com/ednote58.htm, downloaded 14 July 98] =Ad Astra= Ad Astra no longer publishes fiction. [E-mail dated 9 Jul 98] MARKET LISTING Here's another market list on the web: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/sig/rsn/writers/ majormk.htm [Warning--the list does seem to be rather out of date] ==End of the CALLIHOO newsletter for 14 July 1998==