CALLIHOO Newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------- Vol. 6 No. 19 Editor: Julia West September 29, 1998 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS Check the CALLIHOO website at http://www.sff.net/people/ julia.west/CALLIHOO/index.htm for the newest updated market list. I'll try to do them more often from now on! If you'd like me to E-mail the list to you (it's over 200 K in several different files, but will get smaller ZIPPED), it's in WordPerfect 6/7/8 format for Windows or Acrobat .pdf. If format is not specified I'll send the .pdf. DEADLINES Let me know if you need more information on the contests, anthologies or magazines listed below. 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 [SF/F 2,000 - 7,500 wds, $5.00 entry fee 1st subm, $2.00 thereafter, unpublished writers.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)] =Dark Annie= issue #2 deadline 31 October 1998. [Genre E-zine, to 5,000 wds, 1/2 to 1 cent/wd. on accept. Reprints okay, snailmail or E-mail submissions. E-mail darkannie@aol.com Editors: Eva Harstein and Elizabeth Watts, P.O. Box 566, East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 17)] =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)] =Out of the Shadows & Into the Night= anthology, deadline 15 November 1998. [Horror: weird tales of the modern age, pays 6-1/2 cents/wd., half on accept, half on pub. 3000-10,000 wds. Prefer E-mail subm. to HorrorAnth@aol.com; snailmail to Pamela Keesey 3024 14th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55407. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 18)] The =Amelia= Science Fiction/Fantasy Award deadline is 15 December 1998. [SF/F to 3000 wds, $100 prize. Entry Fee: $5 each. Amelia Contests, Frederick A. Raborg, Jr., Editor, 329 "E" Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304-2031. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 17)] =Scaremongers 3=, British horror anthology, deadline 31 Dec 1998. [non-trad. H to 6,000 wds, œ15/1000 words on pub., E-mail subs fine. Anthony Barker, Editor, 1st Floor, Alpha House, Countesthorpe Road, South Wigston, Leicester LE18 2PJ ENGLAND, E-mail jennie@tanjen.demon.co.uk, Web site: http://www.tanjen. demon.co.uk. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 12)] =Writers of the Future=, 1st quarter 1999, deadline 31 December 1998. [$1000 first, $750 2nd, $500 3rd place. No entry fee. L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, P.O. Box 1630-JBW, Los Angeles, CA 90078. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 10)] =Pulp Eternity= Volume 4: The Price of Magic, deadline 1/15/99. [SF/science fantasy, etc. (not traditional fantasy) to 3500 wds, pays 3 cents/wd. on pub. Steve Algieri, Senior Editor, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003, E-mail: eternityol@aol.com; http://www.pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 18)] =Pulp Eternity= Volume 5: Unthemed issue, reading time: 1/1/99 - 4/1/99. [Any genre, to 10,000 wds, but most under 5000, pays 3 cents/wd. on pub. Steve Algieri, Senior Editor, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003, E-mail: eternityol@aol.com; http://www.pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 18)] =Pulp Eternity= Volume 6: Women of Empowerment. Reading time 4/1/99 - 7/1/99. [Female viewpoint to 10,000 wds, but most under 5000, pays 3 cents/wd. on pub. Steve Algieri, Senior Editor, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003, E-mail: eternityol@aol.com; http://www.pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 18)] =Pulp Eternity= Volume 7: Alternatives II/Cyberpunk. Reading time 7/1/99 - 9/1/99. [Alt. sexuality and cyberculture, to 10,000 wds, but most under 5000, pays 3 cents/wd. on pub. Steve Algieri, Senior Editor, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003, E-mail: eternityol@aol.com; http://www.pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 18)] =Pulp Eternity= Volume 8: I Am Cat. Reading time 9/1/99 - 12/15/99. [Cat stories, to 5000 wds, pays 3 cents/wd. on pub. Steve Algieri, Senior Editor, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003, E-mail: eternityol@aol.com; http://www. pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 18)] MARKET GUIDELINES =15 Minutes E-zine= [Webzine, fiction to 250 words, pays $10-$20, 1000-1200 words, pays $20, submit only by E-mail] http://www.15minutes.com/Directions/guide.html Submit@15minutes.com We're accepting submissions for a wide range of writings. We have several basic options---all of which pay cash-ola! First is the "15 minutes essay," which is each issue's longest piece. The topics vary greatly from issue to issue. A second choice is the "15 minutes Short Story," our contribution to the world of fiction. And finally there are our regular columns. See below for descriptions of each category. By the way, we only accept submissions via e-mail. Please list the type of submission in the subject header. Thanks. 1. Cover Story The "15 minutes essay." Each issue features a 1000-to 1300-word cover story. These stories can take the form of satire, reporting, editorial, whatever. They are "cultural" in subject, but this is "cultural" very loosely defined. So far, we have covered subjects as disparate as strippers, cyber-hippies, hitchhiking, credit card culture, and Miss America. We are trying to keep them a bit offbeat and fun. We prefer essays that have a lot of quirky details and witty anecdotes, all wrapped around a little social commentary. And since we aren't "reporting," feel free to jazz up your essay with fictitious info. If you have already written something that you think might fit, please send it in. Also, if you aren't sure if a subject would fit, e-mail us first. (We pay $40 for the essays we publish.) 2. Short stories The "15 minutes Short Story." We like short stories! Reading them. Imagine that. That's why we're looking for 1000-1200 words of "entertaining" and "artful" stories from writers who aren't bored with what they write and who like to read short stories too. Imagine that. (We pay $20 for the stories we publish.) 3. Regular Columns The "Regulars." Each issue contains regular columns. They are based on certain topics and are usually written by the same people, as is the case with "Gerg & Zub's Fast Food Review" and "Mudflap Girl." Other regular columns, such as "A Postcard from . . . ," or "The Cynical Consumer," are open to different writers. See below for established columns that are open to different contributors. Also, if you have your own column concept, send it in with a first example already prepared. (We can prepare the graphics.) (We pay $10 to $20 for the columns we publish.) Here is a list of columns that are open for contributors. We pay 10-20 bucks per piece! SHORTSHORT STORIES: Fiction with a Short Fuse (250 words). This series is made up of stories that can touch the heart and mind in the time it takes to microwave a frozen dinner. We are looking for complete tales, not just fragments of longer pieces. The first entries consisted of a witty one-act play and a 200-word spoof on hard boiled detective novels. We plan on keeping them on the lighter side, with an O. Henry punch at the end. "JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM" : Possibly True Crime Stories!! (800-900 words). It seems everyone has some crime story to tell, either a personal experience or something that happened to a "friend of a friend." This column is open for anyone who wants to relate their personal experience or just wants to make one up! It doesn't matter, just so long as it makes good reading. MOFO NATURE: : Life as a Social Animal (300 words). We have run this column thrice in the past and are looking for someone to continue the series. The general theme is comparing animal and human behavior, but in a witty way. We would like to run one every six weeks. THE SIMPLE CITY REVIEW (800-900 words). This column "reviews" different cities around the world, but from a quirky angle. For example, the first column on Seattle emphasized the city's extensive connections with birds. This is a perfect column to have a different writer for each city. We'd like to review cities both here and abroad. THE CYNICAL CONSUMER (700-800 words). This column is a catch-all for any writing about our consumer society. Past subjects have included the joys of spinach and the evils involved in buying a home appliance. Submit your work or questions to Submit@15minutes.com. [From the website at http://www.15minutes.com/Directions/ guide.html] DNA Publications guidelines http://www.sfsite.com/dnaweb/guide.htm [Guidelines for =Absolute Magnitude=, =Dreams of Decadence=, and =Weird Tales=] =Absolute Magnitude= [Printzine, quarterly, SF from 1,000-25,000 wds; 3,000 to 8,000 wds. best. 1-5 cents/wd. on pub.] Editor: Warren Lapine SEE NEW ADDRESS BELOW =Absolute Magnitude= is a full-sized, quarterly science fiction magazine. We do not use fantasy, horror, satire, or funny science fiction; while we will not reject the following out of hand, they are almost impossible to sell to us present tense, police procedural, time travel, clones, alternate history, or stories with religious overtones. We're looking for character-driven action/adventure based technical Science Fiction stories from 1,000-25,000 words; 3,000 to 8,000 words are best. We want tightly plotted stories with memorable characters. Characters should be the driving force behind the action of the story; and should not be thrown in as an afterthought. We need to see both plot development and character growth. Stories which are resolved without action on the protagonist's part do not work for us; characters should not be spectators in situations completely beyond their control or immune to their influence. The ideal Absolute Magnitude story will have the plot resolution and character growth tied together. That is, the plot resolution will happen as a result of character growth, or vise versa. Payment: 1 to 5 cents per word on publication for First English Language Serial Rights. All rights revert to the author upon publication. Send submissions to: Absolute Magnitude, SEE NEW ADDRESS BELOW =Dreams of Decadence= [Printzine, quarterly, vampire fiction (DF/H) 1,000 - 7,000 wds, 1-5 cents/wd. on pub.] Editor: Angela Kessler SEE NEW ADDRESS BELOW =Dreams of Decadence= is a quarterly digest devoted to vampire poetry and fiction. Fiction: Looking for atmospheric, well-written stories, 1,000 7,000 words. The emphasis is on dark fantasy rather than horror. Vampires may be either protagonists or villains, but in either case characters should be well-developed. We want to see original ideas and story concepts, not rehashes. I like stories that take the traditional concept of the vampire into new territory, or offer a new perspective. The following are NOT STORIES; please do not send them to me: * Someone becomes a vampire; * Vampire feeds; * Vampire gets laid; * Vampire gets staked. If that is all that happens in your story, this is NOT the market for it. It is okay for any of those things to happen in a story, but none of those is a sufficient plot. "Vampire feeds" is equivalent to "Someone eats a hamburger": It happens all the time, but it doesn't make much of a story. I like elegantly-crafted, poetic prose with a Gothic feel, but remember: stories do need well-developed characters and plot no matter how lovely the writing style may be. Payment: 1 to 5 cents per word for original fiction. In general, reprints will be considered on a for-copy basis and only if last published at least two years ago. Poetry: Looking for all forms; however, the less horrific and the more explicitly vampiric a poem is, the more likely it is to be accepted. I believe that "horror poetry" is an oxymoron, at least within my editorial worldview, and do not buy it. Payment: contributor's copy. Send submissions to: Dreams of Decadence, SEE NEW ADDRESS BELOW =Weird Tales= [Printzine, F to 10,000 words, 3-6 cents/wd on accept.] Editor: Darrell Schweitzer 123 Crooked Lane, King of Prussia PA 19406-2570 "Please keep in mind our magazine's title. We almost never buy a story or a poem which has no fantasy content; we hardly ever buy sf which lacks fantasy elements. But this leaves room for an extraordinary range of fiction and poetry: Robert E. Howard's Conan the Cimmerian and modern swordplay & sorcery were born in =Weird Tales=. H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, Miskatonic University and all, is welcome to our pages, as are stories set in fantasy-worlds of your own invention. We're looking for the best in fantasy-based horror, heroic fantasy, and exotic mood pieces plus the occasional odd story that won't fit anywhere else. We want to please our readers with superior writing and to surprise them with new ideas. To this end, we will occasionally publish a story in which the ominous, eldritch, and/or squamous horrors waiting to pounce turn out to be quite innocuous. We almost never use material already published in the US." Story elements we see much too often: "We don't object to corpses nor to tragic endings, but protagonists who exist only to wallow in woe and then succumb quietly to an undeserved doom really don't belong in WT. Your protagonists must at least try to cope, and must try to change something, even if the outcome is tragic. Stories whose only point is that the world is a dreadful, dreadful place tell our readers what they already know; people read WT to escape from everyday futility, not to be splattered with more. Mere description of a horror is not as effective as telling a story about people trying to cope with it, successfully or not. Believable, often sympathetic people make horror stories scary, while standard-issue, cardboard villains who come to a (usually predictable) bad end do not. "Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with stories about classical vampires, deals with the Devil, formalities of the Hereafter, or people eating people (and vice versa); but our readers have already seen stories based on these ideas. If you wrap a story around an old, familiar idea, add something new and different! A story never surprises readers if all it does is reveal, as a 'surprise' ending, that the protagonist is a vampire, or that he finally noticed he's been dead since page 2. Please remember that Weird Tales is a fiction magazine; the Real Inside Truth About The Occult belong elsewhere, as do real-life ghost sightings and almost anything about airborne crockery and/or alien abductions." To Sum Up: "Most stories rejected by any fiction editor are rejected for 1 or more of these flaws: 1. Lack of a clear, consistent POV. 2. Too much exposition and too little narration, esp. at the beginning. 3. Failure to establish the characters' identity and setting, in both time and place, early in the story. 4. Characters so uninteresting, unpleasant, or unconvincing that the reader simply doesn't care whether or not those characters get eaten alive (or worse) on stage. Characters who don't even try to cope with their problems (your protagonists should protag!). 5. Plots that fail to resolve (tragically, happily, or otherwise) problems or conflicts, but just present them. Plots with neither problems nor conflicts. Plots based on ideas so old and tired that the ending is obvious halfway down page 1. Plots that cheat readers by holding back information for a 'surprise' ending." To 10,000 wds; pays 3-6 cents/wd, on acceptance for 1st NASR and anthology option. "Most of what we buy is shorter than 8000 wds. We do not serialize novels. We have no min. length. Short-short stories (less than 1000 wds or so) are very hard to write, but they are easy to sell. Cover letter? No more than 1 page long, and only if you really want to; remember that editors don't buy cover letters; they buy stories. Don't distract an editor by telling him how good your story is, or spoil the suspense by giving a synopsis. Do not attach your bibliography or resume; you may cite 2 or 3 earlier sales in the body of that 1-page letter. Then get out of the way and let the story sell itself." Weird Tales, 123 Crooked Lane, King of Prussia PA 19406-2570 * * * Questions regarding any of our publications should be sent to - DNA Publications, ADDRESS BELOW Questions regarding subscriptions should be sent by mail to our subscription address. Copyright 1998 DNA Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide http://www.sfsite.com/dnaweb/guide.htm EDITOR'S NOTE: DNA Publications has a new address: DNA PUBLICATIONS, INC. P.O. Box 2988 Radford, VA 24143-2988 Publisher: Warren Lapine All submissions to =Absolute Magnitude= and =Dreams of Decadence= should go to this new address. (540)633-2220; fax: (540)633-0989 email: dnapubs@i-plus.net =E-Scape= [Webzine, SF/F/H, 500-5,000 wds, 1 cent/wd., E-mail subm. okay] Co-editors Marie Loughin and David Phalen 1228 Westloop #356 Manhattan, Kansas 66502 dphalen@interink.com http://www.interink.com/escape.html =Escape= is an electronic magazine of speculative fiction. We consider all forms of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and any combination thereof. Naturally, some limits are placed on this wide open format by our personal biases and tastes: Science elements in science fiction should be convincing and should support rather than dominate the plot. Horror is more horrifying if the reader cares what happens to the characters, and horror makes a better story if it is carefully plotted. Also, we'd rather be scared than disgusted. Fantasy stories, especially those set in traditional fantasy milieus, need to contain enough fresh elements to keep us from thinking we've already read the story dozens of times. We are not interested in shared world stories, or stories set in worlds not of your making. We will not publish stories containing gratuitous sex, violence, or gore. Payment is 1 cent/word for fiction. Length must be between 500 and 5000 words. We buy first serial rights and first electronic rights with an option on nonexclusive anthology rights. Do not query before sending fiction. Postal (snail mail) submissions are preferred for manuscripts originating in the U.S. Please include SASE for response (or you won't get one). E-mail submissions must be sent to Dave Phalen at dphalen@interink.com as a text file or in a format compatible with Word 6.0. Foreign submissions should be made electronically if possible. E-mail to Dave Phalen as described above. Postal submissions from foreign countries must include postage in the form of international response coupons. Canadians please include U.S. postage stamps if available. Please include your postal mail address, e-mail address (if you have one), and word count on the first page of the manuscript. Author's name, manuscript title, and page number should appear on every page. Double space, using one-inch margins and a reasonable font size. We are interested in book reviews and interviews, but do not pay for nonfiction material. Address queries to Dave Phalen or at the address listed below. (Include SASE.) Artists: We are looking for artistic pieces that would fit into the speculative fiction category, including but not limited to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Interested artists should examine issues of our magazine to see how we utilize artwork. Issues are available free of charge at our web site http://www.interink.com/escape.html. We are looking for: Original, unpublished, color art suitable for the Journal's cover. Illustrators for magazine stories. We are not looking for fill art at this time. We will only consider artwork available in IBM compatible digital format. The =Escape= Art Director will work with artists to select a format that is most convenient for both parties. Cover artwork should be suitable for 8 1/2" by 11" presentation. The acceptable formats include 24 bit color, 256 color, or greyscale graphic files in GIF, JPEG, or TIFF. Specifics: 1. Payment is $25 per illustration and $50 for cover artwork for first serial rights and first electronic rights with an option on nonexclusive anthology rights. 2. We also provide the "BioSphere", a page at our web site where you may post biographical information and links to your own web site. 3. Please consider our format when preparing your illustration. If you choose to work in color, remember that some readers will be printing the magazine in black and white. 4. Bright, contrasting colors show up better on a computer screen than dark, "mood" colors, especially for foreground subjects. Good examples of color-use in published pieces include Robot by Barry Munden, In the Manner of Trees by Peter Sharpe, and The Faerie Queen by Peter MacDougall. 5. File size is an important factor. Since our goal is to keep each issue under 1.44 MB, please limit artwork to a maximum size of 150K for illustrations and 300K for cover pieces. All other correspondences can be addressed to Marie Loughin at escape@interink.com or at the address below. (Queries should include SASE.) Subject headings on email should reflect the nature of the message (e.g. "Query" or "Letter to the Editor"). Manuscripts and any correspondences may be sent to: Escape 1228 Westloop #356 Manhattan, Kansas 66502 [From website at http://www.interink.com/escape.html] =Fogfire Webzine= [Webzine, sf/f/h 1,000 - 12,000 wds. 1/4 to 1 cent/wd. to $40 max.] Short Fiction, Poetry and Art 15127 NE 24th St., Suite 123 Redmond, WA 98052 Submissions@fogfire.com http://www.fogfire.com Guidelines (revised 7/98) Due to an overwhelming response, all submissions emailed or postmarked after May 1st will be returned unread. Submissions re-open September 1st*, until I get filled up again. I will always have the current status of submissions posted in the Info section of Fogfire.com. Publication Calendar: December/January Theme: Winter/Christmas Submission Deadline: November 1st February/March Theme: Love Submission Deadline: January 1st *Stories for Halloween and Christmas issues can be submitted immediately. The words "Halloween" or "Christmas" should be in the Email subject or printed on the mailed envelope mailed. Desired Material: This publication is focused on Short Fiction and Poetry. Nothing overly erotic or overly violent will be accepted. So, don't send it. This includes poetry. =Fogfire= now has three published issues. Try reading the stories and poetry I have published to get a feel for what I like. The web address is FOGFIRE.COM. The preferred browser is Internet Explorer 4.X or above. I am partial to those "Twilight Zone" style stories with just enough of the supernatural or unusual to make the characters squirm and show us what they are really made of. I prefer the genres of Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, and Humor. However, the stories should be focused on the characters and what makes them tick. Detailed dissertations on technology or killing techniques (in horror) are of little interest. I haven't found a good definition for poetry yet. So within the prescribed limits mentioned above, go for it. Length and Type: Short fiction: between 1,000 to 12,000 words in length. I am not currently looking at serialized novels. Poetry: up to 2000 words. If you think you have one that works over that limit go for it. Art:I have only had a couple of art submissions. I am still interested. Look at the publication Calendar and give it a shot. Rates: For fiction I pay from 1/4 cent to one cent per word to a maximum of $40. Poetry has a minimum of $5.00 per author per issue. For Art I will pay from $3 to $10 per illustration. Illustrations included with a story will be compensated at the art rates to the $40 maximum per story. Rights: I buy only the following rights: First time international serial rights, both print and electronic. (=Fogfire= is currently only published electronically, but I like to be the first to publish my material) Three year minimum non exclusive electronic rights (This is for the online archive of back issues, authors can request in writing after three years from initial publication for removal) I am also buying the option to include your work a printed anthology during the next three years. ( If chosen you will receive compensation equal to the original compensation, plus one author's copy.) All other rights are retained by the author. Materials sent which state available rights less than those mention will be considered last. If at all. Submission formats: I can accept the following formats: Text: MS Word, RTF, MS Works, WordPerfect, Zipped ASCII TEXT (Email programs mangle attached raw text. So please zip it) Art: BMP, GIF, TIFF, I prefer you not use jpeg as there is a loss of detail. Email submissions to: Submissions@fogfire.com US Mail: Text submissions should be sent on a PC formatted 3 1/2 inch floppy disk. Printed submissions will be reviewed after all submissions in electronic format due to extra work it takes to scan and proof read the scans. Art can be sent in camera ready format. PLEASE include an Email name for timely communication! Send submissions to: Fogfire Submissions, 15127 NE 24th St. Suite 123, Redmond, WA 98052 The Competition: During open submissions periods I am receiving 10+ submissions a month. I am publishing less than 25% of what I receive. Translation: Take the time it get it right. (Edit and Spell Check.) Sell yourself well in the cover letter or email. Be sure your submission meets my guidelines for Rights and Formats, otherwise it may not get considered. [From website at www.fogfire.com] MARKET INFORMATION =Avesta Blues/Angelus Press= A writer on Genie says, "I contacted Dawn [Albright, editor] about 2 months ago and asked her if =Dimensions of Madness= was still alive. She said yes, that she was taking a new job that would give her more time to do it. "Dawn has given . . . permission more than once to post her e-mail address . . .: dawnwich@world.std.com." [SFRT4, Cat 4, Top 6, 22 Sep 98] Another writer on Genie says, "Dawn hasn't been answering her e-mail in months. She never cashed the checks I sent her . . . (more than 1 year ago, so the bank'll no longer accept them) and she knew that they'd go unacceptable within 6 months 'cause I notified her and offered to rewrite them if they'd been lost in the shuffle, which she refused and just said she'd get on it, then silence, thereafter." [SFRT4, Cat 4, Top 6, 26 Sep 98] The Avesta Blues website, which used to be at http:// www.greyware.com/angelus/, is gone. =Speculative Fiction and Beyond= The bimonthly e-zine =Speculative Fiction & Beyond: The Magazine for Horror, Fantasy, & Science Fiction= (http://www.sfbeyond.com) is dead. The Web site will continue in some form or another but what that will be is unknown. [DarkEcho, 24 Sept 98] However, check out the free "Preview" E-zine at the site--Ken Rand has the beginning of a story there. . . (it says to get the rest you have to subscribe, but I don't know how that will work now!). ==End of the CALLIHOO newsletter for 29 September 1998==