CALLIHOO Newsletter
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Vol. 6 No. 6             Editor:  Julia West        June 30, 1998
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                               NEWS

Ken Rand is at it again!  He won first place in the West Jordan
writing contest, novel division, for =Pax Dakota=, and second
place, short story division, for "The Clockwork Sheriff."  There
were 40 entries in four categories (including essays and poetry. 
Congratulations, Ken!

                        *   *   *   *   *

CALLIHOO had a wonderful time on the caving trip.  We went to
Goshute cave, an hour south of Wendover in Nevada.  The
CALLIHOOts who went were Julia & Brook West, Beverly Stuart
(without Holly, who was home with food poisoning <sniff>), and
Chris Weston, along with Chris' wife Kris.  John Halleck provided
good guidance for the group.  We ran into a group of Explorer
scouts emerging from the cave just as we arrived at the cave
mouth; then we had the cave to ourselves.  The hike up the
mountain was strenuous, with a rock climb (easy for rock
climbers, tough to impassible for hikers) of about 10 feet just
at the top.  John provided webbing as a rope substitute, which
made the climb possible.  

We left at 6:30 am, on schedule, and got back at 9:30 pm, having
traveled three hours each way, with a hike of two hours up and 1
1/2 hours down sandwiched on the trip.  We spent about three
hours in the cave itself.  

We all got muddy and tired, and everyone came away with some sore
muscles.  There were many cave formations to admire, narrow
places to wriggle through, and low places to bonk on.  We were
all, at some point, grateful for the hardhats.  We did lose track
of one member for an hour or so, but no one came to harm.  The
worst injuries of the trip were strained muscles (one each Julia
and Beverly) and a scraped elbow (Kris).  In short, a good time
was had by
all.
     --Beverly Stuart

Addendum by Julia:

I think we all have a MUCH better idea of what a real cave is
like now.  Very few long, straight, dry passageways.  Lots of
mud, low headroom, and passages leading off every which
direction.  Think in three dimensions--caves aren't
two-dimensional.  The best stuff is usually overhead.  Long
slippery slides =can= be climbed--much more easily than I
expected.  It's not that scary to turn off your lights--as long
as you know you can turn them on again <grin>.  Most places in
the cave didn't echo, but the mud deadened sound, so it was hard
to hear people yelling not that far away.

My favorite new discovery was "rattite" (don't know if that
spelling is correct).  It's a hard material made up out of rat
droppings and the like.  We found some, looking like tarry cave
formations, in the cave we were in.  John Halleck told us of a
cave that had been completely sealed shut by rattite, and they
couldn't hack, burn or blast through the stuff to open up the
cave!  [Note:  it's "rat ice"]

This was an excellent opportunity for "hands-on" experience for
our writing, and we'd like to do similar outings from time to
time in the future.

                            DEADLINES

Let me know if you need more information on the contests,
anthologies or magazines listed below.

=Tales From the Internet= E-zine, open for subs July 1-15, 1998. 
[H to 3500 wds, 3 cents/wd., E-sub mandatory, see
http://www.drcasey.com/literature/tales/submissions.shtml for
subm. information.  (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 5)]

=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 (œ6) 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

=Visionair=
(Subtitle: Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine)
Publishing company: VISIONAIR
Robinsonstraat 60, LEEUWARDEN, Leeuwarden, Netherlands 8923 
Ph: (0)58 267 17 44, Fax: 
URL: n/a

Information about the publication

Frequency: Quarterly
Venue: Offline only (print version only)
Format: Magazine
Pub. type: Consumer
Other format remarks: . 
Circulation: 5000, Established: 1998. 
Purchases 31-40 freelance articles per year. 
Description of publication: Dutch SF&F Magazine that publishes
translations of new and already-published English stories. 
Typical reader: Students and higher educated 20 to 40 year old
people
Editors: Mr. Klaas Wassenaar (Editor) wasse500@tem.nhl.nl 

Payment information

Pays: On acceptance
Payment rate category: Flat fee (give details below) 
Other remarks: Minimum payment of 1/4 US dollar cent per word.
Story lengths (three groups):  2000 or less words 2000 - 10000
words For these sizes just submitting work is sufficient. 10000
or more words, inquire before submitting work of this size. 

Copyright

Rights purchased:     n/a
Other copyright details:  * Rights to use the Dutch translation
for publication 

Submission information

Simsubs? Yes
Reprints? Yes
Unsolicited subs? Yes
Reprint restrictions, if any: 
Encourage new/unpublished writers?: No answer
Editorial lead time: 2 months
Seasonal lead time: 
Sample copy: Send $7 to the contact address 
Guidelines: Send SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope).
Guidelines URL: n/a
To subscribe: Send $25 to the contact address 
Response time: 4-7 weeks
Publishes manuscript approx 3-6 months after acceptance
Submission types:  Email submissions okay, No queries necessary,
Send complete mss
Columns open to freelancers: SF&F topics, writing (same for
stories)
Photos required? No

WORD LENGTHS:
Non-fiction: <3000 words
Fiction: 3 groups <2000 words, 2000-10000, and over 10000 
Poetry: n/a
Other comments: inquire before submitting work over 10000 words
long. 
Contributor's copy/tearsheet policy:
One copy is sent 

What we're looking for:

SF&F topics, writing

This listing last modified May 24, 1998.

[This is a sample of the guidelines information found at
http://www.inkspot.com/cgi-bin/guidelines/guide.cgi, downloaded
30 June 98]

                        MARKET INFORMATION

=Age of Wonder=
=Age of Wonder= has folded due to "personal problems" after one
issue.
[DarkEcho, 11 Jun 98]

=Alpha Drive=
=Alpha Drive= SF/F/H web magazine
(http://www.scvs.com/alpha/index.htm) is closed to submissions
'til 9/98.
[Scavenger's NL]

=Amazing Stories=
The rumor that =Amazing Stories= only wants stories available on
diskette is not true.

Per agent Linn Prentis, =Amazing= is not seeking to purchase
"dramatic rights," despite early Net rumors, and there is no such
clause in the contract.

Ms. Prentis also reports: "For anyone who may have been worried
about the indemnification clause in the standard =Amazing=
contract, it is being changed so that authors will not be liable
for Wizards [of the Coast's] costs in the event of a legal action
not judged a breach of warranty -- while, of course, making them
liable for costs (including costs of collecting) for breach."

A writer reports being rejected after four weeks with "the most
detailed and comprehensive rejection letter I've ever received. 
[Editor Kim] Mohan definitely read every word of the story and
took what must have been a good deal of time to explain what his
problems were with the story and why he was rejecting it.

"FWIW, he says that he's buying almost exclusively SF."
[Speculations Online #6]

=Event Horizon=
Event Horizon Web Productions, Inc., comprised of Ellen Datlow,
Pamela Weintraub, Robert K.J. Killheffer, and Kathleen Stein, has
acquired the name =Event Horizon= from the currently existing
webzine called =Event Horizon= for their sf/fantasy/horror
webzine launching in August at http://www.e-horizon.com/
eventhorizon. The previously existing webzine =Event Horizon=
will change its name. =Ellen Datlow's Event Horizon= will launch
in August with fiction by Pat Cadigan, a monthly non-fiction
column by one of four alternating contributors: Douglas Winter,
Lucius Shepard, Jack Womack, and Barry N. Malzberg. Ed Bryant,
Jim Freund, and David Thomer will host alternate weekly author
interviews. There will be links, and a bulletin board. Ellen
Datlow will write reviews that will later appear in her upcoming
Year's Best anthology. She may also regularly commission a
collaborative short story that will be written over a month or
two by four writers. =Event Horizon= will have monthly contests
and will launch with a mega contest sponsored by most of the
major sf/fantasy/horror publishers.
[DarkEcho, 25 Jun 98]

=Hellnotes=
=Hellnotes= horror newsletter has a new URL:
http://www.hellnotes.com/

=Indigenous Fiction=
Sherry Decker, Editor of =Indigenous Fiction=, says that issue #1
is full, so they are going to press as soon as possible. Now
reading for issue #2, and "by the time this update is read #2
will probably be half full."

"We want very human, believable characters in unbelievable
situations, tales with a surreal quality, cross-genre stories,
oddities, time travel, ghostly visitors, deja vu, chills, thrills
and spills in settings that are described so well we can smell
the cabbage cooking in your character's kitchen.  OR mainstream
stories with a 'magic realism' tone, but sorry--no gore.  If you
have a story that doesn't seem to 'fit' other magazines (but it's
well written) send it our way.  If it isn't right for I.F.,
you'll get it back at no great loss except for a little postage.
Our response time is still about three weeks, even though we're
now averaging 200-250 manuscripts per month."

2-issue Subscription: $12 - single issues $6.50.  Checks payable
to Sherry Decker, P.O. Box 2078, Redmond WA 98073-2078.
[DarkEcho, 25 June 98]

=Plot=
Editor Christina Russell (CalypsoPub@compuserve.com) says,
"=Plot= is going on indefinite hiatus after #9, our Special SF
Issue (due out April 30). Anything submitted now will be returned
unread."
[Speculations Online #6]

=Stygian Vortex Press=
"We're Terribly, Terribly Sorry But... due to circumstances
beyond our control, SVP will be going on a hiatus for an
indefinite period of time. We regret the inconvenience and
disappointment this will cause both our contributors and our
customers.

"We are making arrangements for the return of artwork sent by
contributors, for the sending of in-stock orders to customers,
and refunds to customers for orders which we will be unable to
complete.

"This has been a very tough decision for us, but we see no
alternative, as we have been unable to recover from a series of
disasters, financial troubles, and hardships following in the
wake of our moving troubles and litigation arising therefrom.

"We will be publishing again at a future date, but we are unable
to say precisely when that will be. Unfortunately, most of our
currently planned titles will never see print. If you desire a
refund, please contact us. We will be publishing at some point in
the future, so if you choose, we will give you credit towards
future purchases in lieu of a refund. Refunds may take a while to
arrive, as we are currently in the midst of some financial
hardship.

"We will still be publishing a compilation of Frank O. Dodge's
stories, and also producing chapbooks from time to time.

"Vortex Printing will still be here for your printing needs. We
haven't stopped printing, just publishing for the time being.

"This has been a very hard decision to make. We've been doing
this for several years now, worked very hard to come so far, and
have been blessed with some of the best contributors and friends
anyone could ever ask for. Unfortunately, external matters have
reared their heads, and we've found ourselves in a situation
where we simply cannot afford to produce our publications.

"Please check back from time to time. We will still be
maintaining an internet presence (thank heavens for Mindspring's
inexpensive, quality internet service). When we are able to begin
publishing again in the future, you will likely find the
information here first. We will also provide updated contact
information if necessary.  We're not going away for good... just
until we get things sorted out.

"To all our wonderful and loyal contributors and customers and
friends in the small press community... thank you for all the
support and patience you've shown, and please know that we are
very very sorry to have come to this turn. SVP has been central
to our lives for several years, and to have to give it up is
awful. Given recent events, we simply cannot see any way to
continue.

"Shadowfire Press may continue to produce evernight online on an
irregular basis."
[http://www.mindspring.com/~stygian/]

=Weird Tales=
Paula Guran, editor of DarkEcho horror newsletter, says, "The new
=Weird Tales= is out and I spoke with editor Darrell Schweitzer
in New York City last weekend. He states that they are not as
backlogged with material as one might think and although they are
buying extremely selectively, they are still buying."
[DarkEcho, 11 Jun 98]

=Wetbones=
The magazine =Wetbones= has ceased publication for financial
reasons. Refunds have been mailed to all subscribers. Submissions
still trickling in, despite the fact that =Wetbones= has been
closed to unsolicited submissions for over a year, will be
considered for Gothic.Net and responded to as time allows. 
Questions can be sent to bonesmail@aol.com or snailed to
Wetbones, POBox 5410, Akron, OH 44333. The Web site will be
revised within the week.
[DarkEcho, 25 Jun 98]

                         MORE GUIDELINES

Inkspot Writers' Guidelines Library is online at    
http://www.inkspot.com/cgi-bin/guidelines/guide.cgi

These are not specifically science fiction or fantasy, but all
sorts.  There are 140 guidelines currently online, and Debbie Ohi
Ridpath, editor of =Inklings=, would like volunteers to type in
and maintain (make sure they're current) other guidelines.

NEED A CHARACTER NAME?

Check out the World Wide Web for the Eponym name lists--mostly
links to all kinds of name lists, databases, and search engines. 
Great when you're stuck for the perfect name for your character. 
Fun to play with, too!
http://student-www.uchicago.edu/users/smhawkin/names/

A "surrealistic" baby name generator:  Names are generated by
performing a Markov Chain analysis of the real baby names in our
database, then spewing out statistically similar names based on
this analysis.
http://www.ingress.com/~drnerve/nerve/pages/interact/
dadababy.shtml

         ==End of CALLIHOO newsletter for 30 June 1998==