CALLIHOO Newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------- Vol. 7 No. 5 Editor: Julia West June 22, 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Web page: http://www.sff.net/people/julia.west/CALLIHOO/index.htm ----------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS Utah writer M. Shayne Bell just sold a story to Ellen Datlow's Endangered Species anthology, and he just signed a contract for his Star Trek story, to appear in the September/October issue of =Amazing Stories=. Congratulations, Shayne! * * * Ken Rand's story, "The Glass Army," which originally appeared online at =Through Darkling Glass=, was among the top 25 stories in the Eternity Online "Best of the Web '98" contest. These stories will appear in a paperback anthology to come out later this year and are also available at the website, http:// www.pulpeternity.com/ Ken also sold "The Waiting Game" to =Quantum SF= and "The Find" to =Extremes=, a CD-ROM anthology. Way to go, Ken! DEADLINES Check out the CALLIHOO website, listed above, for more information on these contests, magazine issues, and anthologies. (Where it says "GLs in Vol. X No. Y," these are volume and issue of the CALLIHOO newsletter.) 41st Annual Utah Original Writing Competition, opens 10 May, deadline (postmarked) 25 June 1999. [Utah residents only. 4 novel-length categories, $1000 1st prize, $750 2nd; 3 short length categories, $300 1st, $200 2nd. =No entry fee=. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 46)] =Writers of the Future=, 3rd quarter 1999, deadline 30 June 1999. [$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)] =Hideous Progeny=, British theme anthology, deadline 30 June 1999. [What if Frankenstein succeeded? 1500-5000 words, pays L15/1000 wds. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 48)] =A Twist of the Knife= web anthology, received deadline 1 July 1999 [H/DF about traditional monsters with a twist, to 5000 wds, pays $10, reprints and sim subs okay, e-mail subm kirkwood@nucleus.com (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 35) ] The Calvino Prize, deadline 15 July 1999. [$10 reading fee, prizes $1,000 each and pub for spec fic novel, novella, short story. May enter once in each category. http://www. invisiblecitiespress.com/calvino.htm. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 48)] =Such a Pretty Face: Tales of Power & Abundance= anthology, deadline 31 July 1999. [SF/F/H to 5000 words, fat people in positive roles, 3-5 cents/wd., no E-mail subm. (GLs in Vol. 6 No.30)] =Eternity Online= Halloween Horror Issue, deadline 1 August 1999. [scary stories, incl. H/dark F/dark SF, to 5000 wds. No reprints. 1/4 cent/wd. to $50. eternityol@aol.com; http:// www.pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 38)] =ByLine= contest, 1st chapter of a novel - Deadline August 5, 1999. [Opening chapter of unpub. novel. Mainstream or genre; adult or YA audience. Maximum 25 pages. =Entry fee $5=. Prizes: $70, $35, $20. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 36)] =On Spec= Theme issue: Future Crime, deadline 31 August 1999. [SF to 6000 wds, pays to $180C. (GLs in Vol 7, No. 2)] =ByLine= Contest, genre fiction - Deadline September 4, 1999. [Short story to 5,000 wds, romance, sci-fi, confession, mystery, western, etc. No children's stories. =Entry fee $5=. Prizes: $50, $30, $15. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 36)] Technology: The Price We Pay Fiction Contest, deadline 1 October 1999. [Stories abt. technology, to 10,000 words, =no entry fee=, 1st prize $300 and pub in =Pulp Eternity=. (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 38)] The Isaac Asimov Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Writing, deadline 15 December 1999. [SF/F by undergrad. students in college or university, 1,000-10,000 wds, 1st place $500, =entry fee $5.00 per story=, no limit to number of entries per person. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 44)] =PRISM international= 15th Annual Short Fiction Contest 1999, deadline 15 December 1999. [Canadian contest, $2,000C 1st prize, 5 $200 runners-up (+pmt for pub), =$20 1st entry fee, $5 all others=, max. 25 pp. (GLs in Vol. 6 No. 44)] =Pulp Eternity= Volume 9: I Am Cat. Deadline 15 Dec 1999 or when filled. [SF cat stories, to 10,000 wds, pays 3 cents/wd. on pub. http://www. pulpeternity.com. (GLs in Vol. 7 No. 5)] =Starlight 3= anthology, deadline end of 1999. [SF/F, pays 7-1/2 cents/wd., no upper word limit, (GLs in Vol. 6, No. 38)] ANTHOLOGY =Nasty Snips= [British H antho, pays royalties, deadline 1 Sep 99, reprints and E-mail subm okay] Christopher Teague, editor c/o MT Enterprises, P.O. Box 12, Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, CF34 0XG chris@smb.clara.net Publication date: November, 1999 Deadline for submissions: September 1, 1999 Semi-pro A5 paperback, 200 initial print run, with an ISBN number. Needs: Horror - either psychological suggestion or visceral gore. Originals would be nice, but reprints acceptable. Length: Between 100 and 1000 words. Payment: Complimentary copy and royalty payment. Submissions can be by by snail-mail (either typed or on disk in ASCII or RTF format) (with return postage). Email submissions to be sent in straight-ASCII within the message itself. [DarkEcho, 10 June 1999] MARKET GUIDELINES =Pulp Eternity= [Quarterly print mag, SF/F themed, various lengths--usually to 3500 wds, pays 3 cents/wd., no longer accepts E-mail subm. No reprints. Sim and mult subs okay.] Steve Algieri, Senior Editor Pulp Eternity, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003 E-mail: pulpeternity@hotmail.com =Pulp Eternity=, the new cutting-edge journal of speculative fiction, mystery and fantastic romance seeks quality short fiction. We pay 3 cents a word for fiction plus one contributor's copy (additional copies $3, Issues 5-8), upon publication. We buy FNASR. No fan fiction, poetry or reprints, please. Simultaneous and multiple submissions OK. Important information about =Pulp Eternity=: 1. On January 1, 1999, we began to accept submissions for our next four issues. If you have a story that might fit these themes or hope to write one, please send it in early. I've decided to read for all four issues at once and close down subs to any particular issue that might fill up. Issues will remain open until filled. 2. Read the guidelines before you submit. Do not go over the word limit and do not query about longer pieces. PE features cutting-edge short fiction. I will be looking at longer stories but your best shot at publication rests with stories of 3500 words or less. We might have one or two longer stories per issue. The key here is "might." 3. Due to logistics and time constraints, I will no longer be able to accept email submissions after May 15, 1999. If you still wish to submit by email, query with you special circumstance. Otherwise, all submissions should now be directed to Pulp Eternity, PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA 30003. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 4. You can submit multiple entries in the same envelope for snail mail subs, as long as you include a separate cover letter and SASE for each story. 5. Cover letters are now optional. 6 Read this article: Getting Published in Eternity [below]. I amended and updated it on 5/17/99. Then frame it, memorize it -- live it. Not every writer will agree with my vision for this magazine. I don't mean to convert you, only save you time and stamp money. I don't think I can be any clearer than that about what I'm buying for both magazines. 7. I know what I like, when I like it. Stories don't grow on me; they don't need time to germinate in my mind (usually). That means I'm fast. I'm accepting simultaneous and multiple submissions now. I want your manuscripts first and you'll have an answer in a few days to a few weeks in most cases. Due to a protracted move, I've had limited time and computer access. I'm back on schedule and should be back to the shorter response times. 8. Issues 5-8 are almost filled. Send your final submissions in now. Pulp Eternity Volume 4 The Price of Magic This issue is now closed to open submissions. You can still submit to the Technology: The Price We Pay Fiction Contest and our Magic Poetry Contest, however. A list of selected stories can be found on the preview page [at the website]. Eternity Unbound Issues 5&8 This issue is closed to unsolicited submissions at the current time. However, we will reopen the issue later in the year for poetry and short-shorts. Please do not query about submissions to these volumes. A list of selected stories can be found on the preview page. Women of Empowerment Issue 6 This issue is closed to unsolicited submissions at the current time. However, we will reopen the issue later in the year for poetry and short-shorts. Please do not query about submissions to these volumes. A list of selected stories can be found on the preview page. Alternatives II Issue 7 This issue is closed to unsolicited submissions at the current time. Please do not query about submissions to this volume. A list of selected stories can be found on the preview page. I Am Cat Issue 9 Theme: We had so much fun with dragons, why not cats? Stories need not be written in a cat's point of view, but we'd like to see some of those, too. Black cats, cats in space, cat-like aliens, etc. are all acceptable. If written from other than a cat's point of view, at least one cat that appears in the story must be essential to the conflict/resolution process of the story. Word limit: Only 40% filled, so I'll look at longer stories to 10,000 words. General guidelines Submit a clean manuscript and tell us about yourself in a brief cover letter. Don't tell us about your story. Our current reading time is 15 days or less. We will usually comment on every manuscript received. We hope that this criticism is constructive. We never attack the writer. Sometimes we will offer suggestions and ask for a rewrite. We will never send a form letter. You are too important to us. We accept simultaneous and multiple submissions but not reprints. If you send in separate manuscripts, include SASEs for each. Canadian writers should include 52 cents postage or 1 IRC. From all other countries, include 2 IRCs please. Snail Mail: Use standard manuscript format. You must include your real name, address, telephone number, and pen name, if you use one. We require brief cover letter. We are very open to new and established writers. We prefer disposable manuscripts, but if you want your manuscripts returned be sure to include a return envelope with proper postage. Note if manuscript is available in electronic format. Send snail mail submissions to: Steve Algieri, Senior Editor, Pulp Eternity, PO Box 930068, Norcross GA 30003. Electronic Submissions: Due to the rising number of submissions, we cannot accept electronic submissions, except in special cases. Query me at pulpeternity@hotmail.com. Note the new address. The old email will not work in a few days, so note our new permanent email. We will, however, respond by email if you wish to save postage. [http://www.pulpeternity.com/gl/pulp.htm] Getting Published in Eternity (Amended) Steve Algieri, Eternity Senior Editor Now that I've read my 5000th manuscript for =Pulp Eternity=, I have clear vision about the type of stories that fit this market. During that time I've grown as an editor, writer, and publisher and I've watched many of you grow with me. It's a special thrill to see the successes many in the Eternity family have had during the last eighteen months. And you are family if you've submitted a story to me, if I've accepted your work or not. Today is a good time to share my thoughts on what an =Eternity= story is and, perhaps even more importantly, what you'll never find in =Eternity= or =Pulp Eternity=. Writing does not occur in a vacuum, and the best writers are not stagnant. I must also change, so here are my new thoughts. 1. I don't know what I like until I like it! Since I look for controversial and fringe fiction, I never expect the best stories that cross my desk. Which leads to... 2. When in doubt submit. Last time I looked, I'm the only editor on the masthead. So, writers, don't be stupid enough to do my job yourself. If you don't submit a manuscript to me, I cannot buy it. Don't worry if it fits, if it's good enough, or if I'll like it. 3. Guidelines are only guidelines. I only have a few absolutes and an open mind. Don't presume or assume. If it's good enough, I can bend the rules as I see fit. I love breaking rules BTW, especially if I made them. 4. Please don't query me whether or not I'd like to look at your story. Writing personalized rejections takes time and I don't have that much to devote online anymore. I understand that postage is expensive, but write the story and send it to me. 5. Please don't query about or send in rewrites unless I specifically request one in my rejection. I'd rather see your new stuff instead. 6. Cover letters are optional. 7. RULE #1. Child molestation and/or abuse. Child abuse is not scary. I don't want to read it and neither do my readers. It's an abomination -- and not speculative fiction at all. Save your postage. 8. RULE #2. Suicide. If your protagonist (or other important character) commits suicide, please don't send me the story. 9. Religious themes. Our name might sound religious, but I don't publish stories with decidedly religious themes. Spiritual and speculative mean two different things to me. 10. Graphic violence. Spurting blood is not scary. Mostly it's tasteless and boring. I want to be scared not splattered. However, that doesn't mean I won't publish a story with gore in it. If the violence is essential to the story, we are a market for it. 11. Graphic sex. I enjoy erotica and would love to publish more. I don't publish pornography, however. Keep it sexy, not smutty. 12. Present tense. What's the obsession with present tense all of a sudden? I have bought some PT, but from established writers with years of experience. I've found that PT rarely works and usually gives me a headache. My rule is simple: Is present tense essential to the success of your story? If it adds nothing or detracts from my experience, I'll reject it after the first page or two. You have about 500 words to endear me to this type of story. 13. Default settings. Don't name your setting lake town, small town, city by the mountain, etc. I want to know where you're taking me and why I'm there. Set your story somewhere and develop it. If you transport me to Chicago, I want to taste a Chicago dog and a deep-dish pizza. I want to know if your character likes the Cubbies or the Pale Hose. I want to walk on Waveland Avenue not Oak Street. If fantasy is your dig, create a world and submerge me in its wonders. 14. Stilted dialog. In about sixty percent of the stories I read, every character talks the same and usually sounds like Tom Brokaw or Connie Chung. Sometimes dragons, elves, aliens and monsters are not even safe. Forget what you learned in English class. Characters speak -- and think -- in short, choppy sentences. Rarely, will one character listen to another for three uninterrupted pages. New Yorkers speak differently than Southerners. Reflect those things in your dialog. 15. White-bread characters. Why are almost all the characters I read about ethnically challenged? How about some variety? All things being close to equal, I'll always select a story with some ethnicity over one without diversity. The ethnicity of your characters doesn't even have to be exotic. Irish to African, British to Egyptian, all are welcome in =Eternity=. Remember, everyone has an ethnic background. 16. Historical Fiction. Read my lips: I LOVE HISTORICAL FANTASY, ROMANCE, DARK FICTION AND MYSTERY. I don't get enough and want more. It has to be historically accurate, of course, but I am an active market for this type of fiction. I'd love to see more Celtic, Arabic, Far Eastern, African, South American and Native American fiction, especially. Can I be clearer? 17. Once it's done If I've covered a theme, I won't buy a similar story. So don't send in time travel, dragon or price of magic stories to the unthemed issues. Been there, done that. Alternative sexuality as a theme is always welcome. 18. Read the Guidelines. 19. Harlequins not couch potatoes. If your lead character doesn't change or affect real change on others or society, it's probably not an Eternity story. Your characters must solve their own problems and be active participants in the story. 20. Journal stories. I've only bought a few stories of this ilk, but find most boring. The literati love them, but I see little art in usurping the show-don't-tell rule by hiding behind journal entries or letters. My readers want action, dialog, and interaction not reams of narrative. 21. Active over passive. Basic English rule number 1: Subject then verb. Always choose the active voice over the passive except on those rare occasions you wish to set the tone. Then, the passive voice becomes a powerful tool rather than a construction that slows the reader down. 22. Where has all the SF gone? Because of the dearth of quality non-traditional fantasy markets, I receive a good number of excellent fantasy stories. Good SF, however, is a precious commodity for several reasons. First, there are more SF markets. Second, SF is much more difficult to write, especially hard and adventure SF. I'd like to see more SF stories set on distant words, in the far future and in space. I prefer hard and military SF to space opera, however. I'd also like to see more cyberpunk, especially of the erotic kind. 23. Our two newest genre categories. I haven't received too much romance yet and I'm looking for more. I'm starting to get some excellent cross-genre mysteries and need more. Don't forget the suspense/thriller aspect, also. This is a good way in the back door. Remember that I particularly like SF and fantasy combined with romantic or mystery elements. A good example of that is the dragon mystery I bought for Vol 2. 24. First person. A common misconception has been circulated regarding my dislike of first person. That is not the case. First person is so much more difficult to write than third, especially for new writers. The "I-itis" virus riddles most first person that I read. Stories with too many pronouns and I thoughts, I felts, I saws, I heards, etc. turn me off. How about some internal monologue, strong images and power verbs. Every pronoun brings you closer to rejection. 25. Issues. I like controversy. I don't fear tough issues; I embrace them. Unlike the Big 4, I don't care if my material offends chain stores. I want the stories others are afraid to publish -- and you're afraid to write. 26. Be persistent. If I reject your story, try again. I'm honest. If your work is off-target, I'll say so. Write me and I'll do my best to bring you into the Eternity family. 27. Read the online stories and buy a sample copy of =Pulp Eternity=. The online stories give you a feel for what I like and you can read them free. The stories in =Pulp Eternity=, however, are a bit stronger and have a harder edge to them. If you don't research your market, you're doomed to failure. 28. Finally, become involved in the magazine. I'll say this for all posterity. I go out of my way for those writers who read the online magazine, offer suggestions and rate the stories. If you really want to be in =Eternity= and =Pulp Eternity=, involvement is any writer's ticket in. I frown on writers who ask for my help, yet never contribute their time to me. Those who have become involved have already reaped benefits. I hope these simple rules of thumb bring you closer to publication. In 1999, I'll probably publish 100-150 stories in the markets I edit. Perhaps more if a few anthology deals I'm working on come through. I hope to see you in Eternity. Copyright 1999 Eternity Press [http://www.pulpeternity.com/gl/pulp2.htm] MARKET INFORMATION =Dark Annie= The webzine =Dark Annie= says that # 3: The Modern Myth, will be the final issue of the webzine. All those who submitted to the Apocalypse issue will receive individual notification; work purchased by =Dark Annie= will be published in issue 3 on July 1 and will remain up for the usual six-month period. [DarkEcho, 10 June 99] =Dialogue= The quarterly magazine for the visually impaired, =Dialogue=, no longer has a website at www.teleport.com/blindskl/. =Dreams of Decadence= The vampire-only quarterly magazine =Dreams of Decadence= has a new issue out, and its website is www.sfsite.com/dnaweb/drmspr99.htm. =Eidolon= Australian magazine =Eidolon= has a new URL: http://www.eidolon.net/ezine/. =Fogfire= The editor of =Fogfire says= of the website www.fogfire.com, "I must apologize for ignoring this site for so long. While I will not be publishing regular issues for a while until I find a way to balance my life better, I will keep this site up so that you can read the many wonderful short stories that I have already published." Under guidelines we find (dated July 1998), "NOTICE: NO submissions are being accepted at this time. "I am working on a final issue that will appear soon, but then =Fogfire= will be on hiatus for several months." [http://www.fogfire.com/] =FrightNet= According to editor Ivan S. Graves, the webzine =FrightNet Online Magazine= (http://www.frightnet.com), is currently closed to submissions until September 1, 1999. Issue #13 has been rescheduled to June 15, and #14 to Sept. 1. [DarkEcho, 17 Jun 1999] =HorrorNet= Matt Schwartz has announced he is discontinuing horrornet.com. "After stomach surgery laid me up for several months, rather than take it easy I proceeded to do two things that turned my life upside-down even more: I left my position at barnesandnoble.com to join an online comic book retailer called NextPlanetOver.com, which in turn is relocating me from New York City to San Francisco. It breaks my heart, but I basically don't have the energy right now to maintain HorrorNet. The site, including the chat and message boards, will remain up at least through the end of the year, but outside of some changes to author and publisher sites, it's essentially dead as a doorknob. Anyone with any questions can certainly contact me at Mspinner@aol.com" [DarkEcho, 17 Jun 99] =Pulp Eternity= Quarterly magazine =Pulp Eternity= has filled most of its upcoming volumes for the year. They now have a new E-mail address, pulpeternity@hotmail.com, but no longer accept E-mailed submissions. See above for full guidelines. [http://www.pulpeternity.com/gl/pulp.htm] =Weird Tales= Quarterly horror magazine =Weird Tales= has a new issue out, and its website is www.sfsite.com/dnaweb/wrdspr99.htm. ==End of the CALLIHOO newsletter for 22 June 1999==