posted Wednesday 23 July 2003

Argosy

Argosy, the classic US pulp magazine published (under various titles) from 1882 through 1943, is being revived by Coppervale International under Senior Editor Lou Anders. Contributors include Michael Moorcock, Harlan Ellison, Jeffrey Ford, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Andy Duncan, Kai Meyer, Ann Cummins, and Dr. Jean Houston, with illustrators Leo & Diane Dillon as cover artists, and Steve Rude (of Nexus comics) illustrating the interiors. Trade paperback-sized, each issue will be comprised of two volumes — the main magazine, and a seperately-bound novella — and will be packaged in an illustrated slipcase. At 200 pages, Argosy will initially ship on a quarterly schedule, carries advertising, and will retail for $12.00.

The Coppervale International website, inclusive of this and two other new magazines, will go online August 1 2003 at www.coppervale.com.

Argosy Submission Guidelines

Argosy is a literary magazine with a fantastical/surrealistic bent. We publish fiction and nonfiction, genre and non-genre. We are looking for science fiction, fantasy, mystery, crime, suspense, magical realism, slipstream, and interesting/edgy mainstream fiction. Regarding nonfiction, we are looking for "essays not articles," by which we mean, pieces that are not tied directly into current events. We are not interested in single book reviews or other time-sensitive topics, but are looking for essays which will be as interesting to read five years from now as they are today. We do not consider poetry. We do not reprint previously published material.

Fiction may be up to 40,000 words in length, nonfiction up to 10,000 words. Payment is 10 cents a word on acceptance. We buy First World English Rights and non-exclusive anthology rights. All other rights are retained by the author.

Please submit one story or essay at a time. We do not accept simultaneous submissions. Submit clearly typed manuscripts, double-spaced on 8x11 white paper, one side only. Brief cover letters are helpful. The submission must contain your name, address, telephone number and an email address (where one is available). Please indicate estimated word count on the top sheet of your manuscript.

We cannot respond to manuscripts that are not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Please indicate if you wish your manuscript returned, and provide appropriate postage along with a 9" x 12" envelope. Persons submitting from overseas should send a disposable manuscript (marked as such) along with a letter-sized SASE and an International Reply Coupon. We do not accept submissions via fax or email.

Send submissions to:

Lou Anders, Editor
Argosy Magazine
PO Box 43099
Birmingham, AL 35243

Neo-opsis

Neo-opsis [click on graphic for larger, animated logo] is an 8 1/2" x 5", quarterly science fiction magazine, published in Victoria BC, Canada. It is the publisher’s intention to create a new full time market for the works of science fiction writers. Interested writers can view the submission guidelines at www.neo-opsis.ca, or they can receive them via email, upon request, from neoopsis@shaw.ca. Guidelines for art submissions are listed as well. Writers or companies interested in using Neo-opsis as a venue to advertise to science fiction readers, can see the advertising rates at the web site as well, or request them via email. Those interested in supporting this new market by subscribing, can send cheque or money order to the address listed below ($24.00 in Canada, $28.00 in the US and $35.00 Overseas).

Karl Johanson
Editor
Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
4129 Carey Rd. Victoria BC
V8Z 4G5 Canada
(250) 881-8893
karljohanson@neo-opsis.ca

posted Wednesday 23 April 2003

Dark Dreams

DARK DREAMS A Collection of Horror & Suspense from African American Writers Edited by Brandon Massey

E-subs & info: story@brandonmassey.com

Submission Guidelines

We are witnessing an exciting time for African American literature. Stories of relationships, "drama," and family sagas routinely hit bestseller lists. Novels that explore our pivotal roles in American history are earning the acclaim of readers. Legal thrillers, mysteries, and science fiction are capturing a loyal audience, too. Now, it's time for horror fiction to claim its rightful place in today's African American literature.

African Americans have a rich cultural history--a history that is interwoven with colorful tales that defy logic and can only be deemed, "supernatural." Remember, back in the day, hearing an older relative speak of seeing a ghost? Or perhaps someone in your family was born with a caul, a birth condition that, according to folklore, foretold that a child would have a psychic gift? How about our African tribal roots, and the spirit worlds and entities that were accepted as part of everyday life?

Since the dawn of time, the supernatural has been intricately linked to the "natural," to explain the unexplainable, to illuminate mysteries, to teach (and to threaten), and to inspire hope in something greater than the ordinary world of the five senses.

But horror--the literature that embraces the supernatural and the world beyond our senses--has often been misunderstood. Far from being a crude sort of fiction that glorifies death, violence, and pain, a horror story can illustrate ambitious ideas and tackle profound questions, in a direct manner that no other fiction can match. Such as: Life After Death. Good versus Evil. God and the Devil. The only limitation to what's possible resides in the mind of the writer spinning the tale.

The right to create these daring, intriguing yarns doesn't rest solely with Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice, and Clive Barker. African American writers, too, have some bold, creative stories to tell that reflect our vibrant culture and history.

And now, it's time to show the world . . .

"DARK DREAMS: A Collection of Horror and Suspense from African American Writers," is the first anthology of its kind. As the first collection dedicated to horror and suspense fiction by black writers, this groundbreaking anthology will showcase the works of established, emerging, and talented new authors--and in the process, demonstrate the exciting ability of horror and suspense fiction to not only make readers' hearts pound, but to provoke deep thought and challenge readers to view the world in a new light.

Much like DARK MATTER, the landmark anthology of speculative fiction, DARK DREAMS will highlight the considerable imaginative talents of contemporary African American writers. It will cultivate the enormous, untapped potential of the horror and suspense genres in contemporary African American literature -- much to the delight of readers. Finally, the future is now.

Between fifteen and twenty writers will be featured, including bestselling authors Zane and Tananarive Due.

CONTENT: The primary requirement is that the story contain a powerful element of horror and/or suspense. This includes the supernatural-- tales of ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and other creatures are welcome. Also invited are works of "real world" horror, i.e., psychological suspense, and dark fantasy.

Accepted stories will be original, entertaining, well-written, imaginative, and profound. I am looking for brilliant stories that will push me to the edge of my chair; tales that will send chills down my spine; works that will linger with me long after I have finished reading them. Stuff that will find its way into my dark dreams.

DARK DREAMS is an open anthology. All African American writers are welcome to send their work.

LENGTH: I suggest approximately 4,000-8,000 words; however, I am flexible on this point. Outstanding work will not be returned simply because it exceeds or falls below this guideline. Do what you must to tell your story well.

FORMAT: E-mail submissions only. Send your story in Microsoft Word file format or Rich Text. The story should be double-spaced, with standard 1" margins.

Please include a bio and a photo of yourself. Multiple submissions are accepted. Incomplete submissions will be returned.

E-mail your story, along with your bio and photo, to the above e-mail address.

I will acknowledge receipt of your submission.

DON'T: Send previously published work or poetry.

DO: Send your best work(s) only!

DEADLINE: The submission deadline is 1 August 2003. Kensington Publishing Corp. will publish the anthology in trade paperback in late 2004/early 2005. I strongly recommend that you submit your work early, before most of the slots are filled and there is less time to work with you on revisions.

TERMS: Monetary payment will be offered to those writers whose work is selected for publication. A flat fee of $150 will be paid to contributors.

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Brandon Massey was born June 9, 1973 in Waukegan, Illinois, and grew up in nearby Zion. He is the author of THUNDERLAND, winner of the Gold Pen Award for Best Thriller from the Black Writers Alliance. Originally self-published, THUNDERLAND was republished by Kensington Publishing Corp. in December 2002 and is earning enthusiastic reviews from readers worldwide. Brandon's short stories have appeared in the anthologies, AFTER HOURS: A Collection of Erotic Writings by Black Men (Plume, July 2002) and PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE (Kensington, June 2003). His next novel, DARK CORNER, an epic vampire thriller, will be published by Kensington in January 2004.

Brandon currently resides in Atlanta. For more information on his writings, visit his website at www.brandonmassey.com

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN DARK DREAMS!

posted Tuesday 8 April 2003

Leviathan 4

World Fantasy Award finalist Ministry of Whimsy Press will be reading for the fourth installment of its British Fantasy Award and Philip K. Dick Award-finalist original fiction anthology series Leviathan from April 7th to June 30th. The anthology will be edited by Forrest Aguirre. Submissions should be 5,000 to 20,000 words long. Please adhere to the minimum and maximum word count. Maximum payment of $250 per accepted piece. Leviathan 4 is a themed anthology-- The theme is "Cities". We are looking for previously unpublished stories where a ciity or cities is (are) so critical to the success of the story that the tale utterly fails if moved to another location, real or imagined. The works we publish might be described as surreal, decadent, experimental, slipstream or magically real, but with a strong literary sensibility. Tales for Leviathan should contain some fantastical element, however slight, with a strong sense of atmosphere and! word-crafting throughout. We are not afraid of experimentalism, but do note that our readers appreciate some sense of linearity, though this sense might be minimal. Remember, a city must, in essence, be a character, be the plot, be the ouvre of the work. Please do not send ANY stories that feature such traditional tropes as vampires, werewolves, zombies, or faeries. Traditional science fiction, hardcore horror, sword and sorcery, and stories in which humor is the primary element stand little chance of acceptance. Monkeys, small children, and anthropomorphic cleaning products are also not welcome. No multiple submissions, please. You can submit your story to editor Forrest Aguirre via email at ministryofwhimsy@yahoo.com in RTF or Word .doc format. You can also submit your story via snail mail to Forrest Aguirre at 1718 Weber Dr, Madison, WI 53713. Stories submitted via snail mail without adequate SASE will be disposed of unread. Submissions to the Ministry's Tallahassee address will not be read. We strongly recommend that you buy a copy of the Leviathan 3 anthology to get an idea of the type of story for which we are looking. Past volumes of Leviathan have featured fiction from L. Timmel Duchamp, Richard Calder, Stepan Chapman, Rhys Hughes, Rikki Ducornet, Brian Evenson, and Michael Moorcock, among others.

posted Friday 28 March 2003

Year's Best Fantasy and Horror

Ellen Datlow writes:

I co-edit the World Fantasy Award winning anthology series The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror (St. Martin's Press) with Kelly Link & Gavin Grant. The 16th annual collection will be out in August 2003. We are now reading for the 17th volume, which will include all material published in the year 2003. I am looking for stories from all branches of horror: from the traditional-supernatural to the borderline, including high-tech science fiction horror, psychological horror, or anything else that might qualify. If in doubt, send it. This is a reprint anthology so I am only reading material published in or about to be published during the year 2003. Submission deadline for stories is December 15th 2003. Anything sent after this deadline will reach me too late. If a magazine you edit will be coming out by December 31st 2003 you can send me galleys or manuscripts so that I can judge the stories in time. No email submissions.

There are summations of "the year in horror," and "the year in fantasy" in the front of each volume. These include magazine and publishing news concerning the horror and fantasy fields, novels we've read and liked, and in my section, "odds and ends"-- material that doesn't fit anywhere else but that I feel might interest the horror reader (like strange nonfiction titles, art books, etc). But I have to be aware of this material in order to mention it. The deadline for this section is January 30th, 2004. When sending me material please put YEAR'S BEST HORROR on the envelope.

Ellen Datlow
PMB 391
511 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011-8436

Kelly Link & Gavin Grant's submissions should be sent to:

Kelly Link & Gavin Grant
176 Prospect Avenue
Northampton, MA 01060
[ Note: see http://www.lcrw.net/yearsbest/ for their guidelines -- ed.]

Kelly & Gavin cover fantasy and I cover horror. If you consider something both, send to each of us. We do not confer on our choices.

****I do not want to receive manuscripts from authors of stories from venues that it's likely I already receive regularly (like Interzone, The Third Alternative, Cemetery Dance, etc) or from anthologies, unless I don't have that anthology. And please do not send a SASE. If I choose a story you will be informed. If you want to confirm that I've received something, enclose a self-addressed-stamped postcard and I will let you know the date it arrived. For stories that appear on the web, please send me (or have the publisher send me) print-outs of your story.