The Word in Writing with BJ Muntain

The latest in publishing news for fiction writers including short story markets, novel markets, as well as recent market updates.

Find out who's accepting, who's closed for submissions, and who is really interested in what you do.

Get the inside secrets, the latest rumors, in publishing here!

Published by zentao7.com writers group in their October 13, 2004 newsletter

The Word in Writing by B.J. Muntain
Vol 1, Issue 13

For this, the 13th issue on the 13th day of the month, I considered doing a special horror issue. Then I realized there was just too much going on in the industry this week -- there wouldn't be much room. Well, maybe later...

I do not guarantee any markets

New Markets:

The Goblin Reader (formerly Nostalgia) is now open to subs. "On occasions we publish essays , political, or religious material, sentimentality, "inspirational", detective stories, romance, mild goth, mild sci-fi and fantasy." Website

Market Changes:

Amazing Stories has a new editor-in-chief: JEFF BERKWITS. News on this: Article. (Guidelines here.)

Avon Romance: In a report on the Romance Writers Association National Conference, author Cindi Myers says: "Editor Erica Tsang let everyone know that Avon is looking for paranormal romance and has published several books recently, or has books coming out in the near-future, with paranormal twists." This subgenre isn't mentioned on their (web page), but it may be interesting to query. (Cindi Myers' web page.)

DAW is currently accepting unsolicited submissions for science fiction/fantasy manuscripts. Guidelines

According to author Cindy Cruciger, ROC editor John Morgan is looking for hard science fiction and epic fantasy. Although the Penguin Group's official policy is to not accept unagented submissions, he will accept unagented queries addressed to Mr. Morgan at ROC Books, 375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014.

Thomas Deja has stepped down as editor for Cyber Pulp. Any stories he accepted for the following anthologies are released: Historical Hardboiled, Spring Ressurectus, and Summer Infernal. These can now be submitted elsewhere. Dark Streets after Dark and Dead Winter have been submitted to Cyber Pulp, so any queries about status should be directed there. Information. (Cyber-Pulp Press can be found here.)

ShortEStories.com is in communicado -- their e-mail and website are down. You may want to wait to see what happens before sending anything there. Their (non-working) website was here.

Man's Story 2 e-zine is suffering virus problems, and their (website) is currently down. Any submissions sent prior to Sept. 6, 2004, should be re-sent.

Star*Line, the official journal of the Science Fiction Poetry Association, is now full and no longer accepting submissions. The next reading period begins April 1, 2005. Website.

Closed Markets:

31 Eyes E-books has been closed by the editor.

Dated Markets (Anthologies, Contests, Special and Themed Issues):

The 6th Annual Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival Poetry & Short Story Contest is open to previously unpublished poetry and creative short fiction. Entry fee: $10 per poem or short story. Deadline October 24, 2004. Webpage.

Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal, a special interest chapter of Romance Writers of America, is hosting their annual On the Far Side contest for unpublished writers. The categories are: Futuristic Romance, Fantasy Romance, Time Travel Romance, General Paranormal Romance, Erotic FF&P Romance, and FF&P with Romantic Elements. Entries must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2004. Entry fee is $25 for non-members, $20 for members. Webpage.

New Writer's Annual Prose and Poetry Prizes is looking for entries of fact, fiction and poetry. Entry fees vary. Deadline is October 31, 2004. The fiction may be any subject, theme or genre (but not children's) and must be unpublished. Webpage.

OnceWritten.com offers regular writing contests. Their current contest is 'Fall Fiction Contest.' Deadline: October 31, 2004. Entry fee: $15. Webpage.

The Writers Union of Canada's Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers is open to Canadian writers who have never been published in book form and do not have a contract from a book publisher. Entry fee: $25. Deadline: Nov. 3, 2004. Webpage.

Wild Child Publishing.com is holding two contests:

• The "Spirit of the Season" Prose Contest. "Submissions may center around Kwanza, Christmas, Hanukkah or Buddha's birthday, of course, but what we're looking for is something that defines togetherness and discovery, friendship and spirit, love and sharing, human contact in its highest form." Deadline: Nov. 10, 2004. Website.
• "All for Love" Poetry Contest. Deadline: January 10, 2005. Website.

Night Train's 2004 Richard Yates Short Story Award Competition. Reading period: Sept. 1 to Nov. 20, 2004. Reading fee is $10 US per story. Website.

Vestal Review: A Flash Fiction Magazine's reading period for Issue 20 ends Nov. 30, 2004. There is no theme for this issue. They have a new e-mail address for submissions only: submissions @ vestalreview.net. The old address (editor @ stny.rr.com) is to be used for queries. Website.

Columbus State University Theatre's International Playwriting Competition offering the Larry Corse Prize for Playwriting is open to all. Deadline December 1, 2004. Website.

The 2004 Petra Kenney Poetry Competition is an "international poetry competition to commemorate the life of Petra Kenney and her love of literature." Entry fees are 3 pounds (Sterling), $5 American or $7 Canadian per poem. Deadlines are Dec. 31, 2004 for Canada and the U.S., Dec. 1, 2004 for everyone else. Website. (I also have a Canadian address to send to which doesn't seem to be on the web page. If you're interested, e-mail me at the address under 'Author's Note'.

GSU Review 2005 Writing Contest for poetry and fiction. Any style or genre accepted. Deadline: Feb. 2, 2005. Entry fee: $15. Website.

Author's Note

Thanks, folks, for taking part in the on-line poll on the Z7 forum. For those who have not yet had the chance, the poll is open until October 19, 2004. I'm surprised at the number of mainstream requests. I'll try to do better in that area. Any comments can be sent to me using this form.

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