The Word in Writing with BJ Muntain

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Published by zentao7.com writers group in their August 25, 2004 newsletter

The Word in Writing by B.J. Muntain
Vol 1, Issue 7

Well, it's been a fairly slow week in the genre fiction world. To fill out the column a bit, I've thrown in a few non-genre tidbits and added some news that just didn't fit previous editions.

New Markets

Leafing Through, a new e-zine published by Gorlan Publications, will be launching its first issue in November 2004. They are looking for science fiction, intelligent fantasy and horror, and other types of fiction. Guidelines.

Market Changes

Project M. Zine will no longer be paying for artwork. They also announce that Adrienne Jones has joined the PMZ team. They do pay writers 1/2 cent per word with a minimum of $5 and to a maximum of $25. Submitters should note that they only pay through PayPal. Stories must adhere to that particular issue's theme -- check under 'Status' for themes. Guidelines

Joanne Coen is the new senior editor responsible for acquiring women's fiction at Time Warner. She is replacing Tara Lawrence, who is not returning from maternity leave.

Harlequin has made some personnel changes. Loriana Sacilotto has become Executive Vice President, Global Publishing and Strategy. Under her are:

• Isabel Swift, Vice President, Author and Asset Development, who is in charge of "key strategic acquisitions, developing new business opportunities and for accelerating author development" in their publishing programs. Under her are Malle Valik, Editorial Director of eHarlequin and Asset Development, and Paula Eykelhof and Leslie Wainger, Executive Editors.
• Randall Toye, Director of Global Series, is in charge of Series, with Editorial Director Karin Stoecker (UK editorial acquisition office); Editorial Director Tara Gavin (Next); Executive Editors Mary-Theresa Hussey (Silhouette); Birgit Davis-Todd (Harlequin); Executive Editor Joan Marlow Golan (Steeple Hill).
• Dianne Moggy, Director of Global Single Titles, is still in charge of the Single Title strategy, including acquisitions. Under her are Executive Editor Margaret Marbury (MIRA and Red Dress Ink); Executive Editor Tracy Farrell (HQN Books); Executive Editor Feroze Mohammed (Gold Eagle and Worldwide Library) and Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg (Signature).
• Janet Finlay, Director of Research, and
• the new Director of Editorial Analysis.

Paizo Publishing, which publishes such magazines as Dragon, Undefeated, and Amazing Stories, has promoted Keith Strohm to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Strohm used to be Vice President and Circulation Manager. Website

The influential literary journal, The Paris Review, has appointed Brigid Hughes as the new editor, replacing founder George Plimpton, who passed away in January. Website Note: Due to a backlog, The Paris Review will not be accepting poetry until April 2005.

Contests/Anthologies/Deadlines

Amityville House of Pancakes Omnibus, volume 2 -- an anthology looking for four humourous speculative fiction novellas, 15,000 to 40,000 words. Reading period January 2 to March 31, 2005 -- Do not submit earlier. Website

Bloodletters, a horror ezine, is looking for stories for their October issue. October's theme is "WITCHES AND WARLOCKS: Tales of misappropriated magic, spells gone awry and battles gone astray". Deadline is September 30, 2004. Website.

Our Losses

Francis Crick (1916 - July 28, 2004) Crick was one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA. Crick recently described the discovery as "a series of blunders where we gradually found what the mistakes were."

Jackson Beck (1912 - July 29, 2004) Beck was the announcer who first proclaimed “Faster than a speeding bullet...” on the Superman radio show. His voice was also put to use in Superman cartoons, as Perry White and Lex Luthor, from the 40's to the 60's.

Fay Wray (1907 - Aug 8, 2004) Wray was best known for her role as Ann Darrow in King Kong (the 1933 version)

Elmer Bernstein (1922 - August 18, 2004) Bernstein composed the scores for a number of movies, including Saturn 3, Being John Malkovich, An American Werewolf in London and Thoroughly Modern Millie. (Okay, so TMMillie isn't a genre movie, but it's one of my favourites, so I had to mention it.)

Neal Fredericks (1969 - August 2004). Fredericks is best known for his second film, The Blair Witch Project. He also worked on many other films with a fantastic or horrific element.

Barbara Davey (August 19, 2004). Davey was publisher and editor of the Canadian magazine The Mystery Review, which ceased publication in Fall of 2003 due to her health problems.

Walter Wager (July 11, 2004) Wager wrote the Alison Gordon private eye series and, as John Tiger, wrote the novelizations of I Spy and Mission Impossible. His most recent novel was Kelly's People, published in 2002.

Author's Note

And that's it for this week. I'm always open to ideas, thoughts and fan letters (just kidding!) Contact BJ with your writers market news.

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