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!

SUBSCRIBERS AREA

Published by zentao7.com writers group in their January 5, 2005 newsletter

The Word in Writing by B.J. Muntain
Vol 2, Issue 22, January 5, 2005

Happy New Year! As a start for some of your New Year's resolutions, here is the market news for the beginning of 2005:

I do not guarantee any markets

Market Changes:

Aurealis, Australia's premiere magazine of science fiction, fantasy and horror, is once more open to submissions, and will now accept e-mail submissions. CLICK HERE

The Harrow now pays $5 per short story and $3 per poem, making it a paying market. "The Harrow seeks stories, poems, and art that fall within the fantasy and supernatural horror genres. The plot should contain or imply the presence of the magical or supernatural." CLICK HERE

Fortean Bureau is going to a quarterly format, which means response times may not be as quick as before. CLICK HERE

Chizine had originally said that poetry submissions would be closed until January of 2005. They have extended that freeze on poetry submissions until April 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

Harlequin Blaze will add two titles per month, making six, starting July, 2005. "The book should have a sexual premise and the story should grow from that." Brenda Chin, the Associate Senior Editor, is also interested in erotic thrillers or mysteries, Gothic stories, or stories with paranormal elements. CLICK HERE

Closed Markets:

Brew City Magazine has had their web site suspended. It is probably best not to submit here until the magazine's status is verified.

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

The Prairie Schooner Prize Series publishes one book-length collection each of short fiction and poetry each year through the University of Nebraska Press. Entry fee: $25. Entries must be mailed between January 15 and March 15, 2005. CLICK HERE

Touched By Love is a contest for unpublished Inspirational Romance novelists. Entry fee: $25 Deadline: April 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

Boost's 3rd Annual Writer's Contest is accepting entries of multicultural humour for young adults, up to 1200 words. Entry fee: $10. Deadline: April 15, 2005. CLICK HERE

The Harrow is putting out a new anthology titled Midnight Lullabies, with all proceeds to benefit Doctors Without Borders. "This anthology will be a collection of between 10 and 20 outstanding short stories in the dark fantasy and horror genre." Short poems will also be published. Deadline: "Until approximately 12-15 works of poetry and fiction have been accepted." Submissions began being accepted on January 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

News:

The terrible tsunami in southwest Asia has created much horror and concern. The fans of Arthur C. Clarke, who lives in Sri Lanka, will be relieved to hear that Mr. Clarke is safe. Mr. Clarke says: "I am enormously relieved that my family and household have escaped the ravages of the sea that suddenly invaded most parts of coastal Sri Lanka, leaving a trail of destruction. But many others were not so fortunate. My heart-felt sympathy goes out to all those who lost family members or friends." CLICK HERE CLICK HERE

Author Jack Chalker was hospitalized with congestive heart failure on December 7, 2004. Cards and letters may be sent c/o The Mirage Press, P.O. Box 1689, Westminster, MD USA 21158-1689, or messages left online at CLICK HERE. As the family is facing large medical bills, the Chalker Family Emergency Fund has been set up at CLICK HERE.

Gardner Dozois has announced: "I'm running a week-long teaching workshop on short-story writing with Hugo and Nebula-winner Kristine Kathryn Rusch next year, May 7-14th." Only 12 writers will be accepted into this workshop held in Lincoln City, Oregon. Cost is $1000. CLICK HERE

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Book 6 in J. K. Rowling's famous series, will be released on July 16, 2005.

Our Losses:

Kelly Freas passed away January 2, 2005, at the age of 82. "Kelly was a ten-time Hugo Award-winning illustrator of book and magazine cover and interior art for science fiction, fantasy, NASA space program, record albums, advertising, and MAD Magazine." Active in the field for over 50 years, Freas illustrated stories by such famous names as Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Poul Anderson and Frederick Pohl. Freas was also a judge for the L. Ron Hubbard's Illustrators of the Future contest. CLICK HERE
AND HERE

Susan Sontag (January 16, 1933 - December 28, 2004). Essayist and human rights activist, Sontag was also known for her fiction, including The Volcano Lover and In America. CLICK HERE
AND HERE

Jerry Orbach died on December 28, at the age of 69. Actor Orbach was best known for his work in police drama Law & Order, but was also well known for other roles on Broadway, in movies (such as F/X) and television shows like Murder She Wrote. CLICK HERE
AND HERE

Author's Note

New Year's Eve is like a step into the future, with metallic hats (as any good, hokey science fiction movie needs) acting as time machines. And right there, when you are about to shift into another year, there's a loud noise of confusion and bam! It's 2005. A brand new year, a brand new time. And whether or not the trip was further confused by certain mind-altering beverages, you wake up the next morning facing a whole year of ideas, just waiting to be put on paper and published. What a way to wake up, huh? If there's anything I can do to help you through this shattering transition, let me know HERE.(Sorry. I don't know any hangover remedies beyond sleeping through to January 4th... )