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!

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Published by zentao7.com writers group in their April 27, 2005 newsletter

The Word in Writing by B.J. Muntain
Vol 2, Issue 38, April 27, 2005

Too much to keep up with this week. Some is just going to have to spill over into next week.

I do not guarantee any markets

Market Changes:

Feral Fiction has changed its e-mail address to editor @ feralfiction. com, and e-mail submissions in .rtf format will temporarily be allowed. CLICK HERE

Venus Press, an e-publisher, is looking for quality manuscripts of romance and erotica in any genre or length. CLICK HERE

Pierce/Williams Entertainment and Zero Gravity Management are looking for scripts of "Contemporary action and thrillers, all types of horror. Smart contemporary comedy (no romcom). Since we do receive a lot of queries and scripts we are only able to reply to those we are interested in pursuing and do not send out rejection notices." E-mail Georgia at EMAIL.

Gothic.net has begun reading fiction again. They like "Dark, smart, weird, creepy fiction." CLICK HERE

Strange Horizons has now responded to all fiction submitted before March 4, 2005. If you sent in a story before that time and haven't heard from them, please query. CLICK HERE

Closed Markets:

Hard Shell Word Factory is currently closed to submissions, but they "hope to reopen them soon, and will probably do so by Genre." Watch their website for updates: CLICK HERE. They are still open to novellas for their Egyptian Artifact anthologies, though (see below in Dated Markets).

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

The Writers Network is accepting submissions for their 12th Annual Screenplay and Fiction Competition. Two works may be submitted in one category per application. Categories: Fiction/Non-Fiction, Plays and Screenplay/Teleplay. Entrance fee: $35. Deadline: May 31, 2005. CLICK HERE

Eidolon Books will soon be reading for the first volume of their new anthology series, Eidolon. Manuscripts will be accepted between May 1 and June 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

Desdmona’s 2005 Fragrant Flash Contest is looking for submissions of erotic flash fiction, 300 words or less, that involve the sense of smell. Entrance fee: None. Deadline: June 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

The BBC World Service Short Story competition 2005 is looking for submissions of short stories between 1800 and 2100 words long that can be read over the radio. In fact, being read over the radio is the only prize they offer. Entry fee: None. Deadline: June 30, 2005. CLICK HERE

The Cat Writers' Association is holding their Communication Contest. Submissions must have been published or broadcast between June 16, 2004, and June 15, 2005, and "should devote one third or more space to cats." There are many categories, including various fiction, non-fiction and graphical art sections. Entrance fee: $15 ($8.50 if a member of the CWA.) Deadline: July 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

Hard Shell Word Factory is looking for submissions for a set of four anthologies called Chronicles of Egypt. Each anthology will include three novellas of 25,000 words, each centered around an Egyptian artifact. CLICK HERE
The anthologies cover four different genres:

• Book I: Stelas of Terror -- Horror. Since the release date is set for September 2005, this is the only one of the anthologies so far that has a deadline: July 31, 2005.
  
• Book II: Temples of Desire -- Romance ("hotter, spicier romances than traditional, but not erotica"), release date February 2006.
  
• Book III: Echoes of Intrigue -- Mystery ("set in Egypt or centered on Egyptian artifacts"), release date August 2006.
  
• Book IV: Realms of Orion -- Science Fiction ("centered on the Orion theory that the Egyptians were descendants of an alien race"), release date February 2007.
  

The 4th Festival of New American Plays, held by the Firehouse Theatre Project, is looking for submissions of plays that are "previously un-produced, full-length works, non-musical, non-children's themes." Entry fee: None given. Deadline: August 31, 2005. CLICK HERE (scroll to the bottom for this contest.)

The Crime Writers Association of Great Britain is accepting submissions to their annual Debut Dagger Competition. To enter, send in the first 3000 words of a crime novel and a synopsis of about 500-1000 words for the rest. Entry fee: 10 pounds. Deadline: September 3, 2005. CLICK HERE

Spicy Slipstream Stories will be an anthology of "work that embraces both the traditions of the old "spicy" pulps... and the stylistic innovations and reader affect of that non-genre genre, slipstream." Submissions open on September 1st, 2005. Deadline: October 15, 2005. Note:DO NOT submit before or after that period. CLICK HERE

News:

The University of Denver has issued a Call for Papers for a conference on Giving Attention: Writers, Scholars, Theorists. Abstracts or panel proposals must be e-mailed by May 1, 2005. CLICK HERE

Telltale Weekly is offering a free audio 75-minute interview with Jason Erik Lundberg of Two Cranes Press on starting a small press. CLICK HERE

Our Losses:

John Mills (February 22, 1908 - April 23, 2005) A well-known actor, especially for military rolls, Sir John Mills appeared in over 100 films in his 50+ year career. CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE

Bill Bowers (1943 - April 18, 2005) A long-time fan, Bowers published the fanzines Double: Bill and Outworlds in the 1960's and 1970's. CLICK HERE

Ruth Hussey (1914 - April 19, 2005) An actress, Hussey played Liz Imbrie in The Philadelphia Story, and also appeared in several episodes of Science Fiction Theatre.

Author's Note

In honour of Saskatchewan's centennial this year, I have to mention the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. Not only do they have a very active membership, but they also post interesting markets in their newsletters -- both the print freeLance and the e-mail weekly, eBriefs. Local writers organizations can be very helpful and joining them can offer many benefits. Find the SWG at: CLICK HERE. Find me HERE.