I have so many listings to share this week that you're getting some of them today.
I also wanted to take a moment to explain what I list on the blog. These listings are either completely new to NSSWM and so aren’t in the latest print edition (though I don’t put all of the new ones up), calls for themed issues or anthologies, or publishers who are too small or too new to go into NSSWM. For example, we only put publishers who do 4 or more fiction titles a year into the print edition. Here I can tell you about smaller presses, or ones that have calls out for specific types of work. I’ll also let you know about brand new magazines or ones that are trying to get off the ground, or presses who have quit for one reason or another.
That being said, here are today's offerings.
Anthologies
Horror. Cutting Block Press is putting out another anthology, Butcher Shop Quartet 2. They’re looking for horror stories of 15000-40000 and they’ll pay you from 1½¢ a word to pro rates. "Particular attention will be given to those works that make best use of supernatural content and themes. Works accepted will be those best drawn on an epic scale, whether that’s achieved through use of ordinary characters in extraordinary settings and circumstances, or by plumbing the boundless depths of human character, motivation and innermost fear." Deadline of January 31, 2008. They’re offering a special; purchase the previous anthology for $8 (including shipping) so you can get a good idea of what they’re looking for.
Mythological. Elder Signs Press is going ultra specific and obscure with an anthology centered on Nyarlathotep. "The tales should be about or related to this mysterious entity. However, the focus of any story submitted should be upon the characters. Humans, aliens, monsters are likely protagonists or antagonists. As Nyarlathotep is rumored to have 999 aspects, it is possible to destroy him/it in the story. With that in mind, think about the other tales being submitted and take the angle that is most original. While Nyarlathotep is the focus of the anthology, the characters surrounding him/it are essential. Rather than writing a tale about an ancient evil destroyed or discovered or worshipped, show the influences of this entity upon the world inside the story." I have never heard of Nyarlathotep, they are willing to pay 3¢ a word for stories of about 10000. They’re reading submissions now through the end of January, 2007.
Strong lesbian protagonist. Nuance books is looking for character-driven stories about inspirational women (lesbian or asexual) for their anthology, Toe to Toe: Standing Tall and Proud. They’re open on style, but don’t want horror, erotica or gratuitous sex or violence. Storues can be up to 8,000 words and they pay 1¢ a word, plus a copy of the anthology. They’ll take reprints, and stand alone excerpts from novels are acceptable. The deadline is November 23, 2007
Queer Horror. Dark Scribe Press has a call out for Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closest. They are looking for "edgy, provocative dark genre fiction – horror and dark psychological suspense only. We are not interested in science fiction/fantasy, mystery, or splatter punk for this anthology. We’re looking for stories about those terrors that populate the closets of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Terrors can be of any shape, size, and theme – supernatural, psychopaths and slashers, vampires, werewolves, zombies, urban legends, ghosts, witchcraft, demons, and original horrors of any kind." Stories should be 1000-7500 word and the pay is 5¢ a word. There’s a long lead time on this since the deadline is May 15, 2008.
Speculative Fiction. A very open call from SpecFicWorld, they’ll take any spec fic for their Otherworlds Anthology. Stories can be 1000-12000 and they’ll pay $5 and a copy of the anthology. The deadline is January 15, 2008
Speculative Fiction. DarkHart Press is looking for stories for their themed anthology, Terrible Beauty. "Terrible Beauty: Beauty that causes people to do unspeakable things, beauty that masks something else. Use this theme in a unique way, and get back to us. We want variety, surprises and fresh ideas. There is no set or expected way to approach this topic, so go for it! SF, Urban, and Historical settings are fine." Stories should be around 7000 and they’ll pay 1¢ a word plus a contributor’s copy. The deadline is December 31, 2007.
Speculative Fiction. Another from DarkHart Press, the stories for Traps! Should be based off some Dorothy Parker quotes (see the Web site). Stories should be 7000 and pays is 1¢ a word plus copy. The deadline is also December 31, 2007
Revolving Door
Simon Scribles: Lisa Rao has been hired as an associate editor after working for the imprint as a freelance editor.
Wiley-Blackwell: René Olivieri will step down as chief operating officer at the end of the year.
Houghton Mifflin: Noted children’s books editor Walter Lorraine, a rarity in publishing with his entire fifty-five year career spent with the same company, will retire at the end of the year.
Harcourt: Jenna Johnson has been promoted to senior editor. Jackie Power has been promoted to business manager, sales & marketing operations.