Wow, using a different Web browser does make a difference in what the Web page looks like. I could go off on some metaphor for writing, but I'm visiting my family in California (I'm using my sister's computer), so that's not going to happen.

Instead, I'll just give you the weekly market highlights. I had a few people send me information about their magazine and contests, and the offer still stands. Send your info on contests, conferences, and calls for submissions for books and magazines to nsswmATfwpubsDOTcom and I'll probably post them, and you can be considered for inclusion in the book.

Contests
Literary. The Library of Virginia Literary Awards are for books written by a Virginia author or having a Virginia-related theme. Winners receive $2500. Submit three copies of published book and the completed entry form by February 8th.

Spec Fic. The 2008 Byzarium Bad-Fic Contenst wants 1500 word stories, and they’ll pay you $10 and a 1 year subscription for your worst stuff. "Announcing the  Annual Byzarium Bad-Fic Contest! That's right, people, we want to see it--the most clichéd, stereotyped, all around bad speculative fiction you have to offer!" Deadline is February 29, 2008.

Romance/Literary. The StoryQuarterly Love Story Contest is seeking previously unpublished works of less than 8,000 words. "The subject is love in any and all of its varieties and incarnations—familial, filial, romantic, platonic, the love of place, nature, animals, possessions, beauty, or truth, love that is intellectual, erotic, patriotic, real or imagined, fulfilled or denied, tragic or comedic. Tell us the truth about love!" Awards: First Prize is $2,500, Second Prize is $1,500, and Third Prize is $750. The prize winners will be eligible for inclusion in the 2008 StoryQuarterly Annual. Additionally, ten finalists will receive $100 each. There is a $20 fee for each entry, which includes six months complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.  Entries will be accepted until March 31.

Submissions
Speculative Fiction. Three-Lobed Burning Eye is a magazine of quality speculative fiction. "Seeking professional stories that expand the genre(s) by valuing originality in character, narrative and plot. We want only your best fiction, distinct and remarkable tales that the reader cannot forget. We tend more towards horror, dark fantasy and magical realism, maybe suspense or even western, though the story must contain some speculative element." No poetry, non-fiction, fan fiction, erotica, sword & sorcery or space opera. Publishes 2-3 times per year, plus an annual print anthology. Please read an issue and guidelines before submitting. Word count: 1000-7000 words. E-subs only: via on-site form. Pays $13 honorarium plus a copy of annual print anthology. Check site guidelines for details. "Stories that monsters like to read" since 1999.

Mainstream. Wanderings wants 1000-5000 word stories and pays with a contributor’s copy. “We enjoy stories that have something interesting and unique to say. The ideal story for Wanderings is one that takes the reader to some place he or she has never been before, or that portrays something which is seen every day and forces the reader to think about it in a new way. Presenting a fresh perspective through an interesting and engaging set of characters is the best way to make it into the magazine.”

Mystery. Crime and Suspense is looking for mystery/detective stories of 250-4000 words. They pay $5 for flash fiction and $10 for short stories, and $15 for audio short stories. 

Pulp. Blazing! Adventures Magazine closes to subs Jan 20th. They want stand alone stories of 5000 words or serials (query first, and the whole story much be completed) and they pay $5. 

Fantasy/Science Fiction. Drabblecast is a podcast zine. They pay 3/4 cent per word for stories of 500-2000 words.  “In some special cases we will accept stories longer than 2000 words.  It’s a very laid back system- we like to work with our authors a bit if necessary to make submissions work better in audio format.” They have a reader, so you just need to send in your story.

New Magazines
Mainstream. Kaleidotrope is a biannual print magazine that “will consider anything up to 10,000 words. (Query first for anything longer.) We want stories that surprise or delight, horrify or amaze, leave readers shocked or laughing aloud. Short-shorts, flash fiction, vignettes or other sundry ephemera are also welcome. Above all else, we want to be told good stories. Doesn't everybody?” Pays $5 and contributor’s copies.

Mystery/Comics. The Thrilling Detective pays $10-15 for 7000-10,000 word stories. All stories must have a P.I., and query before sending in your ms. They do feature a few comics, but you’ll have to query about those as there aren’t any guidelines I could find.

Mystery/Speculative Fiction. Speculative Mystery Iconoclast is a PDF magazine looking for 2000-6000 word stories for their debut issue. They pay $35 flat. "Speculative Mystery Iconoclast is looking for exceptional stories that fall into two categories: 1] Speculative Mystery: These are stories that contain elements  of both Speculative fiction as well as Mystery. 2] Iconoclastic Speculative Fiction: These are stories that (either in part OR as the focus of the story) reveal what really inspired a tale from mythology OR what really happened during a historical event OR what really drives a  particular phenomenon OR what’s really causing a current circumstance (for  example, why we haven’t made contact with aliens yet)."

New Publishers
Speculative Fiction. Trytium Publishing will publish print and ebooks. They want stories of at least 35,000 words and will pays 35-50% net royalties. "Trytium specializes in novel-length science fiction, fantasy (classic, urban and dark) and horror. Trytium seeks fresh and unique stories from new authors as well as stories from established authors who want to make their back catalog available again or venture in a different literary direction."

Anthologies
Horror. Permuted Press is seeking 3000-5000 word stories for Giant Creatures and they’ll pays $15 plus a contributpr’s copy. "What we want: Original stories of animals/insects/etc. grown to enormous sizes (or at least vastly bigger than they should be). Take something that exists on earth and show us what happens when it gets really big. Anything from germs to spiders to rodents to monkeys to naked mole rats to swordfish…the opportunities are endless. Stories can be set in any location at any time period. Monsters need not be the result of radiation either—King Kong was simply big. Get creative, people. All genres welcome. (And please note this is not a Daikaju book…so Godzilla stories will be a very hard sell). Yes, giant people are okay, but you’ll need to really impress us. Same with plants." Deadline is March 31, 2008 or until filled. 

Update on 2008 NSSWM info
Literary. Pearl, A Literary Magazine has changed their submission period to accepting submission January-June only. It's a biannual print magazine (mostly poetry). "We are interested in lively, readable prose that speaks to real people in direct, living language; for a general literary audience." Needs humor/satire, literary, mainstream, contemporary, prose poem. Publishes an all-fiction issue each year. Recently published work by James D. McCallister, Heidi Rosenberg, W. Joshua Heffernan, Suzanne Greenberg,  Fred McGavran, Gerald Locklin, Robert Perchan, Lisa Glatt. Length: 500-1,200 words; average length: 1,000 words. Pays 1 contributor's copy. Acquires first North American serial rights. "We look for vivid, dramatized situations and characters, stories written in an original 'voice,' that make sense and follow a clear narrative line. What makes a manuscript stand out is more elusive, though--more to do with feeling and imagination than anything else."

Lots of editors have been moving around lately. Congrats on all the promotions, by the way. Here's the latest on who's been moving where:

DK Publishing: Anja Schmidt was promoted to executive editor.

Globe Pequot: Hilary Black has joined as editor at large, acquiring for their women's imprints.

Harper: Sally Kim is leaving her position as senior editor at Shaye to be an executive editor, starting on February 6 and reporting to publisher Jonathan Burnham.

Hyperion: Editor-in-chief Will Schwalbe is leaving the company at the end of next week.

Pocket Books: Jennifer Heddle was promoted to senior editor.

Random House Publishing Group: Susanna Porter was promoted to executive editor.

Stewart, Tabori and Chang: Jennifer Levesque was promoted to executive editor and Kristen Latta was promoted to associate editor.

Trail of Indiscretion is a small speculative fiction magazine (50 pgs) produced by Fortress Press. I got to read issue #4. Visually, the magazine is appealing. The cover is some interesting fantasy art and the quality of the paper is good, plus it’s perfect bound.

One interesting feature they have is a short intro to every story. The intro is just two or three lines that try to hook you into the story. Here’s an example:

We all know the legends of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, right? Well, John Bruni is here to tell us that we don’t know anything about them…

They’re basically right on in terms of describing what’s going on in the story, but in some ways that made me less satisfied. There were a few stories where I wished I hadn’t read the intro because knowing the background took something away from the story.

The stories varied in type. The stories included a sci-fi conspiracy, a creepy horror story about the criminally minded, a fantastic romantic comedy set in hell, a western with a magical twist, a fantastical look at the writer/editor relationship, and a mythic telling of the origin of death and chaos. This didn’t have the blood and gore variety horror; it focused more on the psychological.

It was an interesting read. I must say though, the blind date set in Hell was my favorite J

Last month I asked editors what they considered to be their responsibilites to writers and readers, and now it's the writers turn. Authors, let me know what you think the editor's responsibilities are to you, and to the intended audience.

I will discuss what you have to say in next week's newsletter, so contact me by the 11th. Either post to the comments section here or email me at nsswmATfwpubsDOTcom. If you agree with what any of the editor's said, then tell me that, too.

I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Here's a list of interest for the literary minded. For the last five year years Central Connecticut State University has done a survey examining the literacy of American cities with a population of over 250,000. They look at number of bookstores, newspaper and magazine circulation, education, libraries and internet resources. Sadly, Cincinnati dropped out of the top ten this year to hit number 11 overall. Minneapolis kicked Seattle out of its number one slot. There were 69 cities analyzed, and sadly the two cities nearest my hometown are in the bottom. Oh well. At least Fresno and Bakersfield beat out Anaheim and Stockton (which was the lowest for the third year running). They also have the cities ranked in the individual categories, which is kind of interesting. Cincinnati ties for third in the number of bookstores per capita. Go us :)