Market Report
Mar's Market
Report #23
By Margaret
McGaffey Fisk
© 2007, Margaret McGaffey Fisk
Publication announcements from members
of online writing communities are valuable resources for writers at the
beginning of their careers. Though the communities may contain members
at many levels of publication, overall, markets listed in these
announcements tend to be open to new writers.
All the markets presented in this
column came from a publication announcement. I receive announcements
from various sources including Vision; The Critter's Workshop; and
Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. These
announcements are all available online. They list markets at varying
levels of payment or reputation, so if you use these resources, be
careful to research the market yourself before submitting. Even the list
below should be used as a signpost rather than a definitive answer about
any market because situations do change. Reputable sites such as
Ralan's SpecFic & Humor Webstravaganza and
Duotrope are good places to get the
latest news. They have been known to have information not yet listed on
the publisher website. However, always check the publisher's guidelines
as well.
While not all the markets that appear
in this column offer "pro" rates, they all provide some compensation. In
my opinion, offering payment is an indication of the editor/publisher's
commitment. In many cases, markets with some compensation are more
likely to stay around because they have considered the economics of
running a publication.
NOTE: Darker Matter, profiled in the last issue of Vision, has closed its doors.
Genre |
Scientific Theme Articles and Fiction |
Title |
Odyssey |
Editor |
Elizabeth Lindstrom |
Address |
Editorial Department
Cobblestone Publishing
Attn: Elizabeth Lindstrom
30 Grove Street, Suite C
Peterborough, NH 03458 |
Sub Email |
blindstrom@caruspub.com |
Specifics |
Looking for scientific articles and fiction targeted to a 10- to 16-year old audience. The material should be presented in a lively fashion and must relate to one of the upcoming themes. Send a query letter and a writing sample. |
Requirement |
Feature articles between 750 - 950 words, supplemental nonfiction between 200 - 500 words, fiction up to 1,000 words, department features between 400 - 650 words, and activities up to 750 words. |
Payment |
Between $0.20 and $0.25 (20 to 25 cents) per word for all sections. |
URL for site |
http://www.cobblestonepub.com/magazine/ODY/ |
URL for guidelines |
http://www.cobblestonepub.com/guides_ODY.html |
Genre |
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror |
Title |
PARSEC Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Contest |
Editor |
Ann Cecil, Contest Coordinator |
Address |
PARSEC Short Story Contest
2966 Voelkel Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15216-2036 |
Sub Email |
None |
Specifics |
Looking for short stories using a specific theme. The theme for the 2008 contest is "Metallic Feathers." This market is open only to non-professional writers (not meeting SFWA standards). Genres allowed are horror, fantasy, and science fiction. There is no entry fee for this annual contest, and the three judges who are listed on the information page choose the winning stories. |
Requirement |
No longer than 3,500 words |
Payment |
$200 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd, and $50 for third (with second and third not guaranteed). |
URL for site |
http://www.parsec-sff.org/ |
URL for guidelines |
http://www.parsec-sff.org/contest08.html |
Genre |
All Types |
Title |
On the Premises |
Editor |
Tarl Roger Kudrick
Bethany Granger |
Address |
None |
Sub Email |
Entries@OnThePremises.com |
Specifics |
Looking for well-written, creative, compelling works based on the current contest theme that do not contain anything that is present solely to shock or to preach. All stories should be aimed at an adult audience. No children's or young adult fiction. |
Requirement |
Stories between 1,000 and 5,000 words. |
Payment |
$130 for first prize. |
URL for site |
http://www.onthepremises.com/index.html |
URL for guidelines |
http://www.onthepremises.com/contests/rules.html |
Genre |
Most Genres |
Title |
Virtual Tales |
Editor |
P. June Diehl, Director of Submissions |
Address |
None |
Sub Email |
http://www.virtualtales.com/contact~t~Submitting%20Your%20Writing.html |
Specifics |
Looking for novels or novellas in many genres for serialization on the website and delivered in email then for e-book sales. Short story collections with a strong theme and reprints are also of interest. Acceptable genres include Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Mysteries, Action/Adventure, Romance, Westerns, and General Fiction. Please use the contact form listed above to request the submission email address. |
Requirement |
20,000 words and up. |
Payment |
60% of all sales after PayPal fees through a PayPal account. |
URL for site |
http://www.virtualtales.com/ |
URL for guidelines |
http://www.virtualtales.com/submissions.aspx |
Genre |
Horror/Dark Fiction |
Title |
Dark Recesses |
Editor |
Bailey Hunter, Publisher |
Address |
None |
Sub Email |
submissions@darkrecesses.com |
Specifics |
Looking for dark fiction and horror that inspires waking nightmares. Exploitation of minors or sexual abuse is not acceptable and gratuitous gore is not appreciated. |
Requirement |
Stories between 500 and 5,000 words as a soft top. |
Payment |
$0.03 (3 cents) per word with a $150.00 cap. |
URL for site |
http://www.darkrecesses.com/index.htm |
URL for guidelines |
http://www.darkrecesses.com/SubInfo.htm |
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