Thursday, August 14, 2008

Shroud Magazine

THE MARKET
  • Zine: Shroud Magazine
  • Editor(s): Tim Deal
  • Pay rate: 2 - 5¢ / word
  • Response Time: 1 - 2 months
  • Description: Shroud Magazine publishes speculative fiction with a dark focus. In addition, Shroud features original art, film, music reviews, and articles that illuminate the thin veil between reality and fantasy. (More in guidelines)
  • Submission Guidelines: www.shroudmagazine.com
NOTE: Horror author D.L. Snell conducted the following interview to give writers a better idea of what the editors of this specific market are seeking; however, most editors are open to ideas outside of the preferences discussed here, as long as they fit the basic submission guidelines.

THE SCOOP

1) What authors do you enjoy and what is it about their writing that captivates you?
I am big fan of the mythic horror of Machen, Derleth, Lovecraft, as well as the masters of the last twenty years--F. Paul Wilson, Robert R. McCammon, King, Straub, and Koontz. However, there is a huge resurgence in modern horror that appeals to me. I dig Brian Keene because he creates characters that you care about, I love Tom Piccirilli’s use of language, his prose, I am captivated by Braunbeck’s settings and Nate Kenyon’s sense of place. I just read Joseph D’Lacey’s “Meat” and I am blow away by how real he made everything feel, and by the same token, I liked Jeff Strand’s “Mandible” because he took a far-fetched concept (“plus-sized ants”) and made it believable.

2) What are your favorite genres? Which of these genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
As I said, I love mythic horror. I like the idea that we exist near a thin veil that separates us from eons of rich supernatural history. However, I am also a big fan of pulp and creature horror, as well as dark literature.

3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
That’s an easy one. I seldom budge from this: give me a present day ordinary setting that you know intimately, and I’ll be hooked. I want the setting to be a character as well. It does not have to be boring, but it has to be believable.

4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
I like Brian Keene’s novels because the pacing is fast and furious and it keeps you engaged. However, I love a good build up filled with eloquent descriptions à la Lovecraft. The most important thing is making sure the pacing sucks the readers in initially and then helps them build a relationship with the characters.

5) What type of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
I am drawn to the everyman and to flawed characters. I love to see average everyday Joes find themselves in elaborate and horrifying situations. Also, I dig characters that have weaknesses, flaws, complexity--nuances. If a writer spends time developing their characters, then as readers we will care about everything they encounter, be it the annoyance of a drive-through order gone awry, or the appearance of Nyarlathotep, the Crawling Chaos, in the character’s bathroom.

6) What is your policy for vulgarity and sexual content? (Question by Ralph Robert Moore)
I know this is the standard answer but it has to work within the context of the story. If it is even slightly gratuitous, then I’ll give it the boot. There are a number of publishing companies that make their dollar off of shock, but we are not one of them. If it make sense within the context of the story and the characters, then it’s fine, we’ll go the whole way with you.

7) Horror and violence can be blatant or suggestive. Which one do you prefer and why?
I appreciate subtlety, yet I can also appreciate horror “in your face.” It all depends upon the characters and the story.

8) In fiction and in life, what do you find most horrific?
Life. Especially the last eight years of it.

9) What are the top three things submitters to this market should avoid?
Fucking vampires, serial killers, and post-apocalyptic zombie stories. I love all of these things, but they’re old.

10) What commonalities are among the stories you've rejected? Is there a particular aspect authors seem to get wrong? (Question by Martel)
I get tired of stories told in first-person. It just does not work for everyone and I feel it’s a bit self-indulgent. It is not an automatic rejection, and in some cases, like the Northern Haunts anthology, I have requested it.

11) If you reject a story, how open are you to a revised version, or do you only want revisions upon request?
(Question by Martel)
I’ll ask for rewrites.

12) What trait are you seeking most in submissions to this market?
Originality, intelligence, and honesty to the point of vulnerability.

13) Any last advice for submitters to this market?
Write what you know and do not hold back.



For more scoops
, go to
marketscoops.blogspot.com.

D.L. Snell is an Affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association, a graduate of Pacific University's Creative Writing program, and an editor for Permuted Press. Snell's first novel, ROSES OF BLOOD ON BARBWIRE VINES, pits vampires against mutating zombies in a post-apocalyptic setting. David Moody, author of the Autumn series, calls it "violent and visceral...beautiful and erotic," and Jonathan Maberry, author of Ghost Road Blues, says, "[I]t has all the ingredients needed to satisfy even the most jaded fan of horror fiction." For more information and to read sample chapters, visit Exit66.net.

This article may be freely reprinted in any e-zine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as all links and this message remain intact, as well as Snell's byline and bio. The formatting may be adjusted to fit the venue, but the content of the article must not be altered without written permission from D.L. Snell.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Dark Jesters

THE MARKET
  • Anthology: Dark Jesters
  • Editor(s): Nick Cato & L.L. Soares
  • Pay rate: $40 +copy
  • Deadline: 30 November 2008
  • Description: Novello Publishers is seeking 10 hysterical stories to fill their first trade paperback humorous horror anthology. (More in guidelines)
  • Submission Guidelines: www.novellopublishers.com
NOTE: Horror author D.L. Snell conducted the following interview to give writers a better idea of what the editors of this specific market are seeking; however, most editors are open to ideas outside of the preferences discussed here, as long as they fit the basic submission guidelines.

THE SCOOP

1) What authors do you enjoy and what is it about their writing that captivates you?
Gary A. Braunbeck’s writing always digs deep inside me and resonates on levels I (usually) didn’t know I had. Tom Piccirilli never fails to satisfy, and his ability to write in nearly any genre fascinates me. And although at times his novels can become routine, Bentley Little’s macabre situations keep me coming back all the time. He’s been my favorite for quite a while now.

2) What are your favorite genres? Which of these genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
Horror, comedy, and bizarro. While DARK JESTERS is a humorous horror anthology (which covers the first two genres), I also find that a surreal, strange tale told from a humorous angle can be great if done properly.

3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
I’m more into present-day stories, although I’m open to anything. One submission we received takes place in the Stone Age and it’s one of the best we’ve received so far.

4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
While I like a story that kicks into high gear from the first paragraph, I’m more concerned with DARK JESTERS that the story maintains a consistent “aura” of humor throughout. That can be done in a subtle way as well as rocket-ship style.

5) What type of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
The average Joe. One of the things that make Jeff Strand’s Andrew Mayhem series so good is Andrew’s just an ordinary guy who manages to find himself in insane situations. Most of his stories use similar characters. Most of his stories work!

6) What is your policy for vulgarity and sexual content? (Question by Ralph Robert Moore)
I’m not a fan of profanity, especially when it’s overused. Swearing in every sentence weakens its effect, and in humor, makes the author sound like he’s still in junior high. While I understand most people don’t share this view, I find the writer is forced to be more creative with their humor by relying on situations and ideas rather than an abundance of vulgarity (I mean, Andrew Dice Clay is funny, but after 15 minutes his shtick gets played out).

For DARK JESTERS, sex is fine depending on how it’s used: I don’t find rape funny, and if an author does I’d rather him/her not submit to this one. But a story with little to none of these two elements has a better shot (and remember, that’s MY view: my co-editor L.L. Soares is a fan of the extreme stuff, so I’m sure we’ll have to come to agreements on a couple of stories).

7) Horror and violence can be blatant or suggestive. Which one do you prefer and why?
I’ve always thought suggestive violence works wonders: I grew up in the late 70s/early 80s watching films like DAWN OF THE DEAD, FRIDAY THE 13th and all the euro rip-offs and slashers that came with (and before) them. Yet despite my love for gore (at the time), the scene in Al Pacino’s SCARFACE--where his brother is chainsawed in half--freaked me out more than any horror film (such as PIECES) that actually SHOWED the violence. That scene, to this day, is hard to watch, and you hardly see anything. I’ve read a few stories where implied violence blew my mind (such as Gary Braunbeck’s incredible short, NEED, from the CORPSE BLOSSOMS anthology; by the midpoint of the tale, when I realized what the mother was up to, I actually felt my stomach drop. That’s powerful writing).

8) In fiction and in life, what do you find most horrific?
As a parent, I can say anything dealing with children. There’s been some great novels and novellas over the last several years that deal with missing children, abused children, etc., many of which were very well done. Other than that, I live in New York, and like most other New Yorkers I have a feeling that something (whether it’s a terrorist attack or a natural disaster) is inevitable. These scenarios usually keep my eyes glued to the pages, where I hope they stay.

9) What are the top three things submitters to this market should avoid?
  1. We’ve received a bunch of zombie stories the first four days of submissions, so we’re quickly becoming tired of them (although one was fantastic and will most likely make the final cut).
  2. Several submissions were WAY below the 1,500 minimum word count. We’re really looking for the 2K mark, but anything from 1,500 – 2K will give the submitter a better shot.
  3. About HALF of the subs were nowhere near being a humorous HORROR story: if someone sends in a humorous tale, but it’s NOT horror-oriented, it makes me wonder if the submitter even read the name of the anthology.
10) What commonalities are among the stories you've rejected? Is there a particular aspect authors seem to get wrong? (Question by Martel)
Besides the zombie thing mentioned above, most of the stories we’ve rejected felt like build-ups to bad punch lines. We’re not looking to publish an anthology of “jokes.” If anyone is interested in how humorous horror is done right, get your hands on some Joe Landsdale, Jeff Strand, or any of the authors that have been published by Novello Publishers. There are also other presses (such as Delirium and Skull Vines Press) who put out some good, funny horror.

11) If you reject a story, how open are you to a revised version, or do you only want revisions upon request?
(Question by Martel)
We only want revisions if requested, but any rejected author is free to submit another story.

12) What trait are you seeking most in submissions to this market?
If you can make me and L.L. Soares laugh, you have talent (especially L.L., as he’s a part-time simian comedian). My dream is to (one day) release one of (if not THE) funniest humorous horror anthologies--whether it be this one or a future edition (we plan on making DARK JESTERS a series, possibly every two to three years). Make us laugh--make the story as funny as you can. AND keep it in a horror-story setting.

13) Any last advice for submitters to this market?
Follow the guidelines. Sounds simple, but as most editors will tell you, few people take the time to do it.




For more scoops
, go to
marketscoops.blogspot.com.

D.L. Snell is an Affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association, a graduate of Pacific University's Creative Writing program, and an editor for Permuted Press. Snell's first novel, ROSES OF BLOOD ON BARBWIRE VINES, pits vampires against mutating zombies in a post-apocalyptic setting. David Moody, author of the Autumn series, calls it "violent and visceral...beautiful and erotic," and Jonathan Maberry, author of Ghost Road Blues, says, "[I]t has all the ingredients needed to satisfy even the most jaded fan of horror fiction." For more information and to read sample chapters, visit Exit66.net.

This article may be freely reprinted in any e-zine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as all links and this message remain intact, as well as Snell's byline and bio. The formatting may be adjusted to fit the venue, but the content of the article must not be altered without written permission from D.L. Snell.

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