Tattered Souls 2 antho

THE MARKET

• Antho: Tattered Souls 2
• Publisher: Cutting Block Press
• Editor(s): Frank J. Hutton
• Pay Rate: Paying 1.5 ¢ / word, plus one contributor's copy. For established authors, rates are negotiable
• Response Time: Final response time: six months or sooner
• Deadline: October 31st, 2010
• Description: A second loosely-themed anthology in which authors consider where people's actions and desires lead them.
• Submission Guidelines: www.cuttingblock.net

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 why does their writing captivate you?
I'm captivated by distinctive voice and enjoy it when an author with a clue really lets it rip. Last winter, for the first time I cracked the spine on some Joyce Carol Oates. I didn't 'like' all of it, but you won't mistake her for someone else. And anyone who hasn't read Kelly Link should give her a try.

2) What are your favorite genres? Which of these genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
Well, I'm kinda fond of submarine movies…

'Horror' is the most all-encompassing, elastic genre there is. Authors can take it from literary to splatter. From real to outrageous. Anywhere and in any way they want it to go.  That's what I appreciate best about the genre, so I try not to burden what I read by my own expectations. 

3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
In a word, authentic. The suspension of disbelief is the whole gig. Convince me and I'll follow you pretty much wherever you want.

4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
I've some personal preferences, but as the editor of an anthology, what the writer enjoys writing is more important than what I enjoy reading. 

5) What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
Aware. Flawed. Maybe fatally. Examples too numerous to list, what with the entire history of literature and art overflowing with those.

6) What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content?
It's all about execution. Too many writers use vulgarity as a shortcut and violence or sexual content as a device. You can always tell when a writer isn't truly in touch with the disturbing resonance that violence and/or sexuality can provide a narrative.

Like I said up above: convince me. Then show me what you will.

7) In general, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
I like endings where nobody wins. Those are hard to pull off because it's got to be so invested as to leave everything exhausted on the floor. So any author that wants their good guys to prevail should have them do just that. It's all good.

8) What are the top three things submitters to this market should avoid?
Uninspired prose. Cliché, unless you can expand or subvert it. Taking the easy way out.  Serve your story, not what you think the market for it might be.

9) What trait are you seeking most in submissions to this market?
It's not happy that stories built around the adventures of mundane marauders have claimed so much of the horror market. Show me something that can't happen and make me believe it does. Show me that the true nature of dread is unimaginable just before it becomes too real.

10) Any last advice for submitters to this market?
Be unafraid. Our intention is to provoke and disturb adults through strong narratives executed with craft and informed by style. We place a premium on excellence of execution and don't provoke or disturb easily. Take your very best shot.

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

D.L. Snell writes with Permuted Press. He edited Dr. Kim Paffenroth twice, John Dies at the End once, and provided a constructive critique to Joe McKinney on his next major novel after Dead City. You can shoot D.L. Snell in the head at www.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.

Fear of the Dark antho

THE MARKET

• Antho: Fear of the Dark
• Publisher: HorrorBound
• Editor(s): Maria Grazia Cavicchioli and Jason Rolfe
• Pay Rate: 1¢ / word (CAN)
• Response Time: Confirmation of receipt will be sent within 24 hours
• Deadline: June 30, 2010
• Description: The point of the stories should be to investigate the human fear of the unknown, the dark, and the common themes found in nightmares. (More in guidelines.)
• Submission Guidelines: http://www.horrorbound.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 why does their writing captivate you?
A variety of authors captivate me. I'm the editor of the online publication horrorbound.com. You'll see a listing of various authors that I've interviewed and featured and I would say they have all captivated me in one way or another.

2) What are your favorite genres? Which of these genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
My favorite genre is speculative fiction with a horror-based focus.

3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
They all have a time and place in speculative fiction.

4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
I prefer slow building to fast.

5) What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
Complex characters tend to interest me. Character development also interests me greatly.

6) What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content?
If they are central to the theme we do allow it.

7) In general, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
Once again, it depends on what is central to the theme. Both are important.

8) What are the top three things submitters to this market should avoid?
We will not accept poorly written stories or stories that do not fit our theme.

9) What trait are you seeking most in submissions to this market?
Well written, and applicable to our theme. The point of the stories should be to investigate the human fear of the unknown, the dark, and the common themes found in nightmares.

10) Any last advice for submitters to this market?
N/A

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

D.L. Snell writes with Permuted Press. He edited Dr. Kim Paffenroth twice, John Dies at the End once, and provided a constructive critique to Joe McKinney on his next major novel after Dead City. You can shoot D.L. Snell in the head at www.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.

Deadcore antho

THE MARKET

• Antho: DEADCORE 
• Publisher: Comet Press 
• Editor(s): Cheryl Mullenax 
• Pay rate: 1/2 ¢ / word 
• Response Time: 4-6 weeks 
• Deadline: July 1, 2010 or until filled 
• Description: Extreme zombie themed horror anthology  
• Submission Guidelines: cometpress.us

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 why does their writing captivate you?
Some that come to mind are Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Michael Slade, Stephen King, Jeffrey Sackett, Bentley Little, and Brian Keene. I think what is common among them and what is captivating is that they can tell a great story with a simple and straightforward writing style (and their ability to scare the hell out of me). I am a fan of small press horror, however, and read whatever I can get my hands on.

2) What are your favorite genres? Which of these genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
All things horror, apocalyptic, monsters, zombies, conspiracy, occult horror and especially the crime thriller/horror combo. We did the cross-genred hardboiled crime/horror anthology The Death Panel last year, and it was amazing how well and creatively horror writers blurred the lines between those genres.

For this anthology, we’re looking for novelette/novella length zombie stories. Many zombie stories are by nature apocalyptic, but it’s not necessary. I’m open to any kind of zombie story and would especially like to see conspiracy or detective elements, but any subgenre of horror incorporated into the story is welcome.

3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
Ordinary locales in real (earth) settings, either present, past, or future. For zombie stories, the apocalyptic future, but I have read excellent stories that take place in the past.

4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
I have no preference. It depends on the story.

5) What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
Flawed, everyday men/women who find themselves in a horrific situation, pull up their britches, and deal with it. I’m going to use yet another Jaws reference (perfect for any type of character example!): The Mayor. Sure, he made some bad decisions, and got some people killed in the process, but he thought he was doing the best thing for his community.

6) What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content?
Anything goes, but common sense should prevail.

7) In general, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
No preference, as long as it’s not sappy.

8) What are the top three things submitters to this market should avoid?
As long as the story involves zombies, I can’t think of any particular thing to avoid.

9) What trait are you seeking most in submissions to this market?
Extreme, hardcore zombie stories. There are many great zombie anthologies out there, and we wanted to give authors an opportunity and the room to develop their stories and characters with the extended word length (15,000-30,000).

10) Any last advice for submitters to this market?
Have fun writing. Read the guidelines. I’m not a nitpicker on manuscript formatting, but do proofread carefully before sending your story.

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

D.L. Snell writes with Permuted Press. He edited Dr. Kim Paffenroth twice, John Dies at the End once, and provided a constructive critique to Joe McKinney on his next major novel after Dead City. You can shoot D.L. Snell in the head at www.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.