(The other submission editors have their own scorecards.)
Reasons why stories got rejected this week:
• Too many flashback scenes. Don't do this. Too many flashbacks in a short story are distracting. I don't really care what happened back then. I want to know what's happening now in your story.
• Three spelling errors on the first page of a submission. DO NOT DO THIS! There should be no spelling errors in your story. It should be edited within an inch of its life.
• A 'story' that was less than 1000 words that comprised of 2 journal entries. Don't do this. It is very hard to get a good sci-fi/horror story going in so little words. Neil Gaiman did it. You aren't Neil Gaiman.
• OMG-boring. Couldn't get past the first page. The trick is to keep the pages turning. Keep me wanting to read all the way through.
• No horror in the story. Don't do this. Apex's motto is "Where Science Fiction and Horror Collide."
• No science fiction in the story. Don't do this. Apex's motto is "Where Science Fiction and Horror Collide."
Only one good one in the batch I read today. Better than nothing. I had the odd experience of having to reject an author for "not on theme" not to mention, not submitting the story properly. However, since this author was a name I recognized, I figured I would let the attached story submission bit slide. That was just an oversight, right? Surely they read the Call for Submissions and the story would be on theme. Ah, no. Not on theme, not even on correct genre. I guess I should have booted it back out of the slush pile from the beginning. I didn't. This was a published author whose name I recognized. I thought they would know better. I was wrong. I should have known better.
Jennifer's Apex Slush Pile Scorecard for 2009
(The other submission editors have their own scorecards.)
I did get one good one in this batch for Apex today. It was a real nice surprise. Other than that, I got a couple of real close ones that were worthy of pointers. I don't usually give pointers but I had the time today and was feeling the need to help a couple of the authors in question. As usual, there were several not on theme. Either no horror or no science fiction element to them. The usual slush in other words.
Apex is known for it’s blend of Science-fiction and horror, garnering regular nominations on the Stoker ballot. They have published SFWA authors such as Jennifer Pelland, Glenn Lewis Gillette, and Ben Bova.
Short fiction published with Apex from June, 2008 forward are now qualifying sales for membership with SFWA. Congratulations to Jason, the entire editorial staff at Apex Magazine and their writers!
Thank you for your recent submission to CUTTING BLOCK PRESS for our upcoming anthology "Horror Library Vol 4".
We have received and read your story, and it has made its way through our editing staff. Unfortunately at this time we're going to have to pass on your story. While well written and interesting, we felt it just didn't fit what we were looking for at this time for the collection.
Thank you for your interest, and we wish you all the best with your writing. We'll be reading again this time of year next year, so keep an eye on Ralan's and our website for updates and guidelines for submissions.
R.J. Cavender
CuttingBlock.Net
I wish more of my stories played well with other stories. :)
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/?p=1071
Publisher: DAW
Publication Date: September 2009
Type: Novel
Reviewed by: Jennifer Brozek
Rating: 5/5
I am a great fan of writing and reading stories about protagonists in a heap of trouble digging themselves out to win the day. Rosemary and Rue is exactly that kind of book. In less than the first 100 pages, October “Toby” Daye, a half-breed Daoine Sidhe and former street kid, is cursed twice, loses everything she holds dear, winds up in a job she hates and has an unpleasant encounter with the King of Cats. Frankly, if I were Toby and I met Seanan on the street, I would punch her.
Yes, I really loved this book. Toby is a flawed protagonist in all of the right ways. She is scared, hurt, angry, and forced to do things she would have done anyway but resents the power that is forcing her to do exactly that. Every person Toby turns to for help she knows she cannot trust. Every person who loves Toby is hurt by this lack of trust. But, honestly, the reader cannot fault Toby. She is acting in a logical and emotional–if reactionary–manner to everything that is happening to and around her.
One of the best parts about Rosemary and Rue is the fact that while it is one step into the world of the Fey, changelings, pixies, trolls, and goblins, there is still a true sense of reality. Having once lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the story is set, I can imagine the world of Oberon’s court just beyond visible sight. The places are real. The emotions are real. The pain, loss, and infrequent joys are real. So real that sometimes this is a hard book to read. Fortunately, it is a harder book to put down.
Seanan McGuire’s funny, raw, and engaging style of writing has put her at the top of my “new favorite authors” pile. I highly recommend Rosemary and Rue as a fantastic debut novel and eagerly wait to see what comes next both in this series and from the author.
It was a good interview. I enjoyed it.
It’s alive….alive! Apex Magazine returns from hiatus–for now
by Jason Sizemore
We’re pulling Apex Magazine out of hiatus and plan on releasing a new issue on the first Monday of July (July 6th).
Why now? And why the magazine?
As I’ve said before, I’m stubborn. That’s playing a role in this decision. But I also try to be sensible when it comes to expensive business decisions. This time, I have a better plan in terms of financing the magazine.
It’s three-tier revenue stream…or three different ways our readers can help support the magazine that also provides them added value for their financial investment.
Tier One: Minion Support via sponsorship
We’ve setup three different levels of sponsorship–$50, $250, $1000. For each level of sponsorship, you get a certain amount of stuff in return. Using this option, Apex receives all the money minus our e-commerce shop’s surcharge (3%) and the credit card surcharge (3%).
Tier Two: Support via Apex Magazine POD purchase or via donation
We’re going to experiment with the Magcloud.com magazine POD service. For each issue, we’re going to design and sell a full color print version of Apex Magazine available for purchase through Magcloud.com. This should be a great solution to those who want to read Apex in print format without waiting for the anthology. Buying the magazine should net $3-$4 in the Apex reserves.
Alternatively, we’ll work harder to earn your donations if you want to support the magazine by that route. Naturally, all donation money goes to Apex minus the previously mentioned surcharges.
Tier Three: Buy a copy of Descended From Darkness: Apex Magazine Vol. I
This is the upcoming anthology that contains all the original fiction printed digitally in Apex Magazine from January 1st, 2008 through June 30th, 2009. By buying this anthology, you’ll be directly supporting both the magazine and the book side of Apex. Descended From Darkness comes out December 1st, 2009. If you buy the book straight out of our shop, Apex will net approximately $8-$10.
Apex Magazine will be published in July and August. If the support is there from the readers, we’ll keep on publishing. We need $500 a month to finance the magazine. With a combination of these three options, we hope to meet that $500 goal each month.
And yes, Apex Magazine will be open to submissions starting July 1st.
I am the submission editor for several publications and each publication has a specific way to submit your work so that I know which publication you are submitting to. At this time, based on the way you submitted this short story, I have no idea which publication it is to be read for. Please go back to the publications' "Calls for Submissions" page and follow the instructions on that page and resubmit your work.
Thank you so much,
Jennifer Brozek
I write this kind of email at least twice a month and have for years. All I received in the email was a "Hi, I hope you enjoy my story and I hope to hear from you soon," sort of message. The subject of the email was "Submission" and that's it.
I could make all kinds of snarky comments on BDSM related topics involving masochism but that would be just too easy.
"So it was at GenCon 2008 that I was at the booth taking a break — I was by myself and there was a lull in the hall — then I met Jennifer Brozek. Colonial Gothic’s cover and title caught her eye, and the next thing I know we’re having a great conversation about the game and the like. At the end of our chat, she said she be in touch, and that was it. Few days later I get an email and she says she was interested in doing some work and pitched the idea of writing some fiction. I had found my writer, and the rest is history." (Bolding done by me.)
At conventions, I like to go look at all of the RPG companies out there to see if they are looking for authors and if there are any RPGs I would like to write for - or, heck, play. GenCon is perfect for this.
At the time, I didn't know that Richard was looking for a fiction writer. All I knew was his RPG, Colonial Gothic, about horror in 1776, caught my eye. When RPG concepts catch me, that usually means I want to write for them. So, I stopped and talked to him. He looked tired but perked up at my interest. The thing Richard doesn't mention is the fact that he also gave me a copy of the corebook for me to read. I'm glad he did. It confirmed my thought that I would like this RPG.
Freelancing is all about being polite, friendly, professional and going after opportunities that present themselves. That means going out, talking to strangers and following up on conversations.
My rules for convention networking:
1. Always have business cards.
2. Always offer them to the person you are speaking with.
3. Always ask for a business card.
4. Always make a note on the card on why you have it.
5. Always -always- follow up on conversations within 1-3 weeks after the convention.
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/?p=1049
Don’t miss out on a chance to win goodies from the entire roster of Apex authors.
Want to win a signed copy of Beauty and Dynamite by Alethea Kontis?
Perhaps you’ve had your eyes on something from Michael A. Burstein?
Or you’ve seen Paul Jessup acting up on Twitter and want to read his fiction?
We have it all. The lottery ends on June 30th, so don’t delay, go and play!
http://www.apexauthorlottery.info
Beginning today, June 22, 2009, you can now pre-order Colonial Gothic Revised direct from IPR, and in doing so, you get a free copy of the Rulebook PDF now. Be the first to discover the horror lurking in the colonies, and be the first to see all the exciting additions to the game.
The question remains: whose side are you on?
Details
Price: $24.99 (print)/$9.99 (eBook/PDF)
Page Count: 298 page
Size: 6″x9″ b&w softcover
This is a series worth reading as a freelance author and for those people who love them... or at least want to work with them. We work just as hard as everyone else. So, why don't people respect that?
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/blog/200
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/blog/200
or win cool stuff from the other Apex authors and edtiors at http://www.apexauthorlottery.info/
It is all good stuff. Looks like I'm going to enter because some of it is too good to miss.
Review of By Blood We Live, edited by John Joseph Adams
Publisher: Night Shade Books
Publication Date: August 2009
Type: Anthology
Reviewed by: Jennifer Brozek
Rating: 5/5
Vampires are the apex predator in fiction today. They are deadly, sexy, enticing, terrifying, and ideal as both a menace and an attraction. We love to read about these intriguing monsters. Love to defeat them. Love to be defeated by them. In By Blood We Live, John Joseph Adams has put together a collection of vampire stories that not only flows well together but shows off the best and worst aspects of our favorite creature of the night.
With over 200,000 words in this anthology, there works by old favorites such as Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice, and Stephen King. There are also works from new favorites like Elizabeth Bear, Jane Yolen, and Joe Hill. Every story fits with every other story but every story is original and fresh on its own. Frankly, there isn’t a clunker in the bunch and that made this anthology for review a real treat to read.
For me, there are three outstanding stories in this collection that shine above the rest. It is their writing, perspective, and originality that made these stories stick in my head long after I finished reading them.
“Child of an Ancient City” by Tad Williams – This story tells a tale of an ancient vampire from an Islamic point of view that brings to mind the tale of Scheherazade and the tales she told to save her life. The blackened skin of the terrifying, hunched creature eschews the seductive quality of the vampire while heightening its horror.
“Lifeblood” by Michael A. Burstein – This story tells the tale of combating a vampire with faith – Jewish faith rather than the traditional Christian faith. The use of song and prayer within the song is a brilliant reinterpretation of brandishing the crucifix.
“The Wide, Carnivorous Sky” by John Langan – A previously unpublished story about a group of military men who encounter a vampiric creature in the heat of battle is especially intriguing for many reasons: the psychic connection between the monster and the men, the origin of the creature, and the philosophical discussion between the military men on where the monster came from and why it was here hunting on Earth.
All of the stories in the anthology have something to recommend them. Harry Turtledove’s story “Under St. Peter’s” is delightfully blasphemous. Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s “The Beautiful, The Damned” is lush and vibrant with its references to The Great Gatsby, and who would not want to return to the ‘Lot in Stephen King’s nostalgic and creepy story, “One for the Road.”
I received a PDF version of this anthology for review and I plan to buy it as soon as it hits the shelves. Night Shade Books and John Joseph Adams created another winner with this anthology of vampires. It is one not to miss.
Guidelines: Send us your recommendation via our Flames Rising contact form. Let us know who you are and who you are nominating for the prize. We’d like to know why they should win the Gen Con Indy bade coupon. We recommend no more than 500 words per entry, but that is just a guideline. Depending upon the number of entries we receive, we may post the top five entries in a follow-up post. If we do that, we will not post your email address publicly nor will we include your last name.
Deadline: The deadline for this contest is midnight, Wednesday, June 24th.
I’m pleased to announce the details of the fourth annual Apex Halloween Short Story Contest!
Contest rules in a nutshell:
Theme: Urban myths with an alien origin
Deadline: October 15th, 2009
Word Count: Maximum of 2,500 words
Submission Address: halloween@apexbookcompany.com
The prize this year is publication in Jennifer Brozek’s upcoming Apex anthology Close Encounters of the Urban Kind. First place gets publication and payment of 8 cents per word for their story (and a copy of the antho). Second place gets publication and payment of 5 cents per word for their story (and a copy of the antho). Jennifer’s anthology is invite only, so these will be the only open spots available to non-solicited manuscripts.
The Apex editing team will choose the ten to fifteen best stories and submit those to Jennifer. Jennifer will proceed to pick the winner and runner-up for publication. Her anthology can be described as “combining the dark allure of urban legends with the high stakes of alien encounters”.
Best of luck!
"468x60 pixels, animated gif okay, 100k size limit"
I was thinking something like:
Flash 1:
When the End of the World comes...
Flash 2:
Meet me in Grants Pass.
Flash 3:
August 2009, Morrigan Books
www.morriganbooks.com
Any takers?
A whole lot of off-theme submissions in this batch. Kind of annoying, really. Especially when the stories themselves are interesting.
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jennifer_brozek- Jennifer Brozek
- Wordslinger & Optimist!