Monday, May 23, 2011

Threepenny Review

Writer's Thought for the Week: "This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it 'to the editor who can appreciate my work' and it has simply come back stamped 'Not at this address.' Just keep looking
for the right address." —Barbara Kingsolver  

THE THREEPENNY REVIEW is open to submissions through August.
http://www.threepennyreview.com

Submit only via snail mail or their submission system. No e-mail submissions, no simultaneous submissions, and no reprints. Do not submit more than one story or article, or more than five poems, until you have heard back about your previous submission.

Critical articles should be about 1200 to 2500 words, Table Talk items 1000 words or less, stories and memoirs 4000 words or less, and poetry 100 lines or less. Pays $400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece for first serial rights in both print and digital editions. Selected sample content is available on their web site.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Short Story Month

Writing tip: "Never be ashamed of your subject, or of your passion for your subject. Your 'forbidden' passions are likely to be the fuel for your writing… Your struggle with your buried self, or selves, yields your art." ~ Joyce Carol Oates  
 
The Emerging Writers Network has declared May "National Short Story" month. Here are two opportunities that include short stories as well as other forms.

The Gulf Coast Writers Association will accept submissions for its fourth print anthology of short fiction (up to 3,000 words) and poetry (up to 40 lines) between June 1 and September 1, 2011. Stories must be set in Mississippi and clearly capture a Southern tone. They accept most genres. Both unpublished and previously published work are accepted. Payment for selected work is $25 and one copy or five copies for one-time publication rights. 

Shock Totem considers original, unpublished stories of dark fantasy and horror—mystery, suspense, supernatural, morbid humor, fantasy, etc. Stories must have a clear horror element. Looking for short stories up to 5,000 words (firm),  tightly woven flash fiction up to 1,000 words, and microfiction up to 200 words. They also look for nonfiction: journalism about real horrors such as disease, poverty, addiction.
Pays 5 cents per word (3 cents for reprints) with a $250 cap on all accepted stories.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Black Orchid Novella Award

Thought for the week: "Writing is not the lottery. New writers have to be realistic about what it takes to get published. But there is one similarity to the lottery: You have to play to win." ~ Lori Perkin 


BLACK ORCHID NOVELLA AWARD
http://www.nerowolfe.org/htm/neroaward/black_orchid_award/BO_award_proc.htm

Entries must be 15,000 to 20,000 words in length and postmarked by May 31, 2011. Each entry must be an original unpublished work of fiction that conforms to the tradition of the Nero Wolfe mystery series:

       1. "traditional" in flavor
       2. The sleuth's deductive abilities solve the crime. No coincidences.
       3. The killer is known to the victim. No random psycho shootings. 
       4. The characters must have an engaging relationship.
       5. Some wit is required.
      
No entry fee. The winner will be offered a standard Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine contract.

The Wolfe Pack, founded in 1977, is a forum to discuss, explore, and enjoy the 72 Nero Wolfe books and novellas written by Rex Stout. The organization promotes fellowship and extends friendship to those who enjoy these great literary works of mystery through a series of events, book discussions, and a journal devoted to the study of the genius detective, Nero Wolfe, and his intrepid assistant, Archie Goodwin. The organization has more than 500 members worldwide.