THIRTEEN O'CLOCK » Writer’s Markets http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au Australian dark fiction news and reviews Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:27:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 Insert Title Here open to submissions http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/insert-title-here-open-to-submissions/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/insert-title-here-open-to-submissions/#comments Sat, 07 Dec 2013 06:09:34 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=870 Continue reading ]]> Submissions are now open for the new unthemed speculative fiction anthology, Insert Title Here, from FableCroft Publishing.

Guidelines are as follows (taken from FableCroft’s website):

Stories should be between 2,000 and 12,000 words and contain speculative elements – science fiction, fantasy and horror and their sub-genres are all welcome, but we recommend researching FableCroft’s past projects for an idea of the sort of stories we publish. Generally, no erotica or splatterpunk is desirable. Please query the editor before sending stories outside those limits.

We are seeking original stories only, for first and exclusive world rights (for a period of twelve months, excluding any subsequent Year’s Best reprint request) – no reprint submissions please.

No simultaneous submissions please.

For multiple submissions, please query first.

Submissions open: December 1, 2013

Submissions close: February 28, 2014

Anticipated publication date: August 2014

Electronic submissions only. Please send story as an rtf or doc attachment to fablecroft [at] gmail [dot] com, with the subject line: SUBMISSION: Title of Story

Please be cautious to only submit final, proofread copy – ensure you have checked all your edits and removed all track changes in your document.

The editor will respond with a submission received email within 48 hours, but story selection may not occur until up to one month after the deadline. This anthology is open worldwide.

Payment will be AUD$75.00 and one contributor copy of the print book. Further royalties will apply for e-book revenue – information about royalties will be provided in contract negotiations with successful authors and is dependent on final book details.

Thanks to Jonathan Strahan for the title idea, from his Aurealis Awards acceptance speech in May this year.

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Don’t Let Us Lose Another Bookshop http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/dont-let-us-lose-another-bookshop/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/dont-let-us-lose-another-bookshop/#comments Wed, 06 Nov 2013 01:53:01 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=813 Continue reading ]]> Some grim news came out today regarding Notions Unlimited Bookshop, one of Australia’s favourite bookstores. Owner-operator, all round good guy, and king of all that’s spec-fic, Chuck McKenzie, announced that the bookshop is in very real danger of closing by Christmas or soon after, due to the ever rising costs of running a business.

The following is taken directly from the Notions Unlimited Bookshop‘s website:

Since the day we opened our doors, just 20 months ago, the staff and management of Notions Unlimited Bookshop have worked hard to create something more than just a specialist bookstore, and we feel genuinely proud of much that we’ve achieved during that time, such as:

# Continuing to offer a great range of publications, including the best of Australian small-press, rare and hard-to-get titles, genre classics, and latest new releases.

# Building and maintaining a reputation for friendly and knowledgeable service.

# Keeping our prices reasonable – no mean task in these days of Internet shopping and global economic downturn.

# Becoming accepted as part of the local community, plus creating an ever-growing community of our own, bringing together fans of SF, fantasy, horror, graphic novels, gaming, manga, esoteric interests and more – something we’re especially proud of, and that we hope to continue doing for a long time to come.

In order for us to reach that last goal, however, we really do need the assistance of our customers, general supporters, and Facebook subscribers at this time.

Currently, Notions Unlimited Bookshop is looking at the very real possibility of closure – if not by Christmas, then perhaps just afterwards – with the chief cause being the ever-rising cost of running the business. It’s not definite at this point, but the writing is on the wall, and this appeal is an attempt to reverse matters before it’s too late.

Our aim, therefore, is not just to increase our daily sales, but to substantially increase the number of potential customers. Previously, we have tried to boost customer numbers through signage, social media and print advertising – yet almost 80% of our customers tell us they discovered us through referral from friends, family or colleagues.

So this is exactly what we’re asking our friends and customers to do for us now – refer us!

In a nutshell, while we’d love you to pop into our shop over the next few weeks and purchase a book (or two) to help keep us afloat, what we really want you to do is tell other people about us. Jump on Twitter and Facebook, tell your friends, family, workmates, and anybody else you know who loves SF, fantasy, horror, graphic novels, manga, media tie-ins, gaming, esoteric subjects, and other such related genres, to come and check us out in person (and then tell all of their peeps!). We’re not looking for handouts – just introductions to potential customers who may help to keep us in business. And do be sure to mention to everyone you refer us to that this is all in aid of keeping Notions Unlimited Bookshop operating.

Finally, I just want to make it absolutely clear that this is a genuine appeal, not some fake ‘going out of business’ sale or marketing trick. If things don’t improve markedly for us over the next month, we will almost certainly be forced to close our doors forever. No business owner ever wants to admit that a business is failing, but there comes a time when that owner has to either quietly slide towards the inevitable, or step into the spotlight and ask for assistance. So, if you feel you can assist, and will do so, you will have the absolute gratitude of myself and my staff – as well as, hopefully, a future in which we may continue to provide you with the range, service and community you deserve.

In the meantime, a massive and heartfelt ‘thank-you’ to all of our customers, regular and casual, who have supported us already since we opened. We couldn’t have survived thus far without you.

With Thanks,

Chuck McKenzie (Chief Zombologist)
Notions Unlimited Bookshop
facebook.com/pages/Notions-Unlimited-Bookshop/
@notionsun
info@notionsunlimitedbookshop.com

Bookshops are an endangered entity in this day and age, and whenever one closes its doors for good, we are all a little poorer for it. Don’t let this happen to Notions Unlimited Bookshop. Please help in any way you can.

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Brimstone Press announces three new novel lines http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/brimstone-press-announces-three-new-novel-lines/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/brimstone-press-announces-three-new-novel-lines/#comments Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:12:02 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=734 Continue reading ]]> Brimstone Press have emerged from hiatus after their move from Australia to New Zealand and have announced the upcoming reading period for three new dark fiction novel lines. They will be holding an open reading for three months from 1 July to 30 September 2013 for the following types of novels:

Brimstone – dark fiction for adults.

Horror, thrillers, and all sub-genres – including psychological, supernatural, apocalyptic, and Lovecraftian. The primary intent of your novel is to inspire fear or suspense in the reader.

Bloodstone – dark romance.

Gothic and paranormal (no blatant porn). The primary intent of your novel is to explore tragic, taboo, and/or ill-fated relationships.

Moonstone – dark fiction for young adults.

Same as the above lines (Brimstone & Bloodstone) but aimed at a younger (teen) audience.

All the submission guidelines can be found here.

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Tales to Terrify Call for Submissions http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/tales-to-terrify-call-for-submissions/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/tales-to-terrify-call-for-submissions/#comments Sun, 21 Oct 2012 03:05:49 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=569 Continue reading ]]> Horror podcast Tales to Terrify (now up to its 41st episode starring work from Tim Lebbon, and still going strong, with its first print volume forthcoming) is open to submissions. If you want to be part of this stellar show, read the submission guidelines at the site.

Previous shows have featured HP Lovecraft, Stephen King, Margo Lanagan, Kaaron Warren, and a truckload of other talent, so you would truly be aiming to keep good company with your submission. Good luck!

(On a personal note, this is my favourite horror podcast. Period.)

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Submission Call: Award-Winning Australian Writing http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/submission-call-award-winning-australian-writing/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/submission-call-award-winning-australian-writing/#comments Sat, 04 Aug 2012 06:27:14 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=494 Continue reading ]]> Have you written a story of no more than 6,000 words or a poem of no more than 200 lines that won first place in an Australian competition between 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2012? If so, Melbourne Books wants you to submit it for consideration for the Award Winning Australian Writing 2012 edition.

Full details and submission guidelines here. Submissions close 20 August, so hurry up!

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Midnight Echo Announces Issue 8 Submission Guidelines – News http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/midnight-echo-announces-issue-8-submission-guidelines-news/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/midnight-echo-announces-issue-8-submission-guidelines-news/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:56:54 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=174 Continue reading ]]> Midnight Echo Magazine has announced its editors and submission details for Issue 8. The issue is to be edited by Amanda J Spedding, Mark Farrugia, and Marty Young, is open to submissions from March 1 to June 30, 2012.

From the website:

The theme of Midnight Echo Issue 8 is knock our socks off with a damn good horror story! What do we mean by that? Well, we’re looking for stories that we might have trouble digesting. Stories that leave us feeling scared and excited about what’s in store… Scare us, shock us, freak us out, get up-close and personal with your imagination and startle us with the end result. We’re open to everything, but only the best will survive.

Marty: “I want people to really stretch their imaginations. Take us into space, into hell, or into beyond—and leave us there if you need to, but don’t take us into wacky, weird, gonzo style stories. If you need to be explicit to do this, then fine, but there’s nothing wrong with the old quiet school of horror, where what you don’t see is what does the damage.”

Mark: “I want to publish stories that challenge the way I think about traditional values—faith, love, desire, religion—stories that blur the line between right and wrong, fantasy and fact. Stories intertwined with emotion. Content is not an issue with me but the more adult the theme, the better the writing has to be. Don’t be frightened to sub the ol’ tropes (vampire, zombie, werewolf) but make it something special.  Surprise me. Shock me. Entertain. I am not adverse to poetry but it has to engage me in some way, the things I have highlighted above would be a good place for poets to start.”

Amanda:”Scare us. I’m looking for character-driven stories that push the limits of horror versus hope—I want to see the internal and external battle between predator and prey. Delve into the darkness of the mind, or the formless abyss where monsters live and inflict your worst, but make it war. I’m after content and combat in context, though, so any splatter-porn should be backed up by a damn fine story.”

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Dreaming of Djinn Submission Call – news http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/dreaming-of-djinn-submission-call-news/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/dreaming-of-djinn-submission-call-news/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:09:12 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=73 Continue reading ]]> Ticonderoga Publications have announced submission details for the forthcoming anthology Dreaming of Djinn, to be edited by Liz Grzyb (Scary Kisses, More Scary Kisses, The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror 2010).

The editor says in the submission guidelines:

Scheherazade’s One Thousand and One Nights stories have captured imaginations for a millennia. Fairy tales and fables abound, telling of the fantastic and mysterious, the comic and dramatic.

This anthology, with the working title Dreaming of Djinn, will look at romantic Orientalism through a speculative fiction lens. You might find lost cities, magical lamps, mummies, thieves, intrepid explorers, slaves, robotic horsemen, noble queens, sorcerers, outcast princes, harems, dancers, djinn, assassins and even smart-talking camels and cats, set in exotic Persia, Egypt, Arabia, the Ottoman Empire, or a modern incarnation of these.

The anthology will be published by Ticonderoga Publications in 2013 and submissions are open between 1st March and 15th October 2012.

Full submission guidelines can be found at: http://ticonderogapublications.com/index.php/guidelines/dreaming-of-djinn

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Bloodstones Submission Call – news http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/bloodstones-submission-call-news/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/bloodstones-submission-call-news/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:56:51 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=69 Continue reading ]]> Submissions are currently open for Ticonderoga Publications‘ forthcoming Bloodstones anthology, edited by Amanda Pillar.

The editor says in the submission call:

This is the first in a series of anthologies from Ticonderoga Publications that will focus on non-traditional horror. I want stories that are horrific, but that also fit within other genres—let’s look beyond the borders. This year’s anthology will focus on non-traditional urban fantasy. This means that I don’t want stories that feature vampires, witches or werewolves; if you send one, it probably won’t make it through to the final cut.

Give me tales of Sirens, Harpies, Bunyips, goblins, djinns, Mesopotamian demons, deposed gods…characters that spill from mythology and into modern suburbia.

Any stories involving cultural borrowing from indigenous cultures should be respectful of the beliefs of the traditional owners.

Romantic elements are acceptable, as long as the story is dark and has horrific themes/elements.

The story must be set on contemporary Earth, but it can take place in a fictional city.

The anthology will be published by Ticonderoga Publications in late 2012.

Full submission guidelines can be found at: http://ticonderogapublications.com/index.php/guidelines/bloodstones

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Horror World Anthology Submission Call – news http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/horror-world-anthology-submission-call-news/ http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/horror-world-anthology-submission-call-news/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:26:21 +0000 http://www.thirteenoclock.com.au/?p=64 Continue reading ]]> Horror World has announced that they are now accepting submissions for the Horror World Anthology of Short Fiction – Volume 1, to be edited by Christopher Jones and Nanci Kalanta. The anthology is to be published in e-book format at the end of 2012 and a trade paperback to follow in 2013.

The following are the guidelines for submission.

  • Manuscripts should be 500 to 5000 words in length. Exceptions will be made either over or under the word limit based on quality. Poetry will be considered.
  • Manuscripts should be single spaced with breaks instead of indentations to denote new paragraphs. Please use size 12 Times New Roman font. Manuscripts should be submitted in DOC or DOCX formats.
  • We accept electronic submissions only through the following email address: submissions@horrorworld.org. Please allow up to 3 months for a response.
  • No multiple submissions. Please wait until you receive an acceptance or rejection before sending another story.
  • We accept simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your submission is accepted elsewhere.
  • Payment: Horror World pays 2 cents per word for First Worldwide Electronic and Print Rights. Payment is made upon publication.
  • We will be accepting submissions until July 1, 2012
  • Any type of horror-related story is acceptable but we are looking for stories that are scary and original or stories that bring a fresh perspective to a familiar trope.

Source: http://www.horrorworld.org/hw/horror-world-announcements/

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