Another one bites the dust: Realms of Fantasy to close

Adam Israel · Jan 27, 2009

Information is just starting to trickle in (and I haven't seen/heard official comfirmation yet) but word has it that Realms of Fantasy will close after their April issue.

So sad. I always wanted to get something published there. Now it's too late.

AnneMarble · Jan 27, 2009

StoneTable said:
Information is just starting to trickle in (and I haven't seen/heard official comfirmation yet) but word has it that Realms of Fantasy will close after their April issue.

Damn it! They always had great rejection slips. I wasn't always into their type of fantasy, but it was great to have a fantasy magazine and have it available on news stands.

StoneTable said:
So sad. I always wanted to get something published there. Now it's too late.

Same here. Now I can't even collect different colors of rejection slips.

Adam Israel · Jan 27, 2009

Confirmed.

rugcat · Jan 27, 2009

What a shame. The publishing world seems to be contracting at lightning speed.

waylander · Jan 27, 2009

Oh sh#t!

geardrops · Jan 27, 2009

Damn. I never even got to be rejected by them.

drachin8 · Jan 27, 2009

Sad news.

-Michelle

AceTachyon · Jan 27, 2009

That bites.

I liked the mag. Always had great stories and profiled some really cool artists.

Mr Flibble · Jan 27, 2009

waylander said:
Oh sh#t!

This.

Sean D. Schaffer · Jan 27, 2009

Oh, crud! RoF was a good magazine. I've submitted to them only once, but really wanted to get onto their pages. I'm sorry to see them go.

Fenika · Jan 27, 2009

*crosses RoF off to-sub list*

Alan Yee · Jan 27, 2009

DAMMIT. This is horrible news. Realms of Fantasy has published many stories and authors I've really liked. I've been looking forward to sending them something eventually. I've even had a story I was thinking of submitting to them once I have more time to finish and revise it. *sigh*

jchines · Jan 27, 2009

I remember when Science Fiction Age (Realms' SF twin brother) went under years ago. I'm glad Realms lasted this long, but I'm very sad to see it go. It was my favorite fantasy 'zine, both as a reader and a writer.

Vincent · Jan 27, 2009

This affects an AWer or two, as well. Like, the sold a story that now won't be published sort of affect.

small axe · Jan 27, 2009

the sold a story that now won't be published sort of affect.

What then becomes of a story, if a magazine buys it on acceptance (so someone has their payment) ... but then the magazine ceases?

Does the author simply get the rights back to re-sell it, because the buying entity is no longer there?

Or is the story trapped in limbo, where you sold the rights ... but to a magazine or publisher which cannot publish it?

Just wondering.

Years (and years) ago I submitted a comix to an editor who "loved it so much" he wanted to use it to launch the first issue of his new magazine with. Which magazine never got off the ground. Nor did I ever get the art back. Nor payment. It's utterly moot NOW, but I just always wondered ...

Polenth · Jan 27, 2009

small axe said:
What then becomes of a story, if a magazine buys it on acceptance (so someone has their payment) ... but then the magazine ceases?

Does the author simply get the rights back to re-sell it, because the buying entity is no longer there?

Or is the story trapped in limbo, where you sold the rights ... but to a magazine or publisher which cannot publish it?

Short story contracts usually have a clause saying the rights revert if it hasn't been published after a certain time.

jchines · Jan 28, 2009

Check the contract. If there's nothing in the contract, contact the editor to see if they're willing to release the rights back to you in writing.

The few times it's happened to me, the story was released back to me and I kept the money. I've got one that "sold" three times before actually seeing print.

Christine N. · Jan 28, 2009

This really stinks. I liked that mag, it was great for fantasy fans and it was beautifully done.

I did just find out that the YA reviewer had included a review for one of my books in his final column. Hopefully it'll make it in the last issue.

I'm bummed.

kristin724 · Jan 29, 2009

what the f is left now?

SWickham · Jan 29, 2009

Oh no!!!!!!!

I JUST got my first "free issue" from them, and I actually had it on my "to do list" today to call and get my subscription! I loved the issue that I got, Carrie Vaughn's story was GREAT and the others I've read so far have also been amazing.

Sad news....

SWickham · Jan 29, 2009

I just went to their website http://www.sovhomestead.com/thankyou.htm
and they have this posted:

Dear Readers: We're sorry to report that the April 2009 issue of Realms of Fantasy Magazine will be the last. Thank you very much for your support these many years!

[FONT=&quot] If you have a remaining subscription to Realms of Fantasy, you can choose one of three options:
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] -Transfer your subscription on a remaining issue by issue basis to SCI FI Magazine.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] -Transfer your subscription on a remaining issue by issue basis to OTAKU USA Magazine.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] -Get a refund for the remaining issues left on your Realms of Fantasy subscription.[/FONT]

sirensix · Jan 29, 2009

Okay, so, can someone give me a list of any markets that still ARE accepting short fantasy fiction? I'm sure it won't be a long one...

I just applied to both Clarion workshops and even if I were to get in (due to only braindead zombies applying this year or something), I'm starting to wonder if there is any POINT spending thousands of dollars and 6 weeks of my life learning to write something no one wants to buy.

SWickham · Jan 29, 2009

The best site to look at is probably http://www.ralan.com

They are up to date, this is their latest info and you can see it even includes the Realms of Fantasy news.

UPDATED:
Realms of Fantasy - closed by the publisher
Heliotrope - new GLs URL
Withersin - next reading period revealed
Thrilling Tales - a dead market?
Clarkesworld Magazine - re-opens to subs
Cemetery Dance - temp. closed to subs after 21Jan09
Weird Tales - temp. closed to fiction/poetry subs
Raven Electrick - closed by the publisher
Fantasy Magazine - SFWA approved
Thaumatrope - temp. closed to subs
Futurismic - open to subs
F&SF - goes bimonthly after March 2009
IGMS - closed to subs of 10k+ stories
On the Brighter Side - closed to all subs; #3 (filled) will be last issue
Tales of Moreauvia - open to subs for issue #4

Also here's a couple other lists you might want to check out:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mslee/mag.html

http://www.fictionfactor.com/fiction2.html

And GOOD LUCK with your Clarion app!! I'm not even worthy of applying, so hey, good for you and I hope you get in!!

sirensix · Jan 29, 2009

So, taking out the ones that aren't really accepting submissions, we have:

UPDATED:
Heliotrope - new GLs URL
Withersin - next reading period revealed
Clarkesworld Magazine - re-opens to subs
Fantasy Magazine - SFWA approved
Futurismic - open to subs
F&SF - goes bimonthly after March 2009
IGMS - closed to subs of 10k+ stories
Tales of Moreauvia - open to subs for issue #4

So... eight markets. Eight. Wow.

And GOOD LUCK with your Clarion app!! I'm not even worthy of applying, so hey, good for you and I hope you get in!!

Wait... you have to be worthy? I checked and rechecked the app and it didn't say that anywhere, or I'd not have bothered.

SWickham · Jan 29, 2009

No no, there's tons more on the site, that's just the latest that have "updates", check the site, there are lots.

Another one bites the dust: Realms of Fantasy to close

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