Market Discussion: Which one is right for this...?

EFCollins · Nov 2, 2009

Okay, so I talked to Haggis and Lily (haha! Lily's a mod!) and they thought this would be okay.

Basically, if you have a horror story that you're not sure where you should send it, this is the place for us to discuss it and see what we all come up with.

Horror short fiction is a small market-base and when you get even smaller with things like humor horror, horror light, literary horror... it can get overwhelming. Most publications have their list of what they won't take, but that doesn't help if what you have written isn't on that list. So, if you have it posted in SYW, give us a link... if not, give us some details. We'll make suggestions on the markets we think would make a good home for it. This won't guarantee asale for you or your story, but it'll give you a place to start.

Twisted · Nov 4, 2009

Carrying Jimmy

Okay - I've been playing around with this one for a while. I sent it to a couple lit mags early on, but they respectifully declined. I find the story a bit horryifying, at least in terms of how guilt and totally mess up a persons life, so I tried DR. I did get a real nice, "This is almost what we're looking for, but no thanks," still no go. I just sub'd it to Ideomancer, they like strange stuff, so we'll see what they say.

Let me know your thoughts. I think it's pretty good, but have no idea where to really send it.

Sorry, I dont know how ot do the link, but it's in SYW horror... Carrying Jimmy.

EFCollins · Nov 4, 2009

What about Sinister Tales? I'd say "Carrying Jimmy" is more Dark Lit. than horror, but that's just me. Dark Lit. has a good market base. Twilight Times might be one to look at too, they'll be closing to subs on the 5th, though so you may want to take a look and see if you can get it in time.

http://www.twilighttimes.com/

(I did notice a couple of grammar problems--left out words etc. Nothing major--so give it another once over before you sub it out again.)

jgold · Nov 9, 2009

Hi Twisted!

Liked the story a lot. Not quite horror and not really speculative either, but it's very good. Have you tried Nossa Morte, Murky Depths or Reflection's Edge yet?

Twisted · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks J-

I've not tried any of those. I really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction. I reallyhave know idea where this might fit.

Rhoda Nightingale · Nov 15, 2009

Is this just for magazines and journals, or can we talk book publishers and agents as well?

EFCollins · Nov 15, 2009

My intent was for magazines and journals. Short story markets are a bit harder for genre fiction writers to find an appropriate fit with. There is another thread for agents and publishers stickied at the top of the forum, courtesy of hunky bad monkey Leukman-- but it's to discuss the markets themselves. It might give some insight as to what you need.

dolores haze · Mar 16, 2010

I need help with this one. This short story has received eight personalized rejections, each giving very different feedback. A couple of straight form rejections, too, from more literary markets.

"Too grotesque," "hilarious and well-written, but not for us," "didn't like the characters," "loved it, but don't think the readership would respond well," "beautifully written, but not for us," "too dialogue-heavy," "not weird enough; try somewhere more mainstream," and "not for us, but it's a great story - keep subbing."

Any suggestions for a grotesquely funny, dialogue-heavy, satire of a romance novel, with unlikeable characters and cannibalism?

ETA: Oops, I forgot one: "too dark and depressing for horror market."

EFCollins · Mar 16, 2010

dolores haze said:
I need help with this one. This short story has received eight personalized rejections, each giving very different feedback. A couple of straight form rejections, too, from more literary markets.

"Too grotesque," "hilarious and well-written, but not for us," "didn't like the characters," "loved it, but don't think the readership would respond well," "beautifully written, but not for us," "too dialogue-heavy," "not weird enough; try somewhere more mainstream," and "not for us, but it's a great story - keep subbing."

Any suggestions for a grotesquely funny, dialogue-heavy, satire of a romance novel, with unlikeable characters and cannibalism?

ETA: Oops, I forgot one: "too dark and depressing for horror market."

Dang woman! It's a novel, right? What about Medallion Press or maybe Lyrical Press? Or, one of the presses that do paranormal/romance/horror and other things of that nature? Gimme a little bit to go through what I know and I'll get back to ya with more suggestions. These are just what I thought of off the top of mine head.

bsolah · Mar 17, 2010

This is a great idea EF.

I'm working on a short story that's been to a few markets. It's a vampire tale set in an office where the worker suspects his boss might be a vampire. It has a minor twist in it.

I'm looking for a market that isn't hostile to a vampire tale that doesn't radically do anything new with the trope, perhaps a non-paying emarket?

dolores haze · Mar 17, 2010

EFCollins said:
Dang woman! It's a novel, right? What about Medallion Press or maybe Lyrical Press? Or, one of the presses that do paranormal/romance/horror and other things of that nature? Gimme a little bit to go through what I know and I'll get back to ya with more suggestions. These are just what I thought of off the top of mine head.

It's a short story, Ef.

bsolah said:
This is a great idea EF.

I'm working on a short story that's been to a few markets. It's a vampire tale set in an office where the worker suspects his boss might be a vampire. It has a minor twist in it.

I'm looking for a market that isn't hostile to a vampire tale that doesn't radically do anything new with the trope, perhaps a non-paying emarket?

I've got a vamp story doing the rounds, too. No 'bites' as yet, but an awful lot of rejections just because it's a vamp story. One editor rejected with a "cool story, but this is the fifth vamp story I've read TODAY." So - tough sell. But if I come across anything vamp friendly I'll let you know, Ben.

bsolah · Mar 17, 2010

Thanks dolores, it is a tough sell but I don't want to just ditch it.

I'm considering rewriting it to blur it just a bit.

EFCollins · Mar 17, 2010

dolores haze said:
It's a short story, Ef.

Hmm. Have you tried Shock Totem? It's no secret that I love this mag very much already. I hang out over on their forums quite a bit and I have to say that they're very fun people. Their first issue is amazing and their next issue will be coming out soon. Pro rates, quality product (a beautiful product, actually), all from a fairly new mag. Good people and good fiction.

Or maybe SNM magazine? SNM has monthly themes, but there may be something in the upcoming months where it could fit. SNM will publish a lot of things other horror mags won't take. They are proud to push the envelope a bit. They pay pro rates as well, but only to the editors choice of the month, or something like that.

bsolah said:
Thanks dolores, it is a tough sell but I don't want to just ditch it.

I'm considering rewriting it to blur it just a bit.

If you're willing to go non-paying for the vampire story, one of my favorite markets that takes all genres is The Piker Press. (Link in my signature) The editor I work with, Sand Pilarski, is a great person. She's easy going and their contract is on the up and up. They are a legit ecredit and have a fair number of readers, too. Sand isn't one who is sketchy about horror. She certainly has no problem publishing my stuff.

bsolah · Mar 17, 2010

EFCollins said:
If you're willing to go non-paying for the vampire story, one of my favorite markets that takes all genres is The Piker Press. (Link in my signature) The editor I work with, Sand Pilarski, is a great person. She's easy going and their contract is on the up and up. They are a legit ecredit and have a fair number of readers, too. Sand isn't one who is sketchy about horror. She certainly has no problem publishing my stuff.

Thanks EF, will definitely give this market a go if a couple of paying markets fail.

EFCollins · Mar 17, 2010

Paying markets for vampires... I'll have a dig around and see what I can find. Vampires are being written to death right now, as Dolores said, but we might be able to find ya something.

bsolah · Mar 17, 2010

Yeah, I know, but I don't want to waste the story. It's been saved for a collection of mine as well but want to give it some game time before hand if you know what I mean.

EFCollins · Mar 17, 2010

*is nodding* I know what you mean.

dolores haze · Mar 17, 2010

Have you tried Shock Totem?

Love 'em, but dang, they're a tough market. I have something out on sub to them right now and they don't accept simsubs. I'm registered over there on the forum, but I never have time to hang out.

ETA: Just checked my tracker and they already rejected the story with a form.

Or maybe SNM magazine?

This could be the one! And I think my story fits the April theme. Thanks, Effie.

Jcomp · Mar 18, 2010

dolores haze said:
ETA: Oops, I forgot one: "too dark and depressing for horror market."

What the expletive?! What kind of horror market rejects something as too dark and depressing? Do they only accept stories that are gray and melancholy? Bozhe moi.

Ladyhawke_18 · Mar 18, 2010

I definitely need help! I've published one sci-fi short and one fantasy short in the zines, but now that I'm getting into horror, I'm having major difficulty.

1. HORROR MUSEUM (4,340 words) A female museum/ secretary/ office worker starts to wonder if her new co-worker might be a homicidal alien.

This was the feedback I received from "Necrotic Tissue":

First, let me say you made it to the final stage. I felt your story was very entertaining, and it was very difficult to part with. However, as we got down to the end in selecting pieces, we noticed a theme that was shaping for July's issue. We rarely allow first person stories to get into the final round, but yours was an exception. We also rarely allow SCIFI to make it this far, but once again yours was very good. I wish you the best of luck placing this piece elsewhere and hope to see more of your writing in the future

###

2. GRAND-MONSTER (638 words) A youngster being raised by her grandmother is afraid of her grandmother's dentures. Sort of a twist on a vampire tale.

4 rejections, but in my critique group everyone thought the story was perfectly polished.

One personal rejection stated it was too short, another that it didn't grab people enough.

###

Also, I must say that "Necrotic Tissue" is my FAVORITE horror zine right now as far as reading their material goes. They have specific times of the year they are open to submissions, though.

~Sasha

jgold · Mar 18, 2010

Sasha-- I'd say give Apex a try for the sci-fi/horror story. They're a pro-market, but super friendly, and the stuff they publish is always good. Also, Space & Time is currently open, so might want to give them a shot too.

For the other one, there are lots of flash markets that take horror. If you haven't already, try duotrope to search for them.

Ladyhawke_18 · Mar 18, 2010

I love reading Apex. I'm having a major DUH moment. I don't know why I've never submitted to them before. THANKS so much for the advice!

EFCollins · Mar 18, 2010

dolores haze said:
Love 'em, but dang, they're a tough market. I have something out on sub to them right now and they don't accept simsubs. I'm registered over there on the forum, but I never have time to hang out.

ETA: Just checked my tracker and they already rejected the story with a form.

This could be the one! And I think my story fits the April theme. Thanks, Effie.

Just so everyone knows, Shock Totem doesn't send personal rejections at all. They either accept, or send a form rejection. There's only a few of them and they get a crazy number of submissions.

Dolores: Good luck with SNM! Glad it fits and my fingers are crossed for you. The people over there are great, and Mr. Marshall has always been very encouraging in his rejections. He's let me know that I made it to the top ten, but not the final eight, and told me it was a "matter of time" in another. They're good peoples.

Haggis · Mar 18, 2010

dolores haze said:
ETA: Oops, I forgot one: "too dark and depressing for horror market."

Jcomp said:
What the expletive?! What kind of horror market rejects something as too dark and depressing? Do they only accept stories that are gray and melancholy? Bozhe moi.

Yeah. That's like an erotica story with too many sex scenes. I don't get it.

dolores haze · Mar 18, 2010

Jcomp said:
What the expletive?! What kind of horror market rejects something as too dark and depressing? Do they only accept stories that are gray and melancholy? Bozhe moi.

Haggis said:
Yeah. That's like an erotica story with too many sex scenes. I don't get it.

Yep - I'm usually fine with rejections, but that one gave me a WTF!!! moment. Especially as they were asking for dark and twisted fiction. I guess I went too far! Strange thing is - I thought the story was black humor. I guess my sense of humor is even more twisted than I thought. Oh, well. Onwards!

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