Are Ghost Stories Passe?

[Doc]

I have written a ghost story, mostly psychological, little horror. I have submitted it to several magazines seeking "fantasy" have received encouraging notes "I enjoyed reading this but it is not for us." for example. Does anyone know of a publication seeking or simply accepting a traditional ghost story? Please help. I love this story. I believe those who read ghostly tales would also love it. I have had both short stories and creative nonfiction published so I am not a novice writer, if that makes a difference.

[Mayor of Moronia]

Nothing really good is ever passe. Tastes change. And people get satiated from too much of a good thing. But there is always a market for excellent.

[Speed]

Ghosts aren't passe. They just didn't like your story.

[Speed]

Oh, and Moronia? "Too much of a good thing" isn't what does it. The problem is that there's not enough of the good thing the readers want, so they surfeit themselves on second-rate substitutes. When more of the first-rate stuff comes along, they remember why they liked it in the first place.

On examination, complaints about "too much of a good thing" no longer selling often prove to be coming from authors who can't understand why second-rate stuff that was good enough to sell a few years back isn't selling this year.

[Jamesaritchie]

I have written a ghost story, mostly psychological, little horror. I have submitted it to several magazines seeking "fantasy" have received encouraging notes "I enjoyed reading this but it is not for us." for example. Does anyone know of a publication seeking or simply accepting a traditional ghost story? Please help. I love this story. I believe those who read ghostly tales would also love it. I have had both short stories and creative nonfiction published so I am not a novice writer, if that makes a difference.

No, ghost stories are not passe. Unless they seem too much like all the other ghost stories editors have read.

But Stephen King aside, we all write stories no one wants, regardless of experience. The short story market is incredibly tough, and no matter how good you are, you aren't going to be good enough most of the time.

And quite often, it is a matter of finding the right fit. "Ghost story" doesn't say much. A ghost story can fit in fantasy, but ghosts are most often associated with horror. My first choice for a ghost story would not be a fantasy magazine.

[bsolah]

I've seen many markets around looking for ghost stories, traditional ones without overt horror. I think submitting to fantasy type markets probably isn't the right place.

[blacbird]

No, ghost stories are not passe. Unless they seem too much like all the other ghost stories editors have read.

Or too different.

caw.

[beezle]

I hope not, I'm writing one.

[Flapdoodle]

I have written a ghost story, mostly psychological, little horror. I have submitted it to several magazines seeking "fantasy" have received encouraging notes "I enjoyed reading this but it is not for us." for example. Does anyone know of a publication seeking or simply accepting a traditional ghost story? Please help. I love this story. I believe those who read ghostly tales would also love it. I have had both short stories and creative nonfiction published so I am not a novice writer, if that makes a difference.

There are some markets for "traditional" ghost stories. Try looking through the markets at www.ralan.com. I seem to recall one in Canada.

I wouldn't worry about the response - I generally get this response with every short I submit, and occasionally manage to get one published. I figure that short story markets are very particular about what they want, especially in horror.

I don't think ghost stories will ever be passe.

[NightWynde]

They're currently closed for submissions, but you might want to giveInsidious Reflections (http://insidiousreflections.com/) a shot. They're not picky about genre, but it better be a bit on the dark side (traditional ghost stories fall into this category, but I sure wouldn't send them a light hearted romance) and it better be good (if I'm not mistaken, Brian Keene has published a piece or two in there).

Here's a direct link to their guidelines (http://www.insidiousreflections.com/SubmitToInsidiousReflections-ShortStories.htm) if you're interested.

If you want something a bit more specific about them, feel free to PM me as I happen to know the editors personally.

[bsolah]

I agree with NightWynde, IR is a great magazine. I hope to submit to them when submissions open again.

[blacbird]

I note on the IR guidelines that they are closed to submissions "until further notice". My experience elsewhere has been that that phrase is a euphemism for "until Amelia Earhardt is found."

caw.

[Perks]

Are Ghost Stories Passe?

I friggin' sincerely hope not, or I have passe-d away a grand amount of time.

[Unique]

If ghost stories are passe`

why do people keep stealing them from our library system?

Voted: Most Likely to Disappear

(no pun intended)

[Writer2011]

I don't think Ghost Stories are passe... I love reading them... of course there are other who don't... But keep trying..

[MicheleLee]

Dark Recess is having a ghost story contest: http://www.darkrecesses.com/contest.htm

[NightWynde]

I note on the IR guidelines that they are closed to submissions "until further notice". My experience elsewhere has been that that phrase is a euphemism for "until Amelia Earhardt is found."

caw.

I just sent Chris Hedges (one of the Editors-in-Chief at IR) a link to this forum, specifically regarding the above. This is his reply:

If you want to let him know, we're not closed forever. We're catching our breath. I literally have a 1.5' stack of paper on my desk that are alllll stories. Gotta catch up.

We're just gaining speed. We're being distributed to stores by Ubiquity Distributors out of New York now and we're signing on with Ingram Periodicals pretty soon. So, no. We're not planning on taking a dirt nap any time soon. You can let him know that if you want.

Thanks!!

~C

[stormie]

Nope. Ghost stories are alive and well. And timeless. :D

www.alienskinmag.com (http://www.alienskinmag.com) takes ghost stories. I had one pubbed with them two months ago. I also have a middle grade novel that's a ghost story making the publishing house rounds right now.

[davids]

Nothing is passe if well written

[MidnightMuse]

Nothing is passe if well written

Ah, well said :) I shouldn't think, in particular, ghost stories would ever "go out of style" considering they've been IN style since humans first started telling stories to each other (for the most part).

Okay, I've never done one, so keep that in mind !

[awatkins]

www.alienskinmag.com (http://www.alienskinmag.com) takes ghost stories.

Thanks, stormie! I couldn't remember the name of that one for anything. ;)

Another place to try is Nocturnal Ooze (http://www.nocturnalooze.com/Submissions.htm). It's pubbed by the same folks who publish Alien Skin. I've sold creepy stories to both these publications and found them great to work with.