Their connection with the Dresden Files and a few other well-known properties is the release of the audiobook versions, from what I can find. They're just now moving into print publishing.
I emailed them yesterday asking some questions about Buzzy Mag.
On their submissions page, it says that they pay 5 cents per word for stories up to 10,000 words. It also says they're looking for stories that can be developed into novels later for publication by Buzzy Multimedia.
I thought that was strange wording. So I sent the following email, copied and pasted:
On your submissions page you list the rate as 5 cents per word for stories of 10,000 words and under. It also says that you're looking for stories that can be developed into novels later.
I'm curious what rights you plan to purchase at that rate. I also would like to know if the original author is the one who turns his or her story into a novel, and whether there are any future payments to authors whose stories are developed into full-length novels, if not.
Is there somewhere on any of your sites where I can find this information? If not, can you please provide it?
I got a reply today. Prompt, but it doesn't answer any of those questions.
The reply from June, with no title or other information, says that the 5 cents per word is just the rate for short stories, and that if they purchase a novel it will be negotiated under a completely different contract. I expected it would be different for a novel purchased outright, but I was asking specifically about the mention of stories that could be developed later, and I think my questions were clear.
No answer about which rights are purchased on stories, what of developing the stories into novels later, or who would do it/be compensated for it.
If you submit there and are accepted, read the contract carefully to make sure you're ONLY signing over the right for them to use the story in their online magazine. Make sure that the contract doesn't grant them the right to adapt the work however they want without further compensation.
I'm not saying they're out to do that, not at all. But it pays to be cautious.
Shelley