ByLine Magazine

Does anyone have the scoop on ByLine Magazine? (www.bylinemag.com). A number of months ago, they ceased publication due to "personal problems." Okay, but here's the thing: they presumably are still running their contests, but they haven't announced any winners.

I entered an April contest, and the winners normally would have been announced in the magazine three months later, in the July issue. But there was no July issue, and thus no announcement. This is the case for the May, June, and July contests as well.

On their website, they have the August-December contests still listed (as though they are still running), with the notation that winners will be announced on the website in three months. Well, no August winners have been announced, either.

I have written to the editor now three times about this, and have never received a response. It seems wrong to me that they are continuing to run these contests -- and are collecting money -- but never announce the winners.

Meanwhile, I subscribed in April and only received two issues. The subscription price is $24.00, not inexpensive. What happens in this kind of situation? Is the magazine supposed to issue refunds?

Thanks in advance for any information anyone might have.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I actually did try to write Donna Marbach at Palettes and Quills, but she didn't respond.

I left a message on Robbi's voice mail today.

I'll let everyone know if I receive a response.

Getting Frustrated

There still has been no reply from ByLine Mag, either to my emails or my phone call.


P.S. I also entered their chapbook contest, which has been taken over by Donna Marbach's company (Donna Marbach was ByLine's poetry editor). Winners are supposed to be announced this month. I just wrote an email to Donna expressing my concern that there will be no winners announced for the chapbook contest, either.

The winners of the chapbook contest were announced today on the
Palettes and Quills website.

Just rec'd a nice and helpful email from Donna Marbach. Although she doesn't really know what's going on at ByLine, she was able to give me Robbi Hess's personal email.

So...I guess I'll try that email. I'll let everyone know.

Cyndy, I'm sorry you didn't receive your prize money.

At least they don't owe me money (unless you count the subscription and the money I paid to enter a contest which was apparently never judged).

I'm sorry to say that Robbi has not replied to my latest email, either.

I just read about a mag called "Writers' Journal." I'm about to check it out (www.writersjournal.com).

Maybe they are somewhat similar to ByLine.