Cover of Darkness - Denizens of the Dark, April 2013

CuriousMonkey · Mar 6, 2013

Just wanted to say, I've only recently registered with AW, but I've been using it as a pub checker for awhile. You guys are great and quite informative.

On that note, I wanted to field some concern with you all. I have a short Horror story accepted for publication through Cover of Darkness' "Denizens of the Dark" anthology to be released in April of 2013. The emails I've received from their editor are labeled as Herika Relf. Upon checking further, Cover of Darkness has editors Herika R. Raymer and a Terrie Relf. I assume they've simply combined the two last names to form a single mail in-and-out system.

But after that long-winded opening of me, my concern is that there is no mention elsewhere of this anthology soon to be available. The closest google match is a "Denizens of Darkness" from Herika R. Raymer back in October of last year.

This is my first publication, and naturally I am a little paranoid. Especially after reading all the pitfalls possible mentioned on this site. Anything you can tell about this would be greatly appreciated.

And in case this is read by Herika or Relf, I am fielding this inquiry here because I wanted independent, third-party, verification on my concerns. A publisher/editor can always give answers and ensure you of something, but it doesn't hurt to get a little extra info from outside.

Note: I have no reason up to this date to believe they are anything but legitimate publishers, and sincerely hope this is the case.

Thank you all for your following posts.

King Neptune · Mar 6, 2013

Apparently they have been publishing anthologies from time to time. It isn't common for there to much information about an anthology before publication, consider how much one could learn of the July 2013 Readers' Digest.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 6, 2013

There's nothing unusual about editors and writers combining names that way. This part, at least, is obviously not a scam or they would have told you who the real editors are.

This does not mean it's a good deal, or than you'll gain anything by the sale. I've seen Cover of Darkness here and there, but I think they pay only a couple of bucks, and that on publication, so they have no real need to rip you off.

CuriousMonkey · Mar 6, 2013

That's a good point. Thanks for the reply.

OJCade · Mar 8, 2013

I had a story published in "Cover of Darkness" last year. It all went fine, no problems. Of course that was the magazine and not the anthology, but Herika was the one I dealt with and she seemed perfectly professional to me in the few interactions that we had.

CuriousMonkey · Mar 16, 2013

Cool. Thanks for the reassurances.

dachshund · Mar 16, 2013

CuriousMonkey said:
Just wanted to say, I've only recently registered with AW, but I've been using it as a pub checker for awhile. You guys are great and quite informative.

On that note, I wanted to field some concern with you all. I have a short Horror story accepted for publication through Cover of Darkness' "Denizens of the Dark" anthology to be released in April of 2013. The emails I've received from their editor are labeled as Herika Relf. Upon checking further, Cover of Darkness has editors Herika R. Raymer and a Terrie Relf. I assume they've simply combined the two last names to form a single mail in-and-out system.

But after that long-winded opening of me, my concern is that there is no mention elsewhere of this anthology soon to be available. The closest google match is a "Denizens of Darkness" from Herika R. Raymer back in October of last year.

This is my first publication, and naturally I am a little paranoid. Especially after reading all the pitfalls possible mentioned on this site. Anything you can tell about this would be greatly appreciated.

And in case this is read by Herika or Relf, I am fielding this inquiry here because I wanted independent, third-party, verification on my concerns. A publisher/editor can always give answers and ensure you of something, but it doesn't hurt to get a little extra info from outside.

Note: I have no reason up to this date to believe they are anything but legitimate publishers, and sincerely hope this is the case.

Thank you all for your following posts.

I was mixed up on the Herika/Relf thing at first, but yes it is just a combined email name. I've never dealt with Herika, but Relf is fine.

CuriousMonkey · Mar 17, 2013

Should I be worried now?

Below is what I recently received from Cover of Darkness' editor, Herika R Raymer. Am I expecting a mere delay of publication, or the possibility that my story will not see print here? Any info or advice is greatly appreciated.

----
mass email from Raymer below:

Dear Cover of Darkness contributors:

I wanted to thank you all for your marvelous stories and your continued contributions. As you may, or may not, know Sam's Dot was recently purchased by White Cat Publications, LLC. As far as we know, it is continuing as an imprint of White Cat Publications, LLC. As of January 1, 2013 White Cat is responsible for printing, publication, distribution, and payment.

We understand that there have been some delays in Distribution, and unfortunately have no answers as to when to expect receipt of said publications. Even upcoming scheduled anthologies - such as Denizens of Darkness which is supposed to be released the first week of April 2013 - are now in question. We are doing what we can to get information from our contact at White Cat, but correspondence has been slow.

If you have a question or complaint about publication and distribution for any anthologies from January 2013 on, we invite you to direct such inquiries to:

Contact Rick Moore at [email protected] and please be sure to state your anthology (Kiss, Daylight, Darkness, etc) in the title line.

We do apologize for any inconvenience, we had hoped that the transition would be smoother. This information also holds true for those of you with stories pending in Aoife's Kiss, Shelter of Daylight, Hungur, parABnormal digest, Beyond Centauri, and other sister publications. The editors have done - and are continuing to do - what they can to secure information for you, and we are sorry it is not enough.

I hope this has been informative and I sympathize with your frustration.

Also, to keep you informed these editors have resigned from Sam's Dot / White Cat: James Erwine, Tyree Campbell (though he still is a contact for a short time), and H. David Blalock. If you see their names still listed with the anthologies, the information needs updating. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue writing and finding homes for your stories.

Sincerely,
Herika R Raymer
Editor, Cover of Darkness

Jamesaritchie · Mar 18, 2013

It sounds like they just don't know right now.

RyanBDennison · Apr 17, 2013

Keep hope alive!

In the interest of following up... I also had a story accepted to this same anthology. Herika's follow-up email claimed that the anthology delay had been cleared up, and it would be in print by the second week of April. Yet here we are three weeks in, and nary a word (or mention online).

I've emailed Rick Moore, but I'm still waiting to hear back. Does anyone have more information on the release?

doctor_frinkenstein · Apr 30, 2013

Good news

I too have a story that is to be included in this issue of denizens and after a few emails and endless patience, I have been assured by White Cat that it shall be released on the 15th of May, 2 weeks from today! Let's hope they can keep to this schedule!

RyanBDennison · Apr 30, 2013

doctor_frinkenstein said:
I too have a story that is to be included in this issue of denizens and after a few emails and endless patience, I have been assured by White Cat that it shall be released on the 15th of May, 2 weeks from today! Let's hope they can keep to this schedule!

Excellent news!

I still haven't heard back from them, but I'm glad to hear someone has. Maybe we can finally put this thread to rest in a few weeks.

On a related note, has anyone had word about payment? I know the original plan was via Paypal... any word on whether White Cat will be sticking to the same?

Cover of Darkness - Denizens of the Dark, April 2013

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