Authortunities #46 Feb. 3—Mar. 2
Interviewed C. Hope Clark of FundsforWriters ➕ S&T Submissions Update #3 ➕ FREE Space and Time #3 from Spring 1968 〓 Nearly 200 author opportunities for you!
What a busy week (I say every week). I’ve been reworking my backlist, establishing an imprint under Yuriko Publishing and interviewing C. Hope Clark of FundsforWriters.com. I’ve also been taking workshops on how to use Bookfunnel (which I’ll be adding to the calendar) and helping with content for the shiny new HWA website. Angel Leigh McCoy is doing all tech and heavy lifting. I can’t wait to see it.
Exercise Your Writes Submissions Open Feb. 7
This month I had C. Hope Clark of FundsforWriters.com on the show. Funny story that, she originally contacted me with concerns over the use of KDP’s Virtual Voice audiobooks… so I invited her to the show. It was a great interview, You can watch “Talking with C. Hope Clark from FundsforWriters” here. Pete Kelly and Elaine Pascale both have readings at the end of the show.
The March 1 show will be “With Lydia Prime [Kandisha Press, Silent House Press, Sirens Call Publications]” and it’s already scheduled here.
By the way, get your videos ready because submissions open back up on Feb. 7th! I’ll be choosing just one video to close out that show. Details here.
Space and Time Submissions Update
Space and Time submissions are officially closed. We will open back up again June 15-30. I hope to announce the ToC at the end of this month. If all goes perfectly this issue will be out in April.
Here’s our stats:
Total Submissions Received: 651 submissions matching those criteria have been received.
Pending Submissions: 164 submissions are pending response.
Days Waiting: (only for pending submissions)
2.1 days min.
18.4 days max.
9.9 days (mean) avg.
Complete Submissions: 598 submissions have been finalized.
In case you didn’t know, Anthony R. Rhodes, Space and Time magazine’s brilliant layout director, recently finished up designing the interior for Back 2 OmniPark. Published on December 15, 2023, Anthony did an incredible job doing both graphic and layout for Back 2 OmniPark while he was doing layout and graphics for Space and Time Fall/Winter #145. I’m lucky to have his help on the magazine. He’s doing an interesting series on his blog about the OmniPark art and stories he worked on. Find Back 2 OmniPark on Amazon here.
From his latest post:
“Back 2 OmniPark is the horror anthology prequel to 2021's Tales from OmniPark, which made the preliminary ballot for a Bram Stoker award. B2O has original stories by authors such as from Jonathan Maberry, Laird Barron, Hailey Piper, Brian Evenson, Kristi DeMeester, Angela Yuriko Smith and more.“
Read more and see his work on his site: https://arr-illustrator.blogspot.com/
The Sirens Call eZine - Issue #64 has just published and you can get that issue for free here. Sirens Call eZine is one of the few nonpaying markets I share in Authortunities. I know we all joke about “writing for exposure” but some markets are worth it. I can credit one of my Bram Stoker Awards because Siren’s Call published my essay “Horror Writers: Architects of Hope.” They also publish reprints, which I love.
The Sirens Call eZine just opened the call for their Spring issue and have a new publishing schedule. Check out their new submissions call here.
The Winter issue will publish in January;
The Spring issue will publish in April;
The Summer issue will publish in July;
The Halloween (Fall) issue will publish in October.
K.P. Kulski │"author, historian, and career vampire of patriarchal tears"
Meet K.P. Kulski │"author, historian, and career vampire of patriarchal tears" on this week’s API Hour which includes reading of her essay “100 Livers” from Unquiet Spirits on the Bram Stoker Preliminary Ballot. You can also find Kulski writing on Substack as
for API Hour.I’ve rescheduled S.P. Somtow for Feb. 9 so I can take more time with the video editing. Somtow is the first Asian President of the Horror Writers Association, a science fiction, fantasy, and horror author writing in English and a Thai-American musical composer. He was kind enough to do a wonderful video interview I am excited to share. The man is a national treasure.
🚀Enjoy your free issue of Space and Time magazine! This week’s issue is #3 from Spring 1968. It will be free from now until Thursday, February 8, 2024, 11:59 PM PST.
FYI: Whenever you read for free on Amazon you support authors with your Kindle Edition Normalized Page Count (KENPC). As much as we all want to support each other, very few of us can afford to buy every book. Reviews, shares, likes and KENPC are all easy ways to support your favorite artists. 🧡🧡🧡
🔗Own #3 from Spring 1968 for free!
Reader Accomplishments
🧡 From Maxwell I. Gold: I have been given permission to announce that my nonfiction essay “Under the Fang, Then and Now: A Brief History of the Horror Writers Association” will appear in a special issue of Weird Tales Magazine!
I want to thank Lisa Morton for her guidance, and advice as I crafted this essay. And an extremely special shout out to Jonathan Maberry. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this very important piece on the history of our organization.
Thank you for sharing Maxwell! You have a 3 month paid professional level subscription heading your way to celebrate.
❗ Open to all Authortunities readers — share your news! Send a 100 word write up of your publishing news to authortunities@substack.com and I’ll comp you a 3 month paid professional level subscription to say congratulations.
Going back to C. Hope Clark and FundsforWriters.com, she shared this interesting
as one of her sponsors. will be hosting workshops on topics for authors all through 2024. I plan on being a participant. You can check out their 2024 Workshop Calendar here.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote in last week’s poll: “Which part of the writing process do you find most challenging?
31% of you think “Yes, all the time.”
44% of you think “Never, I need to see the words.”
25% of you think “I'm interested but I haven't.”
0% of you think “Audiobooks are of the devil.”
✅ This survey makes me think the reports I’ve read that audiobooks are one of the fastest growing markets are accurate. A total of 56% of you either listen all the time or are interested. I finished two audiobooks this last week using KDP’s Virtual Voice and I’m pleased. It’s not as good as having a human narrator but it’s perfect if you can’t afford that. Personally, I think this is a good thing for the industry.
Here are a few things to note:
It’s not AI, for anyone concerned. It’s Text To Speech (TTS) similar to what’s been used for the visually impaired for awhile.
This opens up some nice options for the visually impaired to enjoy more books.
It opens up new sources of income and audience for the large majority of us.
I’ve been self publishing for almost two decades now, and, in my opinion, this is one of the more exciting developments I’ve seen in a long time (including KDP’s Hardback Beta) Thank you to everyone who voted!
Time for a new poll! Voting stays open for the next three days, and I’ll share the results in next week’s Authortunities. I’m wrapping up my writer guide, How to be an Authortunist, and I have a whole chapter on Plotters and Pantsers… and Plantsers. I’m curious…
And finally, thank you to all the great sources we get our author opportunities from. You can find a list at 🔗https://angelaysmith.com/subscribe/
🏁 This calendar is organized by emoji! Ctrl F to find what you want.
In this entire calendar share you will find:
38 newly opened submissions 🟢
85 submission deadlines 🔴
11 events for authors ⭐
22 reprint markets ♻️
11 education 📚
4 awards 🏆
3 grants 💲
Send comments, triumphs and pitfalls to authortunities@substack.com
⭐📚 FEB 3 · The St. Louis Writers Guild presents Workshops for Writers Tax Season 2024: Tips and Strategies Join the St. Louis Writers Guild from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST for a free LIVE workshop with tax professional Dan Connors on tax strategies for writers, editors, and other creatives. Presenter, Dan Connors, will join us LIVE, in-person at The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd., St. Louis, MO. The event will also livestream via Zoom. Open to the public.
🔗 https://www.stlwritersguild.org/
🔴♻️ FEB 4 · Flame Tree Fiction - Odin is inviting submissions for an enthralling book exploring the larger-than-life stories of Odin and his kin. Original short stories (3000 to 4000 words) will be compensated at 8 cents/word, while reprints will receive 6 cents/word. Explore new angles to Odin's character, present different viewpoints, and imagine new futures.
🔗https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/odin-submissions-0
🔴♻️ FEB 4 · Flame Tree Fiction - Anansi is seeking original short stories (3000 to 4000 words) for a collection exploring the versatile character of Anansi. Compensation is 8 cents/word for originals and 6 cents/word for reprints. Submissions should bring new perspectives to Anansi's character, presenting different viewpoints and exploring untapped storylines.
🔗https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/anansi-submissions-0
🔴♻️ FEB 4 · Flame Tree Fiction - Medusa is in search of original short stories (3000 to 4000 words) that offer a wider perspective on the misunderstood mythological figure. Compensation is 8 cents/word for originals and 6 cents/word for reprints. Submissions should explore alternative paths, present different viewpoints, counter the patriarchal narrative, and pursue hinted storylines.
🔗https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/medusa-submissions-0
🔴 FEB 4 · Sci Phi Journal January 2024 Call seeking hard SF that explores the structural, systemic, and epic aspects of speculative fiction. Pays 3 (Euro) cents per word for original fiction and 1 (Euro) cent per word for translations. Submissions close on February 4, 2024.
🔗 https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/sci-phi-journal-v1BL8
🔴🏆 FEB 5 · LANDO grants for writers are now open for applications. If you're a writer exploring the challenges of migration, immigration, or the refugee experience, you're eligible to apply for a $7000 grant sponsored in collaboration with The de Groot Foundation. Open to poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction.
🔗 https://degrootfoundation.org/
⭐📚 FEB 5 · The Horror Writer Association’s Horror University Online presents “Shifting Shapes: When Characters Transform Learn the scenecraft for depicting how a “normal” body mutates, how a mind breaks down into madness, or how a human being morphs into a monster or something else, entirely unexpected.” Instructor is Michael Arnzen. On the Teachable platform at 8 pm EST, workshop costs $65.
🔗 https://horror-university.teachable.com
🔴 FEB 6 · Utopia Science Fiction is seeking utopian science fiction, poetry, and nonfiction on the theme of Relationships (platonic, romantic, family, etc). They aim for work that develops and explores character relationships. Deadline: February 6, 2024. Length: 100-5,000 words preferred for fiction, up to 6,000 words for nonfiction, up to 5 poems. Pay: $0.04/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry.
🔗 https://www.utopiasciencefiction.com/submit
🔴 FEB 7 · Utter Speculation Novella Series seeks “about what is behind real mysteries and legends. The stories must start with the known facts. They can be rooted in real world explanations or supernatural causes, but they need to answer the question, what causes this? Then they can go wherever you want them to go regarding genre, style and explanation.” Payment is “signing bonus and royalty split to be discussed upon offer to publish.”
🔗 https://www.speculationpub.com/submissions
🔴 FEB 7 · Big Wing Review invites literary submissions for its second print + digital publication (scheduled for release in May 2024). They welcome essays, prose, flash fiction, poetry, spoken word, and visual art works. Submission is free.
🔗 https://www.bigwingreview.com/submissions
🔴 FEB 10 · Orion’s Beau Spring 2024 Issue is open for submissions until February 10, 2024, with the theme "The Curiosities That Bind Us." Dedicated to LGBTQ+ fantasy and sci-fi, the publication seeks original works of magic and fantasy that reflect this focus. Payment is $3 per published piece.
🔗 https://www.orionsbeau.com/arts-and-literary-submissions
⭐📚 FEB 11 · The Horror Writer Association’s Horror University Online presents a panel on “Exploring the Horror Studies Collection at the University of Pittsburgh” on the Teachable platform, 8 pm EST. Please join James Chambers as he moderates a panel including Horror Studies Collection Coordinator Ben Rubin along with Linda D. Addison, Clay McLeod Chapman, Lisa Morton, Tim Waggoner, and L. Marie Wood, whose papers reside in this collection. Free to attend.
🔗https://horror-university.teachable.com/
🔴♻️ FEB 11 · CatsCast opens for speculative fiction stories about cats, including non-Earthly species. Stories should have happy or hopeful endings for all featured cats. Pays $0.08 per word USD for original fiction, $100 flat rate for reprints over 1,500 words, and $20 flat rate for flash fiction reprints. Submissions open on February 1 and close on February 11.
🔗 https://escapeartists.net/catscast/catscast-submission-guidelines/
⭐📚 FEB 12 · The Horror Writer Association’s Horror University Online presents “Anti-Ableism in Horror” to be taught by Callie Stoker. The class will illustrate “How to write accurately and avoid pitfalls when representing all abilities in the human spectrum.” 8 pm EST, workshop costs $65.
🔗https://horror-university.teachable.com/p/anti-ableism-in-horror
⭐📚 FEB 13 · An online Harvard Diversity Discussion on “Race and Religion: Cultural Intersectionality” will be open to the public via Zoom on Tuesday, February 13, 5-6 pm EST.
🔴 FEB 14 · Split Scream is accepting novelette-length horror stories (10,000 - 20,000 words). Payment: $150 upfront and 40% royalties. Deadline: February 14, 2024. Note: Website issues reported at the time of writing.
🔗 https://dreadstonepress.com/submissions/
🔴 FEB 14 · Kennings Literary Journal, affiliated with Hanover College, accepts fiction (500-3,000 words), poetry, creative nonfiction, art, photography, and other media. Submission deadline is February 14, 2024. Payment is a contributor copy.
🔗 https://kenningsliteraryjournal.com/submissions-1
🔴♻️ FEB 14 · Cast of Wonders seeks YA speculative fiction for podcast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words. Reprints: $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: February 14, 2024.
🔗 https://www.castofwonders.org/submissions/
🔴 FEB 14 · Augur Magazine opens submission to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Disabled, and/or Trans creators in Canada. Accepting speculative fiction short stories and poetry. Payment: $0.11 CAD per word for short fiction, $110.00 flat fee for flash fiction. Deadline: February 14, 2024.
🔗 https://www.augurmag.com/submissions/
🔴 FEB 14 · Tales and Feathers is in search of cozy SFF fiction submissions (up to 2500 words) from Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Disabled, and/or Trans creators in Canada. Payment: 11 cents CAD/word. Deadline: February 14, 2024.
🔗 https://www.augurmag.com/submissions/
🔴 FEB 14 · Crimson Quill is Seeking original tales of peril with fearless protagonists relying on mental might. Genre: Fantasy, up to 10,000 words. Payment: $30. Deadline: February 14, 2024. Will buy first rights.
🔗https://crimsonquillquarterly.com/#home
🟢 FEB 15 · Apparition Lit is accepting speculative fiction and poetry submissions for their themed issue, "Mercurial." They offer a payment of $30, and the deadline for submissions is February 28, 2024. The submission period opens on February 15 and closes on February 29, with an extended week for BIPOC creators.
🔗 https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/
🟢♻️ FEB 15 · Samovar, published by Strange Horizons, seeks speculative fiction, review-essays, poetry, interview/conversations, and reprints in translation. Payment for fiction is 8 US cents per word to the author, and 8 US cents per word to the translator. Payment for reprints is a flat $100 USD to the author and $100 USD to the translator. Payments for poetry are $40 USD to the author and $40 USD to the translator. Payment for interview/conversations is $40 USD to each participant. Payment for review-essays is $40 USD.
🔗http://samovar.strangehorizons.com/submit/
🔴♻️ FEB 15 · STREET MAGIC II invites speculative fiction submissions exploring hidden magic realms between 6000 and 9000 words. Payment is through royalty sharing, and reprints are accepted until February 15, 2024.
🔗 https://www.camdenparkpress.com/streetmagic2/
🔴 FEB 15 · Omenana Magazine is open to speculative fiction submissions from writers in Africa and the African Diaspora. They offer a payment of $20, and the deadline is February 15, 2024.
🔗 https://omenana.com/omenana-submissions/
🔴 FEB 15 · Prairie Fire is accepting fiction, poetry, and CNF submissions from Canadian women writers over 50. Prose pays $0.10 per word, and poetry pays $40. The deadline is February 15, 2024.
🔗 https://www.prairiefire.ca/submissions/
🔴 FEB 15 · Fallen Tree Press seeks poetry chapbooks from writers in the U.S. and Canada, specifically BIPOC and/or over 50. Payment is through royalties, and the deadline is February 15, 2023.
🔗 https://fallentreepress.com/submissions/
🔴 FEB 15 · Carte Blanche (Canada) is open for submissions in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, translations, comics, and photography. Payment is $75, and the deadline is February 15, 2024.
🔗 https://carteblanchemagazine.com/submissions
🔴🏆 FEB 15 · CAAPP Book Prize opens to first or second books by writers of African descent, encompassing African American, African, or African diasporic experiences. Accepts poetry, hybrid work, speculative prose, and/or translation. The winning manuscript will be published by Autumn House Press, and the author will be awarded $3,000.
🔗 https://www.autumnhouse.org/submissions/caapp-book-prize/
🔴♻️ FEB 15 · Luna Station Quarterly seeks “female-fronted speculative stories” of “500 to 7000 words in length” for $5 USD.
🔗https://lunastationquarterly.com/submissions/
🔴FEB 15· Jay Henge Publishing seeks speculative fiction AI, Robot. stories that ask big questions about consciousness, morality, and the nature of intelligence. Payment is $5 USD per 1000 words, up to 15k words.
🔗https://www.jayhenge.com/callforstories.html
⭐ FEB 15 ·The First Friday - Third Thursday Quick Reads event highlights women and non-binary writers of sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction at 7 pm EST. This event features authors TBD along with emcee/host Sarah Smith along with support from authors Anne Nydam and Terri Bruce.
🔗https://strongwomenstrangeworlds.weebly.com/
This is the end of the first two free weeks. Access to the full month is available to subscribers at $5 a month. If you think you would benefit from a full month ahead but can’t afford it, email me at authortunities@substack.com and I’ll be happy to set you up with a complimentary year subscription — no questions asked.
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