Welcoming 2025 with the Book Fair Scavenger Hunt winner!
Authortunities #95 │January 4 — February 1
Happy New Year… so far. The last few years have failed to deliver on the hope I felt they promised so I’m going to start 2025 off with a little more intention. As I enter this new year, I plan to kick it so hard I knock the drama into the next century before it can get started.
The year has started off on a nice note for me, thanks to
. She interviewed me for her Writing & Selling Stories Substack where she asked me what we might be looking for in the upcoming Space and Time submissions call on January 15. Want to know the secrets? Read “Selling Stories to Space & Time Magazine” here.The Space and Time: Celebrating 50 Years of Speculative Fiction Kickstarter fully funded in the first few days! Massive thank you to everyone who chipped in. Now we are on the home stretch and doing stretch goals. Now we’re raising money to purchase hand crafted Linzner Awards created by artist, editor and superwoman Sarah Walker. You still have a chance to pick up some great rewards like a full page ad in the magazine, including your name and memories in the book itself and coaching sessions with myself for a year. Find out what we are offering here.
And now for the Book Fair Scavenger Hunt winner! Congratulations to Samantha Jordon for being the first to correctly guess all the answers to the December Scavenger Hunt Book Fair! Samantha won the $50 Amazon gift card.
Thank you everyone for playing. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to play again. Should the fair be just one week?
🌳What’s in this issue?
Thanks to Laura Duerrwaechter for this bright spot of hope. The news loves to share what’s wrong, but here are “Seven quiet breakthroughs for climate and nature in 2024 you might have missed.” Read some good news here.
This week I had a surprise collaboration with
when I read her 50th episode of Read Me a Nightmare. Years ago I created a series of digital collage as I learned PhotoShop and I put them all on PixaBay under Creative Commons licensing. It’s always a nice surprise to find one in the wild, and even better when it’s an author I like and respect. Read “Losing Angel” (and see the art) here.Congratulations to Lee Murray for receiving New Zealand's New Year's Honour! She has been appointed by the King as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit “for services to literature and particularly speculative fiction.” Read all about it here.
Congratulations to
! We can now pre-order FIEND, where Alma “turns her talents to the modern world for the first time, in this terrifying tale about an all-powerful family with an ancient evil under its thumb.” Yes, I have already pre-ordered mine. Pre-order yours here.Congratulations to William Meikle for his newest book, The Creeping Kelp from Severed Press, “a cautionary tale of what man is doing to the environment.” If you are looking for some eco-horror from a solid name, get yours here.
Interesting essay on the feminist aspects of Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow by fellow Substacker
. Read “Midweek Massacre: Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" here.Authortunities may contain affiliate links that might earn a small fee for Authortunities at no extra cost to you. Comments, questions, compliments or concerns?
My authortunities are organized by emoji! Use your “Ctrl+F” keys to find what you want fast. Video tutorial on how to do this.
🟢 opening subs
🔴 closing subs
⭐ networking
💼 conference
🎤 open mics
🎓 education
♻️ reprints
🏆 awards
💰 grants
🟢 BookLife runs the Indie Spotlight feature, a thematic roundup of self-published books from a broad range of genres and topics, both online and in print in Publishers Weekly magazine. Each Indie Spotlight is open to all types of books as long as they match the month's topic. Submit your works of SELF-HELP/PERSONAL FINANCE until January 1.
https://booklife.com/about-us/booklife-s-indie-spotlight.html
🟢 JAN 4 · Reedsy Prompts is open until the following Friday for short fiction between 1,000 - 3,000 words based on one of five prompts. Writers have until the following Friday at 11.59 pm EST to enter. No fee to enter and have work posted. $5 fee to be eligible for the $250 cash prize. This week’s prompt is: Great Expectations ✍️.
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
🟢 JAN 4 · Baubles From Bones is open until January 29th for “that broadly falls in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. We’re open to most subgenres and themes but have a particular fondness for compelling adventures, folk-retellings, stories of hope in the dark, emotional healing, love of all sorts, environmentalism, and the humanity (or lack of it) among the fantastical and speculative.” Payment is $.01 USD per word.
https://www.baublesfrombones.com/submission-guidelines.html
🟢 JAN 4 · Conium Press, a boutique fiction publisher, is open for magical realist, surrealist, and experimental fiction. If published, authors receive ten copies and a small honorarium. “…we’re talking about a few hundred bucks, so don’t quit your day job.”
https://www.coniumpress.com/guidelines
🟢💰 JAN 4 · CRAFT Memoir Excerpt & Essay Contest 2024 is open until January 15 for unpublished literary creative nonfiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles including memoir excerpts, lyric essays, personal essays, narrative nonfiction, speculative nonfiction, and experimental prose. Three winners will receive $1,000 USD, publication in CRAFT, each with an introduction by the guest judge; publication of an author’s note (craft essay) to accompany the piece; and a set of six titles of Graywolf’s The Art Of series. Ttwo “editors’ choices” will publish alongside the three grand-prize winners and fifteen shortlisted creative nonfiction writers will receive a $1,000 scholarship to PocketMFA. Guest judge is Donald Quist. Reading fee: $20 USD.
https://www.craftliterary.com/craft-memoir-excerpt-essay-contest-2024/
🟢 JAN 4 · Phantom Worlds: The Cellar Door Issue #6 is open until January 31 for submissions of “horror stories that take place when alternate realities invade our own.” Payment is $50 USD.
https://www.darkpeninsulapress.com/phantom-worlds-the-cellar-door-issue-6.html
🟢 JAN 4 · Three-Lobed Burning Eye is open until January 16 for “original, unpublished speculative fiction: including horror, dark fantasy, and science fiction.” Payment is US $.08 per word for short stories or (1,500–7,499 words) or flash fiction (500–1,499 words); plus one copy of the print anthology.
https://www.3lobedmag.com/submissions.html
🎓 JAN 4 · Craft a Stronger Memoir: Identifying and Fixing the 5 Most Common Craft Issues This 2-day seminar (January 4 and 11th) will cover the most common issues in memoir manuscripts and strategies for addressing them in our own work. You’ll learn a toolbox of revision strategies to apply to your manuscript immediately, including distinguishing “story” versus “situation,” evaluating the use of scene versus summary, and sharpening your opening and closing pages. You will leave the workshop with a more critical editorial lens, a toolbox of revision techniques, and a roadmap for making your memoir agent-ready. Taught by Katie Bannon, a writer, editor, and educator whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Rumpus, ELLE Magazine, Narratively, and more. Seminar costs $99 USD for both sessions. Check the listing for times.
https://craft-talks.com/event/seminar-craft-a-stronger-memoir/
⭐🎤 JAN 5 · Rattlecast livestreams, is part interview and open mic with a prompt-based open mic. Hangout with Rattle editor Timothy Green and Katie Dozier. Each Rattlecast begins with an interview, a writing prompt, and poets reading from the last week’s prompt. | Rattlecast at 8 pm EST.
🔴 JAN 7 · Cosmic Horror Monthly is closed for weird and cosmic fiction under 5,000 words. Payment is 3 cents USD per word.
https://cosmichorrormonthly.com/submissions/
🟢 JAN 7 · Apex Magazine Monthly Flash Fiction Contest Submissions open to all for speculative flash fiction until the last day of the month at midnight. Winner will be announced no later than the 15th of the following month and be paid $0.08/word or $10, whichever is more as well as published on the Apex Magazine Patreon as an exclusive the month following and will be included in the forthcoming issue of Apex Magazine.
https://apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/apex-magazine-flash-fiction
🎓 JAN 7 · The State of Hollywood: A 2025 Primer for Film & TV Writers Screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup brings a new Symposium, exclusively for film and TV writers—both new/emerging and semi-established—focusing on the current state of the industry, the hard truths rarely discussed (yet every writer has to confront), and exploring all that is required to move your writing—and your career—forward. Class costs $35 USD. Check the listing for times.
https://symposium.pipelineartists.com/event/the-state-of-hollywood-a-2025-primer-for-film-tv-writers
🎓 JAN 8 · What Can Writers Learn from a Behavioral Economist? A free presentation by Dan Arely, the bestselling author of books such as The Honest Truth About Dishonesty and Predictably Irrational. In his talk, Dan will outline a framework for behavioral change and reveal mechanisms to get you writing better and more frequently. If you recognize Dan from his hit TED talks, you'll know you're in for a real treat. There will be a Q&A at the end of his presentation, so be sure to register for details on how to tune in live. Presented by Reedsy. Check the listing for times.
🎓 JAN 8 · Unpack Your Draft: Notes and Goals for 2025 St. Louis Publishers Association President Jo Lena Johnson brings this opportunity to organize and discuss your book project. Attendees will assess current progress, identify next steps, and be provided the resources needed to complete your manuscript by the end of the year. You can finish your book in 2025! Workshop costs $10 USD. Check the listing for times.
https://www.stlouispublishers.org/event-5853409
🎓 JAN 8 · The Magic of Micro Prose: Find Your Story in 300 Words or Less Taught by DARIEN HSU GEE, the author of five novels published by Penguin Random House that have been translated into eleven languages, this webinar will look at examples of micro in the world, how you can begin writing micro right away, and submission opportunities as you ready your work for the world. Darien will share her methods for drafting, crafting, and revising micro prose. Webinar costs $25. Check the listing for times.
https://craft-talks.com/event/the-magic-micro/
🎓 JAN 9 · D2D 2024 Year In Review A look back at what Draft2Digital was up to in 2024, a year that was heavily focused on migration and connecting Smashwords and Draft2Digital. This event will cover some big changes in the new year. RSVP now, and get reminders of the live show date. Check the listing for times.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/d2d-2024-year-in-review-tickets-1134143346279
🔴 JAN 10 · Rattle Magazine’s “Poets Respond” challenge calls for poems inspired by “a news story or public event from the previous week, and has been written in the time since.” Selected poems will appear as the Sunday poem at Rattle.com which appear to over 10,000 people via RSS feed and daily email service. Poets will receive $100 and a free print magazine subscription. Each week's deadline is Friday midnight PST.
https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/30232/poets-respond-online
⭐ JAN 12 · Inspirational Indie Authors podcast with the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and Howard Lovy. Dive deep into personal stories of indie authors, understanding their pathways to success, challenges faced, and lessons learned. 1 pm GMT.
https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/inspirational-indie-author-interviews-podcast/
⭐🎤 JAN 12 · Rattlecast livestreams, is part interview and open mic with a prompt-based open mic. Hangout with Rattle editor Timothy Green and Katie Dozier. Each Rattlecast begins with an interview, a writing prompt, and poets reading from the last week’s prompt. | Rattlecast at 8 pm EST.
🔴 JAN 15 · Electric Spec closes to speculative fiction stories of “science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre” between 250 and 7000 words for their February issue. Payment is $20 per piece.
http://www.electricspec.com/Submissions.html
🔴JAN 15 · 34 Orchard is closed for submissions of short fiction from 1000 to 5000 words and poetry of any genre/length. Payment is $50 USD.
https://34orchard.com/guidelines/
🔴💰 JAN 15 · CRAFT Memoir Excerpt & Essay Contest 2024 closes for unpublished literary creative nonfiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles including memoir excerpts, lyric essays, personal essays, narrative nonfiction, speculative nonfiction, and experimental prose. Three winners will receive $1,000 USD, publication in CRAFT, each with an introduction by the guest judge; publication of an author’s note (craft essay) to accompany the piece; and a set of six titles of Graywolf’s The Art Of series. Ttwo “editors’ choices” will publish alongside the three grand-prize winners and fifteen shortlisted creative nonfiction writers will receive a $1,000 scholarship to PocketMFA. Guest judge is Donald Quist. Reading fee: $20 USD.
https://www.craftliterary.com/craft-memoir-excerpt-essay-contest-2024/
🟢 JAN 15 · Strange Locations Microfiction From Apex Magazine, an anthology of Dark Travel Guides opens until February 15 for speculative microfiction in the form of tourist brochures, travel blogs, and guides to the strangest and darkest places you can imagine. Payment is $10 USD.
https://apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/apex-magazine-flash-fiction
🎓 JAN 15 · Organize Your Writing Life In this 90-minute webinar with Allison K Williams, get clear on your goals and learn how to merge linear planning with creative flexibility to organize your files and your projects. You’ll set (doable!) goals that matter and learn patterns to stay focused on your project despite the demands of work, family and home. You’ll get tips and tricks to stay motivated and confident when you’re not getting much feedback, and easy, free ways to connect with other writers. Class costs $25. Check the listing for times.
https://janefriedman.com/organize-your-writing-life-with-allison-k-williams/
🔴 JAN 15 · Space and Time: Celebrating 50 Years of Speculative Fiction Kickstarter ends. You are invited to be part of this extraordinary legacy with our Kickstarter project, Space & Time: Celebrating 50 Years of Speculative Fiction. Together, we’ll create a stunning archival-quality book that captures the spirit of Space and Time with exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and interactive features that bring history to life. This is more than a book—it’s your chance to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future. Join us in creating something timeless.
🎓 JAN 15 · Troubled Waters: Navigating the Agent/Author Relationship Agent Stacey Graham from 3 Seas Literary Agency will share how to recognize the signs of when your agent/author relationship may be headed for the rocks, what to try to right the ship, and when it's time to head for the lifeboat in this fast-paced presentation. Class costs $35 USD. Check the listing for times.
https://symposium.pipelineartists.com/event/troubled-waters-navigating-the-agent-author-relationship
🔴 JAN 16 · Three-Lobed Burning Eye closes for “original, unpublished speculative fiction: including horror, dark fantasy, and science fiction.” Payment is US $.08 per word for short stories or (1,500–7,499 words) or flash fiction (500–1,499 words); plus one copy of the print anthology.
https://www.3lobedmag.com/submissions.html
🎓 JAN 16 · How to Get Published—Land a Book Deal in 2025 with Jane Friedman, hosted by Writer’s Digest. This intensive and information-filled 120-minute live webinar helps you think like an industry insider who makes decisions every day on what work merits print publication. You’ll get practical advice and tools to help you develop strong pitch letters and proposal materials for both fiction and nonfiction—plus back-door methods for networking with agents and editors. Don’t embark on the submission process in 2025 without being fully educated about how the industry works. Class costs $99.99 USD.
https://writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com/how-to-get-published-2025
⭐ JAN 16 · First Friday - Third Thursday Quick Read features 6 authors each reading a selection of speculative fiction for 8 minutes. There will be time for questions & answers at the end and a giveaway from the authors. This free event hosted by Strong Women - Strange Worlds features Aimee Kuzenski, Lauren Bolger, Lauren Teffeau, ML Dumars, Nora B. Peevy, Kay Malady and emcee/host Sarah Smith along with support from authors Anne Nydam and Terri Bruce. Pre-register.
https://strongwomenstrangeworlds.weebly.com/
🔴 JAN 17 · Rattle Magazine’s “Poets Respond” challenge calls for poems inspired by “a news story or public event from the previous week, and has been written in the time since.” Selected poems will appear as the Sunday poem at Rattle.com which appear to over 10,000 people via RSS feed and daily email service. Poets will receive $100 and a free print magazine subscription. Each week's deadline is Friday midnight PST.
https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/30232/poets-respond-online
⭐🎓 JAN 18 · PARSEC, Pittsburgh’s premier Science Fiction & Fantasy Organization, welcomes the public to their monthly meetings held the third Saturday of each month beginning at 12:30 pm EST. Virtual Zoom meetings are available for those unable to attend in person.
https://parsec-sff.org/monthly-meetings
✨ 🗓️ I hope you’ve enjoyed the two weeks of freemium content! From here on, exclusive access to upcoming weeks and always-open markets is reserved as a special perk for my amazing paid subscribers. Thank you for being part of this journey—let’s continue thriving together! 🌟
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