Markets for essays, shorts stories and more

“The writer’s genetic inheritance and her or his experiences shape the writer into a unique individual, and it is this uniqueness that is the writer’s only stuff for sale” .- James Gunn

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Thought not strictly related to fiction writing, I wanted to point out a few essay calls/contests that came to my attention this week, as I believe many of the readers of this blog might find them of interest.

Real Simple Magazine is sponsoring its Sixth Annual Life Lessons Essay Contest. Submit your essay of no more than 1,500 words about a time you took a risk and the lesson you learned from this. The deadline for entries is September 19, 2013. The first place winner wins $3,000, second place gets $750 and third place nets $500. Find all the details here.

Ladies Home Journal is interested in the story behind a special recipe. This could be a favorite family dish, something handed down through your family, or a new creation, as long as it has an interesting story to go with it. You can read some examples of these stories here. Send your story to recipestory@lhj.com

Ladies Home Journal also accepts submissions for its Your Story Feature. Check out their tips for writing an essay for them here. Send your submissions to yourstories@lhj.com

Redbook Magazine accepts first-person essays about “a dramatic, pivotal moment in a woman’s life.” Send to Articles Department
REDBOOK
300 West 57th Street, 22nd Floor
New York,  NY 10019

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Another cover reveal this week. This one is of a Christmas Anthology I’m privileged to be in with Fern Michaels, Marie Bostick,

and Laura Levine. Secret Santa will be in stores October 29, 2013, but you can preorder online now.

The Mountain Between Us also goes on sale October 29, and is available for preorder now.

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Crimson Romance is looking for romance short stories of between 5,000 and 10,000 words for some upcoming themed collections. Submit your Christmas or New Years’ stories by June 1, 2013, and Valentine’s Day stories by August 1, 2013. The editors are also interested in stories featuring professional athletes. Send these in by July 31, 2013. Any heat level is welcome. Stories will be published digitally. Find all the details here.

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Samhain Publishing is looking for horror novels between 12,000 and 120,000 words. All works are published digitally, and works between 60,000 and 120,000 words are eligible for print publication also. The editors are looking for “exciting, dramatic and frightening” stories or all types, with a fresh premise, three-dimensional characters and suspenseful writing. Find the details here.

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As always, feel free to share the information in this blog — repost, retweet, reprint. All I ask is that you give me credit as the source, and include a link to the blog. Thanks!  Cindi

 

 

 

More Short Story Markets — Christian Magazines

“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”  Barbara Kingsolver

This week I’m looking at publications for those of the Christian faith that publish short fiction. Some of these magazines publish very short fiction — really, flash fiction. Payments vary widely, but all do pay something, and provide details when I know them.

Alive Now  focuses on how contemporary issues impact one’s faith. Both lay people and church professionals read the magazine.250-400 word inspirational stories and meditations. Pays $35.

Devozine is a devotional magazine for Christian teens. Publishes fiction of 150-250 words — adventure, historical or multi-cultural. Pays $100

 Liguorian is a general interest magazine for Catholics. The editors accept inspirational fiction to 2,000 words. Pays 12 to 15 cents a word.

Live is a take-home paper for adult Sunday School students. The magazine publishes 300 to 1,100 word inspirational stories. Pays 10 cents a word.

 Mature Living is a magazine for Christians ages 55 and over. The magazine publishes 800 to 1,200 word short stories that emphasize a Biblical truth. Payment varies.

St. Anthony Messenger is a magazine for Catholics that focuses on family life. They publish inspirational fiction to 2,500 words. Pays 20 cents a word.

U.S. Catholic is a magazine for Catholics in the United States. The editors will consider inspirational fiction to 2,500 words. Payment varies.

 Vista is a Christian Sunday School paper that publishes 500-550 word inspirational fiction. Pays $15-$35.

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Here’s the cover for my upcoming release from Harlequin Heartwarming. Look for Her Cowboy Soldier in July.   

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Harlequin has made some editorial changes. Brenda Chin, a longtime editor with Harlequin, has left the company. Kathleen Schiebling now oversees Harlequin Blaze. Angela James has a new title: Editorial Direction, Carina Press. Charles Griemsman and Adrienne Macintosh have both been promoted to Editor — Adrienne is an editor of Harlequin Series and Charles is Editor of Desire.

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New York Times Bestselling author Gemma Halliday is sponsoring the Femme Fatale Mystery Writing Contest. You could win a Kindle Paperwhite or a year of mentoring from Gemma.  Submit the first 2,000 words of a mystery/suspense story by June 30. There’s no fee to enter. Find all the deatils here.

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As always, feel free to share the information in this blog with others. All I ask is that you give me credit as the source, and include a link to this blog. Thanks!  Cindi

 

More short story markets — ethnic magazines

“Why do writers write? Because it isn’t there.” Thomas Berger

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This week I’m looking at more markets for short stories, this time in publications that target particular ethnic groups. All of these are paying markets and where possible, I list payment details.

Azizah is a magazine for contemporary Muslim women. The editors are open to inspirational and literary fiction from 1,500 to 2,500 words. Payment varies.

Hadassah Magazine focuses on issues of concern to Jews, particularly Jewish women. The editors accept 1,000 to 3,000 word contemporary short stories or humorous stories related to Israel or Judaism. Payment varies.

Lilith is a magazine for Jewish feminists. Contemporary short stories with Jewish themes. No length specified. Payment varies.

India Currents is a magazine devoted to “the heritage and culture of India as it exists in the United States.”  The magazine accepts 1,500 to 3,000 word short stories — literary, contemporary, historical or humorous. Pays $50 per 1,000 words.

Midstream is a quarterly journal for Jewish people all over the world. The editors are open to 2,000 to 5,000 word short stories with a Jewish perspective. Pays 5 cents a word.

Viking is the magazine for members of the Sons of Norway. The editors welcome Norwegian ethnic, historical or humorous fiction 400 to 1,200 words. Pays $180-$400.

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In the mood for New Hampshire Romance? The Love Free Or Die anthology is now open for submissions! Rick Brousssard’s New Hampshire Pulp Fiction series continues with volume IV, devoted to romance. Guest Editor Elaine Isaak seeks a variety of love stories that will showcase the richness of relationships and explore the boundaries of New Hampshire. Stories may be up to 8000 words long, double-spaced, 12-point type, with the author’s contact information on the first page. Stories may be any sub-genre of romance–historical, paranormal, suspense, inspirational—as long as they feature a New Hampshire setting. Sexy stories are fine, but please no erotica. Submissions will be accepted until July 31, but submit early for your best chance. The book is planned for publication in February, 2014. Send your story as a .doc or .rtf format to: Hpulpromance@gmail.com For more details, go here.
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As always, feel free to share the contents of the blog with others – reprint, repost and spread the word. All I ask is that you cite me as the source of the material, and include a link to the blog. Thank you. Cindi Myers

 

Short story markets and more

“Stories may well be lies, but they are good lies that say true things, and which can sometimes pay the rent.” Neil Gaiman

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For the next few weeks, I’m going to be looking at markets for short stories. These are magazines you might not be aware of, sometimes because their focus isn’t fiction. But they can be a great place to sell short stories, if you have the right material. A couple of notes: where possible, I list what the magazine pays for stories. If the listing says “payment varies” that’s because, while the magazine’s guidelines say they pay for stories, they don’t say how much. Some of the listings say “length varies”. These magazines don’t have a strict length requirement for fiction, but keep in mind that shorter stories will have an easier time of finding a home in magazines. So let’s get started with this week’s markets:

The Bear Deluxe explores environmental themes through the creative arts. The magazine welcomes fiction from 750 to 4,000 words. Payment varies.

Deer & Deer Hunting covers all aspects of deer hunting. They welcome hunting stories. No specified length, but shorter (under 2,000 words) is probably better. Pays $150-600

Fiddler Magazine is the quarterly magazine of traditional and jazz fiddle music. They publish 500 to 1,000 word short stories and pay $50 to $100.

Fly, Rod and Reel covers all aspects of fly fishing, including short stories that feature fly fishing. Length and payment varies.

Games magazine publishes puzzles, quizzes, games and brainteasers. The editors are interested in short mystery and “whodunit” stories. Pays $150 to $1,000.

GreenPrints A magazine about “the human side of gardening.” Accepts short stories to 2,000 words. Pays $150.

The Humanist “a magazine of critical inquiry and social concern”.Accepts fiction to 1,500 words. Payment varies.

Lighthouse Digest 750-1,500 word historical short stories featuring lighthouses and lighthouse keepers. Pays $75-$150.

North American Whitetail  focuses on all aspects of hunting whitetail deer. The editors are interested in humorous hunting fiction to 1,000 words. Pays $200 to $400.

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I just received the cover for my October book: The Mountain Between Us is the sequel to The View From Here and will be in stores October 27, 2013:

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And speaking of The View From Here – if you live in the Denver area, Thursday the Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Pl, Denver, is hosting many of the finalists for the Colorado Book Award. Come out and hear readings from the best fiction and nonfiction writers in Colorado 6-9 p.m. I’m a finalist in the genre fiction category and will be reading from The View From Here.

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As always, feel free to share the information in this blog with others. Please give me credit as the source of the information, and include a link to the blog. Thank you. Cindi Myers

 

Small presses looking for submissions and more

“I love writing.  I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”  ~James Michener

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Family Circle Magazine is now accepting submissions for their 2013 Fiction Contest. Submit your previously unpublished short story of no more than 2,500 words by September 16, 2013. There is no fee to enter and you could win the grand prize of $1,000 and publication in the magazine, plus other prizes. For all the details go here.

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Sweet Lemon magazine is looking for bloggers to contribute regular columns on makeup, fashion, fitness, news and other subjects of interest to young women. I don’t have any information on what this pays, and it’s not fiction, but I wanted to pass it on. Get the details here.

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Barking Rain Press (Books With Bite!) is a small press based in Washington State that produces trade paperback, hardcover and ebook editions of novels and novellas in a wide variety of fiction genres. The editors will consider all genres (except children’s books, poetry and erotica). Manuscripts should be at least 20,000 words. Previously published words are fine, as long as they are out of print and you have the rights back. They will only consider submissions during their open reading periods. The next reading period is May 1-31. Barking Rain pays monthly royalties, 50 percent of net. Check their Submission Guidelines for more details.

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Melange Books publishes digital and print novels and novellas in a wide variety of genres, including all types of romance, from sweet to sensual to erotic, as well as westerns, horror, contemporary, chic-lit, men’s fiction, women’s general fiction, action-adventure, speculative, drama, gay, lesbian, urban fantasy, paranormal, cross-genres, urban fantasy, young adult, and mainstream fiction. They are not accepting science fiction submissions at this time. They pay royalties of 40 percent of net for ebooks and 10 percent of net for print editions. They will consider short stories of 6,000 to 29,999 words for digital publication only. Novels should be 40,000 to 100,000 words.

Editor Jane Bonander handles mainstream fiction, historical fiction & romance, sensual romance, western fiction and romance, mystery, romantic suspense and young adult fiction (all genres-contemporary, historical, paranormal – teen and tween).

Editor Nancy Schumacher acquires erotica (Fetish, BDSM); erotic & sensual romance, gay-lesbian fiction, paranormal, contemporary fiction, fantasy, horrior and men’s fiction (action, war, adventure, and espionage-spy Novels).

Expect a reply in 10 to 18 weeks. For more details see their Submission Guidelines for details.

Melange is also looking for submissions for the following special projects:

Horse Stories: YA stories featuring horses, 10,000 -20,000 words, and 40,000 -60,000 words

Holiday Stories: 8,000 to 15,000 words centered around Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas

Chick Lit/Hen Lit: 9,000 to 20,000 words. Humorous stories that center around a woman’s relationship to family, friends, career, etc. May include a romance, but the romance is not the only focus.

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Kerlack Publishing publishes digital and print editions of literary fiction, fantasy/dark fantasy, steampunk and alternative history, mystery/crime and young adult fiction. The editors are particularly interested in acquiring manuscripts for the following special projects:

Priates — 2,000 to 9,000 words, suitable for all ages (no gore, profanity or explicit sex) Deadline June 15, 2013.

Steampunk Superheroes — 3,000 to 9,000 words, suitable for all ages, Deadline June 15, 2013.

Werwolves — 3,000 to 9,000 words, suitable for all ages, deadline June 15, 2013.

Get all the details here.

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As always, feel free to share the information in this newsletter with others. Repost or reprint, but please give me credit as the source of the information, and include a link to this blog. Thank you. Cindi Myers

 

 

 

Publishers seeking romance, mystery, science fiction stories and more

“Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it’s just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it.”  David Sedaris

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Got an idea for a short and sexy road-trip romance? Entangled Publishing is looking for stories for a One Night In… series for both Flirts and Ever Afters. “Have a great idea for short, sexy romance on the road?  Entangled Novellas wants to see it! Whether one or both characters have embarked on a road trip, business trip, foreign port visit, planned vacay, spontaneous getaway, or any other short jaunt, characters should step outside of their comfortable worlds and into a fling or one night stand that changes everything. Whether Stateside or foreign, they are two modern adults who won’t back down from a hook up…and won’t want to let go when it’s time to go home.

Stories should be contemporary romances with a moderate to high heat level, 10k-40k words, focused on a one night stand or fling with a ticking clock (e.g. a non-refundable plane ticket home) and complicated by a fun, light-hearted romance trope (e.g. fake marriage, enemies to lovers, boardroom romance) that pulls the characters into bed even as it threatens to tear them apart. Stories should end positively with at least the promise of a HFN or a HEA obvious on the distant horizon.”

Check out all the details here.

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The View From Here is a finalist for the Colorado Book Award in genre fiction. Winners will be announced in Aspen in July.

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Neverland’s Library is a Kickstarter anthology project seeking short stories between 2,000 and 10,000 words, “focusing on the rediscovery of the fantastic; magic, dragons, the supernatural, etc. We are looking for stories which highlight finding that which was once thought lost, incorporating fantastical and/or fictitious elements. We will not restrict how the story is told. All styles, settings, and tones are welcome.” The submission period ends on June 20, 2013. Authors selected for inclusion in the anthology will receive 3 cents a word for their stories for first anthology print rights. Get the complete details here.

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Untreed Reads is looking for short stories that combine the genres of mystery/suspense and science fiction for an upcoming anthology. “Moonshot: Mystery and Mayhem on the Edge of Space.”  The digital anthology will be published in August 2013. The editors are interested in stories between 1,500 and 5,000 words. Authors will receive royalties based on digital sales. The deadline for submissions is May 30. Find all the details here.

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As always, feel free to share the information in this blog, repost and pass along to others. Please give me credit as the source and include a link to this blog. Thank you.  Cindi Myers

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Shop Vitacost for all your health and wellness needs. Groceries, vitamins, home items and more, with $10 free for your first order and free shipping for orders over $49.

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One King’s Lane – vintage and market finds for every room in your home. On sale every day.

 

 

 

Two shared-world anthology projects and a new YA imprint and more.

“Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper, not eternal bronze: let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes. No one will rush out and print it as it stands.”   Jacques Barzun

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Musa Publishing will begin taking submissions for its new shared-world project, Dark Side Chronicles, on April 1, 2013. From the guidelines: “The Darkside Chronicles is seeking stories from 35,000 to 100,000 words in the grand tradition of shared world projects like Thieves World, Borderlands, and The Fleet. We are looking for stories in science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, horror, romance, paranormal, and noir in combination with the steampunk foundations of the world. .Musa will provide interested authors with an extensive bible of backstory, history, and information necessary to the uniform creation of the world.? To request the world bible, or with any questions about the project, contact Celina Summers at editor@musapublishing.com.  See all the Musa Publishing guidelines here.

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Harper Impulse, a new imprint of digital-first novels, novellas and short stories for young adult readers, is up and running and the editors are actively acquiring manuscripts. “We’re seeking all kinds of adult and new adult romantic fiction for digital publication, but particularly contemporary, historical, new adult and erotic fiction as well as short form content.” Submit your your completed manuscript, covering letter and brief synopsis to
romance@harpercollins.co.uk. (though the editorial office is based in the U.K., submissions are welcome from anywhere in the world.) Find out more here.

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Strange, Weird and Wonderful is a small press that specializes in speculative fiction. The editors are assembling an anthology of stories “The Worlds of CY Canis Majoris“. “CY Canis Majoris is the largest known star in the Universe. If this massive body were in the exact location as our own sun, it’s outer edge would stretch to the area where Jupiter orbits. A star with this mass would have an inhabitable zone as large as our entire solar system, if not much larger. With this premise, imagine the worlds which could orbit such a body.  Then imagine the beings who could inhavit those same bodies.”  The editors are looking for 5,000 to 10,000 words stories, in any speculative fiction sub-genre. Payment is $100 per story, plus two copies of the anthology. The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2013. Find more here.

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As always, feel free to share the information in this blog, repost and pass along to others. Please give me credit as the source and include a link to this blog. Thank you.  Cindi Myers

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Shop Vitacost for all your health and wellness needs. Groceries, vitamins, home items and more, with $10 free for your first order and free shipping for orders over $49.

**********************************************************************************************************

One King’s Lane – vintage and market finds for every room in your home. On sale every day.