QueryTracker is a great site to find and share information about agents and publishers – and it’s free. You can even keep track of your submissions and responses. Check it out here. They also keep a separate list of new agents.
Literary agents and agencies
Foreword Literary has changed it’s name to Fuse Literary. According to founding partner Laurie McLean, “It embodies our new tagline, ‘Igniting Author Careers’ as well as the other meaning of fuse: bonding two or more things into a stronger whole. We feel stronger and are excited about continuing to explore the fusion possibilities of hybrid authors.” Agents at Fuse represent most, if not all, genres. Check each agent’s page for their submission guidelines.
Publishers
Comet Press‘s erotica imprint, SeX Files, is now open to novel-length fiction in all sub-genres and cross-genres of erotica. “We are looking for stories that push the boundaries of erotica.” Submission guidelines.
Simon and Schuster is launching a new science fiction and fantasy imprint in Spring of 2015. “Saga Press is an all-inclusive fantasy and science fiction imprint publishing great books across the spectrum of genre, from fantasy to science fiction, commercial to literary, speculative fiction to slipstream, urban fantasy to supernatural suspense.” Joe Monti is the executive editor of the new imprint.
Grand Mal Press is closed to submissions until further notice.
Karen Sullivan, former Managing Editor of Arcadia Books, is launching her own independent publishing company, Orenda Books. Sullivan said: “There is always a market for readable, good-quality literature, and I plan to focus on literary crime/thrillers and books that have personal resonance.” The launch is next week, so I’ll try to have more information on this publisher then.
Magazines
NEW: The Sehnsucht Project focuses on new age/spiritual/paranormal fiction and non-fiction. They want to publish “professional, provocative material that challenges our minds and helps us contemplate our soul’s journey”. This can include science fiction, fantasy, “razor-wire fiction, experimental, eclectic poetry and prose.” Please read the submission guidelines. Reading period ends March 31, 2015.
Lore, the online magazine, is “shuffling back into its tomb and sealing the vault door behind it.”
Penumbra is closed to submissions until the next reading period. Currently, there is no sign in the submissions guidelines that say when this will be.
Phobos Magazine, too, is between reading periods. The reading period for their third issue ended September 30.
Leading Edge is once more open to submissions, and is hoping that response times will improve. If you scroll down the submissions page, you’ll also find a contest for a new Leading Edge logo.
Fireside Fiction has opened to submissions of short stories for a limited time. Fireside wants “to publish great storytelling, regardless of genre.” Deadline: October 31, 2014.
Fantasy Scroll Mag is looking for “original science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories, regardless of sub-genre. We want great stories and grand characters!” Submission guidelines.
Book Smugglers Publishing is looking for short stories to publish between April and June of 2015. The theme: First contact. “While we are huge fans of aliens and would very much like to receive submissions featuring first contact with aliens, we would love to receive a broader pool of stories and traditions.” Deadline: December 31, 2014. Submission guidelines.
Bizarro Central is looking for bizarro short fiction (2000 words or less) for their Flash Fiction Friday feature. Submission information.
Anthologies
Dark Regions has a call out for another anthology: A Collection of Untimely Hours. “The theme is time. The genre is dark fiction. A broad spectrum, we know, but what we mean by this is truly the dark spectrum – from horror to supernatural, to slipstream – and all points in between.” Submission guidelines. Deadline: December 31, 2014.
Bikes in Space 3 is open to submissions. The theme: Zombies and bicycling. “Stories that are accepted will all have a feminist perspective and incorporate bicycling in some way, whether or not they are actually about bicycles.” Submission guidelines. Deadline: December 1, 2014.
Hydra Publications is accepting submissions for an anthology of dystopian short stories. ” What is your take on a dystopian world? Is it a police state? Do people live in fear of an outside source? Or is it an inner source they are scared of?” Submission guidelines. Deadline: January 31, 2015.
Nordland publishing is seeking short stories for an anthology trilogy called The Affinity Series. “The Affinity series is a planned trilogy relating to specific themes from Scandinavian culture and history and we aim to provide the highest quality publications possible.” The first anthology will be themed Folklore: “Stories that resound with the feel of the old world, that chill and entrance.” Call for submissions.
Imagine Ink Press is looking for submissions for two anthologies.
- Heroes and Villains. “We all know classic hero/villain stories. We are looking for your take on hero/villain!” Deadline: January 15, 2015.
- Twisted Christmas. “We all remember Nightmare before Christmas? Looking for creative scary Christmas stories.” Deadline: November 28, 2014.
Imagine Ink’s Open Calls for Submissions.
On the mend
Author Harlan Ellison suffered a stroke last week. From all reports, he is on the mend.
Rest in Peace
Zilpha Keatley Snyder (May 11, 1927 – October 7, 2014) Award-winning children’s book author.