Steve Berman's Blog, page 4

Does anyone dare?

Who wants to write me a short short story - like, sat 1-1.5k words - that is a sequel to "An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge" where the corpse becomes a revenant and kills the enemy troops? 3 cents a word, dangling like a pretty bauble.

Sigh

Yesterday was lonely. I barely interacted with anyone except for two phone calls. And without television or an enticing book, I kept hoping that I might discover something new and engaging online (Fail) or nap more. All signs of depression. A good friend hurt me and now I have to process this as no longer good friend. And friends don't have to talk to you when you want them, which is how the world works despite it seeming very fair. Fact is, I just have so few real friends.

Click and you can download the free digital Lethe catalog for Spring/Summer 2012

Lethe Press Spec Fic Catalog: Lethe Press Spec Fic Catalog Spring/Summer 2012

All the exciting fantasy, science-fiction and horror releases for Spring and Summer 2012 from Lethe Press.

Wilde Stories 2012 - releasing next week!

Some days...

I find it very hard to associate with non-writers. The conversation becomes either trite or repetitive as if suffering from dementia. Today I really wanted to brainstorm through a story--my protag needs something/wants something I have yet to discover--but once I mentioned the magical penis trade between Hermes and a 17 yr old boy, my co-worker was useless.

What's up.

Sorry I have been quiet. Lethe Press has been taking so much of my time (especially as we get ready for Readercon). Plus my mood... well, it has been all over the place. Some days upbeat, others filled with self-loathing. Alas, I think it's because I am not writing and not writing well and the realization that I have turned into a publisher rather than a writer is very hard to accept.

I did release:


which can be bought here
among other venues. It features gay-themed maritime stories by such authors as Chaz Brenchley, Alex Jeffers, Joel Lane, and Jeff Mann. So far no reviews. I am not surprised.

Then there is:



Information about Summer 2012 is here

Alas, sales of Icarus are down. This is my 13th issue and I think only 1 has ever been reviewed. I lose money on every copy sold at this point. Few subscribe and fewer renew. I would like to think it cannot be an issue of quality as we're still publishing award-winning authors like Ginn Hale and Hal Duncan and Sandra McDonald. Maybe the economy. Maybe no one cares about gay spec fic anymore that isn't paranormal romance.

Btw, I need more reviewers for Icarus. We're down to two and when things happen, there's no leeway and I end up stuck without reviews. So if someone would like to make $25+ for reading and reviewing a book, let me know. I have several I can assign (or you can pick from). At least, while I'm still dreaming about the magazine finding readers.

By some strange operation of magic I seem to have become the power of the land...

The subject line is a quote from George McClellan during the American Civil War.

More Americans were killed during the years 1861–1865 than any other date in history. Men shattered, women lost, families broken. In Shades of Blue & Gray, editor Steve Berman offers readers tales of the supernatural, ghost stories that range from the haunts of the battlefield to revenants on the long march home. Yank. Rebel. Both find themselves at odds both in flesh and spirit.

To be published by Prime Books in 2013.

I'm seeking ghost or revenant stories rather than hungry dead tales. So no zombies. You certainly do not have to be American to submit. And the stories do not have to take place during the 19th century but the Civil War (the battles, slavery, etc) must be essential elements.

No word limit. Reprints are fine. Payment for them starts at $25 or 1 cent a word, whichever is greater. Original tales, any length, also are fine. $100 or at least 3 cents a word. Payment is upon publication.

Send queries and/or submissions to sberman8@yahoo.com. Deadline is July.

Ghost story recommendations

So, for a forthcoming project, I could use some recommendations of ghost stories or novellettes involving the American Civil War. These stories could be historical or contemporary. Not looking for any other creatures, though revenants (walking dead) are sometimes apt as ghosts.

If you want to check out what I have found so far, please click here. And feel free to add your own suggestions. Thanks!

Relief

One of the best feelings in the world is de-friending people on Facebook and Livejournal. Especially when you have grown tired of their antics (all so higher moral ground) which you have grown to believe has never been altruism because true altruism is anonymous.

In honor of Friday the 13th:

Do you like speculative fiction? Enjoy the work of such award-winning writers as Richard Bowes, Sandra McDonald or Joel Lane? How about Alex Jeffers or Rod Santos? Do you like seeing a wide-range of voices depicting a variety of gay male characters? Serious fiction, articles and reviews?

Then ICARUS is for you!

Alas, my little magazine does not reach as many readers as I'd like. Which is a disappointment for the authors who I publish.

So, to remedy this, for today only, new subscribers can purchase a one-year subscription to the print edition (4 issues) for only $13!