Michael Kelly's Blog, page 35
January 20, 2013
Another story for issue 5 of Shadows & Tall Trees
I’ve bought Claire Massey’s dream-like and haunting story “Casting Ammonites” for issue 5.
January 19, 2013
Another tale added for issue 5
Happy to report I’ve bought Karin Tidbeck’s odd and surreal tale “Moonstruck” for issue 5 of Shadows & Tall Trees.
January 16, 2013
Apparitions 2 anthology
I did not get the funding required to publish Apparitions 2. The book, for the time-being, will remain but a dream, or a figment, if you will. Many thanks to those who contributed and helped spread the word. I appreciate your efforts
January 12, 2013
A note about submissions
Shadows & Tall Trees is a one-person operation. It is also an occasional endeavour, meaning I try to fit in work on the journal around family, a full-time job, chores, writing, responsibilities, etc. As such, there are times when I’m not working on the journal, and not reading submissions. That’s why I changed the guidelines to ask potential contributors to simply query first before sending any material. I will almost always say “sure, send it along,” unless I’m on vacation, or I’ve filled the latest issue, or I’ve died. Please just query first.
If I’ve rejected your story, I’ve never been one to suggest to authors to buy a copy of the journal. I understand that writers can’t buy sample copies of every magazine to which they submit. To that end, though, I would expect potential contributors to at least read the guidelines. When I say I’m not interested in the familiar tropes of the genre – vampires, zombies – well, I’m not interested. So, when I receive a submission of a vampire story that has been previously published from an author that hasn’t queried beforehand, that tells me you don’t value my time. Please, read the guidelines. They are pretty straight-forward.
I generally respond to submissions within a day. Since I average 5 – 7 submissions a day, my response is, yes, often a form rejection. A few people, upon receiving a quick form rejection, have written me back in a passive aggressive manner complaining/whinging that I didn’t give their submission a proper chance. Please don’t this. It simply isn’t good form.
January 7, 2013
Story bought for issue 5
Pleased to report I’ve bought Lynda Rucker’s story “Widdershins” for issue 5 of Shadows & Tall Trees.
January 3, 2013
Production update
Wishing everyone a happy new year!
I’m hoping to have issue 5 out by June. Here’s the line-up, thus far, with a few other things in the hopper that I hope to announce soon.
Fiction
New Wave, by Gary Fry
The Other Boy, by Daniel Mills
Non-Fiction
A Woman’s Place – Topography and entrapment in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s ‘The Yellow Wallpaper,’ by V.H. Leslie
December 18, 2012
Magazine of the Year
Very pleased to hear that Shadows & Tall Trees has been short-listed for Magazine of the Year over in the This Is Horror Awards.
December 3, 2012
Important note
Please note that I am currently experiencing some medical issues. I seem to have an inner ear virus that keeps me constantly dizzy and nauseous, and, for the most part, bed-ridden. Extreme vertigo. I am unable to read and respond to your e-mails. All Shadows & Tall Trees business is put on hold. I’ll post again once I’m back in business.
November 27, 2012
Chilling Tales 2
Occasionally, I edit something for another publisher. Chilling Tales 2, a volume of all-Canadian horror stories is now available on all the Amazon sites for pre-order real cheap.
