Unplugging

It's been a tough week, so I'm going to bail on you guys and unplug for the weekend to spend a little more time in my non-cyber reality. So that your visit here was not entirely wasted, here are some interesting sub ops from Ralan.com:

Bete Noire magazine has an open call for their first antho, In Poe's Shadow: "All stories MUST be inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and between 2,000 and 4,000 words (this word count is firm)" Payment: "1 cent a word US, plus one copy", no reprints, electronic submissions only, see guidelines for more details. Reading period: "The reading period for this anthology will start July 1st and end July 31st or until filled. Stories sent before July 1st will be deleted unread."

Blood Bound Books has an open call for their Night Terrors II antho: "And volume two is going to take terror to a new level. Like volume I, this second volume will be an open themed anthology of horror. Meaning we want stories from all topics and subcategories of horror. Including, but not limited to: psychological, creatures, paranormal, and gore. Remember, evil has no boundaries and neither do we! Nothing is off limits, so take advantage of the freedom. Science fiction and dark fantasy* will be considered as long as it has a strong element of horror. Try to avoid classic horror conventions/monsters (vampires, werewolves, and zombies), unless you incorporate a unique twist. Third person stories are preferred but we'll read first person stories as long as they are well done or integral to the plot." Length: 750 word to 4.5K, Payment: 2¢/word & up, no reprints, electronic submissions only, see guidelines for more details. Reading period opens: March 1, 2011 ("Do Not Submit Before!") Deadline: May 31, 2011.

Weird Tales has been moved to the Pro Market listings, and is looking for: "Short stories of 8,000 words or less (Preferred length is under 6,000). WEIRD TALES is looking for well-written work that is unusual and original; works of the fantastic, stories that are unique and strange with a proclivity toward the dark side. A new take on traditional storylines is also welcome as long as it is different and distinctive. Think in terms of the exploration of the imagination and stories which push the boundaries. Also, interested in the quirky and the peculiar, but the work must still be accessible, so no experimental fiction for the sake of experiment." Payment: 5 cents per word + two copies, no reprints, electronic submissions via online form only, see guidelines for more details.

See you on Monday.