Lynn M. Thomas is the new editor-in-chief of Apex Magazine. In addition, Apex is going back to an email system, moving away from the HeyPublisher form. They will be finishing up the submissions already sent in through 12/31/2011, so for those who have already submitted, things will proceed as normal, but new submissions should be sent to: apex.submission@gmail.com. The maximum word-limit is dropping to 5000, and they are no longer accepting unsolicited poetry. The complete guidelines are available here: Apex Magazine Guidelines

JournalStone is holding its 2nd annual HORROR publishing contest. Their first one turned out so well they decided to do it again, and again, and again. If you are not familiar with last year’s winner please check out That Which Should Not Be by Brett J. Talley. That could be you next year. If you are interested please submit your 75,000 words or more manuscript/novel to joel@journalstone.com on or before April 1, 2012, and you will be entered. The winner will receive a $2,000 advance against future royalties and have his/her novel published by JournalStone. Grammar counts, have it edited before you submit your entry. Scared about not winning? Second prize gets a $500 advance and a published novel. Yes, you have to sign a contract first. Third place gets a $200 advance and for the last time, also gets a published novel. Not one of the top three? No worries, you might still be good enough to get your novel published, you will just have to earn your money on the royalties. We only have so much to give out for free. Worried about costs? JournalStone is a small press publishing company, not a vanity press. We pay all the costs associate with publishing your novel. All an author is required to do is submit a freakishly scary book and rock our world. There are no entry fees. Genre: Horror only. Nothing else counts in this contest. If you have any questions on content, please send an e-mail to christophercpayne@journalstone.com or joel@journalstone.com. Word Count: 75,000 words or more. No exceptions. Submission Deadline: All submissions must be received no later than 11 p.m. Pacific time April 1, 2012. JournalStone highly recommends you submit your work early. Editing: Please have your work edited prior to submission. Can’t afford editing? If your work is absolutely awesome, we still might read it. It might even win, but you will be one step behind the others from the start. So you are better off just getting it edited beforehand. To submit your work, please send in a Microsoft Word document in Times New Roman 11-point font, single line spacing to joel@journalstone.com. In the subject line you must put "JournalStone’s $2,000 Advance in 2012." You must include your name, address and e-mall address with the submission. Take credit for your work, please don’t force us to investigate who you are or what entry goes with some crytpic e-mail address. The tentative publication date resides in the year 2012 for winning novels. If you have been curious to find out what JournalStone Publications is all about, but didn’t know how to go about it, now is your opportunity. Minimum of 20 entries required to validate contest. If last year’s contest is used as a barometer this is not even close to an issue. Judges will be added as we finalize: 1. Christopher C. Payne - President of JournalStone. My vote should count more than the others, but it probably won’t. 2. Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick – is an author/blogger from Southwest Colorado. He has self-published four novels, and is in awe of the Indie talents he began to discover last year. Joel also claims to be influenced by classical authors from Edward Lear to Bulwer Lytton. 3. Colleen Wanglund – is a self-described gorehound, bookwhore and metalhead. She lives in NYC with her two grown children, her boyfriend and her dog Manning. Colleen’s writing can be found in The Horror Fiction Review, Monster Librarian, Cinema Knife Fight, Mondo Film and Video Guide and More Horror. 4. Brett J. Talley – Winner of JournalStone’s $2,000 in 2011 contest and author of “That Which Should Not Be”. A native of the South, Brett Talley received a philosophy and history degree from the University of Alabama before moving to witch-haunted Massachusetts to attend Harvard Law School. Judging Criteria Plot, Character Development, Setting, Rhythm, Grammar, Structure, Uniqueness, Style, Marketability, Judge’s Objective Schedule

• The top 10 winners will be announced on June 1, 2012.
• The top three finalists will be announced on June 15, 2012.
• The overall winner will be announced on June 30, 2012.
• Dates are approximate and subject to change.

The following market report on the anthology, Live Free or Never Die: Speculative Fiction from the Granite State to the Stars, as well as the follow-up interview are courtesy of Market Scoops by D.L. Snell. The Market Anthology: Live Free or Never Die: Speculative Fiction from the Granite State to the Stars Editor: Rick Broussard Pay Rate: $50 Response Time: 3 months Reading Period: Description (from the editor): Pulp-style short fiction in the genre of science fiction and strange tales, all set in New Hampshire Complete Guidelines: Writer's Guidelines Note: Horror author D.L. Snell conducted the following interview to give writers a better idea of what the editors of this specific market are seeking; however, most editors are open to ideas outside of the preferences discussed here, as long as they fit the basic submission guidelines. The Scoop 1. What authors do you enjoy, and why does their writing captivate you? I enjoy reading the works of writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury who have distinctive voices and who can make words do tricks at their command. On the other hand, I really admire the imaginative scope and durability of classic science fiction writers like Robert Heinlein and the rebel spirit of fantasists like Harlan Ellison. 2. What are your favorite genres? Which genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market? My very favorite genres are precisely the genres that this anthology covers: science fiction and strange Twilight Zone-style tales. 3. What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future? I'm most intrigued by the workings of the human mind. After all, that's the setting where the story really takes place no matter if the environment is exotic or quotidian. 4. Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc. Short story pacing has to conform to an equation based the density of the story's essential plot points and the length of a sustainable arc for the narrative. 5. What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples? I prefer protagonists who are somewhat out of their depth in whatever the situation is that they find themselves. I identify best with them. Other characters should possess more than one dimension unless it's a character from a place where there only is one dimension. 6. Is there a specific tone you'd like to set in your publication? What kind of voices grab you and keep you enthralled? Any examples? I want the tone to be colorful and alluring and maybe a little tawdry. 7. What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content? Any taboos? I'll edit out anything too extreme. I think shooting for PG 13 is probably a good idea but I'm always willing to bend rules for good writing. Past volumes have had their share of all of the above. 8. What kind of themes are you seeking most in submissions to this market? In general, what themes interest you? Science fiction invites high concepts and I welcome those, but writers get extra points for actually taking the NH portion of the title seriously. The Granite State should be at least a secondary or parallel theme in every story. 9. Overall, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings? No preference. 10. Any last advice for submitters to this market? Any critical do's or do not's? Put your contact information on the manuscript.

Short, Scary Tales Publications has updated their guidelines for Peep Show, Volume 2 submissions. From their website, here they are: We now pay contributors! It's not very much I'm afraid, but it's a start. Short, Scary Tales Publications are now open to submissions for Peep Show, Volume 2. We are looking for well-written, original, erotic horror stories between 2000 - 10000 words please. They can have any theme: vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, serial killers, etc., as long as they are erotic horror tales. The sex content can be mild or extreme but must not contain anything to do with children. Previously unpublished stories only please. There is no set deadline. Submissions will close when the book is filled. (The tentative publication date is mid to late 2012.) We now only accept email submissions. No snail mail submssions please. These will be recyled unread. Please email your submission as a Word document (.doc, .docx or .rtf formats only) or as a .pdf to: submissions@sstpublications.co.uk. Payment per story is £5 (GBP) payable upon publication, plus 1 complimentary copy of the Trade Paperback and eBook version. Artwork samples can be emailed as a .jpg attachment or you can send a link to your online portfolio to: artsubmissions@sstpublications.co.uk. Thank you very much, and we look forward to receiving your submissions!

Short, Scary Tales Publications is back and now open to submissions for Peep Show, Volume 2. They are looking for well-written, original, erotic horror stories between 5000 - 10000 words please. They can have any theme: vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, serial killers, etc., as long as they are erotic horror tales. The sex content can be mild or extreme but must not contain anything to do with children. Previously unpublished stories only please. There is no set deadline. Submissions will close when the book is filled. Short, Scary Tales Publications will only accept email submissions. No snail mail submssions please. These will be recyled unread. Please email your submission as a Word document (.doc or .rtf formats only) or as a .pdf to: submissions@sstpublications.co.uk. Payment per story is £5 (GBP) payable upon publication, plus 1 complimentary copy of the Trade Paperback and eBook version. Artwork samples can be emailed as a .jpg attachment or you can send a link to your online portfolio to: artsubmissions@sstpublications.co.uk.

The Edge Of Sundown: An Original Anthology of Western Horror Stories is open for submissions. The anthology will be assembled by Kevin Ross (Dead But Dreaming 1 and 2) and Brian M. Sammons (Cthulhu Unbound 3 and Undead & Unbound), and published by Chaosium, Inc. Chaosium, one of the oldest publishers of roleplaying games, is well-known for producing the award-winning Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game, based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Chaosium also publishes a line of Lovecraftian and horror fiction, including works from writers such as Robert Bloch, Arthur Machen, Robert W. Chambers, and Lois Gresh, and such editors as Robert M. Price and S.T. Joshi. Writer's Guidelines The Edge of Sundown will be a collection of western horror stories totaling roughly 80,000 to 100,000 words. We’re looking for stories up to 10,000 words in length, with 4000 to 8000 word-length preferred. No poetry, please, and we’re not terrifically interested in humorous stories or parodies - again, such a thing would be an incredibly hard sell hereabouts. As for content, we’re looking for stories set in the American west (west of the Mississippi River) in the latter half of the 19th century, basically from about the Civil War era until the dawn of the 20th century. (We’re comfortable with moving the goalposts back a bit to include the Mexican Revolution of 1916, since that period was still very “wild” and “west”.) This is an incredibly rich historical period, full of possibilities for good stories, from real-life heroes and villains to Indians and their legends, cryptozoology, and yes, even opportunities to use elements of the Cthulhu Mythos. Most importantly, what we’re looking for are good, SCARY stories set in the old west. We’re not looking for tongue-in-cheek works, but ones that take the genre seriously. (Compare, for example, the old Gene Autry serial The Phantom Empire and the more recent western creature-feature The Burrowers.) There can be elements of pulp, fantasy, or adventure, but in the long run the story must have a very strong horror element to it. Other examples of the type of thing we’re looking for would include the serious western (and western horror) fiction of Robert E. Howard, films such as High Plains Drifter, Django the Bastard (AKA The Stranger’s Gundown), and the novel and film The White Buffalo; while the latter is not specifically horror, it is drenched in a palpable (supernatural?) awe of the titular beast. Obviously there have been other western-horror anthologies, and most of them included at least some good material. Unfortunately, many of these other anthologies either didn’t take their subject all that seriously, or their definitions of “western” and “horror” were too broad. With The Edge of Sundown our target is very specific, like a bullet straight through the heart: good, serious, scary western horror tales. As the editors are both avowed Luddites, we prefer hard copy submissions sent to either of the editorial addresses listed at the end of this prospectus. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope or a valid email address for replies, and if you want your manuscript returned include sufficient postage. Multiple submissions are permitted as long as you don’t send more than three stories at a time, and no more than three stories per month. If you wish to send an email copy, please clear it with one of the editors first. If an electronic submission is arranged, please have your story saved in Rich Text Format - again, see Luddite admission above. You can reach us via email here: bmanrun@hotmail.com If your story is accepted, Chaosium will buy the First North American Serial Rights to your story. Payment will be 3 cents per word and contributors will receive three copies of the book; additional copies are available from the publisher at a discount. We are open to submissions beginning immediately (November 2011), with a final deadline for stories of June 30, 2012. Publication is tentatively planned for the end of 2012. If you have any questions, please contact one of the editors. The Editors Kevin Ross 1212 Greene Street Boone, Iowa 50036 USA Brian M. Sammons 2459 Littletell Ave. West Bloomfield, Michigan 48324 USA

Boone’s Dock Press has launched a 50/50 fiction contest. The Concept This is a proper 50/50 contest. Remember the raffle at the church supper? It’s just like that. Boone’s Dock collects all of the entry fees and splits the cash with the winner, who will be published and formally announced in the next issue of Boone’s Dock Review. What They Like Boone’s Dock is not bound to any particular form, subject matter, or style, but are interested specifically in the literary merit of the work. They hope to see a strong voice that is both timely and timeless. Above all, they think these two are the qualities of any great art, and they will strongly consider all manuscripts that display both for publication, regardless of the contest’s outcome. For complete guidelines: Boone’s Dock 50/50 Fiction Contest Boone’s Dock Press originated in a moment of pure inspiration and seeks to bring that authenticity to everything they produce and promote. Their mission goes far beyond publishing books and promoting great writers and artists. They are driven by a comprehensive philosophy that requires strict attention to detail, visionary demonstrations of artistic capability and elevated consciousness, environmental responsibility, financial responsibility and service to humanity. In addition, Boone’s Dock Press is having a giveaway for the month of October. Everyone who likes them on Facebook or Google+ by October 31 is entered to win a special Halloween edition of their Boone's Dock Review.