The following market report on the anthology, Clones and Crucifixes, as well as the follow-up interview are courtesy of Market Scoops by D.L. Snell.
The Market
Publisher: Corpulent Insanity Press
Editor: Christopher Allan Death
Pay Rate: 1 cent/word
Response Time: 5-30 days
Reading Period: November 6-December 20
Description: An anthology of futuristic horror
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 lots of authors, for lots of different reasons. Carlton Mellick III is great because his imagination is off the wall, Wrath James White rocks because he knows how to make your stomach churn, and John Connolly kills because his stories are so atmospheric. But I’m not stuck on “household names.” I’ll read any author in the small press, so long as their tales are well-written and original. Right now I’m reading a novel by JG Faherty.
2. What are your favorite genres? Which genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
Primarily, I’m looking for a cross between sci-fi and horror for this anthology. If it’s just science fiction without a hint of horror, I’ll pass. And if it’s just horror without a hint of science fiction, I’ll pass as well.
3. What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
Ordinary locales intrigue me most, but I’ll consider anything, as long as it’s interesting. As for time … all stories should be set in the future. Near or far.
4. Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
Since the word limit for this anthology is so low, I’d prefer stories to start off with a bang. If you can take my breath away in the first paragraph and maintain suspense until the end, your chance of making the final cut is good. That said, I don’t want continuous action. Blood and guts are fine, but there should be a well-thought plot as well.
5. What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
I prefer flawed characters. Regular Joes are fine, but raving druggies, closet murders, and crooked cops really get my blood pumping (not in a deviant way, mind you). The more bizarre, the better.
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?
In general, I’d like stories to be bleak, gritty, and real. Some humor is okay, but it shouldn’t suck the suspense from the plot.
7. What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content? Any taboos?
In general, I’m fine with anything, as long as it adds to the story. I’m not interested in page-long descriptions of rape or torture. Splatterpunk is fine … just keep the wheels churning.
8. What kind of themes are you seeking most in submissions to this market? In general, what themes interest you?
I’m intrigued by stories of human limitation. If you think about it, we’ve made lots of progress as a race, as a species, but there’s still a lot we don’t understand. We can’t say for certain how old the world is, or when the universe came into existence. We can’t even explain the phenomenon of ghosts. But we try.
9. Overall, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
Both upbeat and downbeat are fine. I suppose I prefer downbeat a bit more, but it depends on the story.
10. Any last advice for submitters to this market? Any critical do’s or do not’s?
The best advice I can give is this: heed the guidelines. If you have a trunk story about a boy who gets possessed in 18th Century London, don’t send it. We’re only interested in futuristic horror. Think Blade Runner and The Exorcist mixed together in a big, black, bionic cauldron.
