With the just-released 150th issue of Kathy Ptacek’s Gila Queen, we thought it was time to catch up with Kathy and find out more about her essential market guide for writers and artists.
Let’s start off this way … what is Gila Queen?
It’s a bimonthly newsletter for writers and artists that covers all kinds of markets, along with news of the publishing industry. Each issue has a section of “regular” markets, an sf/f/h section, a theme section [that might be mystery markets, gardening, travel, etc.], anthologies, contests, an article or two, a list of dead markets, etc. One of the aspects that makes the Gila Queen different from other newsletters is that I have always run the complete guidelines of a magazine or anthology or contest or publishing house. I realized when I started the newsletter, that a writer really couldn’t get all the info she needed from guidelines boiled down to a bare paragraph or two. My goal for you, as a subscriber, is to know all you can about a publication before you submit to it – that gives you a better shot at acceptance.
What prompted you to start Gila Queen?
I started the newsletter 20 years ago when there were not many market sources. It was a print publication back then, of course. But I started it as a letter to friends – I kept getting all this info sent to me from various sources about anthologies and new magazines, and I thought, why not share it? So I did. Then after a while I realized that info should go into a real newsletter. The letter expanded from a few pages into a lot of pages, and it started going out to many different people.
How has it changed since the early issues?
In the old days – heh! – it was a print publication that came out monthly. Over the years it evolved into a publication that is e-mailed to subscribers around the world (not only the U.S. and Canada, but Japan, the UK, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, etc.). Things can change up to the very moment I press the send button, and I love that. Of course, I do miss all the fun of laying out the issue, finding the clip art, getting a cover, etc. But I don’t miss the hassle of shipping the issue off to a printer and waiting waiting waiting …
What changes do you have planned for the future?
I’m thinking about paying for articles again. It won’t be a large fee, but I’d like to do something. I would like to come out more frequently, but I’m not sure if that will happen.
How can someone submit information to Gila Queen?
All someone needs to do to send me information is just e-mail me at [email protected]. I am always on the look-out for interesting and new markets – not just the sf/f/h genre, but everything, actually. I cover a lot of nonfiction, because, frankly, it pays much better than most fiction. I have always encouraged my subscribers to try their hand at articles … or something new [try poetry! try entering a contest! just try something!].
Who should subscribe?
Everyone should subscribe! There’s something in the Gila Queen for all writers and artists – from the beginner to the seasoned pro. Many of my subscribers have been writers for decades … this is not a publication just for the novice.
How can someone subscribe?
I’m running a special subscription right now – if you are not already a subscriber, you can get 10 issues for $9, or 20 issues for $15. All you have to do is e-mail me ([email protected]) for more details or go to the web site (http://www.gilaqueen.us). I do take PayPal or checks/money orders (made out to me and not Gila Queen).
