The following market report on the anthology, Tattered Souls 2, as well as the follow-up interview are courtesy of Market Scoops by D.L. Snell.
The Market
Publisher: Cutting Block Press
Editor: Frank J. Hutton
Pay Rate: Paying 1.5¢ / word, plus one contributor’s copy. For established authors, rates are negotiable
Response Time: Final response time: six months or sooner
Deadline: October 31st, 2010
Description: A second loosely-themed anthology in which authors consider where people’s actions and desires lead them.
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’m captivated by distinctive voice and enjoy it when an author with a clue really lets it rip. Last winter, for the first time I cracked the spine on some Joyce Carol Oates. I didn’t ‘like’ all of it, but you won’t mistake her for someone else. And anyone who hasn’t read Kelly Link should give her a try.
2) What are your favorite genres? Which of these genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
Well, I’m kinda fond of submarine movies…
‘Horror’ is the most all-encompassing, elastic genre there is. Authors can take it from literary to splatter. From real to outrageous. Anywhere and in any way they want it to go. That’s what I appreciate best about the genre, so I try not to burden what I read by my own expectations.
3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
In a word, authentic. The suspension of disbelief is the whole gig. Convince me and I’ll follow you pretty much wherever you want.
4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
I’ve some personal preferences, but as the editor of an anthology, what the writer enjoys writing is more important than what I enjoy reading.
5) What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
Aware. Flawed. Maybe fatally. Examples too numerous to list, what with the entire history of literature and art overflowing with those.
6) What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content?
It’s all about execution. Too many writers use vulgarity as a shortcut and violence or sexual content as a device. You can always tell when a writer isn’t truly in touch with the disturbing resonance that violence and/or sexuality can provide a narrative.
Like I said up above: convince me. Then show me what you will.
7) In general, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
I like endings where nobody wins. Those are hard to pull off because it’s got to be so invested as to leave everything exhausted on the floor. So any author that wants their good guys to prevail should have them do just that. It’s all good.
8) What are the top three things submitters to this market should avoid?
Uninspired prose. Cliché, unless you can expand or subvert it. Taking the easy way out. Serve your story, not what you think the market for it might be.
9) What trait are you seeking most in submissions to this market?
It’s not happy that stories built around the adventures of mundane marauders have claimed so much of the horror market. Show me something that can’t happen and make me believe it does. Show me that the true nature of dread is unimaginable just before it becomes too real.
10) Any last advice for submitters to this market?
Be unafraid. Our intention is to provoke and disturb adults through strong narratives executed with craft and informed by style. We place a premium on excellence of execution and don’t provoke or disturb easily. Take your very best shot.
