The following market report on the anthology, Through the Eyes of the Undead 2, as well as the follow-up interview are courtesy of Market Scoops by D.L. Snell.
The Market
Editor: Robert Essig
Pay Rate: 1¢ / word and one contributor copy
Response Time: Up to two months
Reading Period: Until April/May 2011
Description (from the editor): This is an anthology of stories based upon the zombie perspective.
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?
Robert Bloch, Richard Laymon, Douglas Clegg, Stephen King, and Ray Bradbury to name a few. I like these authors because they pull me into their stories with such ease using great writing, believable characters, and interesting themes.
2. What are your favorite genres? Which genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
Horror and dark fantasy above all. For this anthology I am looking for a little bit of everything just so long as the story is from the zombie’s perspective. Steampunk, western, crime, sci-fi, bizarro, fantasy—I’ll look at just about anything. The one exception: no erotica.
3. What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
I like strange locales. Something that strays from the ordinary. I’m not a huge fan of futuristic stories; however, for this anthology I am very open-minded about setting and time periods to achieve a wide variety of stories.
4. Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
I tend to enjoy stories that are fast throughout, but I don’t knock a slower paced story for that reason alone. If the writing is captivating, the pace matters very little.
5. What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
Strange, flawed, eccentric, and unusual. Characters that the average reader can relate to are great.
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?
From Hunter S. Thompson to Poe. A diversity of tone is very welcome.
7. What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content? Any taboos?
I’m fine with all of the above as long as it pertains to the story and isn’t thrown in for shock value alone. No gratification of rape, racism, bigotry, or child and animal abuse.
8. What kind of themes are you seeking most in submissions to this market? In general, what themes interest you?
Just make sure the story is from the zombie’s perspective. I can’t stress this enough.
9. Overall, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
I prefer downbeat, but I would like a good mix of both. If all the stories were one or the other, they would run the risk of becoming monotonous.
10. Any last advice for submitters to this market? Any critical do’s or do not’s?
Do not send a first draft. Follow the guidelines carefully. Be sure that your story is written through the zombie’s perspective.
