In Your Closet and In Your Head

So, I haven’t talked a lot about this project, but it’s high time I let you know.  Last winter, I was approached by my old writing friend Aaron (A.C.) Hall about an anthology he was putting together with Steve Beaulieu and an "all star team" of indie writers.  They were assembling an anthology of “monster” stories, and I was invited to be a part of it.  It was something I couldn’t pass up, as I continue to get back in the writing game after a few years of limited creation.

So, with invitation in hand, I went to work, creating my first serious piece of fiction in years.  I’ve done monster stories before, of course, though I knew I had to try something a little different.  I wanted to make something special for the anthology, other than your run of the mill monster tale, while returning to my sci-fi roots.  A concept popped into my head rather quickly, and I spent a couple of weeks fleshing it out.  The end result was an alien invasion story with a twist called "Monsters In our Midst."

I had a great experience creating this story, and working with Steve Beaulieu on the editing.  He gave me editorial insight that polished the short to perfection.  It was an important step which I needed after years of growing rusty.  You can edit other people’s work all day, but sometimes fail to see the flaws in your own stuff.

This collection of stories is really amazing, and I haven’t even gotten through all of them (blast this hectic life of mine).  You have some fairly well-known contributors in this anthology, and a wide array of topics.  For a monster anthology, it is very diverse.

This collection hasn’t been out long, and it already has six 5-star reviews on Amazon.  For a multi-author anthology, that’s a really good sign.  I am honored and excited to see the praise these stories are getting, including my own.  It’s a good first step back into the writing field for me.  Being an editor has its ups and downs, but nothing beats creating your own fiction and having people enjoy it. 

Get yourself a copy of In Your Closet and In Your Head: A Monster Anthology today! 

VFW: The Cover Revealed!

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to commission a few new pieces of artwork for forthcoming Martinus Publishing anthologies.  One of those pieces is for the VFW: Veterans of the Future Wars anthology, which is a collection of military sci-fi stories.  So, let's get right to it.  Here is the artwork for the VFW anthology, illustrated by Mark Vatsel (check out his portfolio here):

The submission period for VFW: Veterans of the Future Wars is still in full swing.  Spread the word, and send in your own military sci-fi story for consideration!

Dead Anthology to Come

Horror generally hasn't been my genre, and I honestly will never be a fan of the gory slasher flicks that are a dime a dozen.  However, amidst the slew of slush are some really intelligent tales of suspense, sci-fi horror, and fantastic terror tales that contain more than blood and gore.  I've had the pleasure of reading several such pieces in recent months from very talented writers, and as a Sci-Fi & Fantasy publisher, I feel like putting some things together for those of you who tend toward the macabre.

For my first foray into the darker side of publishing, I'd like to announce the "Life of the Dead," anthology, a collection of logical and suspenseful Undead stories.  Yes, Zombies have been done to death, yet for some inexplicable reason they have staying power at the moment.  The zombie craze has yet to die down, so I'll put together my own take on the sub-genre.

What I'm after:  I'd like to see some originality to the stories, something that isn't just a rehash of Night of the Living Dead, or similar low-budget bloodbaths.  I'm after stories that add a sense of logic to the zombie phenomenon, stories that trend toward Sci-Fi.  Give us some science behind them, or show us a new side of zombies that we don't generally see.  Basically, show me more than just yahoos blasting living dead with shotguns.  As the title implies, I'd like to see the life of the dead.  Are they really all about eating brains, or is there something deeper?  Explore the possibilities.

Check out the complete submission guidelines here.

There you go, another great Martinus Publishing Anthology to look forward to.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go clean my Mossberg, just in case...

Quests, Curses, & Vengeance!

Today, I'm pleased to announce a new Martinus Publishing Anthology!

Quests, Curses, & Vengeance will be an exciting collection of short stories compiled by some of the most talented authors I've ever had the pleasure to work with.  Much of the content for this one has already been written, and the rest is being written as we speak.  I'll have more details in the coming weeks, but for now, I thought I'd tease you with a look at the cover art by the talented C. D. Muller:

Martinus Publishing's Week in Review

This past week has had some interesting landmarks for Martinus Publishing.

First off, I have done a fairly thorough proofing and formatting for "The Temporal Element," and with any luck that will be ready for the printers sometime next week (though it will not be officially released until April 1, 2013).  Once the final proofing is complete, I will have a cost projection, and other important data.

Secondly, I have received the first submissions for the "Veterans of the Future Wars" anthology.  There's one in particular that I'm seriously considering, and a few that I'll have to let go, for different reasons.  It's still early, but it's good to see some initial interest.  No doubt, the prospect of royalty payments is a good incentive.

I'd like to take a moment to discuss the idea of offering royalties for anthology contributors.  This is something that I have decided to start doing with future anthologies, despite the effort involved with keeping track of everything.

When it comes to the small press, nothing is terribly certain these days.  Some books sell thousands of copies, while others won't even crack 100.  In most cases these days, publishers buy stories with an up-front payment (and from most small-presses, it isn't a big pay-out, either).  If the book sells a lot of copies, the publisher makes a lot of money on that initial investment, but the author doesn't see a cent over their initial payment.  However, if the book doesn't sell well, the writer ends up making out better than the publisher.  It's an uneven gamble.

Now, with the royalty system, both the publisher and the writers will share in the profit, and everyone will get paid based on the number of books sold.  This is something that has come up on different occasions with sales of my own work.  One notable example would have to be "West of the Warlock."  During contract negotiations, Hall Brothers offered me the option of either royalties or a generous one-time payment.  I opted for the royalties, because it was fairer.  It was enough that they paid for the cost of producing the book in the first place.

So, for the time being, I'll be offering royalties.  With 20+ authors contributing to each book, it won't be a large percentage per individual, but everyone will get something.

Moving on the third bit of publishing news, I recently commissioned a new piece of artwork for an upcoming anthology.  This art isn't for either of the anthologies I have announced.  It will be for something special that is being produced by a select group of writers, and I'll have more information about this project as things progress.

There you have Martinus Publishing's week in review.

V.F.W: A New Martinus Publishing Anthology

An idea came to me the other day, and I feel there is no time to waste.  Therefore, I am pleased to announce another Martinus Publishing anthology which will be open to submissions starting tomorrow (February 9, 2013).

V.F.W.

-Veterans of the Future Wars-

War is Hell; always has been, always will be.  No one knows this better than the brave souls who have worn the uniform and fought for their fellow countrymen—the soldiers of America, Great Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and many other bastions of freedom.  The veterans of the past have defined our present, and without their sacrifices we would all be slaves to evil regimes and petty despots who care nothing for liberty or human life.  Our veterans are true heroes.

Veterans of the Future Wars is an anthology dedicated to honoring those who fight (and have fought) for our country and our freedoms; telling tales of their future counterparts combating everything from alien invasions, to home-grown dictators, and all manner of enemies.  The future has untold struggles ahead, and we are ever in the need of those who are willing to serve and sacrifice.  They shall not be forgotten.

Within these pages shall be Science Fiction stories of valor, honor, and distinction, recounting the hard-fought struggles of future veterans, be they on the battlefield or on the homefront afterwards.  Tug at our heartstrings, make us cheer or cry, or share an exciting adventure to thrill the senses.

Speaking to the creation of this anthology, I've long held a great deal of reverence for our military veterans.  I have known many of them over the years, and I would like to create something they can enjoy.  Putting together a collection of futuristic sci-fi stories about people like them is my minor contribution to the world at large.

If you want to write for this anthology, follow the guidelines at the Martinus.us submissions page.

*Please note that this anthology is in no way connected to the satirical organization "Veterans of Future Wars," that existed for a brief period during the mid 1930's.

The Authors of The Temporal Element

As the Martinus Publishing endeavor continues, I'm pleased to announce our "Authors Page," which gives you a brief look at the people behind the stories.  Check out their brief biographies and some of their faces here:

http://www.martinus.us/authors.html

The list currently features every author who contributed to the Temporal Element, and as more anthologies are produced and more authors are published, the list shall grow!

I'm currently toying with the notion of several more anthologies this year, and I'll keep you up to date as we move forward with them.

The Temporal Element Table of Contents

Over the weekend, I finished the selection process for The Temporal Element, and have chosen the stories to be included!  Formatting is currently underway, but it is now time to reveal the names of those fantastic stories and talented authors who will be featured in this collection:

1:  A Thursday Night at Doctor What’s Time             

    and Relative Dimensional Space Bar and Grill

            —by Bruno Lombardi

2:  Harry and Harry –by Arthur M. Doweyko

3:  The Light Fantastic –by Edmund Wells

4:  I'll Come Back for You—by A. C. Hall

5:  Time Heals All—by Paul Lamb

6:  The Long View—by William R. D. Wood

7:  Back in Time—by Carolyn M. Chang

8:  Brigadooned!—by James Hartley

9:  A Home More Welcoming—by Tony Laplume

10: The Killing of Yesterday—by Martin T. Ingham

11: Temsy—by Robert MacAnthony

12: AMR-17—by Edmund Wells

13: Doing Time—by Barbara Austin

14: One Last Gamble—by Shawn Cook

15: What Would You Ask Yourself?—by Karl G. Rich

16: The City at the End of Time—by Jeffery Scott Sims

17: Paradox Lost—by Diane Arrelle

18: Extinction—by Steven Gepp

19: There's an App for That—by Chris Allinotte

20:  Is the Caller There?—by Jon Wesick

21:  Application of the Novikov Self-Consistency Conjecture

        to the Daily Commute of One David Jensen

            -by Lauren A. Forry

There it is, 21 exceptional stories from 20 different authors.  Remember that you can Pre-Order the anthology.  See details at the Martinus.us Store.

Martinus Publishing's Next Anthology

As the Temporal Element anthology is now closed to submissions and moving into the production stages, it's time to get ready for the next great literary endeavors.  Without further ado, I hereby reveal the next open anthology from Martinus Publishing:

Altered America

Alternate History... Forgotten Possibilities!

What if fate had been a little different in the United States?  That's a great question that speculative fiction writers have been exploring for decades, and the answers are endless.  Whether it's straight alternate history, seeking to explore the possible results of altered history, or more fanciful ideas of magic or aliens in America's past, these are the tales that let our imaginations roam.

Alternate America is an anthology that seeks to explore possibilities, with stories of divergent histories and uncanny possibilities.  Stories taking place in the past, the present, and even the near-future are sought—so long as they incorporate some "alternate" element, something that precludes the events from taking place in our own reality.

First, it was time travel, now it's alternate realities.  We're going through all of my favorite sci-fi devices with these first anthologies!

As the title implies, the stories will be based in these United States, though as always I'm accepting stories from authors worldwide.  I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of "what if" stories, where people pick pieces of history and rewrite them for a wholly different outcome, but there will also be room for some more fanciful stuff.  Cowboys and Aliens, West of the Warlock; that kind of stuff.  It's about other realities, and anything is possible, so long as it's still somehow linked to America.

The submissions period for Altered America begins May 1, 2013.  Check out the Martinus Publishing submissions page for more details.

Pre-Order The Temporal Element

Even before the final deadline is punched, it's time for a special offer!

Those of you who have contributed to The Temporal Element will have to wait a while before I can give you your deeper discount, but for readers who want to reserve copies ahead of time, I am pleased to offer a special discount.  Reserve your copy of this thrilling anthology for only $11.50, USA shipping included.  The projected retail price will be $12.95, but I'm knocking it down for those of you who are interested enough to buy early.

To order at this special price, visit the Martinus.us order page, or just send me an email to mtiediting (at) inbox.com, and let me know how many copies you'd like to reserve at this special price.  I'll reply with payment instructions, and you'll be all set to receive one of the first printed copies.

The official release date for The Temporal Element is April 1, 2013.

Last Call for The Temporal Element

This is it.  Time sure flies, doesn't it?  Here we are, January 31st, and that means we are about to see the final deadline for submissions to The Temporal Element anthology.  There are a lot of really good stories already sitting in the collection, though there are a couple of people I was hoping to see submit who haven't found the time or the right story.  Perhaps they'll sneak in under the wire sometime today or tonight.

This is a momentous occasion, the first deadline for any Martinus Publishing anthology.  Rest assured, this won't be the last.  As we close the door on one set of submissions, another collection is being planned!  In the coming week, I'll be announcing several exciting new projects, and share our first Hit of the Month, giving you the chance to read the first sample of The Temporal Element.

Last call: submit your stories by tonight.

The Temporal Element—Last Call

We're nearing the end of the submissions process, but there are still a few days left.  You have until Thursday night to get your time-travel-related story to me for inclusion in this anthology.  There are still a few slots open if the right stories come across my desk.  As it is, there are enough stories currently accepted to make this a good-sized collection, but there's always room for more!

I know there are a few of you who are waiting for the last minute, and that's perfectly fine.  Do not be discouraged by the late date.  Don't think "There's no point submitting, since he's probably got all the stories he needs already."  If you have a story, send it in, and you'll have as good a shot now of getting accepted as you would have had four months ago.

Give it a try.  It just might be your lucky sub!

Check out The Temporal Element submission guidelines.

The Temporal Element Cover Revealed!

We're less than two weeks away from the end of the submissions period for The Temporal Element anthology, and as we near the completion of the story-selection process I'm pleased to reveal the recently-designed cover, illustrated by the talented Paul Milligan:

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have half a dozen story submissions to review.

For those who are still interested in submitting, you have until the 31st of January to get your story to me.  Check the Submission Guidelines for details.

Submissions: The First Week

The submission period for The Temporal Element hits the 1-week point today, and I'd like to take a moment to reflect upon the process and current subs.

The initial story submissions have been trickling in, though word is still getting out there (and we haven't even been listed on duotrope yet; expect that to come any day now).  I will say the initial story submissions are well written, and many are likely to find their way into the anthology.  However, it will be a week or two before I start sending out acceptance letters.

The theme of the stories I'm getting seem pretty uniform in their time-setting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, though I hope to see more variety when the flow of submissions increases.  The current basis of most stories sent in thus far deal with future travelers seeking to change or save their time by changing something in the present (their past), with a few stories involving people making short trips into their own past to fix something (or they try and fail to fix things).  These are all well and good, but if the current trend continues, there will be a glut of stories that take place in the present era vying for acceptance.

While there is still plenty of room for time travel stories that take place "close to home," I'm also interested in some stories about people exploring the past and future.  My initial thought for the anthology was a balanced selection of stories taking place in the past, present, & future.  It is still too early to know what will shake out, so if you are working on a story that takes place in the present, don't give up on it now.  Heck, now I'll probably get a slew of past and future stories, and fall short on tales taking place in the present.

In summation, ignore everything I just said.  Write whatever time-travel story you have in mind, and submit it.  The best will win out in the end.  Remember to review the Complete Submission Guidelines, and get those stories to me.

Submissions Open!

It's October 1st, and that means the submission period for "The Temporal Element" anthology is officially open!  Stop over at the previously posted submission guidelines for details about how you can submit your own time travel related story to this collection.

I expect to see a lot of qualified stories, so many that competition may be fierce.  Good luck!

*One quick caveat:  As you rush to complete your spectacular story for submission, it may be tempting to overindulge.  Many a night have I, myself, munched on sweet and/or salty snackfoods.  Pig out if you must, but know that too many hours snacking at the keyboard could result in serious health problems.  You have been forewarned.

The Temporal Element: Complete Submission Guidelines

With just over a week to go before open submissions for The Temporal Element, here is the complete and unabridged list of submission guidelines:

The Temporal Element:

Time-Travel Adventures,

Past, Present, & Future!

Since the dawn of the modern era, mankind has dreamed about the possibility of traversing the bounds of linear time, to explore the dark mysteries of pre-history or seek out the wild possibilities of the far future in person.  This collection of stories does the next best thing, allowing readers to dream of the possibilities of such a theoretical trip.

The anthology will contain stories all about traveling through time, and not in the natural way.  From spell-casting wizards, to mad scientists, and government-sanctioned time agencies, The Temporal Element will feature the best stories of people traveling beyond their native time.  Explore ancient history, the distant future, or anywhere in between.

If you have a story that fits this theme, consider submitting it, but please adhere to the instructions below:

1:  Font:  Stories must be formatted in either Times New Roman or Courier New, single-spaced.  Do not add an extra space between paragraphs.  A lot of writers separate their paragraphs into blocks these days, like they're writing a blog post.  It's something I'd just have to undo, so please don't submit it that way.

2: Keep your stories PG-13 or softer in nature.  While I'm putting together a collection for adults, I'm also seeking to assemble something that would be appropriate for high school students.  If you write the best piece of Erotica about a time traveling gigolo, more power to you, but it's not going to fit this market.

3:  Format stories as either a .doc or .rtf file format.  No .docx files!  I still use Windows XP, so if you send me a .docx file, I will not be able to read it.  Please, no argument about how "there's a patch for that."  I don't want .docx files, period, so make sure your file is in one of the aforementioned, acceptable formats.

4:  Word Length:  2,000-6,000 words preferred.  If a story is longer but of exceptional quality, it may gain acceptance, as well.  Likewise, a story under 2k may be accepted if it is really good, but generally I'm looking for stories within the word range.

5:  No Simultaneous Submissions.  I don't want to read the greatest story and accept it, only to find out that some other editor has bought the rights out from under me.  If you submit to this anthology, please have the courtesy to wait for a response before marketing it elsewhere.

6:  One Story At A Time:  If you have multiple stories you'd like to submit to the anthology, please send only one, to start.  I'll have a lot of stories to read through, and prefer to see single story submissions.  After you get a response about your first story, you're free to submit another story, but editors only handle one at a time, generally.

7:  No Fan Fiction.  Though it may be tempting to write stories about your favorite tv show characters, there are copyrights and trademarks involved.  Even the best piece of fan fiction cannot be accepted.

8:  The submission period will be open October 1, 2012 and stay open until January 31, 2013.  During this time period, you may submit your stories to mtiediting (at) inbox.com as an email attachment.  Please put "Submission: (Your Story Name Here) in the subject line.

9: Response Time will vary, depending on the number of submissions.  There is only one of me, and I have several other things to contend with at the moment, so it may take some time to wade through the slush.  I'll say four to six weeks just to be safe, but it may be much sooner than that.

10:  Payment.  While Publication is the major form of pay, the editor would like to personally thank each accepted writer with the munificent sum of 15 cents.  Yes, a nickel and a dime, but it's no ordinary pocket change.  Each accepted writer will receive a silver Winged Liberty (aka Mercury) Dime, and a Buffalo Nickel.  Why?  Because it's something different, and it'll be memorable. 

*Due to the rising cost of international postage, writers from outside the USA will be offered a paypal payment of $5 instead of the antique coins.

11: Genre:  Since this is an anthology about time travel, most of our stories will be either Science Fiction or Fantasy, though there is no specific genre limitation.

12:  Publishing details.  This anthology will be released by Martinus Publishing.  Tentative release date is spring 2013.  It will be a print anthology, with an ebook release for Kindle.  A few free samples will also be displayed on the forthcoming Martinus Publishing website for promotional purposes, as well.

That is everything I have for you at the moment.  Get ready to submit on October 1st!

The Temporal Element Submission Guidelines

Starting October 1, I'll be accepting submissions for a time travel oriented anthology called The Temporal Element: Tales of Time Travel Adventure, Past, Present, & Future.  In preparation for this grand endeavor, I'll now provide to you the full set of guidelines, which should prepare you to submit your stories when the time comes:

1:  Font:  Stories must be formatted in either Times New Roman or Courier New, single-spaced.  Do not add an extra space between paragraphs.  I know, a lot of writers separate their paragraphs into blocks, like they're writing a blog post.  It's something I'd just have to undo, so please don't submit it that way.

2: Keep your stories PG-13 or softer in nature.  While I'm putting together a collection for adults, I'm also seeking to assemble something that would be appropriate for high school students.  If you write the best piece of Erotica about a time traveling gigolo, more power to you, but it's not going to fit this market.

3:  Format stories as either a .doc or .rtf file format.  No .docx files!  I still use Windows XP, so if you send me a .docx file, I will not be able to read it.  Please, no argument about how "there's a patch for that."  I don't want .docx files, period, so make sure your file is in one of the aforementioned, acceptable formats.

4:  Word Length:  2,000-6,000 words preferred.  If a story is longer but of exceptional quality, it may gain acceptance, as well.  Likewise, a story under 2k may be accepted if it is really good, but generally I'm looking for stories within the word range.

5:  No Simultaneous Submissions.  I don't want to read the greatest story and accept it, only to find out that some other editor has bought the rights out from under me.  If you submit to this anthology, please have the courtesy to wait for a response before marketing it elsewhere.

6:  One Story At A Time:  If you have multiple stories you'd like to submit to the anthology, please send only one, to start.  I'll have a lot of stories to read through and prefer to see single story submissions.  After you get a response about your first story, you're free to submit another story, but editors only handle one at a time, generally.

7:  No Fan Fiction.  Though it may be tempting to write stories about your favorite tv show characters, there are copyrights and trademarks involved.  Even the best piece of fan fiction cannot be accepted.

8:  The submission period will be open October 1, 2012, and stay open until November 30, 2012.  An email address for submissions will be announced on this blog during the last week of September.

9:  Payment.  While Publication is the major form of pay, the editor would like to personally thank each accepted writer with the generous sum of 15 cents.  Yes, a nickel and a dime, but it's no ordinary pocket change.  Each accepted writer will receive a silver Winged Liberty (aka Mercury) Dime, and a Buffalo Nickel.  Why?  Because it's something different, and it'll be memorable.

Okay, I think that's everything.  I hope this will help prepare you for the forthcoming submissions period.  I look forward to reading through the many qualified stories, and selecting from amongst them.

My Upcoming Anthology

After months of anticipation, it is finally time to reveal the theme of the Anthology that I'll be compiling and editing for Hall Brothers Entertainment.  Without further ado, I'm pleased to announce this great endeavor into short story excellence:

The Temporal Element: Time-Travel Adventures, past, present, & future!  Since the dawn of the modern era, mankind has dreamed about the possibility of traversing the bounds of linear time, to explore the dark mysteries of pre-history or seek out the wild possibilities of the far future in person.  This collection of stories does the next best thing; allowing readers to dream of the possibilities of such a theoretical trip.

The anthology will contain stories all about traveling through time, and not in the natural way.  From spell-casting wizards, to mad scientists, and government-sanctioned time agencies, The Temporal Element will feature the best stories of people traveling beyond their native time.  Explore ancient history, the distant future, or anywhere in between.

I'm sure to get a lot of talented writers submitting to this anthology, so I'm giving you all a heads-up.  The Submission Period will open on October 1, 2012.  At that time, I'll post a contact email where you can submit your stories, along with other submission details.  Here are a few pointers, to help you with formatting prior to the submission period:

1:  Stories must be formatted in either Times New Roman or Courier New, single-spaced.  Do not add an extra space between paragraphs.  I know, a lot of writers separate their paragraphs into blocks, like they're writing a blog post.  It's something I'd just have to undo, so please don't submit it that way.

2:  Keep your stories PG-13 or softer in nature.  While I'm putting together a collection for adults, I'm also seeking to assemble something that would be appropriate for high school students.  If you write the best piece of Erotica about a time traveling gigolo, more power to you, but it's not going to fit this market.

3:  Format stories as either a .doc or .rtf file format.  No .docx files!  I still use Windows XP, so if you send me a .docx file, I will not be able to read it.  Please, no argument about how "there's a patch for that."  I don't want .docx files, period, so make sure your file is in one of the aforementioned, acceptable formats.

These are the only major pointers at the moment.  So, get writing your time-travel story, and let's see what happens.  Remember to visit this blog on October 1, 2012 to submit.

UPDATE:  Check out a more comprehensive list of submission guidelines!