Forbidden Delays and a New Alt History Anthology!

It has been way too long since I threw together a blog post.  Living life really can take up your time!  Things are good for me, though, so I will not complain.  I hope to have more time to devote to writing and editing in the coming year, but work just keeps piling up.  It's better to be busy than not, I suppose.

First off, I have to apologize to everyone involved with the Forbidden anthology about the further delay in publication.  It is just taking a little longer to put things together for this collection, but it is 100% definitely going to be released in 2019!  I promise.  Once the final proofing and a couple of author rewrites are complete, we will be ready to set the final, concrete release date.  I don't want to throw out another date range yet, because I would hate to miss it again.  But be assured sometime during the first half of 2019.  Unless something disastrous happens, the book will hit the presses before next summer, possibly much earlier.  As soon as we get a firm release date, I will start posting the author interviews here on this blog to promote the book, as has become usual.

So, what else will be coming from Martinus Publishing in 2019?  I have a couple of projects planned, so long as I can allocate the appropriate time.  One thing will be a new short collection from one of my favorite contributing authors (more details once we finish planning things out a bit further).  And after a long wait, I will be setting up another new anthology, something in the Alternate History field again, though this time with a twist.  Without further ado, I hereby announce the next Martinus Publishing anthology:

This Never Happened!

~Alternate History Farce and Fantasy~

A new anthology devoted to the humorous side of alternative history fiction.  This collection will hold stories that are funny and outrageous, set in worlds where history differs from what happened in our own reality, with ridiculous consequences.  Tales that could not possibly have happened, or maybe they could have but would have just been absolutely hilarious if they did.  This Never Happened will explore what could have been, and what absolutely could not have been as well.  Make me laugh, and screw up history like never before for this wacky story collection!

You can find submissions details on the Martinus Publishing website here!

Let's see what happens in the new year!

Knowing When to Rest

The last month has thrown quite a few nasty surprises my way.  First off, I had my desktop computer die, and being lazy and careless, I failed to have some of my more recent files backed up.  Thankfully, I was able to retrieve those files from the hard drive yesterday, but it ended up costing me about a hundred dollars in hardware and software.  Now that the files are recovered, I will finally be able to resume work on the Forbidden Anthology, though there are other issues that make me reluctant to proceed.

This past week threw something even more troubling my way. I received a notice from Amazon, saying that they had received a communication from a Kenneth Romine of the "Veterans of Foreign Wars" organization, saying that the Martinus Publishing book “VFW: Veterans of the Future Wars” violated their "trademark" in some way.  Amazon instantly removed the title, stating that they do not involve themselves in "third party disputes.”

That alone was a shock, but a few hours later I received yet another notice from Amazon, saying that Martinus Publishing had published a "pornographic work," (which title they did not identify) and then they immediately suspended my entire KDP account.

I was quick to fire off a response to Amazon on both matters.  Shortly after writing them, I received a letter from Amazon saying they had "accidentally" accused me of publishing porn, and that my account was no longer suspended.  However, the VFW issue was apparently no mistake, and they doubled down saying they wouldn't get involved in the "third party dispute" and wouldn’t let the title back online until I provide documentation proving I have the legal rights to publish the work as is (what documentation they have refused to specify), or until Mr. Romine rescinds his complaint.

The only thing I can consider being a problem is the cover lettering.  If the Veterans of Foreign Wars owns the "VFW" letters as a trademark, I can understand the legal issues, though I had always assumed that the title of this book was protected as fair use.  I offered to alter the cover to remove the VFW lettering on the book's cover, but Amazon refused to consider it.  They now say the title will remain blocked until the “dispute is resolved by all parties concerned,” which could entail a costly legal battle with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which I have no money to fight.  It’s kind of ridiculous that an anthology written to honor veterans, many of the stories having been written by actual veterans, would be shut down by an organization set up to also help veterans.  It doesn’t make any sense.

I have been going over everything in my head for the last few days, trying to decide what the best course of action would be.  VFW: Veterans of the Future Wars hasn’t sold anything in the last six months, and in its entire run it only just about broke even, so there’s no real profit to be made at this point in keeping the title in-print.  Though, I find it upsetting that it has to end this way.

To be honest, I’ve felt like giving up this publishing business altogether.  It’s been hard the last couple of years, and this latest nonsense is just leaving a sour taste in my mouth.  I don’t want to stop, but so often it feels like I’m trapped, tied down by the weight of being an editor.  I don’t have the time to write my own material anymore, and I don’t seem to be helping the writers I care about.  Most of the collections I release don’t sell enough to make back their publishing cost, so how does that help anyone?

I still feel obligated to release Forbidden, though I am not sure where I’ll be going from there.  Part of me wants to gear up for another Alternate History anthology, as those are the only things that seem to make Martinus Publishing money, yet that isn’t where my heart is.  It would be just another job, which takes the fun out of it all.  I want to be a writer again.  I don’t know if I can truly do that if I am busy editing other people’s stuff.

At the very least, I think I’ll need a break.  I need a reset on my writing life.  I don’t want to shut down Martinus Publishing, though it may be some time before I’m ready to release another multi-author anthology.  I have stories of my own that need to be told, characters I’ve missed for too many years.  It's time I revisited them, and maybe made some new ones.

Forbidden News!

It has been far too long since I posted to the blog.  Life is busier than ever, but it is getting better.  The past month, I have been courting the true love of my life, and it may seem a bit hasty, but on Thanksgiving day we got engaged.  There will be more time to discuss that later, but rest assured I have finally found happiness.  So, please bear with me if I don’t have as much time for writing at the moment (I also still have 4 children to raise, as well as many work projects to take up my time).

Now, the news many of you came looking for.  The Forbidden! anthology is still being put together.  I am pleased to say that I’ve accepted a few stories for the collection, but the vast majority remain under consideration, and they will until January, when I will make the final cuts and acceptances.  We have a lot of good stories waiting, and to make sure I have room for the best of the best, I might as well wait until the last subs come in this month.  I’m sorry for those of you who have been waiting since July-August.  I expect it’ll be worth the wait.

As we wait for the final submissions and the forthcoming acceptances, here is the final cover art for the anthology, illustrated by the very talented Christine Leonardi:

If I don’t get back to you beforehand, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Keep reading, and check out Martinus Publishing books for great gift ideas!

Our Heroes Through Tomorrow (Cover Reveal & Pre-Order)

It has been a long month since I last posted to the blog, and in that time I have had some great progress with the new Author Spotlight series, and have in fact completed work on the 2nd volume in this set.  Without further ado, I am pleased to share with you the cover for "Our Heroes Through Tomorrow," a collection of stories by Dan Gainor:

 

Cover art by Mirko Calusic

 This fantastic collection includes some of Dan's greatest short stories.  If you haven't encountered his fiction before, you really must have a look at what wonders he weaves!  Here are the six stories contained in this collection:

Unintended Consequences

 In a future where nuclear weapons no longer function, conventional warfare rears its ugly head as America becomes the target of a hostile invasion, and a young computer wiz finds himself in the thick of the fight.

We The People

 A billionaire rancher seeks to rekindle the spirit of America... by cloning the Founding Fathers!

Soul Tracker

 A science-fiction epic of alien worlds, conjoined souls, and one man's quest to become the ultimate warrior.

Original Sin

 College students set out on a quest to prove that time travel is possible, only to find themselves stranded in an all too familiar past, with a crucial decision to make about altering fate.

Just Desserts

 Aliens seek to neutralize the "human threat" through a virus that makes "zombies" all too real... only, what will be the true consequence of this bio-warfare?

Drawing A Line

 In a future where humanity is conquered and fragmented amidst the stars, the last soldiers must hold the line between warrior and pirate as they struggle to fight for freedom and survival.

This story collection is an Amazon Kindle exclusive, and is currently available for pre-order.  (GET YOUR COPY RIGHT HERE)  Reserving a copy will assure that you receive this book on September 2, 2016, the official release day!

I am hopeful that this collection will have many readers.  Martinus Publishing needs a new hit, and these stories deserve the exposure.  If the Author Spotlight series takes off, it will facilitate further investment in future collections.  I am hopeful for commercial success, but as always, I remain committed to publishing stories that I enjoy and love to read.  Sales merely make it easier to do that.

The third volume in the Author Spotlight series is currently in the works, and I'll have more news about that release as we get closer to Fall.

Let's see where this road will lead us...

Martinus Publishing: The Future

I'm sorry that I have been so silent as of late.  Work and family life continue to keep me busy, and it is getting hard to find time for blogging.  So, I'd like to take a few minutes to assure everyone that I'm still alive and well, and that I am in the process of evaluating certain aspects of my life.  One large part of that is my publishing pursuits.

The last three and a half years of Martinus Publishing has been an up and down roller coaster.  There have been highs and lows, positives and negatives.  It has been a lot of fun a times, and bothersome as hell at others.  I've met some really great writers, and discovered some amazing talent.  Throughout the entire process, I only wished I could have done more for the great contributors whose work I published.

First, let's get this speculation out of the way (again).  Martinus Publishing is not closing.  I know, some writers keep asking "if" or "when" I'm going to shut down, and "can I please have my story back because you, like, aren't publishing it fast enough."  Okay, I'm sorry if that came off as insensitive, but that's how a few writers have come off, and it's also why several Martinus Publishing anthologies are a few stories short.  I try to fit 20 tales in each anthology, though on occasion I'll have someone pull out for one reason or another, and about half the time it's because they don't realize what it takes to put one of these collections together.  I understand their frustration in some cases, especially when we're talking years between publication, but a few people started getting antsy a few months after their stories go accepted, even before submissions ended sometimes.  You can say I've had the pleasure of working with writers possessed of a myriad of temperaments.

Martinus Publishing is here to stay, but in order for that to happen, I have to scale back a bit and rethink certain projects.  First of all, any anthology that has not performed well in the past 6 months will be cut.  This means that Life of the Dead, and To Hell with Dante, will both be discontinued at the end of July.  Unless one of those titles miraculously sells big in the next 60 days, they must be retired.  There's no sense letting them sit there gathering virtual dust.  Others will join them at the end of 2016.  No sense carrying around dead weight.

Secondly, I'm afraid I must announce the cancellation of The Secret Life of Ghosts.  This project has been on the rocks for months, with multiple writers pulling out due to the understandably long wait.  I apologize to everyone who still has stories pending in this collection.  I thought of putting together a shrunken collection, though I don't believe the anemic volume would make back enough to cover the cost of cover art, which to date remains uncommissioned.

Third; Altered Europa remains in the works.  I still have to find time to give it a proper editing, and I need to get cover art drawn up, but I want this anthology to happen.  It will be hard, but somehow I will make it happen.  Though it may not be released until fall/winter.  Please be patient, but if anyone can't wait I'll understand if they want to pull out at this juncture.

Fourth;  I am in full development for a new "Author Spotlight" series, which will feature a few of Martinus Publishing's more popular and prolific authors, those I've worked with for years and feel deserve a solo shot to advertise their work.  Right now, I'm starting out with two particular writers whose work I always love to read, but I'll be adding more to the series if the first couple of collections are a success.  Stay tuned for more about these special ebook only collections in the coming months.

So, I hope this has been informative, and as my life continues to evolve I hope to bring Martinus Publishing back into prominence.

Martinus Publishing Author Spotlight Series

It's hard to believe that it's already April, and next week I'll be turning 36.  There is so much to be done, and with the latest Martinus Publishing releases being largely overlooked and under-bought, I feel the need to finally get something new moving.

Over the next few months, Martinus Publishing will be releasing a series of single-author mini-anthologies.  These will be e-book only collections, featuring short stories by some of my favorite and most prolific authors.  The collections will contain several stories that have been previously-released in past MP anthologies, as well as some new, never before published stories.  This will give readers the opportunity to check out more stories from individual writers.  I'm calling these the "Martinus Publishing Author Spotlight Series," and they'll be bargain priced at only 99 cents each!  Anyone can afford that.

The first in our spotlight series will be a collection of my own stories, which I'm cynically calling "Escapist Garbage."  I feel it's time that I finally put something of my own out into the market again, and this sampler has a cross section of my entire writing career, with 2 never before seen pieces, along with some old favorites.

So, for those of you who are ready to read more of my writing, order yourself a copy of Escapist Garbage today!

We Were Heroes Author Interview: Chris Allinotte

Hello, and welcome to an all new series of author interviews.  The long anticipated anthology "We Were Heroes" will be coming out in 2016, and in preparation for this release we'll be running interviews of various contributors.

MTI:  Today I'm interviewing a returning contributor, Chris Allinotte, who has crafted the compelling story Faded Instincts this time around.  Thank you for being here, Chris.

It's been a while since we did one of these interviews.  Why not tell our new readers a little bit about yourself?

CA:  Well, the basics are that I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with my wife and children, but I grew up in northern Ontario, and went to University in Toronto, where I stayed for awhile.

I’ve always loved creating stories, but I got serious about it during theatre school, when I wrote my first play, Late Last Night. I later staged the production at the Staircase Café Theatre in Hamilton.

It was awhile after that that I got back into writing fiction, joining a writing group in Toronto. One of the pieces I came up with in that group later won first place in the Toronto Star short story contest. I’ve written pretty constantly since then. Two years ago, I published a collection of short fiction, called Gathering Darkness, which I’m very proud of. 

MTI:  Your story, Faded Instincts, appears in We Were Heroes, an anthology devoted to the theme of aging, retired, or out of their element superheroes and villains.  Tell us a little bit about your contribution to this collection.

CA:  Faded Instincts is about a father coming to terms with the son he left behind. So much of superhero mythology is dependent on the protagonists having no responsibility other than fighting evil in the name of justice which, while admirable, is sort of a juvenile mindset. I thought it would be fun to explore what happens when real life catches up to the mythology. The fact that the son finds himself developing the same powers as his father provided a nice catalyst to get them together.

MTI:  Who's your favorite superhero (or villain)?

CA:  I find myself going back to Batman a lot. When I was younger, I loved Spiderman and the X-Men, but as I’ve aged, I keep coming back to Bruce Wayne. I particularly like the Frank Miller books (The Dark Knight Returns, Batman:Year One), as well as Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke, that expose the hero as being nearly as damaged as the villains he fights. There’s something intensely gripping about Batman’s sense of urgency – that he cannot rest until the job is done – but it’s never done.

MTI:  If you, yourself, could have any superpower, what would it be?

CA:  I think it would be great fun, actually, to have the powers that “Animal Man” in my story has – to transform into any creature that’s ever lived, at will.  Just exploring the possibilities of that would take a lifetime.

MTI:  Shifting back to your writing, can you tell us a little about what you're working on right now?

CA:  I’m nearly through the first draft of my first full novel. It features characters I’ve used before in short stories, so it’s been really great to find out more about them as they stretch out to fill the greater space.

MTI:  Other than Faded Instincts appearing in We Were Heroes, do you have any other stories being published in the near future?

CA:  There is a novellette that I’ve done which may border on fan fiction (it takes place in the world of the Wizard of Oz), so I’ve been hesitant to send it out – but I like it a lot, so I may polish it up and release it myself on Smashwords. Everything else I’ve been doing has been to try and finish a book length manuscript for once, so my editing/submitting pile is pretty robust right now.

MTI:  On a lighter note, have you watched any good tv lately?

CA:  I’ve really been enjoying this season of American Horror Story, much more so than previous seasons. The story seems about a thousand times more consistent, with real stakes. I was also very satisfied by Series 9 of Doctor Who.

MTI:  How about music?

CA:  A friend told me he liked to create a playlist devoted to his work in progress, and fill it up with related songs that could help inform the tone of the book. I tried to do that with my current WIP, so it’s a lot of classic rock and  Alice Cooper, Epica, Within Temptation and Tool for example.

MTI:  What was the last movie you saw, and what did you think of it?

CA:  Most recently, the new Star Wars. I absolutely loved it. It was everything I hoped it would be, and everything that made the original movies great. Mostly, it was a movie that was about something, rather that simply being the product of a “create your own Star Wars movie” CGI kit.

MTI:  Readers love samples.  Do you happen to have a story excerpt you'd like to share with us today? 

CA:  Not at this time. The most new work I have is the novel manuscript, and it’s still in ‘just for me’ stage.

Thanks for having my story in We Were Heroes, and for a very enjoyable interview!

MTI:  And thank you for a great interview, Chris.  Those who want to read your work can get a copy of We Were Heroes.

"We Were Heroes" Is Coming!

The long wait is nearly over.  Martinus Publishing's next anthology, "We Were Heroes," will be coming out on February 29th.  More will be revealed about this collection as we get closer to the release date, and we will be doing a round of author interviews so readers can get to know the writers behind the stories.

First things first, let's just get the table of contents out there, so everyone can see which stories are in this set.

1:  Faded Instincts -by Chris Allinotte
2:  The Absence of Heat -by Karl G. Rich
3:  Return of the Star Squad –by John Grey

4:   Doctor Genocide and the Five Stages of Grief –by J.M. Perkins

5:  Mr. Cuddles –by Bruno Lombardi

6:  Her Game –by John Vicary

7:  The Deadly Duo –by T.L. Barrett

8:  Everything Breaks Down, Even The Jackhammer –by T. Mike McCurley

9:  The Exile –by Gary Budgen

10:  Where We End Up –by Robin Brown

11:  To Fight The Unbeatable –by Wayland Smith

12:  Night Terror –by Frank Byrns

13:  Forgotten But Not Gone –by T. Mike McCurley

14:  In the Shadow of the Greatest Superhero Who Ever Lived –by Tzipur Sheker

15:  Dial "C" For Consult –by Doug Lane

16:  Poetic Justice –by Edmund Wells

17:  Woman, Thy Name Is Hell –by Edmund Wells 

Check out the Martinus Publishing website for pre-order details, and stay tuned for more details.

Cover art by Yakir Ben Haim

My Busy Life

I can't believe it's been so long since I wrote a blog post, but my life has been busier than ever.  I'm sorry I haven't been more considerate of my online readers and fans, but it has been one hell of a year for me.  Some days hellish, others oddly ordinary, and still altogether fulfilling.  That's how I'd describe it.

So, anyone who knows me (or paid attention to previous blog posts) knows that my marriage ended this year.  The divorce was finalized in June, leaving me with full custody of 4 children.  Raising them is taking up a lot of my time, and I am not sorry in the least.  They are the largest reason for my being, and if taking care of them means sacrificing that's the way it goes.  So, time I used to spend writing or editing is currently being redirected elsewhere.

The other reason I haven't been online blogging is because of work.  Not only have I had to still work and make money, but I have major home renovations underway.  Below are a few pictures of where I'm currently at with regard to my latest project.

Entering the addition.

The unfinished shell of what will be the room for my youngest daughter, Lois.

Stairs I built myself, from scratch.

"The Loft," which will be occupied by my oldest daughter, Sylvia.

This antique push-button switch panel will control the lights for Sylvia's loft room.

Going down...

My father started this one last year.  A section of old roof needed to be replaced, and with 4 kids there was a growing need for more space, so my father decided to build this new section onto this end of the house.  He built most of the shell 2 years ago, and I helped him put the roof on it.  After that, it sat, unfinished with a tarp for one wall, until I finally got off my ass and decided to finish it.  It's a major undertaking, and I expect I'll be most of the winter finishing the interior, but the end result will be separate rooms for 2 of my daughters and a full bathroom.  There are plenty of projects beyond this, so I'm not sure which will take up my time after that.

So, between working on the house and raising 4 children, I'm finding it difficult to keep up with my writing and editing.  Martinus Publishing is still alive, but I'm afraid I don't have the time to do it justice.  I'm not giving up.  I'm not shutting down, but it may be some time before I can really get back to it.  I'm way behind with the last 3 anthologies I have in the pipeline, and unless some miracle happens I may have to cancel one or two of them.  I am committed to getting We Were Heroes out, though it's looking like a early 2016 release.  I haven't even started editing on The Secret Life of Ghosts, and I've had several authors pull out because of the time delay.

When it comes to Martinus Publishing, I can't afford to hire help.  The last few anthologies haven't made back their publication expenses, so there's no financial incentive behind it.  I do it for the love of writing, the love of writers, for the love of fiction.  It's a hard and lonely road at times, and being the sole proprietor means that it's all on me.  I don't have a staff to cover my ass when I'm too busy with life to deal with editing.  So I have to just muddle through.

What does 2016 have in store for me?  Who knows?  I'm praying for better days, and I'm optimistic that the worst is currently behind me... at least, one can certainly hope.

Merry Christmas!

Yarr! A Space Pirate Anthology: Release Date & TOC Revealed.

I would like to thank all my readers and writers during this turbulent time in my life.  As life must go on, so must Martinus Publishing, and I am pleased to announce that the manuscript has been compiled for Yarr! A Space Pirate Anthology, and editing has now commenced.  I can now place the set-in-stone release date for this anthology to be June 1, 2015!  When we get closer to that release date, pre-orders will commence, so keep your eyes open for that.

The Table of Contents has now been finalized, and here for the first time is your glimpse at the compilation's stories:

1:  La Belle Dame Sans Merci –by Nye Joell Hardy

2:  Drawing A Line –by Dan Gainor

3:  Impunity –by Sophie Duncum & William Rade

4:  Space Pigs –by Katie Tillwick

5:  X Marks the Planet –by DJ Tyrer

6:  Back from the Dead Red –by Lizz-Ayn Shaarawi

7:  Demise of the Star Queen –by Frank Sawielijew

8:  Milt's Last Raid –by Jordan Legg

9:  When The Devil Drives –by Vincent Morgan

10:  Vendetta's End –by Martin T. Ingham

11:  Dusties –by Jeff Provine

12:  The Daring Spacers –by Sergio Palumbo

13:  Far, Far from Now –by Curtis James McConnell

14:  The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter –by Mary Pletsch

15:  Dear Madeline –by Joseph Conat

16:  The Harrowing Account of the Untimely Death of Bandit McGee, Space Thief Extraordinaire –by Fable Vayne

17:  For the Times They Are A-Changin' –By Bruno Lombardi

This would have been an 18 story anthology, but sadly 1 author got cold feet (repeatedly) and begged to be let loose from his signed agreement.  I will not give him the dignity of repeating his name in public, for risk that it might give him any publicity.  Needless to say, the offending writer doesn't deserve to be featured in a Martinus Publishing anthology, and never will.

On another note, there are still a few stories I need to approve for The Temporal Element II, We Were Heroes, and Altered Europa.  If you have a story submitted and haven't heard from me yet, do not fear.  I'll get to it by the end of the month.  This is a turbulent time for me, so please bear with me.

Want to cheer me up?  Buy a Martinus Publishing book today!

Special Offers from Martinus Publishing:

So, it's almost the end of January.  In some respects it seems to have taken forever, but in others it seems like no time at all.  Regardless, here we are, and Martinus Publishing is moving forward.  A few weeks back, I sent this special off out to the Martinus Newsletter subscribers, and also shared it on our facebook page.  I realize that I neglected to share it in the most obvious place, on my personal blog.  Better late than never:

Happy New Year to our loyal readers & writers,

On behalf of myself and Martinus Publishing, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and special New Year! 2014 has been one of exciting change for me and the small press, and as we enter into 2015, I anticipate new challenges and adventures!

A quick update on anthologies (revised 1/28/2015): I've now finished reviewing all of the stories submitted for The Secret Life of Ghosts, and there are currently 4 still fighting it out for 2 remaining slots.  I'll make a final call on these by Friday.  This was by far the most submitted to anthology in Martinus Publishing history. Other than that, there are still some selections to be made for The Temporal Element II, as well as Altered Europa, both of which officially closed to submissions on December 31. Other than that, there are still a few stories pending final approval for Yarr! & We Were Heroes.  I hope to have these final stories reviewed and decided upon in the next two weeks.

As a special thank you to all of you who have supported Martinus Publishing over the past 2 years, I would like to offer you this special bonus. Purchase any 1 print title from the Martinus Publishing website from now until January 31st 2015, and I will gift you a free .pdf copy of any one Martinus Publishing title currently in-print, in addition to a free .pdf copy of the book you purchased in-print. Just put Coupon Code: NEW2015 in the comments section of the paypal checkout, and specify which bonus .pdf title you would like to receive.

If all-print books is your thing, here is another bonus offer. Order any 3 Martinus Publishing titles from the website by January 31st and receive a Free print copy of any one Martinus Publishing title currently in print, or one that is to be released in the new year (this includes Altered Europa, The Temporal Element II, Yarr: A Space Pirate Anthology, The Secret Life of Ghosts, and We Were Heroes). Approximate publication dates for the unpublished anthologies are available upon request, but keep in mind those are tentative and are subject to change. However, all of these titles will be published in 2015, so if you want to reserve a free copy via this special offer, this is the time! Coupon Code 3NEW2015, and specify which book you'd like to receive for free.

Again, I wish you all a great and prosperous New Year! Read, write, and dare to dream!

-Martin T. Ingham
Senior Editor, Martinus Publishing
http://www.martinus.us/

As it's coming late, I will extend this special offer until Valentine's Day!  Yes, take advantage of any of these offers until February 14, 2015.  Order your books from Martinus today!

Martinus on the Move!

Happy 2015 everyone!

As we delve deeper into the back half of January, I'm pleased to say things are starting to shape up for Martinus Publishing.  The second half of 2014 showed a drop in some areas, but there are still some real positives, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year has in store.  Now, for a quick progress report.

The royalty reports for the back half of 2014 have been completed and will be going out to contributors in the next week, along with paypal payments.  With the exception of those few writers who opted out of our royalty program, every contributor will receive a share of the proceeds of book sales.  The more that sell, the bigger the cut, obviously, but this way everyone gets something.  This is the fairest payment format, and it is also the most logical for a small publisher like Martinus, as it prevents us from having to give out lump sums up front that we might never get back. It also keeps us from short-changing writers if a book sells big.  That is why the royalty system will remain for the foreseeable future.

The final stories have now been read for "The Secret Life of Ghosts," and the last round of acceptances and rejections will be send out next week.  This was a real tough one to read for, because there were so many stories and so many good stories.  I keep having to pass on some that I would really like to publish, just because there's only so much room available.

Formatting has begun for Yarr!  A Space Pirate anthology, though there are still a few stories to be decided upon.  This collection should be the next published release from Martinus, hopefully toward the end of February.  The last stories are also being reviewed for The Temporal Element II, and for Altered Europa.  These titles should be coming out in spring or early summer.  Meanwhile, We Were Heroes is receiving its final stories and will be closing to submissions at the end of February.  If you still haven't submitted, get your story sent in pronto!

I think that about covers the current happenings at the press.  Once these anthologies are taken care of and ready for market, it will be time to consider a new open anthology, but never again will I overload myself as I did last year.

So, to all my fellow writers out there, keep writing and keep reading.  Don't forget to pick up a Martinus Publishing anthology today!  Every copy sold goes to help your fellow scribes.

Setbacks and Delays

Martinus Publishing isn't doing well, and neither am I at the moment.  As a quick heads-up, I'd like to inform everyone of the situation.

Sticking just with the publishing side of things, sales are currently awful.  The last two anthologies, Life of the Dead, and To Hell with Dante have both tanked, big time.  We are seeing virtually no sales of these titles, and I've spent more (much more) on advertising than has actually come back.  These titles are essentially dead.  That is very disheartening, and I dread having to send out royalty reports in January to the contributors.  I hate sending out pocket change for the authors who have contributed stories, and I further hate to let them know that nobody's buying their work.  Some will roll with it, some will be understanding, and maybe a few will just be upset and blame me for not being a rich New York City publishing house.

There is a huge pile of slush on my computer, waiting to be read, but due to various reasons I have been unable to focus adequately to get through most of it lately.  If you can imagine a writer with "reader's block" then that's me at the moment.  I cannot stand to look at the raw print some days, and I can't give an adequate assessment of a submission if that is the case.  Most of the open anthologies are closing to submissions by the end of the year, at least, so I might get a breather to catch up in January.  Maybe.

I have quite a few personal things troubling me, but those are my business, and I will not trouble anyone else with them.  Needless to say, I do not ask for your pity or your sympathy.  I only say it so you won't be surprised by any delays that might arise due to my current state of mind.  Don't be surprised if you don't get a timely response to a submission.

A little over 3 months ago, I quipped in a radio interview that I was "too stubborn to quit" when it came to the publishing industry.  That may still be the case, but I can't run myself into the ground for nothing.  When you have 2 flops in a row, and find yourself broke with no means to even run any more online ads, it really isn't much motivation.  Worse still, I don't even have the money to get some other projects I have in the works off the ground.  Damn it, I can't stand the thought of telling people I'm too financially strapped to make their dreams come true.

I realized some years ago that I was not liable to be able to become the successful writer that I always sought to become, but I thought I could help others on their trek toward that goal. Now, I can't even do that, so what good am I?  I'm sorry.

I'm not giving up.  I'm not shutting down.  However, I will say that writing and publishing aren't my most important concerns anymore.  Being a writer is something that has defined me my entire life.  Yet, the greatest success in the world would not grant me what I truly need in life.  No, that is something entirely different, and I have only just begun to understand it.  When that is achieved, perhaps then the writing will matter again. 

Someday...

Deadlines and Decisions

I've had a busy couple of weeks with Martinus Publishing.

Cover art by Yelyzaveta Trygubova

First off, the final story selections have been made for "To Hell with Dante," and I hope to announce the official list of stories soon.  I'm still waiting to hear back from one author, and waiting for a rewrite from another, but overall the collection is locked in.  This set of cynical afterlife stories will be making its way to market in early October, just in time for Halloween shoppers.

Next, I am pleased to set a deadline for "Yarr, A SpacePirate Anthology."  The submissions have been slow but steady to this collection, and there is still plenty of room, but there are enough qualified stories now accepted and contracted that I am confident that we can set a date for closing submissions.  So, if you've got a story you think may be a good fit for this collection (or want to write one to fit it), get the story to me no later than November 30, 2014.

The slush pile is shrinking now, as I get through a backlog of stories that have been building up.  I still have quite a few to read through for both Altered Europa and We WereHeroes.  With any luck, we'll soon have deadlines for those anthologies as well.

The Temporal Element II is now accepting submissions, and cover art has been commissioned.  Expect to see the grand unveiling for the new art sometime in the next couple of months.

As you can see, a lot is going on for the small press, and there are still other things in the works that will be coming to light soon.  Stay tuned.

Advertise With Martinus

Those of you who have purchased Martinus Publishing titles in the past may have noticed that there are a few advertisements in the back.  Up until now, these have merely be “also available” books from Martinus, and a few of these will still be showcased in each new release.  However, as we move forward, and our titles are getting more exposure, it is time to share the ad space, assuming there is an interest.

I’d like to give fellow authors and other small publishers the opportunity to place an ad in the back of a Martinus Publishing book. Their ad will appear in both the print and e-book versions for as long as the title is in print.  You can find the affordable advertising rates at the Martinus Publishing website.

It’s a win/win proposition.  The advertiser gets exposure, and the publisher gets to defray some of the initial publishing costs.  There are limited spaces available in each book, as we can’t have the books becoming massive blocks of ads that overwhelm (get ignored by) readers.  So don’t think your ad will get buried in a massive pile of commercials.  It will be one of only a handful of such ads placed in the book of your choosing.  It’s first come, first serve.

Right now, I’ll be accepting ads for the 3 Martinus books that are definitely going to be released in 2014:  Life of the Dead (July), The Man Who Shot Thomas Edison (August), and To Hell with Dante (October).  If you want to advertise your book, zine, publishing company, or yourself as an author/artist/etc., consider placing your ad in one of these books.

Altered Europa

Writers, get your keyboards ready: A new Martinus Publishing anthology is hereby announced!

Altered Europa:

Alternate History... Divergent Realities!

The continuing success of Altered America has proven that there is a desperate need for more alternate history anthologies, so I am opening up submissions to this one immediately.  I had planned to announce this toward the end of 2014, but there’s no sense waiting, when there is clearly a demand for such a collection.

Altered Europa will feature stories of alternate history where something changed in European history as we know it.  Let your imagination run wild, and imagine how things might have turned out differently.  Any point in history is fair game, from Ancient Greece to near modern times, and perhaps even some tales slightly into the future, so long as the alternate history is exposed.  Show us what happened at the event, what happened shortly thereafter, or reveal how things are impacted much later on.  Give us something to think about, something that will thrill and entertain us, and reveal a Europe that might have been!

Depending on the quality and quantity of stories being submitted, this one might fill up quickly... or it may take some time.  As has become customary with Martinus Publishing anthologies, each contributor will receive a 2% cut of the profits, in addition to the pleasure of having their story in print.

Anyone who wishes to submit a story to Altered Europa must read the submissions guidelines at the Martinus website.  Do your best to follow these simple instructions, as it will make my job easier and it may improve my mood while reading your story.  It’s good advice when submitting to any market.

Martinus Publishing Joins Twitter

As sales of Altered America continue to rise, Martinus Publishing has finally ventured into new territory.  At long last, I broke down and set up a twitter account, something that I probably should have done years ago.  It was one of those things I just never got around to doing (at when it first started it felt kind of “trendy”), but now I am pleased to be able to say that the account is active.

Follow Martinus Publishing:  https://twitter.com/MartinusPublish

Though my name is the one on the account, this is going to be strictly about Martinus Publishing.  I’ll share news about the status of our books, tell you about new anthologies that are planned (giving following writers the first notice for future submissions), and I’ll point out relevant details about the publishing business.  As more people follow the twitter account, there will be special offers (and possibly giveaways) for said followers!

Anyone with a twitter account is invited to follow @MartinusPublish and tell your friends!

My Publishing Philosophy

Believe it or not, it has been 1 year since MartinusPublishing's first multi-author anthology came out, and it has been almost 2 years since I first started reading submissions for that inaugural release of The Temporal Element.  I have to say, it has been a slow and steady ride so far.  I've had the pleasure to meet a lot of really talented and entertaining writers, and I've had the sadder job of turning down some others.  Overall, the job of being an Editor has met my expectations, and very little has surprised me.  It helped having spent many years beforehand on the other side of the coin, writing, marketing, and working with Editors to release several of my books.  This invaluable experience showed me the way, and let me know that I could take on the responsibilities of running a small press.

Of course, starting out, I had zero capital, and I still can't boast of having a big war chest.  That first anthology offered contributors a "token" payment, in the form of a silver Mercury Dime and a Buffalo Nickel per story (though I offered a few dollars via paypal for foreign contributors, due to international postage rates).  This was a novel concept, which the contributing authors enjoyed, though a couple of non-submitters actually wrote me nasty letters, saying I was ripping people off.  Apparently, if you can't afford to pay "professional" rates, you might as well not be in business, as far as some arrogant writers are concerned.  Maybe they would enjoy a world with only big New York City firms publishing things, but without small publishers like Martinus, a lot of aspiring writers would have nowhere to go with their work.  They would have to compete in the ever shrinking big-business marketplace that often has no interest in publishing the kind of sci-fi and fantasy that I prefer to publish.

Even before the criticism of my "slave wages" came in, I had the concept of paying authors something more for what they write.  The big problem with that is balancing fairness and profitability with my diminished financial situation.  That is where I came up with the idea of offering royalties.  It's not something you see from a lot of anthology publishers, because it is quite a bit of work to keep track of everything and send out dozens of paypal payments twice annually.  However, it is fair, and it's all I ever asked for when I was a young writer starting out.  I never dreamed of "big advances," I only ever wanted to earn my fair share, and earn according to my sales.  So, I have applied this philosophy to Martinus Publishing.  I can't promise contributors that they'll get rich off of their royalties, but I can promise that they'll get a cut of each book sold.  Of course, the biggest payout is that they have a publishing credit and can read their work in print; the royalty is just an added perk.

The whole reason I started writing all those years ago was because I wanted to produce stories that I wanted to read.  I hold onto that philosophy as I continue as an Editor.  I am publishing the sorts of stories that I want to read, and I expect other readers will enjoy them as well when they pick up those publications.  That is why I started Martinus Publishing, and that is why I will continue it, for who else is going to publish stories that I like better than me?

An Editor's Job

Altered America is now officially released.  The pre-ordered copies will be mailed today, and readers are already picking up copies from Amazon, in both Print and Kindle formats.  As we see this latest Martinus release hit online shelves, I'd like to make a few comments on the purpose of editors and editing.

First, let's examine the term "editing."  It is a pretty broad term these days, and it can mean anything from "proofreading" to "rewriting," depending on the extent of the process.  Now, an Editor—capital E for emphasis—is the person in charge of a manuscript at a publishing house, and they have traditionally been in charge of the 3 R's: reading, revising, and releasing.  They read slush (submissions), they edit the manuscripts to suit their needs when necessary, and then they publish them.

The extent of an Editor's influence over a story or manuscript can vary greatly, depending on the story involved and the Editor himself (or herself, as the case may be).  Some Editors serve as little more than proofreaders, fixing typos and moving commas.  Some Editors are true revisionists, rewriting entire swaths of text, and sometimes even changing plot elements to suit their needs.  The revisionist Editors were much more common in the old days, but most stories you read today aren't too different from what the writer had in mind to begin with.

Yet, there still comes a time when you run into a good story that just has one or two little nits about it, things that don't work or need to be changed.  This is when the true Editor comes in.  Perhaps a character behaves inconsistently, or takes that blow too easily (gets up and runs around without a care in the world after getting beaten to the brink of death).  Such little changes can take a story that is simply "okay" and make it great.

When it comes to novels, Editors most commonly consult with the writer on changes.  However, that isn't always the case, and it often isn't the case when it comes to short stories in magazines and anthologies.  Minor changes are common, and there are rare instances where more substantial edits are required.  Of course, without these edits, some stories wouldn't be published at all.  It all comes down to whether an editor feels like working on a story or not.

There have been a few stories I have been willing to "fix" because I enjoyed them, even if they had some grammatical or style issues that were a tad off.  This is why there is a clause in each Martinus Publishing story agreement, reserving the right to edit the material.  Still, I can think of maybe a dozen stories that have required more than simple proofreading and a few word adjustments.  Most of those were grammar issues, where some sentences or paragraphs sounded "clunky," but a few needed more.

One example of a story that needed a change was one that had a main character with no name.  It was a 3^rd Person tale that only identified the protagonist as "he" or "him," which got confusing at times when other characters were put into the mix.  In this instance, I gave the character a name during the initial round of edits.  Another instance was a story that was all "telling," and in the present tense, which made for a very awkward narration.  I past-tensed it and rewrote some paragraphs to make it smoother.  A third example had a character behaving out of character during a conversation.  It made things a bit confusing, so I reworked the dialog to make things clearer, and make the character more sympathetic and consistent.

These three examples, and the few other changes I've made over the years, were entirely necessary in my opinion.  As Editor, I must make the call about what gets published and how it gets published.  Sometimes, I'll ask the author to make changes, but in many cases I'll take care of it myself.

Of course, some writers take issue with an Editor who wants to actually "edit" their precious words.  I'll call these "Verbatim Writers," the people who have a vision and want everything published their way.  To be fair, every single one of us who writes has a touch of that in us, but some have it more than others.  These Verbatim folks get angry and upset if you ask them to change things, and I had one fellow outright pull his submission because I asked for a very simple scene change.  It's a shame, because the story in question would have been a really great addition to VFW.

Then there are the "Nitpicking Writers," those who will work with you on a story, but argue that "I want this, this, and that left alone," or "Can't we do this and this instead?"  This takes up time and energy, and while some of this can be tolerable, it can get excessive when you're dealing with a bunch of different writers all at once.

Nitpickers and Verbatim Writers are actually the minority, and most writers who submit are quite understanding and helpful.  Most understand that an Editor is "the boss," and it is the Editor's job to filter through and make changes when they deem them necessary.  As an Editor, I sometimes have time to consult a writer on little edits, and other times I don't, or they simply slip my mind.  Really, when you're going over a 21-story collection and decide to rewrite a few paragraphs, there isn't always time to stop for a consultation on each and every one.  I do my best to keep writers "in the loop," but if you happen to read one of your stories and see that Character A says or does something that you didn't originally write word for word, please don't chew me out for making an editorial decision.

Editors generally have respect for writers, and this is why they do their best to "improve" stories when necessary.  If a writer doesn't want anything changed in a story, they should forego the submission process and self-publish.  Some Editors these days may act like glorified proofreaders, leaving submitted content virtually unaltered, but don't count on it.  Sometimes, we actually edit.

Coming Soon: Snake Oil by Bruno Lombardi

Martinus Publishing is pleased to announce that Bruno Lombardi’s novel, Snake Oil, will be released in the near future.  This wacky, cynical sci-fi story was originally published (electronically only) by a now defunct publisher.  Martinus is poised to give it a more substantial release, in both print and electronic formats.

Here is the current back cover blurb:

When the first aliens come to Earth, it is not with altruism or malicious intent, but with profit in mind.  Their arrival presents great opportunities for humanity, with the offer of miracle cures and advanced technology... for the right price!  What will a nation pay for exclusive rights to end cancer, or to possess the first interstellar spaceship?  Only mining rights to the moon, or perhaps a few metric tons of gold—as a good faith deposit.  Bids run fast and furiously among many industrialized nations, but not everyone is invited to participate, seeding greater global tensions.

As the nations of the planet sell the solar system’s resources for a shot at tomorrow, there remain those few individuals with suspicions, but still others with almost religious devotion toward “the Visitors.”  Stuck in the middle is Michael Baldwin, Special Assistant Advisor to the President for Alien/Human Policy Affairs.  Sometimes feeling in over his head, he is afforded opportunities few humans could have ever dreamed of, but at what price?  The answer will lead him to the truth of Earth’s alien benefactors, and an unlikely meeting of madmen at the crux of a madcap investigation.

Snake Oil is a cynical sci-fi story of humanity’s First Contact with an alien race.  Full of comic relief and zany characters, it is a compelling exploration of what could happen if Earth’s first alien visitors turn out to be a bit more like us, after all.

The last round of editing is now complete, and cover artwork is currently being created. With any luck everything will be set for a late April 2014 release.

Those who would like to check out other stories by Bruno Lombardi can acquire these anthologies:

Altered America:  Contains 2 of Bruno’s stories: A Single Decision, and The Road Was Lit with Moon and Star

Quests, Curses, & Vengeance:  Contains Bruno Lombardi’s Gold Fever.

The Temporal Element: Contains Bruno’s story, A Thursday Night at Doctor What’s Time and Relative Dimensional Space Bar and Grill, which is also available in TheBest of Martinus Publishing, 2013.

Bruno Lombardi in his "bunker."