Anatomy Of An Anthology

Status of Submissions

2011-08-15T07:39:00.003-04:00

Just a quick note to potential contributors: Please note that we are officially behind in our readings for Unspeakable Horror 2: Abominations of Desire.

Please know that we are endeavoring to give each submission the time and attention it deserves and apologize for the delay in getting back to everyone within the time frame we initially quoted. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we continue to move through the open reading period.

'Unspeakable Horror' Named a Stoker Awards Finalist!

2009-03-24T10:19:00.005-04:00

Dark Scribe Press is pleased to report that its debut title, UNSPEAKABLE HORROR: FROM THE SHADOWS OF THE CLOSET, has been named a finalist in the 2008 Bram Stoker Awards. Each year, the Horror Writer’s Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement, named in honor of Bram Stoker, author of the seminal horror work, DRACULA. The Stoker Awards were instituted immediately after the organization’s incorporation in 1987.

The Stoker Awards, like the Oscars, are non-juried awards. Any work of Horror first published in the English language may be considered for a Stoker during the year of its publication. The HWA membership at large recommends worthy works for consideration. A preliminary ballot is compiled using a formula based on recommendations. Two rounds of voting by the organization’s Active members determine first the finalists, and then the winners. The winners will be announced and the awards presented during a gala banquet held in California at the Burbank Marriott on June 13th in conjunction with the HWA’s annual conference.

Nominated for Superior Achievement in an Anthology, UNSPEAKABLE HORROR joins this year’s other nominees - including Stephen King, Gary Braunbeck, Nate Kenyon, and others - as they vie for honors in a total of (8) categories.

Vince Liaguno, co-editor of the project and Dark Scribe Press CEO, says that he’s “honored, humbled, and deeply appreciative of the HWA’s recognition of the UNSPEAKABLE HORROR anthology.”

Dark Scribe Press is also thrilled to announce the nominations of several of its UNSPEAKABLE contributors:

Sarah Langan, nominated in the Superior Achievement in Short Fiction category for “The Lost” from Cemetery Dance Publications;
Lee Thomas, also nominated in the Superior Achievement in Short Fiction for “Turtle” from Doorways Publications;
Lisa Morton, nominated for Superior Achivement in Non-Fiction for her book A HALLOWE’EN ANTHOLOGY from McFarland;
Kealan Patrick Burke, nominated for Superior Achievement in a Collection for THE NUMBER 121 TO PENNSYLVANIA from Cemetery Dance Publications, which was also won DSM’s Black Quill Award (Editors’ Choice) for Best Dark Genre Fiction Collection earlier this year.

'Unspeakable' Reviews...

2009-01-08T10:24:00.005-05:00

From Fear Zone, an excerpt:

“In reflecting on this book, I'm reminded of how much fine work is being produced by the indie press. Liaguno and Helder, to their credit, took their time in producing the finest anthology possible, and the finished product doesn't disappoint. On the whole, Unspeakable is a highly recommended read for all horror fans, as it offers something for everyone. Lovers of the dark, the literary, the gruesome, and even the disgusting, will find something to treasure.” – Fear Zone (Full Review)

(Our sincerest thanks to reviewer Derek Clendening and Fear Zone editor Greg Lamberson!)

From Horror World, an excerpt:

"Whether you’re a fan of crime, mystery, fantasy or straight-up horror, chances are something that lurks in this anthology’s closet will reach out and grab you. And if you wind up sleeping with the lights on...you will have gotten your money’s worth." - Horror World (Full Review)

(Our sincerest thanks to reviewer Martel Sardina and Horror World editor Nanci Kalanta!)

An 'Unspeakable' Pre-Order...

2008-10-23T08:09:00.008-04:00

Announcing pre-orders for the Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet anthology!

ISBN: 978-0981863207

Trade paperback

340 pages

More detailed product information here.

Pre-order today!

An 'Unspeakable' Book Trailer...

2008-09-26T07:20:00.006-04:00

Dark Scribe Press is pleased to present the official book trailer for its upcoming Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet anthology:

A Circle of Seven Production.

2008-09-21T16:34:00.005-04:00

Peeking inside the closet...

Introduction: The Case for Closets / Vince A. Liaguno
Opening the Box / Chad Helder
Emmeline / C. J. Lines
The Bloomsbury Nudes / Jameson Currier
Epistle of the Sleeping Beauty / Jan Vander Laenen
Cask / Jude Wright
Black Annis / Joy Marchand
Memento Mori / Elissa Malcohn
The Shallows / Gary McMahon
I Am the Shadow That Walks There / Michelle Scalise
Bluff / L. A. Fields
In Her Mirrors, Dimly / Maria Alexander
The Portico Angel / Kevin W. Reardon
Vourdalak / Michael Hacker
Memory Box / Reesa Brown
Double Walker / Lisa Morton
Sublet / Rick R. Reed
I’m Your Violence / Lee Thomas
The Engine of Desire / Livia Llewellyn
The Boys of Bald Cave / C. Michael Cook
Prayers of the Living / Erin MacKay
The Next Big Thing / Christopher Fox
The Shaping / Scott Nicholson
A Letter from Phoenix / Kealan Patrick Burke
The Agathas / Sarah Langan

Anthology Cover Revealed...

2008-08-14T09:33:00.016-04:00

Dark Scribe Press is pleased to unveil our final cover design, as created by the talented Deena Warner of Deena Warner Design using the magnificent original artwork we commissioned from artist Michael "Pooch" Pucciarelli. (Click on cover for larger image.)

"Monsters in the Closet" is part of Pucciarelli's acclaimed “rides” series - intricately detailed carnavalesque worlds in which characters are sent careening on macabre rollercoaster rides through worlds populated by movie monsters, skeletons, and underground pop culture icons that reflect his constant exposure to Florida theme parks, where surreal carnival ride facades reflect the false fronts of modern society.

Below is an image of the full wraparound (click on image for a larger version):

Stay tuned for more news as DSP preps for the fall launch of what promises to be the year's most intriguing anthology with an eclectic roster of talent that includes Lee Thomas, Sarah Langan, Scott Nicholson, Kealan Patrick Burke, Rick R. Reed, Jameson Currier and 17 other unspeakably dark scribes!

An Alternate View...

2008-07-09T18:08:00.004-04:00

...of our amazing table of contents:

Some fun with words while we edit, edit, edit!

Open Letter to All Who Submitted & Final Submissions Tally...

2008-06-22T10:54:00.004-04:00

Dear Writers,

We wish to thank all those who submitted their stories for consideration in the Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet anthology. As writers ourselves, we understand that nagging sense of uncertainty once the 'Send' button is pressed and your creation is sent hurtling across the Internet en route to some random editor's inbox. Please know that we treated each and every submission received with the same respect that we'd hope for our own work, giving each story submitted a full read and careful consideration. We offered useful feedback and constructive criticism where we felt such would help and hope all who submitted took something away from the process. Our sincerest thanks for trusting your submission to us.

We enjoyed the scope and depth of the stories submitted for this project and marvel at the creativity that abounds in the writing community. We were moved by what we came to discover was a universality in the closet experience - and that the experience of hiding in/coming out of closets takes many shapes and forms. Whether your story was accepted or rejected, held for a second reading or requested to be re-submitted with some revision, each writer who submitted played a part in the anthology's evolution in terms of tone and mood. The project, as a whole, is indebted to the 164 writers whose work we considered.

In the end, we're very proud of the eclectic lineup of literary talent selected for inclusion in the project and believe the anthology will be enjoyed by many readers in the coming years.

We've now completed our final two rounds of readings and have added (2) additional stories to our table of contents - both of which will be unveiled at Dark Scribe Magazine in the coming week. Those who submitted stories to us during the months of April and May should have already received notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions.

Here are the final results of our open reading period, which spanned from October 7th of 2007 through May 30th of 2008:

Total # of queries = 197
Total # of greenlighted queries = 180
Total # of stories submitted = 164
Total # of stories not submitted = 16

Final Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 23
Rejected = 141

Stay tuned to the blog for more announcements in the coming months as the anthology moves into the production process. More unspeakable things to come...

The Editors

We Are Officially...(Part 2)

2008-05-31T06:33:00.009-04:00

...now closed to submissions. Thanks to everyone who submitted.

Some statistics on where we stand to share with you:

19 submissions received in April
38 submissions received in May
4 submissions remain in our "Held for a 2nd reading" pile
16 additional approved queries - never received submissions by May 30th deadline

A few choice slots remain.

More to come...

We Are Officially...

2008-05-28T09:36:00.004-04:00

...behind a bit on the April submissions. Happily, we were inundated with last minute queries before the May 15th deadline. The downside to that influx is that our reading schedule got thrown a bit.

Our revised target is to finish up with the April submissions within the next two weeks. Hopefully, by the time we post April's submissions recap, we'll be well on our way through the final batch of May submissions and the small handful of stories we've been holding for a second reading. We know that waiting to hear back on the fate of one's blood-sweat-and-tears creation is the least favorite aspect of the craft for most writers. Please know that we're sensitive to this and are endeavoring to get back to those who've submitted in as timely a timeframe as possible - without sacrificing the time and attention we devote to each submission.

Thanks for your patience!

The Editors

Reminder: Submissions of stories that received a green light during the query process are due no later than midnight EST on Friday, May 30th.

Announcing 'May Days of Unspeakable Horror'...

2008-04-28T10:53:00.007-04:00

Here at Dark Scribe Press, we like our horror slow and agonizing, building in momentum until the breaking point of sanity and endurance. In keeping with this predilection for simmering anticipation, we’ve decided to torture our potential readership with the May Days of Unspeakable Horror.

It’s been one of the best-kept industry secrets (even our own authors don't know who they'll be sharing the TOC with), but starting on Thursday, May 1st, we will begin unveiling the table of contents for our upcoming Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet anthology at Dark Scribe Magazine – one incredible author at a time. Each weekday, we will be posting a new TOC announcement until our entire roster of literary talent is revealed.

So get ready as we open our closet door one painstaking inch at a time to reveal the unspeakable horrors lurking within…

Important: Submissions Deadline Changed...

2008-04-27T15:54:00.002-04:00

Please note that an important deadline for submissions has changed. Queries will still be accepted until May 15th, but the deadline for actual submissions for any greenlighted queries has been moved up from June 30th to May 30th.

We've had the good fortune of receiving some exceptional stories, and the process of putting the project together is moving ahead faster than anticipated. We would suggest having your story ready or near-ready for submission before querying.

Thank you.

The Editors

Anthology Submissions Tally: March

2008-04-20T16:12:00.005-04:00

We've now completed our sixth month of readings. Those who submitted stories to us during the month of March will be receiving notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions by week's end. Here are the results of our March readings:

Total # of queries = 28
Total # of greenlighted queries = 25
Total # of actual new submissions = 21
Total # of re-submissions from previous month(s) = 0
Total # of 2nd readings that were re-considered = 0

Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 4
Rejected = 17
Held for second reading = 0
Revisions requested from authors = 0

Tips From the March Submissions...

2008-04-18T13:04:00.004-04:00

OK. So we've realized that perhaps using plain English to get our message out there isn't necessarily the best approach. This month, consider the following mathematical equation:

No + Queer + Theme = Instant Rejection

Seriously, our guidelines are rather clear on this. And while we realize that submission guidelines get copied and posted around the Internet, we've been diligent about including a link to this blog with our response to each and every query we receive and respond to, strongly suggesting that each potential contributor give this (helpful) blog a read.

In any event, we are nearing the end of our reading period and can now point out some specifics in terms of what stories not to submit, based either on what we've already accepted or what doesn't work in terms of the direction in which the anthology is evolving:

Coming of age stories / teenage angst / runaways
Nothing with a gay bar setting (although we've been saying this for some time now)
Stories involving a therapist, therapist's office, therapy of any kind
Vampires
Stories in which traumatic childhood events or abuse triggers the repression of memories and/or sexual orientation.
Stories at the higher end of our word count

Conversely, there have been certain stories and story elements that we haven't seen coming across our desks that we have a strong interest in:

Surprisingly, we haven't received one story involving an actual closet yet. Come on, people. Closets are scary places!
We haven't accepted many stories with "traditional" horror monsters. Have a few good ghosts and an outstanding vampire on board, as well as a marvelous mummy on hold. We haven't seen hide nor hair of zombies yet, and the werewolves who've crossed our paths so far haven't made us howl at the moon. Tough sell unless done extraordinarily well, but we're still open to these.
We've yet to find a good story involving a drag queen or transgendered character.
Period pieces with a strong sense of time and setting.
Stories in the 1,000 to 2,500-word count range are being given preference at this stage in the process.

Anthology Submissions Tally: February

2008-03-26T10:03:00.006-04:00

We've now completed our fifth month of readings. Those who submitted stories to us during the month of February will be receiving notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions by week's end. Here are the results of our Febuary readings:

Total # of queries = 22
Total # of greenlighted queries = 22
Total # of actual new submissions = 20
Total # of re-submissions from previous month(s) = 0
Total # of 2nd readings that were re-considered = 0

Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 3
Rejected = 15
Held for second reading = 1
Revisions requested from authors = 1

Tips From the February Submissions...

2008-03-24T13:25:00.005-04:00

Interesting month. On the upside, there was nary a psycho tranny nor man-hating lesbian in sight. That was downright refreshing, and you have our eternal thanks.

On the downside, there were several solid stories that were creative in concept and competent in execution but derailed in the final act from over-ambition or predictability.

We're winding down now in the process so the "wow" factor is critical for your story to move ahead in the process. The good news is that we're receiving far more good stories than bad; the bad news is that the stories need to be great.

Narratives that are little more than rambling, free-association aren't making the grade. Think characters, plot, conflict...

Characters need motives, and they need to act on those motives in a manner logical to the situation you've placed them in, to the time period and setting, and to themselves.

Most satisfying literary tickle of the month: "jingoistic claptrap." Pure word harmony!

Cover Art Unveiled...

2008-03-07T08:37:00.008-05:00

Dark Scribe Press is pleased to unveil the central artwork for the cover of its upcoming anthology project, Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet:

This magnificent artwork was created by Michael “Pooch” Pucciarelli, an extraordinary up and coming artist in the Pop Surrealism/ Lowbrow scene. Visually captivating, Pucciarelli’s paintings blend the fantastic and surreal - Mexico’s Dia De los Muertos imagery, a bit of Bosch and Brueghul, and MC Escher's' architectural elements with an infusion of tattoo culture. His acclaimed “rides” series - intricately detailed carnavalesque worlds in which characters are sent careening on macabre rollercoaster rides through worlds populated by movie monsters, skeletons, and underground pop culture icons - reflects his constant exposure to Florida theme parks, where surreal carnival ride facades reflect the false fronts of modern society. Pucciarelli, who is also a renowned South Florida tattoo artist, created an original work in his “rides” series specifically for the anthology.

From his website:

"Raised on a diet of Ray Harryhausen films, H. P. Lovecraft novels, comics, Walt Disney World and other Florida tourist traps, Pooch paints images that seem to exist in a bizarre afterlife. His art is a visual cocktail of these influences—with a shot of lowbrow culture—shaken and stirred, then served up in a souvenir tiki skull on the Day of the Dead. A self-taught artist, he owes much of his painting skills to over ten years of daily tattooing and drawing."

Cover design duties now fall to the equally talented Deena Warner and her team from Deena Warner Design LLC. Check back for more updates and announcements as our TOC comes together for what promises to be an eclectic and amazing anthology!

Anthology Submissions Tally: January

2008-02-25T17:34:00.002-05:00

We've now completed our fourth month of readings. Those who submitted stories to us during the month of January will be receiving notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions within the week. Here are the results of our January readings:

Total # of queries = 24
Total # of greenlighted queries = 23
Total # of actual new submissions = 20
Total # of re-submissions from previous month(s) = 3
Total # of 2nd readings that were re-considered = 4

Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 3 (2 new / 1 re-submission)
Rejected = 23 (17 new / 2 re-submissions / 4 second readings)
Held for second reading = 1
Revisions requested from authors = 0

Tips from the January Submissions...

2008-02-25T11:45:00.002-05:00

If we're open enough to reconsider your work and request changes, either make the changes or politely withdraw the piece. Don't re-submit the same story with one or two minor revisions to placate us. We're going to notice; then, we're going to reject your work.

It doesn't take an authentic gay person to imbue a work with an authentic gay POV. It takes talent.

Please. We beg of you...no more man-hating lesbians.

There's a difference between seamlessly weaving keen political commentary throughout the fabric of a story and dropping a political rant into the middle of it. Save the political speeches for Barack Obama - chances are, he's better at them.

Anthology Submissions Tally: December

2008-01-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

We've now completed our third month of readings. Those who submitted stories to us during the month of December will be receiving notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions within the week. Here are the results of our December readings:

Total # of queries = 14
Total # of greenlighted queries = 13
Total # of actual new submissions = 12
Total # of re-submissions from previous month(s) = 2
Total # of 2nd readings that were re-considered = 3

Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 4 (3 new / 1 re-submission)
Rejected = 10 (7 new / 3 second readings)
Held for second reading = 3
Revisions requested from authors = 0

Tips from the December Submissions...

2008-01-25T15:26:00.000-05:00

No...science...fiction.

We want to experience terror from the stories - not suffer nightmares from the grammar. Line edit, proofread, line edit some more, proofread. Repeat until verb tenses agree, the punctuation doesn't upstage your characters, and sentences enjoy self-actualization.

The stories that are blowing our socks off are the ones with a strong sense of setting and mood. Avoid the clichéd gay bar scene unless you possess the extraordinary talent to bring something mind-numbingly unique to the table.

Subtle endings are fine if executed well. Watch for endings that fall flat or take the action from 60 mph to a complete halt within the span of mere sentences.

Anthology Submissions Tally: November

2007-12-31T07:42:00.000-05:00

We've completed our second month of readings. Those who submitted stories to us during the month of November will be receiving notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions within the week. Here's the outcome of our November readings:

Total # of queries = 19
Total # of greenlighted queries = 19
Total # of actual new submissions = 18
Total # of re-submissions from previous month(s) = 1

Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 3 (2 new/1 re-submission)
Rejected = 10
Held for second reading = 4
Revisions requested from authors = 2

Tips from the November Submissions...

2007-12-21T15:16:00.000-05:00

If we don't want science fiction, chances are we aren't going to like stories with flying taxis and dancing holograms.

Please. No more psycho trannies or lesbian revenge tales in which someone's unmentionables are chopped, eaten, or otherwise lopped off.

Once more, all together now: This is a queer horror anthology. That means there should be gay characters, gay themes and subtext. Somewhere. Anywhere.

Proofread your work before submitting. When your main character starts off as "Michael" and becomes "Mark" a page later, it's not going to endear you to us.

What ARE We Looking For...?

2007-12-14T07:10:00.000-05:00

Establishing guidelines for a themed anthology can be a tricky business. Get too detailed in your likes and dislikes and risk turning potential contributors off or limiting the creativity of the submissions; be too general and risk submissions that are all over the map - and not in a good way. In the spirit of information being a good thing, Vince recently sat down with author D.L. Snell for his Market Scoops blog, in which he interviews editors at magazines and anthologies to help writers tailor submissions for specific markets. He shared his "wish list" and some helpful tips for the Unspeakable Horror anthology. Potential contributors may find the information useful as they craft their stories.

Market Scoops Interview

Anatomy of a Cover Artist...

2007-12-03T13:25:00.000-05:00

We’re pleased to announce that Michael “Pooch” Pucciarelli, an extraordinary up and coming artist in the Pop Surrealism/Lowbrow scene, has been commissioned to create the cover art for the Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet anthology. Visually captivating, Pucciarelli’s paintings blend the fantastic and surreal - Mexico’s Dia De los Muertos imagery, a bit of Bosch and Brueghul, and MC Escher's' architectural elements with an infusion of tattoo culture.

His acclaimed “rides” series - intricately detailed carnavalesque worlds in which characters are sent careening on macabre rollercoaster rides through worlds populated by movie monsters, skeletons, and underground pop culture icons - reflects his constant exposure to Florida theme parks, where surreal carnival ride facades reflect the false fronts of modern society. Pucciarelli, who is also a renowned South Florida tattoo artist, will be creating an original work in his “rides” series for the anthology.

From his website:

"Raised on a diet of Ray Harryhausen films, H. P. Lovecraft novels, comics, Walt Disney World and other Florida tourist traps, Pooch paints images that seem to exist in a bizarre afterlife. His art is a visual cocktail of these influences—with a shot of lowbrow culture—shaken and stirred, then served up in a souvenir tiki skull on the Day of the Dead. A self-taught artist, he owes much of his painting skills to over ten years of daily tattooing and drawing."

Clockwise from left: "Transylvania Towers" (2005), "Tourist Trap" (2005), and "3113" (2006) by artist Michael "Pooch" Pucciarelli

To see more of Pucciarelli’s work, visit www.poochisland.com.

Anthology Submissions Tally: October

2007-11-25T14:04:00.001-05:00

Our first month of reading has come and gone. Those who submitted stories to us during the month of October will be receiving notification of our editorial decisions regarding their submissions within the week.

Here's how the submissions boiled down for the month of October:

Total # of queries = 22
Total # of greenlighted queries = 21
Total number of actual submissions in October = 14

Disposition of submissions:

Accepted = 0
Rejected = 6
Held for second reading = 3
Revisions requested from authors = 5

Tips from the October Submissions...

2007-11-21T15:08:00.000-05:00

Don’t write dialogue phonetically when trying to capture an accent.

This is a gay-themed horror anthology. We’re looking for horror tales with a strong queer subtext – not straight horror stories with a gay character or two thrown in to meet a quota.

Horror sometimes demands a suspension of belief – not a suspension of logic.

Read your dialogue aloud. If it sounds like something out of a poorly-scripted gay porn film, consider a screenwriting gig in the adult film industry.

In our follow-up email to your query, we direct you to some formatting guidelines. Be a peach and follow them?

Anatomy of a Process...

2007-11-21T14:45:00.000-05:00

So you’ve written your Stoker-winning short story and sit poised with your finger over the “Send” button. Once you grant your masterpiece virtual release, your creation rests in our hands. But, did it even arrive in our Inbox? When will we read it? Will the rejections be short and sweet or long and angry, form or personal? Lots of questions, lots of unknowns.

Let’s demystify a bit, shall we?

On the story queries we’ve received to date, our average response time has been days – not weeks – in responding. Unless your pitch sounds blatantly like something in the science fiction/fantasy or mystery genres or another genre outside of what we’re looking for, we’re generally greenlighting most (hey, we're adventurous...). You receive an email welcoming you to send over your submission as a Word attachment with a promise that we’ll confirm receipt of your submission. And we always keep our promises.

Once we receive your submission and send you a quick confirmation, we log your submission on a monthly tracking sheet. Our reading schedule runs something like this: All submissions received up to and including the last day of a given month are slotted for reading and discussion by the 20th of the following month. For example, everything we received in our Inbox up to and including October 31st was read and individually considered by November 20th. Chad and I use a wildly clever evaluation tool on which we assign two codes; one with an overall impression score, the other our individual recommendation. Lots of room for comments.

Chad and I exchange our individual evaluation tools to compare and contrast. Any submissions on which we agree – both in terms of impression and recommendation – we take as a testament to our mystical editorial prowess and follow the mutually agreed upon disposition. To date, there hasn’t been one. In the majority of instances, we’ve each come away with a different feeling and analysis of the submission. So we discuss. And discuss. And discuss. Until we reach consensus on a recommendation: accept, pass, hold for a second reading, or request changes from the author. This occurs between the 20th and 25th of each month.

Between the 25th and 30th/31st of the month, the business of sending out communiqués to writers ensues. The acceptances will be short and sweet, with promises of contracts and payments and all that good stuff. The rejections will be accompanied by some degree of feedback as to why we’ve decided to pass. Time-consuming, yes. The right thing to do, yes. We’re writers, too. Do unto others…and that kind of thing.

If we request changes and offer to re-read later in the submission period, it’s because we found something promising in the premise, your writing, or how the alliteration of your first, last, and middle names would add a degree of literary whimsy to our TOC. Take the advice we’re offering and work it the best you can. If you think what we’re asking is a crock of manure, thank us politely and move on.

More maddening will be the emails stating that your story has made it through to a second read and that we’d like to mull it over a bit. Maddening because this is neither a “yes” nor a “no” and you’re stuck in literary limbo. Here’s a hint: if we’re asking to hold your submission for a subsequent reading, it’s because it’s 1) damn good and we need time to determine if the story fits into the larger context of the anthology or 2) a little edgy, a little experimental and we want to gnash our teeth on it some more. Seriously, though, we realize that time is money and that no writer (struggling or otherwise) wants a story held up indefinitely. Submission to us is not binding until the contracts are signed – writers are free to pull their story from consideration if they find a better/quicker/alternate home for it. All we ask is timely notification in this event so that we pull your story out of consideration. That said, the submission period wraps in the spring of next year – in the time it would take to find another market, submit to it, and wait 30, 60, 90 days for a response, you will in all probability hear back from us in that same timeframe.

Take a deep breath, be patient. Quality is not a race.

Anatomy of a Blog...

2007-11-21T13:12:00.000-05:00

Why a blog, you ask?

Because the world needs another blog? No.

Because we have nothing better to do? Hardly.

Because submissions are down and we’re bored? Nope – business is healthy.

Because we’re here, we’re queer, and you’d better get used to it? Different day, different blog.

Because behind-the-scenes stuff is interesting? OK.

Because we have OCD and this is a great way of staying organized? Getting warmer.

Because communication is a good thing and will keep the emails down? Starting to sizzle.

We thought we’d create this blog to chronicle our adventures in anthology-land. We’ll be using this space to send out general updates to those who’ve submitted to us, summarize each month’s submission statistics in terms of queries, subs, acceptances, rejections and that kind of thing, post our general thoughts about what’s passing across our desks, and announcements regarding the anthology. Hopefully, along the way, folks will glean some insight into the background workings of putting a project like this together.

Maybe we’ll be mildly entertained. Maybe we’ll all learn a thing or two.

Birth of an Anthology...

2007-11-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

UNSPEAKABLE HORROR: FROM THE SHADOWS OF THE CLOSET
Edited By: Vince A. Liaguno and Chad Helder
Minimum Length: 1,000 words

Maximum Length: 7,500 words

Dark Scribe Press is seeking short story submissions for an anthology of queer horror tales. We are looking for edgy, provocative dark genre fiction – horror and dark psychological suspense only. We are not interested in science fiction/fantasy or mystery for this anthology. We’re looking for stories about those terrors that populate the closets of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Terrors can be of any shape, size, and theme – supernatural, psychopaths and slashers, vampires, werewolves, zombies, urban legends, ghosts, witchcraft, demons, and original horrors of any kind.

At Dark Scribe Press, we believe that horror is meant to unnerve, disquiet, and strike deeply at the darkest places in readers’ hearts. We believe that writers should never be restricted within the established genre limitations and should feel comfortable offering up their darkest tales. As the publisher, if we don’t like it or it’s not a right fit for a particular anthology, we’ll simply politely pass on the submission. Taboo and edgy subject matters are welcome if handled in a literary manner – nothing is off limits if well executed and compelling. Stories may include explicit sex and erotic elements if well-integrated into the tale itself – we are not looking for a subtle ghost story with a raunchy sex scene inserted into the middle of it. Please avoid clichés – unless you have a fresh queer twist or perspective to offer.

At the heart of all submissions must be a distinct queer theme running through the fabric of the story – stories that represent the harmful effects of repression, the manifestation of homophobia (both internal and external), childhood anxieties that run parallel to sexual orientation and the coming out process, and any other well-conceived and executed queer theme.

Email queries only. Please note some helpful email query guidelines here. As with all Dark Scribe Press calls for submissions, your query represents our first impression of you and your story. Avoid rattling off an abstract to us in an informal email – chances are we’ll pass. We’re looking to see that writers have given thought to their story and have the ability to articulate those thoughts.

Queries can be emailed to publisher@darkscribepress.com beginning October 1, 2007 and will be accepted through May 15, 2008. Response time to queries is 30-60 days. Once a query is greenlighted, the deadline for actual submissions is June 30, 2008. Response time to submissions is 30-60 days. Please put Query / Anthology in the subject line of all emails to help us efficiently route your email. Kindly note that queries with attachments will be deleted – do not send your story until you have queried us first.

Format guidelines will be emailed upon our response to your initial query.

Terms: Pays $0.05 (five cents) per word upon acceptance for FNASR.

Anthology is slated for 4th quarter 2008 publication – subject to change.

No simultaneous submissions and no reprints.

Anatomy Of An Anthology

Status of Submissions

'Unspeakable Horror' Named a Stoker Awards Finalist!

'Unspeakable' Reviews...

An 'Unspeakable' Pre-Order...

An 'Unspeakable' Book Trailer...

Table of Contents

Anthology Cover Revealed...

An Alternate View...

Open Letter to All Who Submitted & Final Submissions Tally...

We Are Officially...(Part 2)

We Are Officially...

Announcing 'May Days of Unspeakable Horror'...

Important: Submissions Deadline Changed...

Anthology Submissions Tally: March

Tips From the March Submissions...

Anthology Submissions Tally: February

Tips From the February Submissions...

Cover Art Unveiled...

Anthology Submissions Tally: January

Tips from the January Submissions...

Anthology Submissions Tally: December

Tips from the December Submissions...

Anthology Submissions Tally: November

Tips from the November Submissions...

What ARE We Looking For...?

Anatomy of a Cover Artist...

Anthology Submissions Tally: October

Tips from the October Submissions...

Anatomy of a Process...

Anatomy of a Blog...

Birth of an Anthology...