- Antho: A.J. French’s Satyrs (Title TBA)
- Publisher: Wicked East Press
- Editor(s): A.J. French
- Pay Rate: One contributor’s copy, $25 for three editor’s pick, one 5 cents a word payment for a well-known, established writer
- Response Time: 1 month
- Reading Period: Open until filled
- Description: Anthology of stories about satyrs (mythic half-goat/half-man companions of Pan and Dionysus) with an emphasis on horror and dark fantasy
- Submission Guidelines: sites.google.com/a/wickedeastpress.com
NOTE: Author D.L. Snell conducted the following interview to give writers a better idea of what the editors of this specific market are seeking; however, most editors are open to ideas outside of the preferences discussed here, as long as they fit the basic submission guidelines.
THE SCOOP
1) What authors do you enjoy, and why does their writing captivate you?
I especially enjoy Gary A. Braunbeck, Richard Matheson, Gene O’Neill, William F. Nolan, Harlan Ellison, Dostoevsky, Borges, Umberto Eco, Jeff Vandermeer, Tanith Lee, T.E.D. Klein, Tim Willocks, Brian McNaughton, and Gene Wolfe, among many others. I like writers who have a command over their prose and write with authority, and who are not afraid to try something original and daring.
2) What are your favorite genres? Which genres would you like to see incorporated into submissions to this market?
My favorite genres are horror and weird tale, although I also like weird fantasy and some high fantasy. I would like to see some erotic horror, humourous horror (subtle humor), dark fantasy, and weird tale in this anthology.
3) What settings most intrigue you? Ordinary or exotic locales? Real or fantasy? Past, present, or future?
Settings are not as important to me as the story. Built-world, real world, past, present, or future, all of it goes.
4) Explain the type of pacing you enjoy, e.g. slow building to fast, fast throughout, etc.
While I do like subtly and quiet horror, the piece has to hook me and keep me reading or else I will lose interest. That doesn’t only mean a “hooker” first sentence, but something that underlies the story throughout and keeps me reading—hooks me.
5) What types of characters appeal to you the most? Any examples?
I like flawed characters the most, but ones that either go down in flames or go down in a blaze of glory—or rise to the heights of Heaven, for that matter—but I don’t like stagnant characters; they must be transformed somehow once the story draws to a close. I had thought it might be a good idea to use the Nameless Narrator from Dostoevsky’s Notes From Underground, only have him be a satyr. That sort of thing appeals to me.
6) Is there a specific tone you'd like to set in your publication? What kind of voices grab you and keep you enthralled? Any examples?
I really want to see a darker edge to these stories. That doesn’t mean they all have to be horror stories, but I want things to stay mostly dark fantasy/horror, with humor and some sex thrown in to spice things up. Voice, on the other hand, is not as important to me, though I do enjoy Ellison, Ligotti, and Poe.
7) What is your policy for vulgarity, violence, and sexual content? Any taboos?
Everything goes. This is a three-ring circus. But please, leave the little kiddies alone.
8) What kind of themes are you seeking most in submissions to this market? In general, what themes interest you?
Dark fantasy and horror stories featuring a satyr as a main character or a character that is integral to the plot. Satyrs are mythical creatures from Greek Mythology that are half human, half goat. They follow Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, ritual madness, and ecstasy. They walk the line between the animalistic urges in us and the human capacity for thought. The human vs. the animal. Satyrs embody the two. Urban satyrs or even just people dressing up as satyrs is of interest to me, as well.
9) Overall, do you prefer downbeat or upbeat endings?
As long as the ending is congruous to the logic of the story, I have no preference as to whether it’s up or down.
10) Any last advice for submitters to this market? Any critical do's or do not's?
Just have fun and send me only your best! I’ll be promoting the hell out of this book once it’s finished, so you’ll want to be sure that your best work is represented.
For more scoops, go to www.dlsnell.com.
D.L. Snell writes with Permuted Press. He edited Dr. Kim Paffenroth thrice, John Dies at the End once, and provided a constructive critique to Joe McKinney on his next major novel after Dead City, Apocalypse of the Dead. You can shoot D.L. Snell in the head at www.dlsnell.com.
To reprint this article, please contact D.L. Snell.
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