Submission Guidelines

Submissions for Black Satellite

Black Satellite is closed to submissions until December 31, 2009

I want character driven stories that leave an image in the reader's mind long after finishing the story. I want stories with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. In other words, a plot. No mood pieces. No cliches. Show me that you can be original or at least concoct a new twist on a familiar theme. I am particularly interested in seeing cross genre stories. Think along the lines of "The Outer Limits", "The Twilight Zone", the Alien movies, or even the old magazine "Argonaut". My favorite writers include Al Manachino, Tim Curran, and many others.

BS is published two times per year. The typical length for fiction submissions is between 1000 and 5000 words, prefer about 3000 to 4000 words. Please query for anything longer than 5000 words. Poetry submissions are okay but must not be longer than about 30 lines, as they are used only as filler. Typical response time is about 8 to 16 weeks.

Submissions for Mythos Collector

Mythos Collector is also closed to submissions until December 31, 2009, but do have special need for Clark Ashton Smith material, please query.

Any submitted Mythos fiction should attempt to get away from being simply a pastiche of Lovecraft. Set the story in the modern world, or in the future, or any other cross genre mode. Concentrate on telling a good story with real characters, then let the Mythos elements shine through.

MC is published two times per year. The typical length for either fiction or non-fiction submissions is between 1000 and 5000 words, prefer about 3000 words. Please query for anything longer than 5000 words. Poetry submissions should not be longer than about 30 lines, prefer humorous or vivid imagery. Typical response time is about 8 to 16 weeks.

Submission Tips

Submissions for Chapbooks

Dark Tree Tales is now closed to submissions, and now pending publication.

Payment

Manuscript Guidelines

Snail mailed submissions will be accepted only after submitting a query. Manuscripts should be submitted on 8.5" x 11" white paper with at least 1-inch margins on all four sides. Manuscripts must be single sided only, and should be double-spaced. Manuscripts can be either typewritten or printed via laser printer or inkjet printer in black ink only. Please use a mono-spaced font such as Courier. Hand written submissions will not be read.

The author's name, postal address and email address must appear in the top left corner of the first page. The approximate number of words must appear in the top right corner of the first page. Title and author's byline should appear about halfway down the first page.

Please include cover letter indicating which magazine you are submitting to. Also include brief bio and list publishing credits if any, word count and email address. Please no simultaneous submissions, and no multiple submissions. Poems may be submitted in batches of up to 5 poems per batch.

All submissions must be accompanied by a #10 SASE for our reply, otherwise the submission will not be read. If you'd rather receive a reply via email, please mention so in your cover letter. Please send only disposable copies. Please ensure that you keep us up to date with any postal or email address changes.

Artwork Guidelines

Please include cover letter indicating which magazine you are submitting to. Also include brief bio and list publishing credits if any, word count and email address. I prefer seeing samples over getting an URL to your website. Note that I rarely assign artwork.

Artwork should be submitted as photocopies. Originals should be between 4x6 inches and 8x11 inches and prefer ink over pencil as pen&ink drawings reproduce better. Always interested in working with beginners (and old timers as well). Electronic submissions of artwork are not accepted until after we have agreed to publish the submitted work.

Where to send submissions?