We’re all asking ‘what’s next?’ about politics, our rights, the economy, and more. Uncertainty wears on our nerves and weighs on our minds. Writing can be your escape from a current events overload. Whether your character is from a different planet, a different time, or is the killer/sleuth/victim or in love, crafting their world to your satisfaction will give your mind a rest from turmoil. Use it and come back to the real world refreshed and ready to take action.
Breaking news for short story writers: The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and the four Penny Press fiction digests—Alfred Hitchcock, Ellery Queen, Asimov’s, and Analog have been purchased by 1Paragraph Media, to be published by agent and IP developer Steven Salpeter. They say no changes are planned—but stay tuned.
Need a laugh? Editors have been approached in the most inappropriate places. At a conference, one editor had a manuscript pushed under the bathroom stall door. A small voice said I wanted to be the first to give you a manuscript, I hope you like it. Sadly, it did not get published.
In times of snail-mail and a slush pile, writers used to decorate the boxes/envelopes their manuscripts were mailed in, with hopes they would be eye-catching and jump the line. No success.
According to this article, the dentist’s chair, a funeral (a pitch from the officiating rabbi!), a TSA agent at the airport, a bridal shower, or during labor are not paths to success.
Good luck with your pitch—and although they call it an elevator pitch, reconsider…
Sandy, Editor, editor@writersandpublishersnetwork.com
Parents Want to Opt Out on Books in School
Pride Puppy, a rhyming alphabet book for children aged three to five has caused controversy among a diverse group of parents who want the choice to opt out for their children on religious grounds. The Montgomery County Public School, Maryland, says no. Pride Puppy tells the tale of a young dog lost during a Pride celebration. Children can find items in the illustrations to match letters of the alphabet.
My Rainbow follows the story of a mother who makes a rainbow-colored wig for her trans-identifying child.
“Simply hearing about other views does not necessarily exert pressure to believe or act differently than one’s religious faith requires,” 4th Circuit Appeals Court Judge G. Steven Agee wrote.
The case has advanced to the Supreme Court who has agreed to hear it.
Five Literary Journals Open to Submissions for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
- AGNI open twice a year for poetry, short stories, or essays. online Submissions can be sent from September 1 to December 15 and February 15 to May 31. AGNI pays $20 per printed page for accepted prose and $40 per page for accepted poetry (maximum $300).
- Boulevard Magazine biannual issues for contemporary fiction, essays, interviews, poetry. Reading period is from November 1 to May 1. Prose pieces should be no longer than 8,000 words, and poets should limit poems to 200 lines or fewer. Boulevard pays $100–$300 for published prose and $50–$250 for published poetry. They do not accept science fiction, erotica, westerns, horror, romance, children’s stories, or light verse.”
- The Missouri Review Established in 1978, The Missouri Review is a quarterly literary magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Based at the University of Missouri, this magazine pays writers $25 per published page. Each issue contains approximately five new stories, three new poetry features, and two essays, all selected from unsolicited submissions sent by writers throughout the world. Additionally, they publish special features and interviews with a diverse body of writers.
- New England Review is a quarterly literary magazine published by Middlebury College. Established in 1978, NER publishes poetry, fiction, and different forms of nonfiction, including travelogues, lyric essays, and more. two open reading periods during the year: September 1 to November 1 and March 1 to May 1. Submit early as the window closes when enough submissions are received. Writers are paid $20 per page ($50 minimum) for writing published in the journal and $50 for pieces published online.
- THEMA is a magazine that publishes fiction, essays, and poetry. Publishes three times per year, with a pre-determined theme. Published writers are paid $25 for short stories, $10 for short-short pieces (under 1,000 words), $10 for poems, and $10 for artwork. The premise (target theme) must be an integral part of the story, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental.
Oklahoma Anti-Pornography Bill: What It Means for Romance Writers
A recent bill introduced in the Oklahoma legislature seeks to dramatically expand the definition of unlawful pornography and impose harsh criminal penalties for the distribution of what it deems pornography. Authors fear the bill could include romance books or book covers.
None of Rep. Deevers’s bills have ever passed but should it happen, the Authors Guild will keep its members informed. They stand ready to take swift action.
Little Free Library Study Reveals Benefits for Book-Impoverished Communities
Children who are surrounded by books spend more time reading—particularly those in underserved school districts. Publishers Weekly, February 20, 2025
How Women Keep Reinventing Independent Publishing
Women in Independent Publishing: A History of Unsung Innovators, 1953–1989, an intimate yet thorough oral history including interviews with editors and publishers Lee Ann Brown of Tender Buttons Press, Lindy Hough of North Atlantic Books, Bernadette Mayer of United Artists Books, C.D. Wright of Long Roads Press, and more. Each approached publishing on their own terms.
Publishers Weekly, February 14, 2025
Foundation Media Partners to Publish Books with Macmillan
The film and television production company behind successful book-to-screen adaptations established Foundation Books, resulting in a multi-year publishing partnership with Macmillan to publish books with potential for adaptation.
Tundra Books has a new imprint Indigenous Children’s Imprint helmed by David A. Robertson to promote Indigenous talent and champion Indigenous stories.
One Piece of Advice From 27 Literary Fiction Authors in 2024
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