I have been mulling this over for awhile now and I decided to just go for it. Since I am in a state of stasis with the Psychosis Anthology, a long waiting game to see which fish will bite and those who just nibble, I have decided to launch my own webzine. I know it seems everyone has them but I would like it to be a place to showcase new art, stories and talent. I can't pay as of yet but I may have cash prizes in the futures and even writing contests or at least book awards. It will be a monthly to bi-monthly endeavor. I will pick the top three stories or artists of the month and showcase their work. It can be used as a publishing credit and eventually, if the Psychosis anthology is successful, I might title my next antho, the Surreal Grotesque and focus mainly on horror.
The requirements and more of an idea of what type of stories I am looking for are on the link below but to give you a brief idea: 500-1500 word stories. Show me something surreal, unique, grotesque and bizarre. A glimpse of someone's madness or a world that we have never seen before. Picture a portal and you poke your head through the wall and briefly enter inside someone else's mind, what would you see? What would you experience? The stories should have a sort of stream of consciousness quality that makes the reader feel like they are in a dream-like state. Stories focused on sensation and detailed imagery would be best.
http://vertigoschism77.wordpress.com/
Heh heh I read your headline as Grotesque Magazine Looking for Sluts.
I was like wtf?! Had to click to see what that was about. Plus I accidentally zipped my clitoropenis into my jeans this morning so I knew it was going to be a weird day.
It's a sign.
Totally a sign Panda.
For what, I have no idea. Money perhaps.
Yes topic would've been much better if 'subs' were 'sluts' :)
I like the sound of this.
The webzine, not the sluts.
Not that I have anything against the sluts.
Ok am I going crazy now? Because I swear it does say sluts now. First spiders under the skin and now seeing words where they shouldn't be? Too bad my therapist moved to Australia.
I thought I had a comment but upon reflection - no, no comment...
i love it. are you a writer? do people call you chester the molester? or pehaps just chestie? then come wrap your metaphorical mouths around our fat, dirty literary pole...
I'm a grotesque, surreal slut.
You sure are howie! Glad to have your equine centric butt here.
I think it works better as slut. For sure. It's like a screening process.
Yes - sluts do it for the love of the act. I am proud to be a slut in a sea of whores....
i hear ya boone, i hear ya.
You got a deadline on that bad boy or you just keeping it open 'til you've had your fill? I'm not saying the lady's a slut, but she might be tempted . . .
Nice one Danny! I don't usually write horror, but I could pull some grues. I'll keep it in mind.
No I had two short story ideas I was going to do this weekend and throw you're way. Nothing is going on here so it's the perfect time to be dark and depressing and write some fucked up shit.
Where is the response time here Danny? I sent something.
I will see if I can send something your way ... But I tend to be graphic so I dont really want to waste my time if that's not your cup of tea.
Sounds pretty interesting. I like the title Surreal Grotesque.
Thx alien.
I'm writing something - should have it done today possibly and sent your way.
I've got another idea too should that one not fly.
Also, does anyone know how else to make your website more accessible in search enginges besides the basic tags they give you?
Honestly, i get several hits on my blog from random Google searches and all i do is tag the posts. It's not tons of traffic but it's there.
I've got a rough draft almost done for ya danny.
Danny, just make sure you use the words Twilight, Boobs and Cholesterol a lot, it's the basic of SEO writing.
Actually the top 2011 trends were Rebecca Black and Google+
Those are understandable. I can't even remember how many times I typed "Who the fuck is Rebecca Black" or "What the fuck is Google+" last year.
I've got something up my sleeve... and I'm not just talking about the wart on my elbow.
I don't know if I have the chops in regards to this particular genre, but I'll try to whip something together and see if you like it, Danny. Sounds like a cool zine.
I'd like to throw my hat in the ring for covering books. I have a lot of free time to read and hunt for little known horror books.
Alright, after much convincing over chat, I am in.
I'm so stoked to do this. The other girls are peeing their pants in delight, too. Once I tune up my writing I will start harassing you with stories, too. :)
awesome artwork alien! congratz meat!
This magazine is going to be freakin epic!
I think I may take a shot at this, but I'm so no good at grotesque. Surreal, is a different story so if you don't mind a story that bends the perceltions of universally agreed upon reality, I'd love to give this a go. Just not sure if I understand exactly what grotesque entails.
Danny and I were talking on fb about what "grotesque" means. He seemed to be trying to take it in an "ugly" direction rather than a "gross out" direction. Like, a mean spirited self centered character who wreaks havoc around themselves without any concern for the consequences unless they interfere with their agenda, that would be an "ugly" person. Or a person with a lot of derogatory prejudices. Not that "gross out" stuff wouldn't work, just that the core idea is going in a different direction than pure "freak show."
Danny, I started something last night after our private skype session, so it'll be in your email box within a few days. It's just a first draft, so I'd like your thoughts on how to improve it and make it the best peice it can be for your first issue. It'll be short, completely fucked up, and probably unpublishable in any other market. So I figure its right for your zine.
Also, have you considered the amazon.com route? One Buck Horror charges one dollar per issue and from what I've seen they're popular as hell due to their price, and the ease of downloading via kindle. Amazon would take their cut, but I think you'll reach a ton of people if you make this super cheap, or just have the first couple of issues free via amazon. If you charged a dollar you could even pay writers based on sales/royalties, so that would also make it a paying market depending on how well an issue does.
Just food for thought. Will have my awful story to you soon.
Whoops- just reread the site- so you ARE considering amazon in the future- good call. Also noticed you were thinking of featuring a longer peice each issue. How can I convince you?
-spits in hand-
Love the artwork...looks like it's going to be a great magazine!!
It's not finished yet! Still in first draft mode. But I think I might get a draft done today/tomorrow and could at least show you what I have to see if its something that would fit.