(I love scarecrows; had to go with a scarecrow theme this year)
However, in case you love zombies, werewolves, vampires, and lizards…
Still Available from Sam’s Dot Publishing & The Genre Mall:
I don’t know whether to consider this a magazine credit or anthology credit, so mark them as both for now, I suppose. I’ll have a SF and Fantasy-mixed tale coming to a fairly new bi-annual trade paperback anthology-magazine called Shelter of Daylight by Sam’s Dot Publishing. They’re published every April and October, with a dash of poetry and art. Edited by Tyree Campbell. And yes, this officially puts me on the road to 400 publishing credits sometime in 2010.
SHELTER OF DAYLIGHT – APRIL 2010
Coming Next Year from Sam’s Dot Publishing
SAMPLE ISSUE – SAMPLE ISSUE
Shelter of Daylight
SAMPLE ISSUE – SAMPLE ISSUE – SAMPLE ISSUE
Sam’s Dot Publishing Main Homepage:
I’m not in the issue above, however, if you’d like to sample it:
http://www.genremall.com/zinesr.htm#shelter
And I’ll see you in spring 2010.
Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos” and “Magazines”
The thirtieth issue of Aoife’s Kiss is now available for purchase, and after eight, nine years at press, in sparkling form as always. This would be my ninth or tenth print and electronic appearance with the publication. They’re put out quarterly by editor Tyree Campbell and Sam’s Dot Publishing. Get it now!
Aoife’s Kiss, Issue # 30 – September 2009
Aoife’s Kiss/Submission Guidelines:
http://samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/cover.htm
Sam’s Dot homepage (updated monthly):
September 2009 Aoife’s Line-up: Paul E. Holt, Elana Gomel, S. Hutson Blount, Bill Snodgrass, Matthew Wuertz, Rachel Olivier, Tracy S. Morris, Lawrence R. Dagstine, Christine Lucas, Michele Lee, Zdravka Evtimova, Marc Colten, A.K. Sykora, Rhiannon Morgan, Rhonda Parrish, Holly Day, Francesca Forrest, Marcie Lynn Tentchoff, Joshua Gage, Justin Bohardt, Jamie Lee Moyer, Ethan Brandt, John Nichols, Nina Babon, Ellie Biswell, John Hayes, Thom Olausson, and reviews by Scott Virtes.
Order this magazines direct from The Genre Mall:
http://www.genremall.com/contents.htm
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
…And a few other thoughts.
The following essay pertains to mostly science fiction. It’s an opinion-based essay and nothing more than that. These are my views, take it for what it’s worth. It derives from something Harlan Ellison originally wrote on his Webderland Website a few days ago, a paragraph which can be found here: http://harlanellison.com/home.htm
Harlan Ellison thinks SF is dead.
He might be right. Here is what he wrote:
“Literature is dead. Civility is dead. Ethical considerations are dead. Common sense is dead. Dignity, respect, responsibility are dead. It is a cheapshit spur-of-the-moment tawdry and empty-headed congeries of societies, here, there, everywhere. It is a universally cheapjack time in which a steadily more ignorant and venal species has become drunk on notoriety and the scent of Paris Hilton’s thong. Science fiction is dead? You just noticed? You come late to the literature party; the hyenas have long since been attracted to the stench of stupidity; text them for me: bon appetit.”
HARLAN ELLISON / 28 August 2009
Now…
Did you know there are over 100,000 readers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror out there? At the same time, in any given year, there are around 100,000 submitters of genre fiction out there. Worldwide, that is a rough estimate. I was surprised to learn from one hobbyist publication that during their quarterly reading periods, they receive anywhere from 300 to 500 manuscripts. And they only pay 25 bucks. So the next time you get a publishing credit or get shortlisted for a story slot, give yourself a pat on the back, because getting published in genre fiction nowadays is sort of like trying to win the lottery. Actually, if you live in New York, it’s probably easier to win the Take Five or one of those Loose Change/Bingo scratch-offs. Or you could just pay-to-play (many esteemed venues such as F&SF are doing it, even though for years such places advised against it). That’s code for broke. Still, there are much more writers than there are magazines (it’s sad), and buying something as simple as a sample issue or two can help a magazine stay alive and keep slots – part-time and full-time jobs for those who struggle – open and afloat. Then you have the whole e-revolution and how prices just went down on X-BOX 360’s, Nintendo Wii’s, and Playstation 3’s. Now that makes it a whole lot easier to introduce a new generation to geek-a-ture.
Everybody has a story to tell, but not everybody wants to listen. People are laughing now at devices like the Kindle, the iPhone, the Sony eReader. I’m thinking way ahead of that, wondering what will replace those devices in twenty years time.
Amazing Stories
Remember the days of Jack Vance, Frederick Pohl, Philip Jose Farmer, Ray Bradbury, Theodore Sturgeon, A.E. Van Vogt, Fritz Lieber, Frank Herbert, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and yes, guys like Harlan Ellison? Remember the days of Richard Laymon, Robert McCammon, Hugh B. Cave, Charles L. Grant? Remember female authors such as Vonda McIntyre, Connie Willis, Ursula K. Leguin, and Octavia Butler? And yes, there are some notable British names I’m leaving out, that should be included. Nowadays Stephenie Meyer is the NEW Stephen King, and I still don’t know what to make of Margaret Atwood all these years later. Eventually I’ll have an answer. In 2009 we can’t wait to read about vampire Bill Compton sucking on little Sookie Stackhouse’s titties—yesteryear it was Spike humping Buffy—or tuning in to the next great classics: Fringe (yesteryear it was The X-Files). Everywhere there are zombies, werewolves, boogeymen or things that go bumpity-bump in the night. And vampires. From TV to movies to comic books to graphic novels. Zombies, werewolves, vampire crossovers. Zombies, werewolves, vampire subgenres. It’s kind of like the Measles, but without the vaccine.
Before all the clichés, before all the contrived storylines and slightly more mainstream pieces with beginnings but no middles and ends… before the slice-of-life vignettes which were supposed to relate to us, our inner demons (grrr!), or be politically daring and poetic to our ears and somehow symbolic, but was actually crappy and confusing rather… You had character-driven stories, plot-driven stories, protagonists you cared about, antagonists you cursed beneath your tongue, and most of all, innovative ideas. Some of those ideas would eventually become what you see before you today. Some of it yet to make its debut in society.
FACT: 75% of genre writers will die poor, starving, or rely on insubstantial bank funds as their nest egg. Most don’t want to believe change is happening, or that evolution is impossible, and that it is going to stay that way. A vast majority already have one foot in the coffin. Otherwise, older, former editors and writers are about eight to ten years away from being maggot food regardless.
“Ah ha, Mr. Dagstine! But I have a Limited Edition of 500 copies from such-and-such-a-press in hardcover dustjacket. It’s science fiction literature at its finest!”
No, trust me. It isn’t… Paging Adam Roberts, paging Adam Roberts…
There are six-billion human beings on the planet Earth; most are from Asia. There are more books than there are people. Out of that 500 Limited Edition run from that Small Press, you might sell 250 to 300. Perhaps more, and those will be to your colleagues. It’s a race against time to write and get read (if, even after your death, technology has not evolved yet again and you are preferably read). The other day I stared at a non-fiction check for $400.00 (Dagstine is my nom de plume for horror and scifi). Then I looked at a micro-press pub and said I must be holding my prick in my hand. My advice: take any money you make in this profession and fucking run!
Maybe Harlan Ellison is right. Maybe science fiction is dead. And maybe horror is just one big keg party where you get to check in but you don’t check out. Maybe fantasy is for the LARP’ers who refuse to abandon ye’ olde dungeon. Better yet, maybe we should save ourselves the glum silences and troubles of the clinical depressions that await us twenty, thirty years down the road. What do you think? Should we start filling those Zoloft prescriptions a little early?
Lawrence R. Dagstine
P.S.: If you still enjoy what you do, naturally, just go with the flow. Me, I guess I’ll still keep on submitting, keep on trucking. After all, what else is there?
Details: Karen Anne Mitchell introduces us to a Taiyiha-a woman who has been made into the ultimate lover by aliens-and a lonely man who faces his own inner demons. Join Lawrence R. Dagstine as he shows us the lengths a werewolf must go to adopt a child. Danielle Ackley-McPhail gives us a glimpse into the life of a lonely man and the solace he receives from a humble visitor. J Alan Erwine will show you a dark future where a soldier who has seen too much is treated as a criminal. This issue includes eleven stories and eleven poems guaranteed to sweep you away on wings of the imagination. Don’t miss the autumn 2009 issue of Tales of the Talisman!
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
Come join prolific short story writer, Lawrence R. Dagstine — scifi, fantasy, horror and more! — at Coney Island’s “Summer of Signings”. Twice a week, every other week this summer at Thor Equities’ new DREAMLAND! — Festival by the Sea…
VENDOR DETAILS:
http://www.fleabythesea.com/about.php
Brooklyn Author, Lawrence R. Dagstine will be signing copies of his new short story collection FRESH BLOOD, rare hardcovers, anthologies, and obscure pulp magazines and more at FLEA BY THE SEA! Stay tuned for booth locations and exact dates.
WHY COME HERE?
http://www.fleabythesea.com/why-come-here.php
FIVE MILLION PEOPLE — THAT’S WHY!
And the amusement park, and other sellers, and the beach! Loads of fun!
http://www.fleabythesea.com/rent-a-tent.php
Stay tuned for times and dates. Transportation by subway and other details can be found on the site. Times are usually weekends, 12pm to sundown (or 9pm)! Off-peak dates will be updated here depending on booth availability.
http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#freshblood
Other New Entries: “Public Events”
You can find an article of mine in an upcoming winter edition of Withersin Magazine. Issue No. 3.3, published tri-annually. Available in various Borders and B&N stores in the literary journal or fiction magazine section. You can pre-order your copy from the direct link below. This would be the Arsenic edition. Withersin is also known for their award-winning art.
Edited to Add: This is a pre-order for January 2010.
WITHERSIN MAGAZINE – Issue 3.3
PRE-ORDER BELOW (direct link):
http://www.withersin.com/withersin_arsenic.htm
HOMEPAGE (subscribe):
Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Dark Art by: Aaron Legler, Kurt Kirchmeier, Kevin Shamel, KCT Webber, M. Awren Grey and K. Sumek, Tom Hamilton, Lawrence Dagstine, Larry Roberts. Cover by Caroline O’ Neal, other artwork by Doug Draper, B.A. Bosaiya, and Nick Rose. Edited by Misty Gersley.
Once again, you can PRE-ORDER this now. It officially hits January 2010.
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
THE HORROR FICTION REVIEW is now up. Horror author and book reviewer, Nick Cato (Novello Publishers), has now put up the book reviews for June 2009. It’s a delightful little site and I highly recommend checking them out. If you scroll down, you’ll find a positive review of my debut collection FRESH BLOOD in-between authors Jack Kilborn and Louise Bohmer. The site also has an interview with Robert Dunbar.
THE HORROR FICTION REVIEW – June 2009 edition
The Horror Fiction Review
MAIN SITE: http://www.freewebs.com/hfrzine/
JUNE 2009 REVIEWS: http://www.freewebs.com/hfrzine/june09reviews.htm
Other New Entries: “Author Resources”
There are some good science fiction webzines out there. Then there are some fine ones. ATOMJACK is by far one of the better ones, and it’s proven rightly so with their material and lineups over the past four years. This would be my 3rd appearance with them. Published by Susurrus Press, Atomjack is edited by Adicus Ray Garton.
ATOMJACK MAGAZINE
Atomjack Magazine
VIEW HERE: www.atomjackmagazine.com
THE OFFICIAL SUSURRUS PRESS BLOG:
http://blog.atomjackmagazine.com/
Look Mom, I'm Famous!
It’s a little blurry, but do you recognize the name in the picture? Yay! To think I gave up career opportunities in art, pharmacy, neuroscience, and the science of publishing for this. It’s gotta be worth at least a Big Mac. Still, check out Atomjack. They’ve got the goods.
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
“Lawrence Dagstine has a wonderfully fertile imagination and he has crafted many wonderful, original stories.” – David Lee Summers, Editor, Tales of the Talisman and author, Heirs of the New Earth.
“Lawrence Dagstine never ceases to amaze me with his abundant talent. His short stories are incredibly imaginative, exceptionally well written, and thoroughly captivating.” – P.S. Gifford, Author, The Curious Accounts of the Imaginary Friend.
“Dagstine injects some much-needed freshness into his monsters; he endows them with complex qualities both human and inhuman, which somehow makes them all the more disturbing.” – Ben Thomas, Editor, The Willows Magazine.
Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”
For over three years, Whispers of Wickedness was that special place for writer and reader alike. A relaxed atmosphere. A place you could call home. At least for me. Filled with bands of movie lovers, Doctor Who and Blake’s 7 fans, readers of fine literature, and most of all good storytellers and poets. Nice people. Whispers was a messageboard, print magazine, and book review venue among giants… No matter how small they may have looked from the outside, their hearts were a whole lot bigger on the inside. All it took was thirty or so people that visited frequently to make it such a wonderful place to be.
Below you will find one of the issues I appeared in some years back. One of its editors went on to receive a very well-deserved British Fantasy Award, the place was a megatropolis for a long time for aspiring writers looking to break into small paying markets, and there were laughs aplenty. The final issue of the magazine is available soon. It might be Issue #16, it might be No. 17. Not sure. But the drawbridge is raised. That I do know. The mugs are almost empty, and it’s time to find a new pub to meet up.
Whispers of Wickedness #14
There will always be memories, I’m sure. To my knowledge, their review section has been archived. The regular authors will move on to some other forums… Perhaps TTA Press, perhaps Witchfinder Press (who knows). Wherever the interaction is, I suppose. And wherever the coffee is nice and hot. Thank you my friends. They were a great three years indeed. At least for this small chap.
Soon to disappear into the… ether.
Whispers of Wickedness
Signing off May 4th 2009.
Cheers. And good luck to every one of you.
Lawrence R. Dagstine
You can now find me in the latest PDF edition of the immensely popular, ever-growing Necrotic Tissue. April 2009, available via download. It’s a great horror magazine with a bright future ahead of it. If you love zombies, then you’ll love what I have to offer this round up. Starting in July 2009, Necrotic Tissue will abandon its PDF roots to become a quarterly print.
NECROTIC TISSUE; April 2009
Necrotic Tissue
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
17 Short Stories and lots of poetry. Hard-spined, and the artwork is dynamite!
Aoife’s Kiss, published by Sam’s Dot Publishing and now going into its 28th quarterly issue, is bigger than ever. They offer a print version and an online version. However, starting June 2009, they will become a straight-on print only venue. I can be found this month, March 2009, in their Web edition. Would you like to order a copy of the print version? Links provided below. And remember to vote for your favorite story by your favorite author, as these get chosen for future Wondrous Web World anthologies.
AOIFE’S KISS # 28; March 2009
Published by Sam’s Dot Publishing
ORDER THE PRINT VERSION:
http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/purchasecenter/magazines.htm
READ Volume 7, No. 4 online and VOTE!
http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/main.htm
Fiction by: Lorraine Pinelli Brown, Kurt Kirchmeier, Linda A. Gould, and Lawrence R. Dagstine. Cover art by Teresa Tunaley.
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
Also published by Sam’s Dot, and available for PRE-ORDER at The Genre Mall!
Artwork by Mitch Bentley - Atomic Fly Studios
PRE-ORDER HERE: http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#freshblood
A Collection of Science Fiction & Horror: ISBN: 978-0-9819696-2-6
Sam’s Dot has come a long way in the last ten years, its authors being nominated for such awards as the Nebula, the Hugo, and the Bram Stoker. Many a famous name have made a guest appearance there. Most important, if you are a new writer, I am living proof that you can slowly work your way up the ladder and get a “book deal” or “payment” or things such as an “advance” or “publicist” for your efforts (bear with me, there’s a lot in the pipeline, and there are only twenty-four hours in a day).
I think this month’s “tuppence” column by SF award-nominated editor Tyree Campbell will be overlooked, and it’s such a terrible shame. Especially for new talent. Please, I urge you to read it and follow it with all your heart:
http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/fifth/Column34.htm
This is one way of becoming a WRITER…
This is being YOURSELF…
If someone tells you there is only one way to cross a street, well, you and I both know that that is ridiculous…
Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”
"Night Miners" - Artwork by Mitch Bentley
PRE-ORDER HERE: http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#freshblood
A Collection of Science Fiction & Horror: ISBN: 978-0-9819696-2-6
Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”
Miss the debut back in early January? Well, here’s a second opportunity to pick up one of these LIMITED EDITION issues of POLLUTO #4, featuring yours truly, and some of the finest short fiction authors in all the UK. It’s a themed journal, published quarterly by DOG HORN PUBLISHING (www.doghornpublishing.com). Edited by Adam Lowe. Creative Director is Michael Dark.
Winter 2009 theme: QUEER & LOATHING IN WONDERLAND
POLLUTO: THE ANTI-POP CULTURE JOURNAL
SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://www.polluto.com/subscribe
Polluto #4
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
‘Alice in the Palace’ by Dave Migman
‘Parasol Clerks’ by Rhys Hughes
‘Jeanne’ by Steve Redwood
‘Mouse Diary’ by Daniel Wilson
‘Queer & Loathing on the Yellow Brick Road’ by Deb Hoag
‘A Shade of Yellow’ by Alex MacFarlane
‘Beta Child, Gamma Child’ by Malon Edwards
‘Paint the Town’ by Anne Pinckard
‘Sweet Adult Cell’ by Ray Succre
‘Beauty and the Beast’ by Micci Oaten
‘Heart of Cement’ by Lawrence Dagstine
‘The Bears in the Wood’ by Jim Steel
‘The Androidgenous Zone’ by Andrew Hook & Allen Ashley
‘Velcro Hurt’ by Ernesto Sarezale
‘The Day Hermeneutics Died’ by David McLean
‘Willow Within’ by D. W. Green
‘A Long Hard Look’ by Rhian Waller
‘On Biting Roy’ by Janis Butler Holm
‘Live Without a Net’ by RC Edrington
‘Mona and the Machine’ by Matthew Longo
‘Backseat Ballet’ by Mark Howard Jones
‘Voom and Bloom’ by Frank Burton
‘Alice in Agony Pink’ by Michelle Mead
‘ADD’ by Chris Patton
‘Shedding’ by Rhian Waller
Purchase Here: http://www.polluto.com/purchase.html
Previous Issues have featured such names as: Jeff VanderMeer, Michael Moorcock, Rhys Hughes, Steve Redwood, and MORE! This is a Limited Edition magazine. 500 copies of the paperback, 100 numbered hardback! Once it sells out, you won’t be able to get it again.
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
You can now pre-order one of the finest hand-illustrated horror mags available in the Small Press. Only 110 copies will be printed up, and with stunning ink-to-paper art by some of today’s leading artists in the field (such as Tom Moran), who wouldn’t want to own a copy? This is a limited edition horror digest with fantastic original art!
Black Ink Horror #5
ORDER BELOW:
http://www.sideshowpresspublications.com/Black_Ink_Horror.html
Fiction and poetry by: Douglas E. Wright, Paul Anderson, Greg Schwartz, MontiLee Stormer, Sam W. Anderson, Lawrence Dagstine, Mark Tullius, Sean Logan, Mike L. Lane, Russell Jackson, David E. Greske, Kris Williams, Jason Hauser, Matthew Bey, James Futch, C.C. Parker, Patrick Rabe, Mo Irvine, Scott Virtes, Kristine Ong Muslim, and Aurelio Rico Lopez III. 17 short stories and 4 poems in all.
Black Ink Horror
I’ll have a zombie story coming to the April 2009 edition of NECROTIC TISSUE. They’re a free PDF download and a fairly new webzine with a liking for horror stories which explore the human condition, the Golden Age yarn, or Tales from the Crypt meets the classic morality play. They also give free T-shirts with each acceptance. How cool is that? Link below.
Necrotic Tissue
DOWNLOAD HERE:
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
First, I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I also hope you braved the Black Friday crowds better than I did. Next, I’ll have a BRAND NEW story coming to the September 2009 issue — I know, a good ways off — of Aoife’s Kiss (Sam’s Dot Publishing). This would be my 10th print acceptance to their magazines; I’ve probably published in the area of thirty with them over the years if you include online. Actually, I’ll have a new story for you in almost every quarterly issue of Aoife’s for some time to come. Including, to my knowledge, the “special” winter issue.
You can view previous issues of Sam’s Dot magazines by clicking below:
http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/purchasecenter/magazines.htm
Next, Tiptree-nominated writer-editor Tyree Campbell and Sam’s Dot will ALSO be releasing my debut collection, which has a couple of blurbs at the moment, and is going by the title FRESH BLOOD. This will be a collection of stories new and old (a lot of new) in the genres of horror and science fiction. This book has taken over a year of edits, building momentum, and to just carefully compile. At the moment, I’m clueless as to how many stories will appear in it – it should be around a minimum of 50,000+ words. But you’ll get a lot of nice variety here, including the kitchen sink.
OTHER SAM’S DOT MAGAZINES WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Sounds of the Night & Beyond Centauri (featuring Lawrence Dagstine)
Each issue is CHOCK full of entertaining fiction & poetry.
Order them now from THE GENRE MALL:
http://www.genremall.com/contents.htm
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
Just a follow-up/reminder post that THE WILLOWS MAGAZINE Fall Issue (September-October) is now on sale. Featuring Lovecraftian-styled tales of terror, Neo and Post-Victorian stories, enchanting tales of dark fantasy, steampunk culture, and other weird fiction delights. Get your copy TODAY!
THE WILLOWS MAGAZINE
September-October 2008
The Willows Magazine, September/October 2008
Featuring Fiction by: Sarah Monette, G.D. Falksen, Lawrence Dagstine, Eric S. Brown, Robey Jenkins, and Michelle Pribbernow. With non-fiction & reviews by Reyna Sparby and Skadi meic Beorh. Edited by Ben Thomas.
PAST ENTRY: https://lawrencedagstine.com/2008/10/22/the-willows-magazine-october-2008-now-available/
Also available, and with much more merchandise coming soon, from The Willows…Sundries! Own your favorite Steampunk/Victorian-styled items. Wear and support your favorite authors: http://www.zazzle.com/wrathofposeidon
Other New Entries: “Magazines”
Lawrence Dagstine: Author 
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