Calls for Submissions: Echoes, Eyeballs, and Ire

Hello all! It’s been awhile since my last blog, but I’ve been busy writing and revising, so I’m sure you understand. I’d like to make you aware of a few active calls for submissions. These are perfect if you need to be inspired by a topic.

SPECTRA MAGAZINE is hosting a Flash Fiction contest. Per their guidelines, “All you need to do is visit the Spectra Magazine forums and start a new thread in the Flash Fiction section, completing a science fiction, horror or fantasy story in 60 words or less that begins with the sentence: A sudden echo from the corridor said this place wasn’t deserted after all.”

THE NEW FLESH just announced they’re going to war. That’s right, a flash fiction war. Editors, William Pauley III and Brian Barnett are looking for 1,000 words or less on the theme: ...and that's why I keep my eye in a pickle jar.

This should prove quite interesting. All details can be found here.


HOUSE OF HORRORS is open for submissions to their latest anthology, Tales of a Woman Scorned. Per their guidelines, “This anthology will be a collection of all those stories of what women will do to get what they want. From bunny boilers, to black widows, we want to read your darkest stories about these psychotic women. We are looking for stories of between 2000-5000 words. Reprints are welcome as long as you have permission to sell your story again.”

The very cool thing about House of Horror’s anthology is that you get paid. Yep, paid. Paid for your story and for royalties on sales when buyers mention your name (and yes, this will slightly quell the rage of this particular angel).

Editor, S.E. Cox is a wonderful writer and a huge support for fellow writers. Read all about it here.

Clarity of Night: Diamond in the Rough

My Clarity of Night Contest entry, Diamond in the Rough has been posted by contest host, Jason Evans. Feel free to read and leave comments.

There’s still time to view the picture prompt and create a 250 word flash piece for submission. The deadline is 10:00pm, this Wednesday, July 28th. There are seven place prizes including a $100.00 Amazon Gift Card.

Entries can be found here and contest rules here.

Flashes in the Dark: The Hired Hand

My entry, The Hired Hand for the Flashes in the Dark Resurrection Contest can be found here. Use the Authors drop down bar (select category) and select Resurrection for all the entries submitted for this contest. There have been some brilliant stories created by many talented writers.

My continued gratitude to editors Lori Titus and Robert Eccles.

Every Day Poets: Flight Attendant

New poem up today at Every Day Poets. If you get a chance, do a fly by and take a gander at my Flight Attendant.

Have a safe 4th of July weekend!

Zombie Luv Flash Fic Contest: Dead Flames

Dead Flames

Eventually, as was bound to happen, the last two zombies walked the earth. She was frail and missing an ear. He was tall and infested with flies. They saw each other from a great distance, through the rubble of a fallen city.

It was no longer clear what drove them forward, starvation or curiosity. On the eastern bank of a dry river bed, she waited. He shambled over bones and glass, approached her with dead, glassy eyes.

The sound of voices had almost been forgotten.

"Pain," he rasped, either statement or question was unknown.

She snarled, bit down on her own tongue.

They faced each other, the Adam and Eve of an apocalyptic garden, and felt the promise of fruit. He stared at her torn blouse, the colorless nipples of her exposed breasts, and slowly reached for her hand. She let him touch her, feel her cold skin.

"Pain," he said again and brought her fingers to his ruined face. She ignored the unyielding ache of her own hunger and allowed him this slight comfort. He looked up, pointed to the west, and began to lead her in that direction.

They walked like that for days with the sun roasting their flesh. They searched, but there was no one left to eat.

One night, she stumbled on loose stones and collapsed in a heap. One of his knees snapped when he bent to lift her from the ground. She caught him in her arms. Breathless, he nuzzled his teeth on her neck. They held each other in the dirt until dawn, without sleep or the sweet scent of blood to console them.

After three cities, a gray canyon, and the apex of two frozen mountains, they arrived at the end of the world. The crumbling ravine before them overlooked a sea of fire.

In a brief discharge of dormant synapses, she remembered the ocean had once roared against this raging, desolate shore. She examined her own desiccated body, and, for the first time since death, yearned for any sign of life.

He watched the inferno burn and cast orange light on his companion’s withered face. Somewhere in his spine, a decayed vertebra broke free and he was consequently bent forward. She regarded it as a gesture of supplication and pressed him to her. Their tattered clothes began to smoke and smolder.

“Pain,” she spoke at last, and it was the echo of snapping firewood in her throat.

They stood there, two lost candles waiting for the flames to validate their love.

Copyright © 2010, Angel Zapata
_________________________________
Guidelines:

• Word count: maximum 1.000


• The story must be a romance between two zombies. Make it as horrific as you like. ;)
  


• Stories containing animal cruelty, torture, graphic sex or violence, any form of exaltation of violence, racism or other forms of prejudice will be immediately disqualified.
  


• Post your entry on your own blog, with a title resembling this:
  Zombie Luv Flash Fic Contest: Story Title
  


• Leave your story title and a link to the story entry post as a comment at Mari's Randomities.
  


• Copy and paste the contest logo and the guidelines at the end of your entry post.

New Poems at Boston Literary Magazine & Every Day Poets

Editor, Robin Stratton of Boston Literary Magazine has published my poem, The Paramedic Student Memoirs in the Summer 2010 issue. Robin offered a sound critique to my original submission, and I’m thrilled with the final product. Read it here.

Oonah V. Joslin and the staff at Every Day Poets feature my poem, We Will Not Speak of Stones. They always provide great personal feedback on the selection process of submissions. Drop by and read my work here.

Flashes in the Dark: Detour

My story, Detour is featured today at one of my favorite horror e-zines, Flashes in the Dark. A slightly different version was originally published in the print publication, Twisted Tongue, Issue 13.

Go and read the latest version here.

Soft Whispers: Still Life with Rooster

Issue 5 of Soft Whispers has been released. My story, Still Life with Rooster, based on a photo prompt, can be found in its pages. Many thanks to editor, Jim Wisneski.

Download your very own copy here.

Resurrecting The Seashell House

My writing buddies, Erin Cole and Michael Solender have resurrected old six sentence stories based on a picture prompt, The Seashell House and have posted it on their blogs here and here. Thought I'd join them...

The Seashell House

A Mexican couple on the verge of divorce paid an architect to design their old home into a perfect replica of a seashell. Eight months later, they moved back in and discovered they could no longer hear each other speak. The surf of the ocean was too loud an echo. She cried silently for weeks, until the taste of her quiet tears became the salt of his earth. He eventually stopped wiping away her wet kisses, and instead let them dry slowly on his cheeks. They’ve never been happier.

Zombie Summer, Resurrection, Stitched Up

There are several active calls for submissions you should be aware of. Let’s get to it!

ZOMBIE SUMMER

Last year, xTx hosted Elephant Summer over at Nothing To Say. Participants were encouraged to scribe all things elephant. You can download the PDF here. This year, submissions will be accepted for Zombie Summer. The announcement reads, “Anything goes as long as it has a zombie innit!! Zombie Haikus or zombie interviews or zombie drawings, anything you want to send me. 10 words to 2,000! It’s up to you!” Learn more here. Use those brains before they’re eaten.

FLASHES IN THE DARK: RESURRECTION CONTEST

Yep, Lori Titus and Robert Eccles are hosting another exciting contest at their daily fiction site. Submissions are being accepted until June 25, 2010. They are asking for stories “about things that are dead–or undead—that come back. Ghosts, zombies, demons, vampires, or anything that you can dream of that isn’t supposed to be on this side of the ground. We love old monsters with new twists, new monsters with old sensibilities, and anything in between.” Read all submission guidelines here.

HOUSE OF HORROR: STITCHED UP

Editor, S.E. Cox has announced open submissions for a brand new anthology, Stitched Up. She states, “This time round we are lending our eyes towards the Zombie/Frankenstein theme. It doesn’t just have to stay with these monsters – this is an anthology of stitched up flesh, so think about that when writing your story.” All submission guidelines can be found here.