Big Pulp : Submission Guidelines

WHAT WE NEED - updated Jan. 27, 2008

We have found that not all genres are created equal and that even within the genres, some types of stories are more popular than others. The notes below are some observations regarding the work we've seen and what we haven't seen. Keep in mind that by the time you read this note, this could all change. If you have something to send, please do, but don't write for the gap. Write for yourself.

Horror
A large portion of our submissions have been in the horror genre. This is a very competitive area.

Mystery
We've received a lot of crime and ghost stories and very few classic whodunnits.

Adventure
This is a wide-open genre. Just about anything could fit here - war, survivalist, pirates, sports, vikings, a really stressful chess game. Even historical, depending on the plot.

Science Fiction
We have received very little science fiction, thus far. The super-intelligent, talking, Nazi gorilla sub-genre is grievously under-represented.

Romance
We've received lots of poetry, very little fiction. Be warned - we have found ourselves to be quite picky on romantic fiction. Don't take it personally. We definitely don't want formula woman-meets-unattainable-male fantasies (or vice versa) but we also aren't especially interested in how badly you were treated by your ex (just saying...) Like pornography, we'll know it when we see it. Like pornography, we would like to see more of it.

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WHAT WE LIKE

Following are some of our ideas about genre entertainment. These aren’t rules, but we hope they will provide food for thought regarding your fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and artwork. Most importantly - think creatively, do your best work, and have fun!

Fantasy
Fantasy did not begin in the Middle Ages nor end with the Renaissance. People create magic every day, unaccompanied by thunder claps or sparkles. You do it with every story you write. Conversely, mundane events occur in the lives of even the most fantastical creatures. Surprise us!

Mystery
Most mysteries involve a crime or a threat of crime, but it’s not necessary. “Is that bastard cheating on me?” is also a mystery, provided someone is actively trying to find the answer. In a broad sense, an element of curiosity or the unknown would be pervasive in a Big Pulp mystery.

Humor
Okay, so maybe "humor" isn't a classic pulp fiction genre, but we like to laugh as much as the next group of bleary-eyed, oily-fingered editors. In general, if we can't fit a story into one of our other six genres, but still want to publish it anyway, we'll call it humor. It helps if you're funny, but experimental, flash, and slice-of-life fiction and poetry are okay, too.

Adventure
Adventure comes in many forms - as physical challenges or mental puzzles - and in many venues - on mountain trails or the theater of war.Your protagonist could be an undercover CIA agent, a grunt in Iraq, a balloonist flying around the world, a doctor treating refugees, or an artist racing to get a contest submission to a gallery before a deadline. Strive for suspense, high stakes, and a spirit of achievement.

Horror
Vampires are horrific, but so is Rwanda. We love a good zombie tale, but we’re just as scared of people who believe everything they see on TV. Scare us with monsters, human inhumanity, or a devastating psychological truth.

Science Fiction
We love hard science and space operas equally. Alternative histories and speculative future fiction would also be welcome here. Physics is fascinating, but remember that politics and sociology are also sciences. The family unit has evolved more in the past thirty years than the automobile or the handgun. Charm us with dinosaurs or talking apes.

Romance
Not all romances are requited, nor are they guaranteed happy endings. Heartache is a part of romance, as is vengeance. People fall in love or become obsessed with lots of things, not just other people.

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*WHAT WE NEED - updated Jan. 27, 2008* We have found that not all genres are created equal and that even within the genres, some types of stories are more popular than others. The notes below are some observations regarding the work we've seen and what we haven't seen. Keep in mind that by the time you read this note, this could all change. If you have something to send, please do, but don't write for the gap. Write for yourself. Horror A large portion of our submissions have been in the horror genre. This is a very competitive area. Mystery We've received a lot of crime and ghost stories and very few classic whodunnits. Adventure This is a wide-open genre. Just about anything could fit here - war, survivalist, pirates, sports, vikings, a really stressful chess game. Even historical, depending on the plot. Science Fiction We have received very little science fiction, thus far. The super-intelligent, talking, Nazi gorilla sub-genre is grievously under-represented. Romance We've received lots of poetry, very little fiction. Be warned - we have found ourselves to be quite picky on romantic fiction. Don't take it personally. We definitely don't want formula woman-meets-unattainable-male fantasies (or vice versa) but we also aren't especially interested in how badly you were treated by your ex (just saying...) Like pornography, we'll know it when we see it. Like pornography, we would like to see more of it. Back to guidelines
*WHAT WE LIKE* Following are some of our ideas about genre entertainment. These aren’t rules, but we hope they will provide food for thought regarding your fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and artwork. Most importantly - think creatively, do your best work, and have fun! Fantasy Fantasy did not begin in the Middle Ages nor end with the Renaissance. People create magic every day, unaccompanied by thunder claps or sparkles. You do it with every story you write. Conversely, mundane events occur in the lives of even the most fantastical creatures. Surprise us! Mystery Most mysteries involve a crime or a threat of crime, but it’s not necessary. “Is that bastard cheating on me?” is also a mystery, provided someone is actively trying to find the answer. In a broad sense, an element of curiosity or the unknown would be pervasive in a Big Pulp mystery. Humor Okay, so maybe "humor" isn't a classic pulp fiction genre, but we like to laugh as much as the next group of bleary-eyed, oily-fingered editors. In general, if we can't fit a story into one of our other six genres, but still want to publish it anyway, we'll call it humor. It helps if you're funny, but experimental, flash, and slice-of-life fiction and poetry are okay, too. Adventure Adventure comes in many forms - as physical challenges or mental puzzles - and in many venues - on mountain trails or the theater of war.Your protagonist could be an undercover CIA agent, a grunt in Iraq, a balloonist flying around the world, a doctor treating refugees, or an artist racing to get a contest submission to a gallery before a deadline. Strive for suspense, high stakes, and a spirit of achievement. Horror Vampires are horrific, but so is Rwanda. We love a good zombie tale, but we’re just as scared of people who believe everything they see on TV. Scare us with monsters, human inhumanity, or a devastating psychological truth. Science Fiction We love hard science and space operas equally. Alternative histories and speculative future fiction would also be welcome here. Physics is fascinating, but remember that politics and sociology are also sciences. The family unit has evolved more in the past thirty years than the automobile or the handgun. Charm us with dinosaurs or talking apes. Romance Not all romances are requited, nor are they guaranteed happy endings. Heartache is a part of romance, as is vengeance. People fall in love or become obsessed with lots of things, not just other people. Back to guidelines