I am an Alaskan writer and resident for over thirty-four years. I have wanted to be a writer since I picked up my first primer. Recently, my short story “The Changing of Magic” was accepted by Silver Blade Magazine, and I have three other stories currently short listed. Still, I am a new writer. I know what it feels like to receive a form letter declining my work.
At the beginning of August 2009, I noticed that out of a dozen or so friends who are authors, editors or owners of online journals, most worked or published within the horror genre. Though sometimes coined as a dark writer, I lean toward the more speculative side of fiction. The kindled spark of a Sci-Fi and Fantasy Journal formed.
I solicited my friends from the brighter-shining journals of Liquid Imagination, Silver Blade and Static Movement, several editors, authors of short stories and novels; and most importantly, Frank Hagan, my web genius friend for assistance. With their help and advice, I knew that I could make the journal work.
I was already the owner of the domain Aurorawolf.com, an Alaskan Sailing website that never quite filled her sails. My friend, Frank, deserves all the credit for converting the website to the progressive format the viewer sees today. The online journal is still taking shape as ideas occur to us and suggestions from other sources come in.
By August 23rd, Aurora Wolf Literary Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy was up and running. We launched with only two stories from contributing authors Deborah Salisbury and Shaun Ryan. They were soon joined by two well published friends, Margaret McGaffey Fisk and Michael H. Hanson. Registering with Duotrope’s Digest and Ralan brought in twenty-four more stories within the first week of September from which I selected work by authors James Hartley and Billy Wong.
Currently I am collecting short stories for the October and November issue as well as the holiday issue of December and January. Please feel free to send stories of twenty-five hundred to five thousand words at anytime.
One might call my desire to publish work from our state a whim. Perhaps there is a twist that 49 Writers has ingrained in them that one might not find elsewhere. Here in Alaska I have spoken to writers that just did not know where to get started. I am extending my hand in friendship.
I would like to work with both new and previously published authors. If you have a story that must be told, read Aurora Wolf’s guidelines to see if my publication fits your needs. If I cannot use a story, I will not send out a form letter. The author will receive an e-mail stating why or what I need to make a quality story work for me. Presently, my turn-around time is one to three days, a commitment I intend to keep. http://aurorawolf.com/
Aurora Wolf is also seeking graphic artists; I believe that the written word can be accompanied by visual aspects that help readers remember a story well into the future. Accepted artists’ names will be acknowledged so that they may receive publishing credit.
In the future, I hope to make more than a token payment for short stories and artwork. A positive plus that I do offer is to keep the writer’s story or art in an online archive for up to one year. Writers may add hyperlinks to their stories from their own websites. I have also made arrangements, within a year from now, in 2010, to publish a print anthology with John A. Miller’s Liquid Imagination Publishing. Archived stories selected by the editors will be offered a new contract with payment at that time. Artwork will be eligible for the 2010 anthology as well.
I hope to receive messages soon at editor@aurorawolf.com from readers of 49 Writers. Please tell me if you heard about Aurora Wolf Literary Journal here, and mention that you’re a resident or admirer of Alaska. If I may be of assistance or answer any further questions, please feel free to ask.