"
The haunted, wonderful stories and poems published by Niteblade are often unsettling and strange but always utterly fantastic. I look forward to every new issue and I am honored that my work has been a part of it." -
Brittany WarmanNow YOU can be a part of Niteblade too!
Short Summary
Niteblade Magazine has been publishing fantasy and horror stories and
poetry since 2007. With every issue we put out we grow and improve and
we are asking for your help in continuing that trend.
This annual fundraiser is the single biggest factor in determining
what our operating budget will be for the upcoming year. That means it
directly effects how many stories and poems we publish.
Your donation will help us pay our writers, artists and web hosts.
"From it's inception, I've had the pleasure of illustrating some
exceptionally fine dark fiction and poetry by name writers as well as those I
wasn't familiar with. Many of the authors went on to more fame in the prozines. Ms.
Parrish is a fantastic editor and her husband Jo is a hugely talented
designer. I can't think of any other single publication that offers such a
variety of dark literature as Niteblade!" - Marge Simon
What We Need & What You Get
We've set our fundraising goal at $500 largely because that is just about enough to make Niteblade break even for the year. In truth, every single dollar matters.
We're not just asking for you to support us because we're awesome
(though we are ;) ) we've also got a load of great perks as incentives.
All these things (handicrafts, books, art) were donated by our generous
authors.
We're offering lots of fun perks. Everything from subscriptions to the magazine (only available during our annual fundraisers) and getting to pick the theme for our next special theme issue (March 2015) to having Bill Ratner record your voice mail message as Flint from GI Joe.
And as always, we're also offering you the chance to own the original art from many of our issues (cover and interior art!). The available covers include:
Issue #26:
A Fixer-UpperIssue #24:
Forbidden IslandIssue #23:
BlodeuweddIssue #20:
CarnivoyeurIssue #18:
Special Poetry Issue (Full-color art)
Issue #15:
First Loves for the First TimeIssue #13:
RosewinterIssue #2:
CarouselCritiques are being offered by Rhonda Parrish, Alexandra Seidel, Suzanne van Rooyen, Pete Aldin, Aaron Polson and Sara Cleto. (More about them below)
We even have cookies!
Every single person who supports this fundraiser with a donation of $1 or more will have their name put into a draw. The winner will receive a complete Niteblade library (that is an electronic copy of every issue we're ever released) plus homemade yoga cookies from Anna Sykora to nom while they read.Add Ons
The following perks can be added on to any other perk package, just increase your donation by the appropriate amount and we'll sort out the details once the fundraiser is over:
Single Issue (add $3)
Submission Feedback (add $5)*
Niteblade Subscription (add $10)
Interior Art (add $15)
Subscription for Two (add $18)
*only available if there are some unclaimed at the end of the fundraiser
The Impact
Last year our fundraiser made just over $600 and because so many of our staff are volunteers that made a huge impact on our budget and planning for the year that followed. How amazing would it be if we matched that this year?
Supporting Niteblade means supporting a small press magazine that
offers high quality fantasy and horror stories and poems to our readers
at reasonable prices. We are author friendly and, though we have
published our fair share of experienced writers, we've also been the
first paid publishing credit for many writers who have gone on to
exciting careers in the industry. We play an important role for them as
the bridge between for-the-love and professional markets. Your support
will help that continue.
Don't just take my word for it, these are direct quotes from some of our contributors:
"I believe in [magazines/eZines] like Niteblade that bridge the gap
between for-the-love markets and professional venues, because without
them, there aren't enough stepping stones for a writer to climb, and
many of us might have given up unaware that our craft was improving.
Niteblade Fantasy and Horror Magazine is a true original, concerned not
with publishing credits, or lack thereof, but simply with great
speculative fiction, from those writers we know well to those we hope to
see again. Having my work published with Niteblade means I'm on the
right track, and for a writer, there is no better validation." - Erin Cole
"Niteblade is a great publication for readers and writers. They
actively seek out the best stories from established, rising, and new
authors. Once an author is connected to Niteblade, they are active
supporters and promoters of the story, the author, and the career. This
publication is one of the good ones." - Jay Wilburn
"Back in 2010, NITEBLADE was the first paying market
to buy one of my short stories. Since then, I've sold stories to a number
of markets, and I'm looking forward to the release of my first book, the YA
science fiction novel SURVIVAL COLONY NINE, which comes out this September. I'll
always think of NITEBLADE as the place that gave me my start (and also the first
journal to pair my words with a really cool illustration!)." - Joshua David Bellin
"The most important moment in an author's life is when you
read, "Congratulations, your work has been accepted." The next most
important moment is when you learn that your work is being published in a truly
creative and excellent literary journal like Niteblade which showcases the best
of up and coming fantasy and horror writers from around the world. Publishing
in Niteblade has taken me forward into the writing life to places I'd never
imagined. Thank you, Niteblade." - Bill Ratner
"My Niteblade story,‘The
Never Fair’, was very early in my writing career – before I went to
Clarion, before I sold to any of the ‘big’ markets. It was a story that
was very important to me personally,
because of the subject matter and how it came to be written. That sale
introduced me to a number of other Niteblade authors who are now good and supportive friends.” - Kenneth Schneyer
"Niteblade took one of my earliest stories, (a horror story about a doll
that exacts a vengeance on her owner), and gave me the confidence to
pursue writing, not just in the dark fantasy or horror genres, but also
in mainstream lit. Their issues are full of great stories by some very
talented writers, both upcoming and
experienced. It's a great zine that I keep coming back to again and
again to read and learn and enjoy." - Kyle Hemmings
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't afford to contribute financially that doesn't mean you
can't help. Please help us spread the word about this campaign by
telling your friends about it and/or using the Indiegogo sharing tools.
The more people that know about this the greater our chance of success.
Whatever you can do to help, Thank you very much, we truly appreciate it. Truly.
"I hope you'll support Niteblade because we need as many magazines with lovely weird speculative poetry as we can get!" - Shira Lipkin
Stretch (and Side) Goals
***Coming Soon***
Meet your critiquers:
Suzanne
is a tattooed storyteller from South Africa. She currently lives in
Finland and finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring.
Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring
strange worlds and creating quirky characters. Her published works
include the cyberpunk novel DRAGON'S TEETH and the YA novels OBSCURA
BURNING and THE OTHER ME. When not writing, she teaches dance and music
to middle schoolers and entertains her shiba inu, Lego.
Suzanne is represented by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Agency.
She is also the publicity manager for Entranced Publishing.
*
Pete Aldin has
been writing scifi/fantasy/horror since he was a kid. A few years ago he
finally decided to take himself and his muse seriously, and started
finishing stories. With one pro sale to IGMS and pieces in ASIM,
Niteblade, Out of the Gutter and flurry of upcoming anthologies, he's
beginning to think he made a good decision. But it's early days...
Pete lives in
Melbourne, Australia, with his wife, two musical sons and their small
yappy dog. His addictions include chocolate, coffee, Strongbow ciders,
Medieval Total War and FIFA13 on Xbox. He doesn't like pina colada or
taking walks in the rain.
He can be found lurking in the shadows at
www.petealdin.com (currently hacked and under repair...grrrr).
*
Aaron
Polson currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas with his wife and half dozen
kids. He
spent thirteen years as a high school and community college English
instructor before becoming a guidance counselor. Aaron is still unsure of
his future plans. His stories have been reprinted in
The Best of Every Day Fiction 2009
and 2010, listed as a recommended read by Tangent
Online 2009 & 2011, received
honorable mention in the storySouth
Million Writers Award and Ellen Datlow’s Best
Horror of the Year.*
Sara Cleto is a PhD student at the Ohio State University, where she
studies folklore, literature, and the places where they intersect. She
also teaches writing composition courses thematically grounded in fairy
tales, mythology, and the supernatural. Her creative work can be found
in Ideomancer, Cabinet des Fees: Scheherazade's Bequest, Niteblade, and
others. Her poem "The Second Law of Thermodynamics," co-written with
Brittany Warman, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize.
*
Rhonda Parrish is driven by a
desire to do All The Things. She has been the publisher and editor-in-chief of Niteblade
Magazine for over five years now (which is like 25 years in internet time)
and is the editor of the forthcoming World Weaver Press anthology, Fae.
In
addition, Rhonda is a writer whose work has been included or is forthcoming in
dozens of publications including Tesseracts 17: Speculating Canada from
Coast to Coast and Mythic Delirium.
Her website, updated weekly, is at
http://www.rhondaparrish.com*
Writing as Damien Walters Grintalis, Damien’s
short fiction has appeared in Lightspeed, Strange Horizons, Beneath
Ceaseless Skies, Interzone, Fireside, Daily Science Fiction, and others,
and her debut novel, Ink, was released in December 2012 by Samhain
Horror. As Damien Angelica Walters, her work has appeared or is
forthcoming in Apex, Shimmer, Shock Totem, Strange Horizons, Lightspeed,
Daily Science Fiction, Nightmare, Drabblecast, Pseudopod, the
anthologies Glitter & Mayhem and What Fates Impose, and others. A
collection of her short fiction will be released in 2014 from Apex
Publications.
She is also a freelance editor, a staff writer with
BooklifeNow, the online companion to Jeff VanderMeer's Booklife:
Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer, and until the
magazine's closing in 2013, she was an Associate Editor of the Hugo
Award-winning Electric Velocipede. You can find her online at http://damienangelicawalters.com.
*
Alexa Seidel was hired by Niteblade's
Beloved Editor to be to the incoming poems what a scythe is to...well; depends
on who's wielding that scythe. In any case, Alexa likes to always have plenty
poetry slush to scythe through, and if there isn't enough she can be found
moonlighting in the fiction pile.
Other than that there are her own writing
pursuits, some of which have been published at places like Strange Horizons, Mythic
Delirium, Goblin Fruit, and elsewhere.
You can follow Alexa on Twitter
@Alexa_Seidel or check out her blog at www.
tigerinthematchstickbox.blogspot.com or both.
*
Nathanael Green is a full-time freelance writer based in upstate New
York. With a master's degree in creative writing, he also teaches
college composition, humanities, and creative writing. Some of his
fiction and essays have appeared in Gigantic Sequins, 322 Review, Apiary Magazine, and, of course, Niteblade.
More Niteblade Endorsements
Our authors are so fabulous, that many more offered endorsements than I was able to use in the body of this fundraiser, but if you have any doubt about the value and importance of Niteblade, give them a read. Aww, c'mon, give them a read anyway :)
"I'm proud to support Niteblade because Niteblade supported me.
When
I was an emerging writer, Rhonda Parrish not only accepted one of my
pieces for publication, she bestowed upon me what I consider to be the
highest honor of my career: she nominated my piece for the Pushcart
Prize.
That an editor would take such pride in
her authors that she would send in nominations for this esteemed
prize makes me feel truly fortunate to be a part of the Niteblade
family. I look forward to reading the magazine and discovering the
authors and pieces that she selects, and I smile knowing she is busy
making other authors feel the same immense joy I do.
Please
consider supporting Niteblade today--you will help to continue Rhonda's
wonderful endeavor to publish new writers and new writing. In return,
you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped support a growing
community of readers and authors, and you get to look forward to seeing
more issues of this fabulous publication." - Ash Krafton
"I’m on a lifelong journey to share
the best stories I can write with as many readers as I can find. I’m
grateful for publications like Niteblade that give writers the
opportunity to do just that, and I look forward to reading and writing
the kind of speculative fiction that Rhonda and Niteblade will continue to publish for many years to come." - Milo James Fowler
"I like Niteblade's wide embrace when it comes to
poetic forms: genre poetry, literary poetry, poetry that is both literary and
genre focused at the same time - what matters is the quality. For a writer whose
work straddles both forms, this is important." - J.S. Watts
"Niteblade consistently presents a solid and entertaining mix of fiction
and poetry." - Bruce Boston, author of The Guardener's Tale
"As the popular presses turn ever more to standard, lackluster formats,
and churn out a repetitive stream of plodding porridge, it is essential to
support the small presses that address the needs of those readers and writers
who dare to experiment, dare to work with genre and panache, and expand the
literary horizon. If we do not support our various niches, we will soon be
forced into one gray amalgam and all fed the same gruel. Private largesse must
make up for commercial favor. If you are reading this message, you have some
connection to our struggling small presses. Lend not only your attention and
emotional support, but some small financial token of your solidarity." - Ken Poyner
"Why should you support Niteblade Magazine?
You will be helping to keep a small press magazine going
that offers up a superb range of high-quality fiction and poetry for so very
little cost to the reader that it's practically stealing. Treat yourself to
an evening of vibrant dreams and twisted nightmares - support Niteblade
Magazine.
Niteblade Magazine takes an active role in editing the
stories it accepts, and that is not something you tend to find in small press
publications - they help the writer to produce a stronger story and the readers
get better fiction as a result. I can vouch for the high quality of the editing
that was done on my story, and for any up-and-coming writers out there, you
really can learn a lot from a damned good edit." - Cameron Johnston
"In a world of multinationals and
conglomerates, it's important to keep alive the niche markets and small
presses that give writers the stepping stones required to build a
career. Niteblade is
exactly that market for the world of dark fantasy and horror. It is in
the best sense a labor of love, and readers are the better for it. And
who knows? In perusing Niteblade's pages, you might be face to face with the next Stephen King or Tanith Lee. Long live small presses! Please consider contributing to
Niteblade's fundraising campaign." - Mark Rigney
"Niteblade Magazine is really something special. Rhonda has a keen eye
for great horror and dark fantasy, and weaves together each issue of
Niteblade with a wonderful mix of short stories and poems. I was lucky
enough to have one my first fiction acceptances be at Niteblade, and
Rhonda's careful editorship brought out the full potential of the tale
and helped it become what I consider among my strongest stories to date.
Niteblade is, and will continue to be, a place I am very proud to have
been a part of.
If you haven't yet, sit down with an issue and enjoy. You're in for a good ride." - Cory Cone
"Niteblade was the magazine that first brought my writing into the public
sphere. It was 2009 and I'd finished my first short story that I
thought was worthy enough to be published outside of my high school
literary rag. Even though I thought it was too experimental to find a
home, when I received Rhonda's kind words of acceptance and praise, I
couldn't believe my luck. The issue in which my story appears is the
publication of my career that I cherish the most (I've even framed the
illustration they drew to accompany my story). Niteblade is more than
just a platform; it's a community of writers, editors and readers who
love the craft. They helped me become the writer I am today. This
magazine deserves its long standing history and legacy and I applaud
their constant and persistent success in bringing important works and
words to life." - Salena Casha
