Talebones is published twice a year and is a digest-sized perfect-bound magazine that features science fiction and dark fantasy. It is a 90-108 page, semi-pro magazine with a full color glossy cover. It is available by subscription, mail order companies, and specialty book stores.
We want entertaining, literate stories that straddle the edge of the dark, with three dimensional characters. We want dark fantasy, not horror...that is, there needs to be a supernatural element to your stories. We publish more straight science fiction stories these days. We publish established and brand new writers alike. If a story really sends us, we'll publish it without concerning ourselves with guidelines. As a general rule, however, we don't publish straight slash/hack horror, vampire fiction, cat stories, writer stories, abuse stories, revenge stories, or stories narrated by young adults or children.
We do not accept simultaneous submissons or reprints of any kind. Also refrain from multiple submissions.We receive about 200 manuscripts a month. Our response time averages 2-6 weeks.
Manuscripts should be no longer that 6,000 words. If you have something longer that you would like us to consider, please query first. We are a pretty hard sale for flash fiction and short-shorts. Payment is 1-2 cents per word, USA funds, by contract. We purchase 1st North American Serial Rights and sometimes 1st Electronic Rights. All subsidiary rights released upon publication. We respond on most submissions in 4-8 weeks.
We consider all forms and themes suitable for our content and focus. Longer works must justify length by their content. Payment is a flat rate of $10. We purchase 1st North American Serial Rights and sometimes 1st Electronic Rights. All subsidiary rights released upon publication. We respond on most submissions in 4-8 weeks.
We use line art, photography, collage, cartoons, etc., throughout our publication, although we are set with mainline artists at the moment. We are not adding new artists at this time. Payment is $50 per cover and $15-$20 per interior, in USA funds, by contract upon completion of assignment. We purchase 1st North American Serial Rights and sometimes 1st Electronic Rights. All subsidiary rights released upon publication.
All columns, interviews and book reviews are set and handled internally.
Industry standard manuscript format is expected (though poetry should be single spaced to avoid format confusion when converting for publication). Send quality photocopies, not originals.
If you are sending artwork, photos, or similar, make sure they are clean, quality copies -- not originals, not low resolution or dirty photocopies. Preferably they should be samples that we can keep on file for future reference.
Use a manuscript size envelope (9x12 inches minimum) for any submission containing more than 5 sheets of paper; do not use legal or stationery envelopes. Include a cover letter with your submission that contains your name, address, phone, email address (if available), and a title listing of content (Story, poem, or artwork titles). This is so we can cross-reference cover letters with submission contents if need be. You may also provide biographical information if you wish.
And as a last reminder, once again, do not send originals!
We accept submissions only in hardcopy by postal mail. We do not accept email submissions.
NOTE: Please query on all art/photo submissions.
- Hardcopy Postal Submissions
- Refer to "Submission Format" above for further details. Include an SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelop) of manuscript size with sufficient attached USA postage or equivalent IRCs to return the manuscript. Don't guess! Take it to the post office to be weighed and purchase accurate postage. Do not send submissions by registered or certified mail. Alternatively you may use a #10 envelope SASE for our response only and mark your submission as DISPOSABLE, indicating the same in your cover letter. Hardcopy postal submissions with improper or missing SASEs will not receive a response.
Postal submissions should be mailed to the magazine's physical address at
Patrick Swenson, editor
Talebones Magazine
21528 104th Street Ct E
Bonney Lake, WA 98391