Their website is one of the best I have navigated in a long time. The landing page is clutter free and the submissions tab is clearly visible on the home page. The submissions page links to a writing guidelines page. Red Sage’s writing guidelines are clearly laid out and broken down into four sections. They state that they look mainly for plot driven stories and describe the types of main characters that appeals to their market.

A bonus for authors is their blog page dedicated to their new releases and authors. The blog is communal and ensures that authors have an unofficial community where they can meet with readers. Another positive note is that the blog page links from the submissions page and also has a visible and easily accessible tab on the home page. Prospective authors wishing to learn more about their authors will have to visit their blog and read through the blog entries to get more information.

A web search for any negative comments did not yield much results. In fact the authors who published with them were pretty happy with the editing, payment, etc.

Unfortunately they don’t pay advances but they do pay 40% royalties on the cover price of all sales from their web store and 45% for digital sales sold through third party vendors. They do not publish previously published books.

The broad categories of fiction they publish are contemporary, historical, alternate worlds, pure erotica and, anthologies and series. The category lengths range from 25,000 words to 100,000 words.

Read more about Red Sage here.

Bio Sheritha Singh writes erotic fiction under the pseudonym Lace Higgins. She was previously published by Breathless Press but now publishes her own work online here. Sheritha writes between studying, working as a lecturer at a community college, dreaming, eating and pretty much indulging in anything creative.  Sheritha loves hearing from fans. Please tweet @Shersinghzn.

Memoryhouse is published four times a year. They accept submissions year-round; however, submissions are reviewed as a whole twice per quarter. You can find the deadline for their most current review period online. They welcome poems, essays, works of narrative nonfiction, short stories, and works of flash fiction. Authors may submit any number of pieces of any length.

Memoryhouse accepts submissions via email, but not online or by post. Authors whose submissions are accepted by Memoryhouse have the opportunity to work with the Memoryhouse editors to prepare their writing for publication. The editing process is intended to be constructive for both the authors and editors. Though authors are not required to accept all suggested changes, they should be prepared to adjust their writing according to editorial guidance.

If you would like to learn more or submit to Memoryhouse, please visit their website at https://chicagomemoryhouse.wordpress.com/submit/.

Everything I ever needed to know about being an author I’ve learned from authors in movies. May these nuggets of wisdom guide you along your path to authorship:

LESSON #10 – THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001)

What They Said: Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) contemplates his retirement: “I’ve got to get away from these confounded relatives hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment’s peace […] then settle down somewhere quiet where I can finish my book.”

What I Learned: It is OK to ignore my phone. It is OK to say NO.  NO to parties. NO to running errands. NO to helping the confounded neighbors move. Saying NO keeps me sane and focused when my procrastination superpowers are at their peak.

LESSON #9 – STRANGER THAN FICTION (2006)

What They Said: Researcher Jules Hilbert (Dustin Hoffman) informs Harold Crick (Will Ferrell): “I’ve just ruled out half of Greek literature, seven fairy tales, ten Chinese fables, and determined conclusively that you are not King Hamlet, Scout Finch, Miss Marple, Frankenstein’s monster, or a golem. Hmm? Aren’t you relieved to know you’re not a golem?”

What I Learned: It is OK that I don’t know what my actual genre is, yet.

LESSON #8 – YOUNG ADULT (2011)

What They Said: Author Mavis Gary-Crane (Charlize Theron) asks a bookstore employee: “Do you want a signed copy? For the store?”

Employee: “No, that’s OK.”

What I Learned: I will never, ever sign my own books unless management specifically asks me to because that was the most awkward scene in any movie, ever.

LESSON #7 – SINISTER (2012)

What They Said: Author Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) gets it: “I’d rather cut my hands off than write a book for fame or money.”

What I Learned: I write horror but can’t stomach watching it. The preview for this movie is the stuff of nightmares.

LESSON #6 – THE LAND OF THE LOST (2009)

What They Said: This on-air exchange between Author Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) and naysayer Matt Lauer (as himself) is inspired:

Dr. Rick Marshall: “This is for you. I signed it. [Hands a book to Lauer. Pause.] You’re supposed to say the title and the publisher.”

Matt Lauer: “That’s not gonna happen.”

Dr. Rick Marshall: “Just say it.”

Matt Lauer: “No.”

Dr. Rick Marshall: “Just say the damn title.”

Matt Lauer: “Fine.” [Shows book to audience]: “Matt Lauer Can Suck It by Dr. Rick Marshall.”

What I Learned: The title comes last. And Matt Lauer is a treasure.

LESSON #5 – LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)

What They Said: When the hand-typed pages of his manuscript go flying into a lake, Author Jamie (Colin Firth) admits: “I really must do copies.”

What I Learned: I will back up digital and print copies frequently. Nostalgic shenanigans are not worth the potential risk of losing days, weeks, or months of work.

LESSON #4 – THE SHINING (1980)

What They Said: Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) rants about his sacrosanct writing time to his wife: “Whenever you come in here and interrupt me, you’re breaking my concentration. You’re distracting me. And it will then take me time to get back to where I was.”

What I Learned: I will welcome interruptions and breaks because they keep me from feeling overwhelmed by my work and/or disconnected from my family. And I will never house sit a possessed hotel.

LESSON #3 – LADY IN THE WATER (2006)

What They Said: Amateur writer Vick (M. Night Shyamalan) humblebrags about his potentially world-changing manuscript: “There’s a lot of things in The Cookbook people won’t like to hear.”

What I Learned: I don’t need my manuscript to change the world. I just need it give my nine nieces and nephews some laughs. And fear-induced insomnia.

LESSON #2 – BECOMING JANE (2007)

What They Said: As Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) honors her friends and family with an original speech, rakish dreamboat Thomas LeFroy (James McAvoy) despairs: “Good God, there’s writing on both sides of those pages…”

What I Learned: I will choose my beta readers with discretion. Not everyone wants to hear about my book.

LESSON #1 – A KNIGHT’S TALE (2001)

What They Said: Writer Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) finally confronts his bullies: “I will eviscerate you in fiction. Every pimple, every character flaw. I was naked for a day; you will be naked for eternity.”

What I Learned: I live vicariously through my main character. When she stands up for herself against someone who may or may not look a lot like that girl who bullied me in grade school, I am avenged. With grace, stealth, and ink, I will eviscerate my bullies in middle grade fiction.

Bio: Erica Secor lives near some trees with her husband and two human-like dogs. When she’s not reading college English papers, she writes (and was a) middle grade horror.

This Bridge Called Language Anthology

This Bridge Called Language is an upcoming anthology of real-life stories, each inspired by an “untranslatable” word from around the world. They are seeking personal stories/memoir inspired by untranslatable words that capture the essence and experience of the word more than any direct translation could. They are not interested in poetry or fiction.

Authors will receive a copy of the book and a bio in the collection. They will also receive an unspecified token payment.

The Deadline is March 31, 2016. Visit their website to submit or learn more.

Stories of Music: Volume 2

This is a forthcoming anthology about the ways in which music has changed people’s lives. Volume 1 was previously featured on this website last year. They are currently accepting submissions in a variety of categories, including nonfiction, poetry, photography, audio recordings, and video works. Stories should be focused on music and the impact it has on people’s lives, from its role in healing, community, cultural or family traditions to musicianship, travel experiences, or any other experience with music.

Each author selected for publication will receive $200 and a contributor copy of the book. The deadline is April 1, 2016.

Ten percent of the book’s proceeds will be donated to music-centered nonprofit organizations. Learn more about Stories of Music and submit your story here: https://www.storiesofmusic.com/submit-a-story.

Travellin’ Mama: Mothers, Mothering and Travel

Demeter Press is publishing this anthology that is looking for fiction, poems, and creative prose about mothers and travel.

The submission Deadline is April 30th 2016. To learn more or to submit visit their website here.