From a writer’s point-of-view, it can be difficult to determine where to send which short story, and when to send it. When I’m chatting with other writers and they discover that I edit an online journal, I always hear the same question, “What kind of stories do you publish?” On a broad level, everything we publish in The Externalist needs to be socially significant–that is, the central theme of the story needs to relate somehow to cultural, regional, political, or environmental thought or ideology. Admittedly, the work in The Externalist leans left, but we aren’t at all opposed to publishing quality work from the other side of the political spectrum. Even this explanation leaves a lot up to the writer, so here are a few other tips for those considering a fiction submission to The Externalist:
Archive for November, 2008
Fiction Note: What Are You Looking For?
Friday, November 21st, 2008Rich Murphy Book Available
Friday, November 14th, 2008Externalist contributor Rich Murphy has announced that his book, The Apple in the Monkey Tree, is available from Codhill Press, and his latest chapbook, Family Secret, is available from Finishing Line Press. Murphy lives in the Boston area and teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Jeanpaul Ferro’s Book Now Available
Friday, November 14th, 2008Externalist contributor Jeanpaul Ferro announces that his latest book, Becoming X, is now available for free download at BlazeVOX Books. With his announcement, he also issued thanks to Lisa Zaran of Contemporary American Voices, Frederic Reamer of NPR, and Tom Chandler writing in the Arts section of the Providence Sunday Journal for their support.
Have You Sponsored an Editor Lately?
Friday, November 14th, 2008Part of the mission of The Externalist is to combine literature with activism and philanthropy. In accordance with that mission, I have volunteered to participate in Dzanc Books’ Write-a-Thon, a fundraiser to help them continue their activities for writers, literary journals, and communities. Dzanc Books hosts the most exciting Fellowship for writers that I’ve ever seen, so it was really an easy decision to spend a day writing for their cause. Not so easy is asking for money during a time of economic hardship, a hardship that’s hit a little too close to home for me.
Still, I know of no other organization besides Dzanc Books that combines a literary fellowship program with a community service requirement, so I’ll go out on a limb and ask folks to consider going to their web site before November 15th and donating a few dollars as a sponsor (for me or for your other favorite participant). Thus far, I’ve gathered $200 in flat-rate sponsorships. It’s also possible to make a per-word or per-page pledge. If that interests you, my goal for the day is 2,000 words (approx. 8 pages). I’m also offering to email the results (in .pdf format) of the day’s work to any sponsor who wants it–just send me an email requesting such (editor@theexternalist.com).
I’m happy that The Externalist has been able to provide eleven issues of quality, socially significant writing over the course of two years without charging anyone a dime or accepting a single donation, but I’d be thrilled if a few readers felt inclined to donate to another exceptional and worthy organization on our behalf. 
Submission Status Update
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008At The Externalist, we try to respond to submissions in a timely manner, but occasionally things happen and it takes a while. As of today, November 11, 2008, we have a backlog in every genre. How much of a backlog varies. Aside from giving the “heads up” on where we’re at with current submissions, hopefully this post will also answer a few other questions about submitting (and waiting).
After the Election: There’s Still Work to Do
Saturday, November 8th, 2008The 2008 election season has been both inspiring and enlightening for many of the writers I’ve talked with in the last several months. Most have acknowledged that this year has and will continue to affect their writing on a much larger scale than elections of the past. Is that because of the historical significance of the presidential race (both in the primaries and in the general election), the weight of the crises that have overshadowed the whole season, the divisiveness of state and national campaigns to average Americans, or the highly controversial social issues on so many state ballots? I think it’s all of these things, and I don’t think the election is the end of this emotional roller coaster we’ve found ourselves riding. While it may seem like it’s time to unfasten our seat restraints and step onto the platform, ready to head home with a bag of cotton candy and a caramel apple, we’ve actually just come around the first turn. Now more than ever, it is time for writers and poets to break out their pen and paper (or word processors) and write toward a future of mutual understanding and acceptance. (more…)
Voter Suppression and Intimidation is Real
Monday, November 3rd, 2008As I went to check my email this morning, a headline on MSN caught my attention, “Dirty tricks increase as Election Day nears.” I’ve been following voter suppression stories for more than a month and couldn’t be more angry about the legalized disenfranchisement that is happening in states all across the nation. This story isn’t about legalized disenfranchisement, though. Instead, it focuses on illegal, misleading or downright false fliers, pamphlets, and phone calls that people are receiving days before the election. From threats about police being at the polls to arrest people with parking tickets to lies about when the election will happen, people who don’t believe in real democracy are out in force this year.
Issue Ten of The Externalist Live
Monday, November 3rd, 2008The pre-election issue of The Externalist is now live on the web site and we hope to have the .pdf version up within the next two weeks. We’re quite pleased to bring our readers both new work from some Externalist regulars, as well as new names to our pages. This issue includes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by Daniel DiPrinzio, Ed Bennett, Santiago del Dardano Turann, Shaul Hendel, Erin Popelka, Dennis Greene, Steve Bunch, David Chorlton, and several others. Each piece explores an issue that has been a topic of debate throughout the presidential election season, and we trust that our readers will find much to think about within. Thoughtful reading!
In Answer to Your Question about Donating
Saturday, November 1st, 2008In the last few months, I’ve received several emails asking how to support The Externalist. While we intend to incorporate at some point in the future, we aren’t currently set up to accept donations and I think it might well be a while before we are. That said, there are three ways that readers can show their support: