...an annual literary publication from Bliss Plot Press...
 

We are not currently accepting submissions.
The information below is provided simply to give a general idea of our interests and policies.
Please check back at a later date.
 

::: Submission Guidelines for Volume 4 (2005) :::

At Prima Materia, our mission is to find and publish writings that contain the Quintessence, the Right Stuff, the Real Thing. Now, clearly, this is a highly subjective standard. But that’s the nature of publishing: the Editor’s taste rules. Our first and foremost criterion will always be, stated simply: literary quality. With that in mind, please submit your very best work to us.

Who:  Only writers from the Hudson Valley, New York, are eligible. Use your own judgment about whether that includes you, and we will use ours.  Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address on the first page of your submission.

What:  Fiction, poetry, memoir, essays.  For Volume 4, we want to see work with a strong narrative line, even the poetry and essays.  We like a unique voice, complex characterization, rich subtext and multi-layered meanings.  We appreciate experimentation and exciting use of the English language.  We do not favor sentimentality, cliche, nostalgia, nor right-wing politics.  Excerpts from novels are acceptable, accompanied by a brief synopsis.

Also, we are interested in literary material. We are not looking for genre writing. If your work is clearly Science Fiction, Sword-and-Sorcery, Horror, Romance, Western, Children’s, or Porn, it is not for us. This is not to say that we don’t accept speculative fiction, magical realism, dark subjects, love stories, exotic settings, simple fables, or erotica. We welcome thoughtful, well-crafted, compelling writing.

A few practical details:

Length: Up to 6,000 words.  For poetry, please send no more than five poems.
Preferred Submission Format: By e-mail, as an attached document created in MS Word or Rich Text Format. You can also paste the text into the e-mail message. In that case, double space for paragraph breaks and use underscores like _this_ to indicate italics.   Also Accepted: Submissions on paper by snail mail. White paper only, typed (computer printed), double-spaced (for prose), 12 point type. If you want your submission returned, include a SASE.  If we decide to publish your work, we'll ask you to provide it in digital form, either on diskette or by e-mail.   Not Accepted: Handwritten or illegible text.

Always:  Include your name, address, phone, and e-mail address on the first page of your submission.

  Option: A brief cover letter telling us a little about you is OK, but not required. If we publish your work, we’ll ask for a short bio.


When:   By July 31, 2005

Where:   E-mail: primamateria@blissplotpress.com

              Snail mail: Prima Materia, PO Box 68, Mt. Tremper, NY 12457

Payment and Terms: At this time, we can only afford a token payment of $5.00 and two copies of Prima Materia to each writer we publish, payable upon publication. We acquire one-time English World Rights (this allows Prima Materia to be sold on Amazon.com).

Prima Materia Readings: One of our goals is to raise literary awareness in this increasingly consumerist culture. If we publish your work, we may invite you to read an excerpt from it in public, in as many Hudson Valley venues as we can conjure up. If you’re not into performing, just say no.

Best wishes, and we hope to hear from you soon!
 
Prima Materia Home
Volume 1   2002
Volume 2   2003
Volume 3   2004
Purchase Prima Materia

Brent Robison, Editor/Publisher
Wendy Klein, Associate Publisher
Bliss Plot Press
PO Box 68
Mt. Tremper, NY  12457

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