November 10th, 2009
by Jason Sizemore
After yesterday’s post asking for reader feedback about a ’subscription’ option to Apex Magazine, I received many emails of support. Apex Magazine has a large base of loyal fans willing to toss a coin in the hat to keep the ‘zine going. It was a nice boost of confidence.
To that end, we will go forward with the ’subscription’ plan. One reader commented to me that it’s like donating to NPR…you make a token payment to keep the content free (and alive). I liked that comparison because I’m a big NPR junkie! Via the Apex Book Store you’ll be able to make your annual subscription donation. Anyone subscribing for $25 or more will receive a copy of Descended From Darkness: Apex Magazine Vol I.
You can subscribe by clicking this sentence.
I’ll keep a subscriber database like I did back in the Apex Digest days. On a yearly basis, I’ll remind you that your subscription is up.
Alternatively, you can straight up order a copy of Descended From Darkness for $18.95. All profits from the sales of the book goes straight into the Apex Magazine fund.
Thank you for all the great feedback. Looks like Apex Magazine will be around for quite awhile!
November 9th, 2009
by Jason Sizemore
**An update to this post**
There’s been some debate on the series of internet tubes about workable business models for online content. Some, like Cory Doctorow, believe free is good. If you give out a quality freebie, people will shell out money for more of that product. I like to think of this as the ol’ street dealer’s trick of giving out samples of coke to get people hooked on their drug. Others have argued to me that offering content such as short stories online, you have to go to a subscription or pay-per-play system.
I can’t say either one has worked for Apex Magazine. A combination of the two has not worked. Sponsorship worked for two months before enthusiasm for it died.
I’d like to try an alternative.
I’d like to see how many fans of short fiction (and Apex Magazine) are out there that would donate $10 (or more) on a recurring, yearly basis to help pay for magazine costs. Our yearly cost is around $10,000. Doctorow was given $10,000 to write one single story. For your $10,000, you get 24 months of Apex Magazine.
If you’d like to give Apex Magazine a hand then please send me an email to jason@apexbookcompany.com. I don’t want to start collecting $10 (or more!) from people unless I know there are enough fans interested.
Please spread the word by reposting and retweeting this blog post.
Jason Sizemore
editor-in-chief
November 4th, 2009
by Jennifer Brozek
After the Apex Halloween Story Contest submissions were whittled down to the top fifteen entries, I read them. All of them were good stories but, as all authors know, ‘good’ doesn’t cut it with anthologies. The story must both suit the theme and play well with the other stories already chosen for the anthology. It is my pleasure to announce the two winners of the Apex Halloween Story Contest.
The top prize goes to Bev Vincent for his excellent story, “The Fingernail Test.” Bev’s story will be published in the Apex anthology, Close Encounters of the Urban Kind at $0.08/word.
The runner up prize goes to Jonathan McKinney for his story, “Shiny Eyes.” Jonathon’s story will be published in the Apex anthology, Close Encounters of the Urban Kind at $0.05/word.
There are three honorable mentions: “Don’t Follow Any Ugly Dogs” by Daniel Johnson, “Finger Prick” by Val Muller and “Pod N” by Michael Britton.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a story to the Apex Halloween Story Contest. We appreciated each and every one.
November 2nd, 2009
by Jason Sizemore
This month we present a special “international” issue of our online magazine. Lavie Tidhar, editor of The Apex Book of World SF, guest edits this issue and brings us three excellent selections from around the globe. To round things out, Charles Tan interviews Malaysian author Tunku Halim and Lavie writes an editorial about the international genre scene.
Editorial: “A Celebration of World SF” by Lavie Tidhar
Interview: Tunku Halim by Charles Tan
Short Fiction: “After the Fire” by Aliette de Bodard
Short Fiction: “Benjamin Schneider’s Little Greys” by Nir Yaniv
Short Fiction: “An Evening in the City Coffeehouse, With Lydia on My Mind” by Alexsandar Žiljak
Enjoy!
