The novella is currently untitled, but is slated for release in early 2009. Melissa Gay has been commissioned to do the cover art and interior line work.

Her website states that she is “…easily bribed with shinies, good coffee or tea, dark chocolate, or In-N-Out Burger.” We found she’s also a sucker for money.

The collection includes 14 works by the author, including the title piece. The hardcover will be limited to 100 signed copies.

Available for pre-order now.

We love tradition around here, so we’re giving the hard-working Apex editors a break this summer. Apex Digest will be closed to all submissions from June 1st-June 30th. We will re-open July 1st. Any submissions sent during the break will be deleted and unread.

We’re open for the next 22 days, so get those manuscripts to us!

Here’s the Apex Digest issue 13 cover art!

This piece was originally created by Artur Sadlos for the band Squanky Kong, but it fits thematically with Katie Howenstein’s story in issue 13 I couldn’t pass up the chance to use it so I snapped up the rights to use it as our next cover.

The detail in the art is amazing.

Katie’s story is a fantastical dark work centering around the bizarre powers of music. It might be one of the best stories we’ve had the chance to publish.

Sara Harvey is offering a free copy of her book A Year and a Day for everyone who buys a lifetime subscription. Anyone buying a one-year subscription can get the book half-priced.

Big, scary Matt Wallace has offered up a weird assortment of things…from playing an online game of Scrabble against him, to offering to give away any DVD in his large collection of movies. Erhm…the best one is that you can win to have him write up the most filthy, hate-filled spiel ever composed at one person of your choice. Best go look here for details: http://matt-wallace.livejournal.com/108627.html.

Steven Savile has offered to tuckerize five people into his next Stargate SG-1 novel who subscribe.

Again, thanks to everyone for chipping in…these prizes are insane!

Get your digital Fix today.

Now, others are joining in and offering crazy prizes for people who sign up.

For example, Jodi Lee offered a free copy of Courting Morpheus signed by all the contributors to the first five people who signed up for the lifetime subscription. Since we’re now up to 10, I presume this deal has expired.

Over at this Shocklines thread Fran Friel is offering to buy a subscription to the person who posts the best reason to subscribe to Apex Digest. John Little is also doing the same, so two people will be getting free subscriptions.

If you’re running a promotion for the subscription drive, let us know and we’ll bring it to people’s attention.

So we’re going to do an old-fashioned subscription drive.

The reality of the situation is that we need 150 new subscribers (or roughly $3000), or we’re looking at a hiatus until I have enough disposable income to push out another issue. We use the term “hiatus” because there won’t be any mercy killings going on around here. We love the damn magazine too much to let it go (or possibly too stubborn), but the hiatus could be an extended one.

–How can you help?
–By taking out a subscription! Or buying magazines from our store!

Subscriptions are a measly $20 for 4 issues in the US. $24 for Canada/Mexico. $34 for the rest of the world.

We’ve re-initiated the APEX FOR LIFE subscription option that gives you Apex until you die. This goes for $100.

If you’re interested in the magazine, but want to check it out before taking out a subscription, then take a look through our ample back catalog.

Or, heck, if you’re wanting to show your support but not necessarily want a subscription, check out our ample back catalog.

Every person taking out APEX FOR LIFE subscriptions will be entered to win the following prizes:
1) ARC copy of Broken on the Wheel of Sex by Jack Ketchum (Overlook Connection)
2) Signed limited copy of Orpheus and the Pearl by Kim Paffenroth (Magus Press)
3) Signed copy of Homebody by Orson Scott Card
4) Limited signed copy of When Dark Descends by Charles L. Grand & Thomas F. Monteleone (Borderlands Press)
5) Hardcover copies of Gratia Placenti and Aegri Somnia edited by Gill Ainsworth and Jason Sizemore

Furthermore, every person taking out a lifetime subscription will receive a TPB copy of either Unwelcome Bodies or The Next Fix.

Buy something, then help us get the word out!

Now that’s a commitment!

“Light Like Knives Dragged Across the Skin” is a great example of Paul’s ability to mix macabre and surreal images into a story powered by strong characterization.

Enjoy!