It’s admittedly been a few weeks now, but: I’m proud to announce that our Kickstarter was successfully funded! We are rolling full-steam ahead with both anthologies.
I’d like to give a sincere thanks to everyone of you. I’ve already thanked the backers — and if you’re one of them, allow me to thank you again — but this project would not have been possible without everyone’s support. If no one was submitting stories or sharing our links online — or reading this right now — where would we be?
Two months ago, Atomic Carnival Books was little more than a fever dream, something I wasn’t sure was going to resonate with writers and readers, but, because of you, we’re officially a semi-pro small press with a bright — nay, blinding — perhaps even nuclear-powered — future ahead.
Interviews
If you missed them earlier, our first two author interviews are both available for your perusal. I’m hopeful these writer chats will be something we continue to do going forward, so keep an eye out. I had a blast talking to both of these amazing women, and you should definitely check out what they had to say.
Interview With Ally Malinenko
Interview With Natalie Zina Walschots
Submissions
General submissions for both Greater Than His Nature and Open All Night are open until June 30th. The current reply time is about six weeks, but I’m hoping to get that closer to four. The response from writers thus far has been overwhelming — in the best way possible — and I am as grateful as I am drowning in short stories.
We’re almost exactly halfway through the reading period and have, as of this writing, about 400 submissions, split pretty evenly between Greater Than His Nature and Open All Night. But, here’s the thing: since most of our invited authors ended up choosing to write for Open All Night, there are fewer open slots available in that one. So, if you’re looking for a leg up, maybe tap into your inner mad scientist and see what you can cook up for Greater Than His Nature.
The Anthologies
I’ll make my final decisions in early July, get the corresponding tables of contents out into the world, and then, hopefully, have the books put together and out to backers by the end of August. Pre-orders for the public should start somewhere around then, too.
Right now — and this is all very tentative, barring printing and shipping times and the world’s continued descent into literal Hell — there’s smoke from Canada in the air today, all the way down here near the Mexican border — the plan is to release Greater Than His Nature in late September, and Open All Night in late October. Again, probably. Follow us here, or on Substack, or Twitter or Mastodon, for updates.
And that’s everything. Thank you again, so much, for your support. You brought Atomic Carnival Books to screaming life and I promise these anthologies are going to be something special. They may be our first books, but, thanks to you, they won’t be the last.