Semaphore

Semaphore is currently accepting submissions for short stories, poetry, essays, articles and comics. We are primarily looking for pieces in the fantasy and detective genres, but remember that those terms can encompass many themes and ideas. Don't limit yourself; we want stories that defy clichés and stereotypes, and if they can do that with a bit of humour, well, that's the type of bonus we like.

Send your submissions to semaphoremagazine@gmail.com . In the Subject bar of the email, write SUBMISSION: *type* (eg Short Story, Essay): *name of work*. Attach your work as a Microsoft Word 2003-compatible file for text (eg .doc, .rtf), and as separate JPEG/PNG files for visual art.

All submissions should include the author's contact details in the text of the document itself, an the left-hand side.

Please include a cover letter with your submission - I have received a few subs which consisted of nothing but a subject line and an attachment. Needless to say these were deleted unread. Cover letters are essential not only because they give an editor some idea of what the submitted work is like, but because they can add a personal touch to the submissions process- it's always good to know there's a real life human being on the other side of the internet, and not a Great Automatic Grammatisator. 

Submitters should receive notification that the submission has been received within two weeks of sending. However, the decision as to which pieces will be published in Semaphore will not be made until around the middle of our reading period for each issue. The reading periods are as follows:

March Issue: February 1st-29th

June Issue: May 1st-31st

September Issue: August 1st-31st

December Issue: November 1st-30th

So, a submission sent in for the December issue should be sent by the end of October and will receive a quick note to confirm its receipt within two weeks, then a notification, stating whether it has been accepted or rejected, in the middle of November.

Submissions received during the reading period for one issue will be considered for the following issue, not the upcoming one.

As Semaphore is a New Zealand-based publication, all payments will be made in New Zealand dollars.

Authors will be expected to stick to the following conditions both when submitting to Semaphore and if their work is accepted for publication.

SEMAPHORE QUARTERLY

• We do not accept simultaneous submissions for either our online quarterly issues or our annual print edition unless by prior arrangement: query first!.
• Electronic rights for works published by Semaphore are held for three months from time of issue's publication. Work may not be submitted or published elsewhere during this period.
• In the case of Semaphore receiving sufficient funding to print a short-run paper edition of the Quarterly, authors who agree to have their work published therein will allow Semaphore exclusive print rights for three months after publication. Copies of the print Quarterly will be deposited in the National Archives of New Zealand, and copies will also be donated to several libraries in the Otago, New Zealand area.
• We DO accept works that have been previously published. However, if this is the case with your submission, please note it in the cover letter and say where and when it was published.
• In the case of a piece of work not having been published before, Semaphore holds first electronic rights upon acceptance for the magazine. Semaphore must be recognised as first publisher in the case of a work being republished elsewhere.
• Archives: Semaphore retains the right to keep a copy of accepted works in our archives for an indeterminate period of time. This does not count as a reprint. As an author you are allowed to request that your work be removed from our archives.

SEMAPHORE ANNUAL

• Contributing works will be chosen from the online edition. Authors will be notified if their story is chosen; please ensure that a chosen piece of work's rights are not tied up with another publication, and notify Semaphore if this is so. Works printed in the Annual count as reprints and payment will be made to contributing authors.
• Print rights for works published in Semaphore Annual are held for one year from time of publication. Work may not be submitted elsewhere during this period unless previously arranged with the Editor.
• Archives: Semaphore Annual will be available for purchase as a POD indefinitely from the time of first publication.

Payment for accepted works is as follows. Contributing authors will be paid in New Zealand dollars upon publication, give or take a few days to cover any unseen problems, and via PayPal.

New Zealand contributors have the option of their payment being transferred directly into a New Zealand bank account instead of a PayPal account.

SEMAPHORE QUARTERLY

SHORT STORIES

1000-7000 words = $4.50

SERIAL STORIES

Semaphore is open to submissions of serial stories and stories in several parts; please note in the body of your subscription email whether your story falls into this category, and send the entire story in your initial submission. Payment will be $3.50 for each 'part' or sequentially published serial story. 'Parts' should be between 1000 and 7000 words long each.

POEMS

<30 lines = $1.00

>30 lines = $2.00

ESSAYS/ARTICLES

1000-5000 words = $4.00

COMICS

<One Page = $2.00

>One Page = $2.00 for the first page, +$1.00 for each additional page up to $6.00 in total.

We do publish comics longer than five pages, but still pay a maximum of $6.00.

SEMAPHORE ANNUAL

The Annual will contain a prospective 15 short stories, 10 pieces of poetry, 5 articles and 5 comics. However, this is not set in stone, and will likely change in accordance with what readers vote for in the Surveys.

SHORT STORIES

Authors of short stories selected for inclusion in the print edition of Semaphore will be paid 3% of the total profit made by the magazine in the first six months after publication.

POEMS

Authors of poems selected for inclusion in the print edition of Semaphore will be paid 1% of the total profit made by the magazine in the first six months after publication.

ESSAYS/ARTICLES

Authors of essays and articles selected for inclusion in the print edition of Semaphore will be paid 2% of the total profit made by the magazine in the first six months after publication.

COMICS

Creators of comics selected for inclusion in the print edition of Semaphore will be paid 2% of the total profit made by the magazine in the first six months after publication.

Payment for works included in the Annual will be made at the end of the six-month period.