Editor Interview: Escape Pod Go to the listing List all editor interviews Edit answers (editors only) Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.SF of the fun varietyMur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, Hub MagazineMur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?Neil Gaiman, Connie Willis, John Scalzi, Paolo Bacigalupi, Chine Mieville, Pat Cadigan, James Patrick Kelly, Kelly Link, John Kessel, Eugie FosterMur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?We were the first podcast SF magazine, and we maintain our dedication to fun. We may publish the occasional serious tale, but the depressing world of dystopian child slavers is not what we want, no matter how literary. Humor is a plus, light-hearted and thought provoking is always good.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?Audio markets are faster-paced than print. Beautiful settings and expositions can cause the listener to glaze over and tune out. To make sure your story is good for audio, make sure you have a good hook and convincing dialog. Not saying we want all action and no character, just make sure your tale moves along.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010Describe the ideal submission.Our listeners have grown to prefer stories that, while making you laugh, also make you think. If you promise something in your text, then make sure you deliver. Our sweet spot is around 4000 words, although we've had great stories come in above and below that. If you can make me laugh out loud, then you have an excellent chance.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?Many think we do fully produced audio dramas and want to send us scripts. Many send horror or fantasy, while we are solely an SF market.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?Not as much as they might to other editors. A wonderful story may work well in print and be a cover story for Asimov's, but it may be too expository and slow for Escape Pod.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?We can tell in the first few paragraphs. We need a hook and a writing style that works. We can't "wait till it gets good" especially in audio.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?We consider if the story is like previous purchases, story quality, and whether the tone fits the "fun" goal of Escape Pod. It usually goes through a slush reader before I read it.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?I check the email from my slush readers, accept or reject the stories, send out letters, consider narrators, consider schedule, get stories to narrators and hosts, and update the shared calendar. If I have spare time, I'll look through some anthologies to see if I find appropriate stories to solicit the audio rights.Mur Lafferty, Editor-In-Chief on 12 August 2010 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only