Editor Interview: Night to Dawn Magazine

new twist on vampires

I don't have any special favorites, but I do admire companies like Severed Head Press, and others that have given writers a chance to see their work published.

My all-time favorite is Stephen King, but Jonathan Maberry and Dean Koontz are next up on the list. Their characters will make a home in your heart, and will keep you turning the pages.

Night to Dawn features artists like Marge Simon, Sandy DeLuca, and Denny Marshall. I try to introduce new authors in each issue and work with contributors on rewrites.

Consider buying a sample issue to get a feel for the publication. Start your action / conflict from the first paragraph on. Too often the story doesn't begin until page 3 or 4, and by then, you've lost your reader. I love zombies, mummies, and a new twist on vampires.

The ideal submission for a short story will keep me turning the pages. We meet the monster on the first page, sometimes the first paragraph. The hero makes a sympathetic character. The person sending the story will address me by my name (you'd be surprised how many people say "dear editor". He'll send it by email, knowing that snail mail can be unreliable. He'll use Times New Roman, Courier, or other easy to read font for the manuscript. And the plot will have a unique twist on the zombie or vampire.

Putting a lot of backstory into the first pages, and the actual story doesn't start until page 3 or 4. Sending letters that begin with "dear editor." Do your homework before sending to any publication.

I always ask for a brief bio, maybe something about where they grew up, and how they became interested in writing. I'd like to know the highlights of other publications that published his work, and also his website. At the end of each issue, I publish the bios, including the website, which should garner some good publicity for the author.

If the story was well written and holds my interest, I'll read it to the end. Sometimes it's not the right genre, and that's why I reject. Most times I read up to three pages before deciding to reject.

There are some stories that are on the bubble, and I put them aside. Sometimes I might ask a beta reader to look at them. Other times I might reread them and then decide whether or not to accept. If the story clicks straight away, I immediately email the author and let them know.

I work a day job, so my editing happens at night. I'm also working on my own writing projects too and on the Night to Dawn books. So I might parcel out an hour to check all my emails / Facebook. Another hour goes into reading submission or other chores involved in NTD, and then another hour for my works in progress.

Definitely proofreading, as well as line editing and copy editing. I don't deal with developmental editing, but if something doesn't read right, I'll call it out and ask for a change. The author definitely gets to approve, as it is his work, and he has to be happy with the results.

I will consider doing so if the work has garners a lot of positive reviews.