Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.
A: Supernatural Fiction
Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?
A: Grimoire
Ghost Story
Pseudopod
Periodical, Forlorn
The Dark Magazine
Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?
A: I have no favorite authors, but have favorite stories. I loved The Raft by Stephen King, Ghost Story by Peter Straub, The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Basically, if it is a good story and good storytelling, I'm interested.
Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?
A: Diversity is the Kaidankai's strength. We have stories about the supernatural from around the world and from an array of writers. Whether you write romance or horror, poetry or prose, have a classic or modern style, I'm interested in reading it. Whether you write about ghosts, vampires, monsters or any other supernatural phenomenon, send it to the Kaidankai podcast. The podcast showcases how the subject of the supernatural is suitable for any genre as long as you are creative and tell a good story.
Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?
A: Listen to the Kaidankai podcast. There are really short episodes and longer ones, but you get a sense of what is possible by listening to a few episodes.
And edit before sending. Sometimes, I see great stories that are just not quite ready for publication.
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: No ideal. I'm open to all kinds of submissions.
Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?
A: People send me stories that don't have a supernatural element.
Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?
A: I prefer not to know anything about the submitter. I, too, can be influenced by a writer's bio. I prefer to read the work, then ask for a bio if the submission is suitable for the podcast.
Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?
A: I read the whole story.
Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?
A: If I'm uncertain about a story, I will put it away for a few days, then re-read it.
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: It's vitally important. Because of technology, people from all over the world can submit to Kaidankai (and I can submit to a lot more outlets even though I live in Japan). Authors can publish their own work and find their own fanbase. Technology allows for niche markets to find their audience. Authors just want to be read and have an audience enjoy their stories, and technology helps make that happen.
Q: How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?
A: It depends. Most of the time, the edits are simple, but sometimes, I'll ask an author to re-work a section of their story. Sometimes, I'll offer editing suggestions. Authors ALWAYS have final approval.
Q: Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?
A: Not for Kaidankai.