Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.
A: Revolutionary creativity
Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?
A: Radon's largest inspirations are Clarkesworld Magazine, Strange Horizons, AK Press, and Graywolf Press. As a unique mix of speculative and progressive, we take cues from publishers who are independent and radical in their niches. AK Press taught us that anarchist publishers can find success and an audience in the literary world. Graywolf showcased talented editorial independence, a non-profit ethos, and genre-defying literature. Clarkesworld and Strange Horizons demonstrated to the world what professional online science fiction magazines can look like at the highest level.
Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?
A: Some of our favorite authors are Ursula K. Le Guin, George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Kevin J. Anderson. All of them speak truth to power through their speculative fiction and illuminate issues in our society that would otherwise be overlooked.
Our favorite artists are the unnamed graffiti artists in every city across the world. The ones risking themselves to beautify their area and say what needs to be said.
Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?
A: Radon has found no other publisher producing similar content. We also have paid our authors from the day we launched. We pride ourselves on being an eclectic mix of niches and micro-niches who introduce new concepts to readers. Our four goals are: 1) Elevate science fiction to a new echelon within the literary canon. 2) Inject inclusion and diversity to previously male-dominated genres. 3) Educate the public on the philosophy of anarchism and its positive ramifications. 4) Show the world the concept of transhumanism and what it means for humanity's future.
Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?
A: Think outside the established page. Since we are a speculative journal you have the entire cosmos to utilize in your story. We love big ideas and big stakes, even if those stakes are internal. If there's a revolution brewing in your mind then let it out and submit! Always be passionate in your writing because that is what we want most of all: to deeply feel.
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: The model submission would be a story or poem that contains not only a thrilling speculative narrative but also social commentary and deeper meanings. Even if an author's prose is excellent and plotting magnificent, we will reject the submission if it is nothing more than a simple adventure story. We want Radon stories to have a purpose and a message behind them.
Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?
A: Most often we reject stories because of underdeveloped premises and worldbuilding. We understand that authors cannot reach a space opera level of worldbuilding in 3,000 words. But we expect authors to explore the nuances and consequences of their premise and ensure the world their story is set in is believable.
Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?
A: We would love to know directly from the author how their submission relates to our published genres. With four unique genres, sometimes it can be difficult to parse how a submission fits into our themes. For personal information, the standard third-person bio under 100 words is lovely.
Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?
A: Our editorial process ensures that it is read by a minimum of two or three readers before a decision is made. Unless a story is blatantly out of scope for our journal or missing all concept of grammar and punctuation, we will read to the end. Any submissions that our readers feel warrant further discussion are marked and brought before the team at our weekly meetings. Radon uniquely works off of consensus decision making, meaning we will not accept or reject a piece unless each editor concurs. This ensures each voice is equal to the next. This also produces wonderful discussions where individual editors have the ability to fight for a piece they particularly love or hate and make their case.
Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?
A: Once a unanimous decision is reached, no more evaluation is required and we reach out directly to the author to begin the production process.
Q: What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?
A: Our small team of half a dozen or so editors work full-time jobs across the publishing industry and scientific research labs during the day. The majority also go to school at night to acquire a master’s degree in publishing. Once we clock out we go to work for Radon, building supportive radical communities and putting out subversive prose and poetry into the world.
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: Publishing is an ancient practice with an evolving modern shell. Since the 90s the publishing industry has rapidly changed and will not stop soon. Embracing modern tech is essential to starve off death for any journal, Radon no exception. We aim to use our online nature to reach across the globe and encourage a growing community of radical writers. Discord, collaborative art pages, and new tech methods of literary distribution are intricately tied to our existence.
Q: How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?
A: Radon believe in a close collaboration between editor and author. Radon editors hold numerous graduate degrees and are published themselves, so we offer free professional editing to all our authors and patrons. We aim to offer the most suggestions possible to an author during the editing stage so that they can create the most polished version of their work. We stress that the author is able to reject any and every edit we make. At the end of the day we understand they are the author of their own work and should have ultimate say.
Q: Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?
A: We currently nominate our authors for seven contests: Rhysling Awards, PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize, Best Microfiction, O. Henry Prize, Best of the Net, Pushcart Prize, and Best Small Fictions. We put a premium on lifting up our authors as much as we can. We know how hard it is out there for authors. If we missed any contests, please send us an email!