What we're looking for in 2011.

With two of our three most recently planned titles out (Hellfire and Damnation by Connie Corcoran Wilson and Who Killed Science Fiction? Compleat and Unexpurgated by Earl Kemp), we're considering what to do next. We have one non-fiction book planned for, hopefully, late spring, and I'm in negotiations for a Very Special Reprint of a classic in skiffy fandom. Too soon to make any official announcements.

And we're always looking for more. Here is our current, ideal, "wish list" which will also be put up o our Submissions Guidelines page soon. In all cases, reprints will be cheerfully considered. All queries can be sent to submissions[at]merryblacksmith[dot]com.

Non-fiction

We would love to see some writing how-to books, particular of a genre nature.

Collections of literary commentary, history, or criticism would interest us. Take a look at Bud Webster's Anthopology 101 book for an idea of what we mean. This was one of our most popular books this past year and we'd love to see more.

Collections of fannish writing. Are you a fan writer with a backlog of past works from fanzines you think people would like to see bound up all in one? Why not? Are you a fanzine editor who might like to put together a best-of collection? Anyone have anything on the subject of the history of fandom? Let us know.

Review or interview books. These can be a slightly harder sell unless you have a good, unique hook or strong central theme. If I can get the same information from IMDB or Wikipedia, we're not interested, but if you have soemthing new and interesting to offer, by all means let us know.

Poetry

We will consider all poetry collection submissions. Genre and non-genre alike. That's no guarantee, mind you. But if we like what we see, we'd love to talk with you.

Fiction

We will happily consider fiction submissions, but some will have a better chance than others.

If you have reprint rights for novels that have since gone out of print, but for which you think still have a potential audience, go and make your pitch. We may even consider publishing an omnibus edition

If you're continuing a series that was dropped by another publisher, we'd like to see your pitch.

If you're a short story writer who has published in some of the major fiction magazines and are looking to publish a collection, let us know.

We'll consider all genres, although we've had a real strong yen lately for some good old fashioned space opera. Still, we'll look at everything.

Comics and Graphic Novels

We'd love to see some of these show up in our submissions pile. Surprise us.

The Details

We have a very strong "don't screw the author" policy. Our contracts do not try to retain electronic rights--just the print rights, and on a renewable one-year contract. While we do not offer advances at this time, we offer a generous royalty rate and offer author copies at a greatly reduced cost. We're a small publisher, so while we do some small advertising here and there, authors who can self-promote will have the greatest success.

Queries or e-mail submissions can be sent to submissions[at]merryblacksmith[dot]com. Other questions can be directed to info[at]merryblacksmith[dot]com.