speculative short fiction
Ballista is published twice a year and our preference is for fresh and inventive tales considering the supernatural, psychological, paranormal, modern horror, mythos, macabre, SF, dark fantasy or just the downright bizarre.
Issue 6 is available now and features 60 pages of chilling new tales from Michelle Howarth, Natalie Donbavand, Steve Richards, Gwen Seabourne, Andrew Knighton, Marshall Payne, James Holland, Lee Callaway, Nik Perring & a warm welcome back to Neil James Hudson.
...A dragonfly sailed overhead, and she ran her hand across the scab again. It was big. A bold intrusion stuck out like Mount Everest in the centre of a neatly mown lawn. One good scratch should sort it, though. Nothing could be more satisfying than ripping the unwanted clot from its roots.
It didn't hurt. Her lengthy nails gouged their way beneath its stronghold, wrenching it from its roost, peeling it from her soft, otherwise unblemished skin. She felt it pop off and was careful to catch it in her palm. Morbid curiosity had her wanting to examine it. To see the shade of dull brown, the glistening underbelly where the blood would still be wet, the crusty finish, and perhaps even one or two hairs sprouting through it.
She opened her hand, and screamed.
It wasn't a scab...
From Ticked Off by Michelle Howarth, winner of Ballista's Short Story Competition 2008
ISSN 1750-6646 | 138mm x 216mm | 60pp | £4.00 | ed.s Paul Neads & Andrew MyersE-Mail correspondence, marked for Ballista, to the Editors via flapjackpress@live.co.uk.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
NB: Due to the vast number of recent submissions, we will be temporarily closed to further subs from the end of May whilst we clear the backlog. Notification of reopening will be posted here and the following guidelines will hold true.
We do not have specific issue deadlines. When submitting, please adhere to these standard guidelines:
* previously unpublished speculative fiction only, generally on the themes of the supernatural, psychological, modern horror, macabre, mythos, paranormal, science fiction, dark fantasy or the downright bizarre
* max words 3500. There is no minimum word count - "flash fiction" also considered
* please send 1 story per submission
* no simultaneous submissions to other publications, print or on-line
* authors are welcome to include brief biog notes
* e-mail submissions only. Please send as main body text or attachment (.doc or .rtf) to the editors c/o flapjackpress@live.co.uk, with the subject header Ballista (without, it's liable to be dismissed as spam) & include a contact postal address
* to avoid loss of format in subs please underline italics. We also favour single quotation marks for 'speech'
* all copyright remains with the author (a basic contract is offered)
* We do not offer critique to submissions, rejected or accepted
* payment is £5.00 per story & 1 x contributor's copy - so please include a postal address with your submission. Overseas payment is via PayPal
* We aim to confirm e-mail receipt within 3 working days and a decision within 6-8 weeks
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Ballista is issued twice a year, in spring and autumn
Current Issue £4.00. Annual Subscription £7.50.
Subscriptions start from the current issue unless you otherwise specify. Please do not forget to include your name and address when subscribing.
Back Issues 1, 3, 4 & 5 are still available @ £2.50 each.
Payment via PayPal or cheque made out to Flapjack Press. UK p&p is free.
Ballista can also be purchased at Cornerhouse Bookshop, Oxford St, Manchester
"There are some stories in here that I am glad I read" - asif.dreambusters.com, review excerpt issue #2
Payment accepted via PayPal or cheque made out to Flapjack Press
Flapjack Press
6 Chiffon Way
Trinity Riverside
Gtr Manchester M3 6AB, UK