Question: What is Dark Scribe Magazine and how is it different from other online magazines? What services does DSM offer to me - as an author, publisher, or agent?

Answer: Dark Scribe Magazine is a virtual magazine committed to bringing dark fiction and non-fiction works (horror, dark fantasy, suspense, mysteries, and thrillers) from presses of all sizes to the attention of our readers and subscribers. Our virtual magazine attracts several thousand viewers per month and the number is growing.

While there are a number of excellent dark fiction and non-fiction review outlets out there, Dark Scribe Magazine is about the books that keep our readers up at night - and only books. Authors and their books featured on our virtual pages do not share the spotlight with movies or music or other unrelated mediums. Our primary focus remains on authors and books, with a secondary focus on those who support them - artists, web designers, short story fiction markets, etcetera.

In our commitment to supporting dark genre literature, we offer several free promotional opportunites for authors, publishers, and/or agents. Please read below to learn more.

Question: How can I have my book or published short story reviewed in Dark Scribe Magazine?

Answer:  As a virtual magazine committed to bringing dark fiction and non-fiction works (horror, dark fantasy, suspense, mysteries, and thrillers) from presses of all sizes to the attention of our readers and subscribers, Dark Scribe Magazine welcomes your review materials. We attract several thousand viewers per month - and that number is growing.

What do we review?

• Novels and novellas
• Short fiction (single works) from both print and virtual magazines
• Short story anthologies (both single author and multi-author collections)

For book and anthology reviews, we require a hardcopy of the work - no PDF's or electronic files.  For short fiction works, we will accept PDF files, links to the published work (if virtual), or hardcopies of the publication in which the work appears.  Query on novella-length works - we may accept PDF or electronic files depending upon the size.

We generally prefer ARC's one to three months prior to the publication date, but do routinely review titles within six months of publication.

Publishers, authors, and agents can send review copies and related press release information to us at our general shipping address:

• Dark Scribe Magazine
  999-32 Montauk Highway, Suite 203
  Shirley, New York 11967
  Attention: Reviews

Please note that we cannot guarantee a review in our virtual magazine, nor can we guarantee a specific reviewer. As a courtesy, we will endeavor to send you notification if and when a review will be appearing if you include an email contact address with your review materials.

Kindly also note that we do not review works of science fiction at this time. Works containing elements of science fiction are welcome if the primary genre is horror, dark fantasy, suspense, mystery, or thriller.

Question: How can I have my title featured as one of DSM's regular contests and reader giveways?

Answer: Dark Scribe Magazine features regular reader contests and giveaways. Authors, publishers, and agents wishing to have a particular title included in one of our contests should query first. Please tell us what you would like to offer as a contest giveaway and any preferences for specific months.

Kindly note that our target audience is readers and dark fiction bibliophiles. Although signed books are the norm in terms of contest offerings, we will consider other collectibles such as signed press kit materials, author photos, and other giveaways tied in to the theme of your book. Be creative and think outisde the box to best grab our readers' attention!

If you are interested in being the subject of one of our contests, please email us at info(at)darkscribepress(dot)com. Be sure to include the words “Contest Query” in the subject line of your email to help us properly and efficiently route your request.

Question: What are the Black Quill Awards and how can I get my work included as a nominee?

Answer: The Black Quill Awards is DSM’s annual literary awards program, honoring editorial and reader favorites in the fields of horror, suspense, and thrillers. In addition to (6) categories for literature, the Black Quills honor achievements in cover art and design and book trailers.

Dark Scribe Magazine does not solicit nominations for its annual awards program, nor are there any fees associated with the Black Quills.

Although our editorial board and contributing writers are active readers and/or writers in the field and are widely aware of dark genre books published, authors and/or publishers wishing to ensure the visibility of a specific title (especially in the case of small press offerings and works of short fiction) are encouraged to take advantage of our reviews program throughout the year. By submitting materials for our review (whether a review is published or not) will guarantee that a title is brought to the attention of someone on our staff. Again, submission of review materials is not a prerequisite for consideration in the Black Quills.  In the case of book trailers, authors, publishers, and agents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of DSM's free book trailer repository by featuring your video. See details above.

Question: How can I advertise at DSM and what are the associated costs?

Answer: Details regarding advertising opportunities at Dark Scribe Magazine are forthcoming.