Jessica Bayliss Writes BLOG

The latest issue of ALLEGORY Magazine is out!

11/14/2016

I'm so excited to announce that the latest issue of Allegory Magazine is out and you can read it for free.

This issue is very special to me as I had a hand in choosing the stories that made this issue's cut. When the list came out, I was giddy to see several stories that came across my desk had been selected by the Editor in Chief. I never expected the experience to be so fun or rewarding, but I loved every second of it. So another HUGE thank you to the awesome Ty Drago, author of the Middle Grade zombie series, THE UNDERTAKERS, for inviting me to help out with your fun eZine.

In this latest issue, you'll find a range of Horror, Sci-Fi, and Speculative Fiction that will certainly fit every taste.

I hope you enjoy! And, submissions are OPEN for the next issue. You can find out more about that HERE.

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In which an author gets to try her hand at acquisitions editing

6/12/2016

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One of the best parts of getting stories accepted in anthologies is the fact that you get to meet new people. Because our contributions to "Fright before Christmas," I got to meet Ty Drago, the awesome author of "The Undertaker" series, the super fun and freaky MG zombie series. Not only did he share some of his thoughts on my latest MG horror concept, he invited me to "audition" as associate editor for the eZine he runs. And I passed!

Allegory eZine, a bi-annual magazine for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and (my favorite) horror. And until June 30th, SUBMISSIONS are OPEN for Volume 30, scheduled for publication in November.

Here's the lineup of other authors who serve on Allegory's editorial board.

TyDrago Managing Editor/Publisher
J.E. Taylor Senior Editor
Julia Nolan Senior Editor
Loretta Giacoletto Associate Editor
Jackie Kessler Associate Editor
Christine Breller Associate Editor
James Miller Associate Editor
Kelly Ferjutz Proofreader

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Pitch2Publication - The Agent Round begins ...

4/18/2016

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What a crazy month. Since I started writing, I've had some of the most exciting days of my life. My first 'yes' from Judith Graves at Leap Books for my submission to their "Beware the Little White Rabbit" anthology. My second 'yes' from Sanitarium Magazine. Two 'yes's' means it's not a fluke right? If so, then the third, from Three World's Press, really cemented the deal. My first book contract ... which is now defunct since the press is closed. But then there was my contract with Leap for my YA Horror Novella (yay!). And Pitch2Publication. What an exciting ride this experience has been so far.

Right from the go, it was a whirlwind. The tweets from the editors about their submissions began literally hours after I hit send on my own submission, "Ten Past Closing," a YA thriller. Pretty quickly, I was sure one of my editor choices was passing, but then, just a couple hours later, Rebecca Faith Heyman tweeted something about a submission that sounded a lot like mine. Of course I responded and after a flurry of tweets, I had the partial request in my email inbox. AHHH!!!

The day the selections were made, I had the flu. After working my usual Saturday hours, I hit the road to go home for a nap, but the tweets had started. I told my husband, "I'm not going to be picked, but I should probably hold off on that nap until they're done with the announcements. Just in case." Almost two hours after the tweets started, Rebecca's picks were tweeted, and mine was one of the two she chose. It was literally one of the most tense and exciting two hours of my life.

Then my Twitter and Facebook accounts exploded--between the P2P folks and my friends who were watching and waiting with me ... let's just say, flu or no flu, I never got that nap.

Then came the month of edits, fun, and new friends. Rebecca's insights into my MS were exactly what I needed to move it in the right direction. I got to know the other P2P authors and they are such an incredible bunch. We supported each other through the stress, self-doubt, and uncertainty, and I can't wait to champion the budding careers of this group of truly wonderful, talented people.

A month of furious work, and my submission was ready for today, this moment, when the agent round begins. Samantha Fountain--author, literary agency intern, and the contest's organizer--has managed to recruit a super group of agents to be part of this contest, several of whom I've queried in the past or have on my to-query list for various projects.

I can't believe my luck in being selected. I have no idea what will happen this week, but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that come Friday, my title will once again appear on Twitter in the form of agent requests for more pages.

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13 Days of Fright: Day 12

12/3/2015

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It's the most wonderful time of year...or is it? Christmas Eve is a night of mystery and magic, but not always in ways we expect. Things lurk in the shadows and they're not the least bit jolly or merry. Let's just say some presents are better left unopened. ‘Tis the season to be screaming along with our thirteen tales of holiday horrors. Ghosts. Monsters. Demons. And more!
This Christmas, be careful what you wish for...

Medeia Sharif was born in New York City and now lives in Miami. She received her master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Published through various presses, she writes middle grade and young adult short stories and novels. In addition to being a writer, she’s a public school teacher.

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13 Days of Fright: Day 10

12/1/2015

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A freelance writer from upstate New York, Andrea Stanet has been published online and in print since the late 90s. While she typically writes contemporary and urban fantasy, her reading interests span all genres. Other published middle grade work includes “Nelita and the Shadow” in the anthology Wild Cards.

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Leap Books opening up submissions to UNAGENTED authors for some Bloody Good YA horror reads

10/5/2015

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Just in time for Halloween!

Leap Books just announced that they are in the mood for a little YA Horror, so they're opening up submissions for their Shine line to both
agented and UNAGENTED authors who have YA novellas in the horror genre.

This is such an exciting opportunity to work with an incredibly talented and supportive team that produces quality fiction for young readers of all ages.

Here are the deets from Leap Books co-founder and editor, Judith Graves:

If you've got an all out horror (with strong romance elements), stand alone (no breaking the story into two books) YA novella (45k words max) - please send editor, Judith Graves, a query and the first 10 pages to: submissions@leapbks.info with BLOODY GOOD READS in the subject line. Deadline for submissions: February 1, 2016. Unagented submissions that are NOT relevant to this project won't be read.