Her background in journalism and television production no doubt has helped Angelique Fawns establish herself as a prolific writer of speculative fiction. And she’s one terrific and imaginative storyteller. The Canadian writer has published over 80 short stories since launching her short story writing career in 2018.
She’s also persistent, pushing aside those 500 rejections over her first three years to rack up an impressive catalog of publications.
And she’s generous. She’s turned her experience of researching the writing market of her chosen genre into a free collection of 13 of her sold stories and a look at the editors who bought them. She also has a guidebook for other writers listing a comprehensive guide to current speculative short story market. Think of it as a Writer’s Market for speculative fiction. (Subscribe to her paid Substack to obtain your copy.) She supplements that resource by posting the latest calls for submission, complete with details about each magazine, on her Substack and blog.
On top of this, she also interviews other writers and hosts a podcast called “Read Me a Nightmare.”
Oh, and did I mention she also farms and writes true stories (as A.M. Fawns) about her family’s adventures in free-range farming?
Whew! I’m worn out just writing about all of her activities. And I haven’t even touched on everything.
How does she do it all? I wonder. Perhaps she has some preternatural powers, like the characters in some of her stories. Or maybe she’s aided by a plucky bot, similar to the android hero of a recent piece of hers published in Amazing Stories. Whatever the secret is, writers of all genres can learn from Fawns’ example. Read on to learn why she writes spec fiction, why she created her guide, and what advice she has for fellow writers.
1. How did you decide to focus your fiction writing in the speculative fiction genre?
There was never a conscious decision to write spec fiction. but something happens when I sit down at my laptop. A fog settles in the room of my mind as my fingers are guided by a whispering voice. Each storyline twists and veers as if an outside choreographer is directing a dark play.
Even when I try to write a non-speculative piece, I have to lock the doors against zombies, ghosts, and other unearthly creatures demanding a voice. My best guess is that the hidden fears of my subconscious are screaming for release. Horror can be healing as well as thrilling.
2. You offer subscribers to your newsletter a wonderful — and quite detailed — guide to literary magazines that are open to submissions of speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and similar genres. You also provide a monthly listing via your newsletter and on your website. How do you think these resources help authors looking for publishing opportunities? Do you have any testimonials from satisfied customers you’d like to share?
When I first decided to try penning fiction (which happened in 2018 after breaking my ankle and being forced to sit still for the first time in my life), I had no idea where to start. At first, I thought contests were the answer, but I lost a lot of money on entry fees and didn’t place a single story.
There had to be a better way, so I began researching the markets. My background and education are in journalism, so I had a passion and skill set ready to roll. My number one rule? No submission fees.
While sampling the markets, I also reached out and interviewed editors and publishers, hoping to find a way out of the slush pile. This was the conception of The Guide of all Guides. Rather than scouring the internet and trying to remember who took what kind of story and how many words were allowed, I compiled a handy paperback with all the information I needed at my fingertips.
This book has helped me sell over 80 stories, so I thought I should share it with others. As I continued my research, I noted there were tons of markets opening and closing all the time. To help motivate myself and keep it all straight, I began my monthly blog. Really, I began the list just to compile it as a “SharePoint” of goals. When my readers see my list, they can rest assured I am probably sending a story into every single one of those calls.
Some testimonials:
- Matt Chabin – “You do us authors such a great service. Thank you so much!”
- O’Ryan Johnson – “Thank you for compiling these. It is incredibly helpful!”
- Danuta E. Raine – “Brilliant list. Love your insights.”
- Gina Easton – “Always great to read your personal take on these markets.”
- D.L. Winchester, President/Associate Editor, Undertaker Books – “Thank you for publishing the information for our Winter Horrorland call! Your blog was mentioned in several cover letters as where writers found out about our anthology.”
- Garet Cooke -“Last year I entered a story in the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award contest after reading about it in your post…and was named a finalist. I didn’t win, but it was a great resume builder! Many belated thanks, Angelique!”
- Turlough Lavery -“I eagerly await your posts every month!”
3. What two or three authors have inspired you the most and why?
There are too many to pick! My favorite genre is the short horror story, and few leap to mind as top contenders. Stephen King’s “The Mist.” Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.” Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon.” I could fill pages, but you get the idea.
4. What are your writing plans for 2025?
In 2025, I am hoping to spend more time creating content and less time consuming it! It’s been wonderful connecting with authors on Substack, so I’d love to do more of that. Serial fiction is my newest bug-a-boo, so I am kicking around ideas for a story to create for Substack. Here is my top contender:
A DYSTOPIAN REALITY SHOW – 3 “Episodes” a week.
I’ve written (and sold) several short stories about a dark futuristic reality show where the contestants die if they don’t win. Think The Long Walk by Richard Bachman, but in the future, and with many different competitions. Because I’ve worked as an on-air promo producer for almost every season of Survivor and Big Brother, I figure I have a deep understanding of how these narratives are structured. (Time will tell!)
5. Finally, what single bit of advice would you offer new writers wanting to break into the speculative fiction market?
My number one bit of advice? Submit, submit, submit. Write those stories and send them out. There is no way to get better if you aren’t actively doing it. And don’t worry about rejections. We all get scads of them. Never self-reject. You never know who might buy what! I’ve made some very strange sales in my time. If you don’t take it personally and think of it as a numbers game instead of a reflection on your talent, it can become fun.
P.S. It’s never a reflection on your talent. There are a million reasons why a story gets rejected, and sometimes it’s simply because an editor already bought a zombie story for that issue and can’t print two.
I can’t wait to see all your words out in the world! If anyone makes a sale they found about on my list, I would LOVE to hear from them.
Andy writes! 