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Pardon the mess; Getting ready for pre-orders.
Posted on 2009-12-09 at 15:22 by montsamu
Pardon the mess, folks. There will be some intermittent issues at bullspec.com and www.bullspec.com — and potentially the e-mails @bullspec.com — while we roll over some DNS records in preparation for opening a simple site to start accepting pre-orders for the print issue. We’ve found our printing partner and finalized our first-run costs ($3/copy: 64 lovely full-size glossy pages, pull-out-able serialized graphic novel in full color in the middle if we can close on that in time), and are now working to finalize our payment processing partners. We do know the “price” for the first issue will be “$3 + $postage + $?” (no stinking “handling”) where the ”$?” is up to you — yes, $0 is more than awesome. YES: $0 is more than awesome! We’ll have a nice list of content for the first issue put together “real soon now” as well, but one thing that won’t be in there: a single paid advertisement. (If you see something that looks like an ad; it’s more a ‘flyer’ to somebody we want to thank or something we’ve heard about that we just plain like. Maybe everyone else in the world thinks these are “ads;” fair enough.)
While we don’t know a couple of things (still working on that cover art decision and a few last sections of content), a bit more info on the preorder process, particularly our refund policy:
- Before we go to press (mid January): up to and including full refunds (cost plus postage plus gratuity) with no questions asked. (Just please don’t preorder with the intention of doing this, OK? Thanks. If it’s a change in financial situation we’d ask, if possible, to only refund the gratuity portion, if any, as the main purpose of the preorder is to get the right size for the first printing. But we will respect your decision in this area.)
- After we go to press: Please, no refund requests unless you don’t receive the magazine by the end of February. (The first go at labeling and shipping might be slow.)
- After you receive the magazine: If you hate it; let’s talk about it and work out a refund and the passing on of your copy (local library donation, return, etc.) (And again, just please don’t order with the intention of doing this. All else? We’ll be cool.)
Posted in meta
Looking for a serialized graphic novel for the 2010 run.
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 10:47 by montsamu
OK. Let’s do this. BULL SPEC is looking for a 4 issue (2-4 full size pages each) spec fiction related comic for the 2010 run. Reprints OK. PG to low PG-13 rating. For original work: Not pro advance payment for comics at this time, but the text will be advanced at $0.05/word along with some additional advance for the art, though not at “a picture is a thousand words” as we would all like, not yet. But not insulting, and BULL SPEC will revert its share of all royalties to the authors until a pro advance is met. (Regular share after.) Contact editors@bullspec.com if interested.
Posted in meta
We're pleased to announce that BULL SPEC #1 will include a feature on: game designer and author Lee Hammock.
Posted on 2009-12-07 at 02:40 by montsamu
Rounding out our interviews for BULL SPEC #1 will be game designer and author Lee Hammock, currently Lead Game Designer on the RPG/FPS hybrid MMOG Fallen Earth for Cary, North Carolina-based Icarus Studios. We’re very much looking forward to sitting down with him and talking about his writing, gaming both digital and tabletop, Fallen Earth, and what’s next.
Posted in announcements, bull spec #1, fallen earth, icarus studios, interview-announcements, lee hammock
We're pleased to announce that BULL SPEC #1 will include a feature on D. Harlan Wilson.
Posted on 2009-12-06 at 02:42 by montsamu
While for the most part we’re about to enter “stealth mode” as we get ready for the late January first issue, there are a few more things we’re just too excited about to keep under wraps. For today, we’re very pleased indeed to announce that BULL SPEC #1 will include an expanded feature on award-winning novelist, short story writer, cultural theorist, and screenwriter D. Harlan Wilson, including an interview and reviews of his latest novel (Peckinpah: An Ultraviolent Romance) and his latest nonfiction book (Technologized Desire: Selfhood & the Body in Postcapitalist Science Fiction). More to come? You bet.
Posted in announcements, bull spec #1, d. harlan wilson, feature-announcements, interview-announcements, peckinpah, review-announcements, technologized desire
We're pleased to announce that BULL SPEC #1 will be including some articles, reviews and interviews, including an interview of: Jennifer Bedell & Zachary Boyd of Durham's Sci-Fi Genre Comics & Games.
Posted on 2009-12-03 at 19:25 by montsamu
While some other things are still too much in the pending stage, we’re pleased to announce that due to such great response so far, we’re going to move to a full e-zine format a little ahead of schedule. To that end, we’ve started tracking down some articles, reviews, and interviews to include in BULL SPEC #1 in January, and we’re even more pleased to announce that our first interview will be of Jennifer Bedell & Zachary Boyd of Durham’s Sci-Fi Genre Comics & Games.
Having recently celebrated the 3rd anniversary of their brick-and-mortar store (ScifiGenre.com went online in 2003) great things are always afoot at a place which is near and dear to the hearts of speculative fiction fans in Durham and beyond. We look forward to taking you a bit “behind the scenes” at Sci-Fi Genre, and helping you get to know Jennifer and Zachary a little better in the process as well.
Posted in announcements, article-announcements, bull spec #1, interview-announcements, jennifer bedell, review-announcements, sci-fi genre, zachary boyd
Slight updates to guidelines. Status.
Posted on 2009-12-03 at 15:30 by montsamu
We’ve made some updates to our guidelines and wanted to briefly highlight them:
- Explanation of logarithmic word count share for anthologies;
- We will accept attachments of any kind (as long as we can read them!) in future submissions periods;
- We will accept two story submissions per author, per submissions period, to avoid a common occurrence this time around of having already accepted a story on one or the other side of the speculative fiction spectrums and not giving enough time for a follow-up submission;
- Capped the first advance payment (upon acceptance) at $50, with the remainder still payable at publication; this allows us greater flexibility in making selections further in advance of publication, and only effects stories longer than 2000 words.
Posted in meta
Sneak Peek: "La Arquitectura de la Luna" (the Spanish translation of Joe Meno's "The Architecture of the Moon").
Posted on 2009-11-29 at 02:34 by montsamu
I thought you might also enjoy a sneak peek into the progress of the Spanish translation for Joe Meno’s “The Architecture of the Moon.” Also serving as a “Welcome!” to Itzel Leaf, who is handling the Spanish translation for this story and we are thrilled to have her on the BULL SPEC team. Without further adieu: the first paragraph of “La Arquitectura de la Luna:“
Para el Lunes la luna había dejado de brillar. En un momento es la forma mas importante del cielo nocturno, y después desaparece, una imagen un poco borrosa debajo de nuestros ojos, y después es sólo una pregunta, un flash, y después nada, sólo un recuerdo. Una vez que la luna deja de brillar en su lugar, el resto de las estrellas se desvanecen rapidamente. Y luego, sin la luna y las estrellas, cada tipo de bulbo pierde su inspiración y empieza a fallar. Finalmente, sólo hay obscuridad una completa y total ausencia de luz tan pronto y como el sol desaparece cada noche. Trágicamente, y de repente el público se encuentra perdido cada atardecer. Aquellos que estan perdidos deben de dormir en sus coches, en los portales, o el el césped de extraños. En la obscuridad, vagan hasta que se sienten cansados, despues se recuestan a donde sea que esten, como huérfanos valientes. En la noche. En la noche, parece que los edificios se han empezado a mover por si solos. Los letreros de las calles cambian de posicion repentinamente. En la noche, las avenidas y bulevares se convierten en callejones sin salida. Sin la luna o las estrellas o la luz de la calle para mantener las cosas en su lugar, la gente se da cuenta de la velocidad en que se mueve el mundo. El efecto, como usted puede imaginar en bastante mareador.About Itzel: Itzel Leaf is a native of Mexico, where she first attained a Ciencias Computacionales from
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo before graduating with a BS in Education from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional and spending five years as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher at one of the most prestigious institutions in her native country. Since immigrating to the United States she has worked as a preschool teacher as well as with older children, and has started a pilot Spanish program for preschool and younger children.
Posted in bull spec benefit short #1, itzel leaf, joe meno, la arquitectura de la luna, the architecture of the moon
Sneak Peek: "L'Architecture de la Lune" (the French translation of Joe Meno's "The Architecture of the Moon").
Posted on 2009-11-27 at 18:26 by montsamu
I thought you might enjoy a sneak peek into the progress of the French translation for Joe Meno’s “The Architecture of the Moon.” Also serving as a “Welcome!” to Andrew Matte, who is handling the French translation and narration for this story and we are thrilled to have him on the BULL SPEC team. Without further adieu: the first paragraph of “L’Architecture de la Lune:“
Par lundi la lueur de la lune est disparru. Un moment c’est la figure le plus important dans le ciel ensuite c’est parti, un image brumeux sous les paupières, rien de plus qu’une question, un éclair et puis rien du tout, qu’une mémoire. Une fois que la lune ne brille plus dans sa place, les étoiles se décolent. Et puis, sans la lune et les étoiles, chaque ampoule perd son inspiration et commence à tomber. Finalement, il n’y a que l’obscurité, un absence complet de lumière aussi-tôt que le soleil disparait les nuits Tragiquement, le publique s’égare chaque soirée. Ceux qui sont perdu doivent dormir dans leur voiture, dans l’entrée d’une porte ou meme sur la pelouse d’un étranger. Dans l’obscurité, ils trainent jusqu’ils se fatiguent, puis se couchent là où ils sont, comme des orphelins courageux. Les soirs, il parait que les edifices eux memes se displacent. Les signes de rues s’échanges de positions. Les soirs, les avenues et boulevards deviennent cul-de-sacs. Sans la lune ou les étoiles ou lampadaires à garder de quoi en place, les gens se rendent compte la vitesse à laquelle le monde remue. L’effet, comme vous vous imaginez, plutot étourdissant.About Andrew:
Andrew Matte was born in Toronto, Canada as a French Canadian in an English-speaking city. He attended school up until university in the French system, starting English classes in grade 4. In grade 11 his teacher proudly introduced himself and announced “I’m going to learn you English real good this year.” Andrew studied Economics at the University Waterloo in Canada’s tech capital, holds a black belt in Kung Fu and wields a fierce ukulele. He currently lives on Vancouver Island, and if you want to thank him for putting together the French translation, he is participating in a campaign to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Canada.
Andrew Matte vit et travaille en Whistler, Canada. Il est né en Toronto, d’une famille bilingue, et suivit ses cours en français jusqu’à l’université quand il étudia les sciences économiques à Waterloo, le centre technologique du Canada. Il possède une ceinture noire en kung fu, joue le ukelele et anticipe fervament ardemment les jeux olympiques de 2010.
Posted in andrew matte, bull spec benefit short #1, joe meno, l'architecture de la lune, the architecture of the moon
Progress, slow and steady.
Posted on 2009-11-27 at 06:27 by montsamu
Already a week overdue on finalizing responses, I am afraid it will likely be a week more yet before every story gets its proper evaluation and response. Please do rest assured that each one will be fully considered in time, and that the main reason for delay is in the interest of allowing such consideration.
Posted in meta
Reading and reading and reading. And reading. And translating.
Posted on 2009-11-20 at 03:39 by montsamu
Apologies for the slower responses to your submissions than anticipated. There’s been enough stories that we truly enjoyed that if we could we’d fill a little (or not so little) anthology.
Posted in meta
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