You'll notice there is an asterik next to "Buying Time!"  That's because while Shawna has indeed selected some new stories for the magazine, this in no way signals that we are open to new submissions.  Repeat: we are not open to new submissions.  I passed these stories along to Shawna before Sovereign Media pulled the plug, but she didn't read them until after Warren bought the magazine.  We'd like to thank these authors for being extraordinarily patient with us during these transition months.  Also, while we don't know just when we're reopening to submissions yet, the fact that we've gotten to the point where we can send out contracts for anything is another positive sign.

As to the lucky winners this time around:

--"In Time of Great Despair and Darkness" by Ken Scholes

--"The Hag Queen's Curse" by M.K. Hobson

--"Hanuman's Bridge" by Euan Harvey

--"Halloween: Comprising a Cautionary Acrostic of Nine Bedtime Stories for Reading to the Tiresome or Disobedient Child" by Euan Harvey

--"Sultana Lena's Gift" by Shweta Narayan

Ken, M.K., and Euan have all contributed numerous stories to the magazine in the past, and Ken & Euan are both former slush survivors of yours truly.  It probably comes as no surprise that Euan's Halloween story was sent for the Halloween issue.  Well, the Halloween issue may be defunct, but we're using the story!  Shweta is new to the magazine and is another slush survivor.  This marks my first slush survivor accepted during the new regime.  Congrats to all!

ETA: If you've been waiting to hear back and haven't received a response yet, please be advised that there are additional stories stuck in limbo from later batches that Shawna still needs to get through.

Tomorrow will be the first deadline I put in place for artwork.  I'm happy to say all four authors met their deadlines.  IMO, they also handed in top-notch work.  I now need to assign two more pieces of new artwork.  Once I do, I shall declare the magazine's art production schedule in full swing.