![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
G.U.D. Magazine
Jul. 13th, 2007 02:23 pmAs a budding science fiction writer, I'm always on the lookout for new markets. Somehow, I became aware of G.U.D. Magazine, pronounced "good." So I sent something in to them, which was promptly rejected. However, they put me on the e-mail list, and as a result I got an opportunity to download a PDF of issue 1 for a buck.
At 200 pages, I definitely got my money's worth. I now understand why I didn't get accepted. G.U.D. is a "literary" magazine which allows science fiction. Most of the stories were of that very typical "high art" (read: semi-coherent and plotless) genre popular with 20-something liberal arts majors. Lots of sex, drugs and booze (all of which can be fun) but depicted in the most un-erotic and un-interesting manner possible.
There were a few bright spots. Specifically:
- Aliens by Jordan E. Rosenfeld. Despite the title no science fiction, but an entertaining slice-of-life story.
- Max Velocity by Leslie Claire Walker was a story set in a future where pregnant women suddenly grow roots. It's semi-coherent but interesting.
- In the Dark by Sean Melican is an unusual first-contact story, told via letters from a blind man.
- Fear Not Heaven's Fire by Jaine Fenn is a rural fantasy told from the point of view of a blind nun. I've been seeing (pun intended) a number of stories from this POV, and they've all been unique and well done.
Considering the regular price for a PDF download is $3.50, you may find G.U.D. worth your while. They have teasers for each issue on the website for free, which may also enlighten your buying decision.
At 200 pages, I definitely got my money's worth. I now understand why I didn't get accepted. G.U.D. is a "literary" magazine which allows science fiction. Most of the stories were of that very typical "high art" (read: semi-coherent and plotless) genre popular with 20-something liberal arts majors. Lots of sex, drugs and booze (all of which can be fun) but depicted in the most un-erotic and un-interesting manner possible.
There were a few bright spots. Specifically:
- Aliens by Jordan E. Rosenfeld. Despite the title no science fiction, but an entertaining slice-of-life story.
- Max Velocity by Leslie Claire Walker was a story set in a future where pregnant women suddenly grow roots. It's semi-coherent but interesting.
- In the Dark by Sean Melican is an unusual first-contact story, told via letters from a blind man.
- Fear Not Heaven's Fire by Jaine Fenn is a rural fantasy told from the point of view of a blind nun. I've been seeing (pun intended) a number of stories from this POV, and they've all been unique and well done.
Considering the regular price for a PDF download is $3.50, you may find G.U.D. worth your while. They have teasers for each issue on the website for free, which may also enlighten your buying decision.
