Volume 2, Issue 9: May 2013

Thanks for joining us for our May issue. We have three stories on the theme of The Missing Piece, each with a very different feel. Amanda M. Hayes returns to our pages with “Nine Thousand Pieces.” Deirdre Coles examines a couple on the edge in “Bloodletting,” and Swedish artist George Cotronis appears here with his debut short story, “Last Rites.”

We’re open for submissions for the June issue, this time on the theme of “Slipping Through Time.” We will also be announcing our next three themes in the very near future.

Thanks again for joining us and I hope that you enjoy this month’s selections.

-Michael Haynes

Volume 2, Issue 8: April 2013

Happy first of April! No April Fools’ jokes here, just three new flash fiction stories for you to read. This month we have three stories on the theme of “Changing Seasons.” Science fiction is represented by Beth Cato’s “Bloom” and there are two fantasy stories: “And Summer Will Come Too Soon” by Brynn MacNab and “Inconstant Spring” by Amanda M. Hayes.

With a new month having rolled around, we are also reading now for a new theme. Our May issue will feature stories on the theme of “The Missing Piece.” Remember that they should have a speculative fiction (science fiction or fantasy) element and be between 713 and 1000 words in length. Submissions are due by the 20th of April.

Finally, as a reminder, our anthology of California historical fantasy stories The California Cantata is available for both Kindle and Nook readers ($3.99). Among the stories in this anthology is one by the previously-mentioned Beth Cato.

I hope that you enjoy reading the three stories I have selected for this month’s issue.

-Michael Haynes

Volume 2, Issue 7: March 2013

Greetings, dear readers. Another page on the calendar has turned, and here we are, on the cusp of welcoming yet another spring. In honor of the coming season of bloom and bubble, our editor, Michael Haynes, has selected a story from his theme ‘Spring Training.’ Written by Amanda M. Hayes, One Note will make you grateful for your transition from winter to spring …but perhaps pine for a new way. We are honored to have another story of hers grace our pages. Michael has excellent taste, as you can see.

Looking on into March, keep your eyes peeled for our latest anthology The California Cantata. Long in the making, this volume of speculative fiction set in California will contain A. MAZ. ING. stories from Beth Cato, Michael Payne, and our very own Michael Haynes (selected for this anthology before he came on staff)–among others. It’s a collection you won’t want to miss. In the coming days, we’ll begin posting excerpts in anticipation of the release of the ebook, which will sell for $3.99 through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Last, please note our theme for our April issue: Changing Seasons. Write away, right away!

Until next week (when we bring out The California Cantata), I remain faithfully yours,

L. Lambert Lawson
Publisher, Kazka Press

Volume 2, Issue 6: February 2013

With the start of 2013 I stepped in to the role of Editor for the monthly flash fiction feature here at Kazka Press. I had enjoyed my stint as guest editor for the stories which were released in early October of last year and knew that it would be cool to have the chance to find the best of the submissions sent to Kazka each month for our readers’ enjoyment.

This month I read over two dozen stories on the theme of An Undelivered Valentine; from those submissions I chose three very different stories: Sylvia Spruck Wrigley’s “When You Come Back Again” where a woman waits for the return of her love in a post-apocalyptic setting, Charity Tahmaseb’s ”A Burden of So Many Roses” is a fantasy set in the halls of a contemporary high school, and Amanda M. Hayes’ “Arrow Shot” dips into classical mythology for its characters and setting. I enjoyed all three of these stories and hope that you will, too.

With February having rolled around, there’s a new theme for Kazka Press’ flash fiction submissions. This month I’ll be reading stories on the theme of “Spring Training.” As much as I love baseball, don’t feel a need to restrict yourself to only that literal reading of the theme; I’m always going to be more interested in stories which are excellent than those which hew closely to a stated theme. If you’re interested, please check out the submission guidelines.

Speaking of February, the current plans are for Kazka Press to release its California Cantata anthology toward the end of this month. With me having stepped into an editorial role at the press, this anthology will include my final story for the press, at least for the time being. It also will feature stories by Beth Cato and other great writers.

Until next month…

-Michael Haynes

Volume 2, Issue 5: January 2013

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR GREAT WRITERS, AND OUR PRESS, BY PURCHASING:
At Year’s End: SFF Holiday Stories – $2.99 on Kindle

STORIES from Beth Cato, Alex Shvartsman, Matthew Johnson, Alicia Cole, Michael H. Payne, and Many More!

- – -

I am beyond excited to publish this issue…and also a bit sad.

Excited because of these STUNNING stories based on our ‘And you think razor wire will keep me out?’ prompt:

David L Clements: Brane Surgery

Michael Haynes: Act of Penance

Lyn Thorne-Alder: Higher Walls, Sharper Wire

Linda Palund: The Beholder of Io

Anna Ilona Mussmann: The Hum of Refuge

Sad because this is my last issue as editor, curating the monthly issues. Work at my college is ramping up, and I need to place much more of my attention there. I’ll still be around as Editor-In-Chief, but that’s more titular than anything else. I will pay the bills, write blog posts, and keep the site going.

But someone else will be selecting the stories. Someone awesome.

Kazka Press’ monthly 713 Flash feature is in good hands with Michael Haynes, who has agreed to take over as Editor. [You'll notice Michael has a story in this issue--his last with us, sadly. Stories are read blind, and we didn't know we'd picked Michael's story until the author reveal. I take it as a sign we're going the right direction with Michael at the helm. We like his work, and we know he'll select excellent fiction for us moving forward.] He’s a class act, a wonderful writer, and the perfect person to step into this role.

I’ve enjoyed bringing fiction to you these past 15 months. What a ride it’s been. Now, I’m excited to discover, with you, what Michael uncovers. So get writing!

Keep after the dream,

LLL

In-Progress Cover for Bronies Anthology

Just wanted to share what we’ve been looking at for the Bronies’ cover. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Print Edition of Bronies: For the Love of Ponies

Due to the response to our Bronies anthology (who knew so many folks loved ponies and were willing to write about their love?) we are considering creating a concurrent print edition of the anthology to accompany the eBook.

What do you think? Does that sound like a good idea? Let us know in the comments.

The End is Upon Us

We’ve entered the last 24 hours of our first monthly flash fiction contest. Have you submitted your story? If not, head on over to our Flash Fiction Contest and send your work in.

Gone Too Soon

We here at Kazka do almost everything on Apple products–from iPads to MacBook Pros to iPod touches. These devices make our work easier and, it must be said, more fun. All this, really, because of Steve Jobs, who passed away yesterday at 56.

Gone too soon, sir. Gone too soon.

Kazka Press: 2012 and beyond

Dear Friends,

You’ve noticed, no doubt, a lull in activity on our Facebook, Twitter, and Blog spaces. Near radio silence, it seemed. I’d like to tell you why before moving on to some exciting news.

Kazka’s been maintained by a few folks behind the scenes, but recently those fine folks have moved on to new ventures, and it’s been just me (LLL) over the past six months. These past four months, the fall 2012 semester, has been an epically  busy time for me at work. This semester was my ‘tenure semester,’ meaning that the decision on whether or not I’d be granted tenure at the college I work at was made. Thus, 98% of my attention was on my job. Being a professor was my dream job since I was young, and I really wanted to pull out all the stops in the final semester. And I did.

And I am happy to report that I have been granted tenure.

That doesn’t mean that the hard work at the college is behind me (though some of the stress is). The work is really just beginning. I’m taking on a much larger role on campus, putting my weight behind projects and programs I truly believe in. It’s a very exciting time for me and my family.

But it’s also an exciting time for Kazka Press. We’ve just published At Year’s End: SFF Holiday Stories ($2.99 on Kindle and Nook), a wonderful collection of SFF flash fiction centered on end of year rituals. And from that volume, we’re nominating two stories for the Micro Award.

A Unicorn for Christmas by Beth Cato

Autumn Waits by Ken MacGregor

We’ll be posting each of these stories from At Year’s End on our website to advertise our new ebook (and to let you know how awesome these stories are). Stay tuned.

Another new development for Kazka is also a bittersweet one. Due to my increased duties at the college (and upcoming changes in our family), I have to take a step back from Kazka Press. Thus, starting with the February 2013 issue, I’ll no longer be editing/curating the monthly issue. Instead, I’ll retain my role as publisher and edit and curate the occasional ebook anthology. I’m sad to relinquish my ‘thumb in the pudding,’ as it were, but it’s not all bitter news.

In fact, there’s some great news coming out of this change!

Michael Haynes has agreed to become the Editor of the monthly issues. Starting 1 January, Michael will be reading and responding to the stories we publish on a monthly basis. He’ll also be creating the prompts beyond those I’ve already noted on the page. I am looking forward to the touch he puts on the stories selected for Kazka in the upcoming months. Kazka Press is in very, very good hands with Michael, and I cannot wait to see how it grows under his stewardship. So check out the 713 Flash themes and send us your best stuff!

I’m currently reading stories for the January 2013 issue. We’ll be publishing on 3 January 2013, so keep an eye out for our new issue!

Thanks for making 2012 a great year. Here’s to 2013!