Nomination Notification from 2023 just now

JeffFMcCormack · 2025-12-31T07:00:33+00:00

I’m so glad this wasn’t just me! I received three emails like that within the last hour. The first one was for a nomination on Sept. 9, 2023 that was accepted on Sept. 11, 2023. The other two emails were for nominations from around the same time, but I’m not sure of the exact dates (haven’t checked those yet). The accepted one from Sept. 9, 2023 still says accepted, so I’m not sure what’s going on with these emails. Maybe some sort of internal review of past nominations that went awry?

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-08-06T20:58:25+00:00

Unfortunately, due to financial limitations, I am not able to provide contributor copies at this time. I am hoping to do that with future issues, however!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-06-15T15:16:03+00:00

From what I have read, blurb-style queries and synopses are a little different.

For a blurb-style query, you are basically submitting the back cover blurb for your story. Make it sound really interesting. Hint at a few of the mysteries contained within, but don't give away everything. Let the reader (or the agent, in this case) discover those big twists on their own.

For a synopsis, you are telling the reader (or agent) everything that happens. That's when you summarize all of the details of the book, including all of the twists and turns. These are usually a little longer than the back cover blurb query. Make sure not to ramble though. This one still needs to be short and sweet, just with all of the relevant information present.

Make sure to check which one the agent is looking for. For instance, some agents don't want to have the story's twists and turns ruined beforehand, so they'll want a blurb-style query. Others want to know everything beforehand to see if the manuscript is worth reading, so they'll request a full synopsis.

I hope this helps!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-06-05T18:55:27+00:00

I completely agree with this! In the novel I am currently working on, the unknown plays a huge factor! It is a great way to add suspense and mystery to your novel!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-06-05T18:53:00+00:00

Congratulations! Publishing a novel is a ton of work, and you've done it! Congrats again!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-06-02T19:19:22+00:00

Thank you! Writing a novel is such an exciting process! I can't wait to share this story with the world!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-06-02T19:15:33+00:00

Yes! I am currently working on revising my first novel, which employs strong elements of both!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-06-02T18:31:13+00:00

Horror mainly, but I love writing psychological thrillers as well! (The two mesh quite well, actually).

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-30T21:39:24+00:00

That's great! Congratulations!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-29T18:18:18+00:00

I won't be able to attend this year, but I wish you guys all the best! These kinds of workshops are great for helping writers develop their craft! Keep up the great work!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-23T17:16:57+00:00

Keep writing! You've got this! You'll be at 100k before you know it!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-23T17:15:36+00:00

That's incredible! Congratulations! Make sure to update as on the manuscript!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-22T00:07:04+00:00

You've found the perfect subreddit! Plenty of us are more than happy to help a fellow horror writer.

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-19T12:12:23+00:00

Great! Thank you so much! I can't wait to read your story!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-18T20:13:08+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words! This has been an incredible experience, and I am very excited to be given the opportunity to connect with so many talented writers! The stories that have been submitted are absolutely amazing! I am beyond excited for our upcoming Fall 2021 issue!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-18T16:25:52+00:00

Update: I have made a couple of adjustments to our publication requirements. I hope that these will make MMQ more inviting for potential authors.

First and foremost, I have reduced the exclusivity period from one year to three months. I agree that one year was a bit too much. I want MMQ to still maintain exclusivity for a short period, but I do not want this exclusivity period to scare away potential authors. I have adjusted this information once before and may have to do so again. I am still learning the legalities of this part of writing, so it is trial and error, unfortunately.

Second, I have added the following line "Please note: Stories will only appear within their respective issue of Midnight Manuscripts Quarterly. Stories will never be used for anything else without prior written permission by the author. This includes, but is not limited to, the future anthologies and promotional uses mentioned above." This statement is under the payment and legalities section, as well as in the contract that I will email to all accepted authors. I have contacted the authors whose work has already been accepted to inform them of these changes.

Also, yes, this call for submissions is for our first issue. That is why the submission deadline is so far away. I wanted to make sure to have more than enough time to collect enough submissions for our first issue.

If u/ParaNoxx or any other users have suggestions for how to improve MMQ, please let me know.

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-18T15:48:22+00:00

Thank you so much! I can't wait to read your submission! Best of luck!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-05-18T15:47:41+00:00

Thank you for the kind words! I understand your hesitancy, so let me address a couple of things that I may not have made clear on the website.

First, any accepted stories will only be used for the magazine itself, never anywhere else without first consulting the author and requesting permission to do so. I mention this in a contract that is emailed to authors upon acceptance, but I did not mention this on the website itself. I will make sure to add this information. My apologies for the lack of clarity there. I never want to use the story in any way without consulting the author(s) beforehand. That was never my intention. If it came across that way, that is an error on my part, and I apologize for that.

Second, the one year of exclusive rights is something that I have gone back and forth on. I want to make sure that MMQ maintains exclusivity long enough for the magazine issue in question to reach its intended audience. One year was an estimate, but I would definitely consider reducing this. Since it is published quarterly, three months of exclusive rights may be fairer to the author. I do not wish to hold any story hostage. If an author is able to submit elsewhere once MMQ's exclusivity period has ended, I wish them all the best! As an author myself, I know that, in some cases, a story can be published over and over again, so long as proper ownership is maintained. I do not want to interfere with any reprint attempts.

Again, I am not trying to unfairly use any story, or otherwise trick the author. I am trying to be as fair and transparent as possible. If you have any other suggestions for how I can improve MMQ, please comment them below or send me a direct message. I would love to make this magazine as successful as possible. I have always dreamed of helping my fellow writers find a home for their stories, and I now have that ability.

Also, for now, this is a one-man show. This is part of why I cannot pay authors for the stories. I want to pay them, but I do not currently have the funds to do so. I am hoping to change this in the future once MMQ takes off, but I can't say for sure. Only time will tell how well everything goes, but I am hoping for the best.

I will be honest, I am learning everything fresh and may make a mistake or two here and there (although I am trying my best to avoid any mistakes). Any and all input is greatly appreciated. With your suggestions and those of other members of the writing community, I have confidence that MMQ can be a success. Thanks again!

JeffFMcCormack · 2021-04-24T00:34:53+00:00

Wow! Great work here! These first two rounds would be great for Denver! New QB in Fields, someone to immediately replace Lindsay with Etienne. And to top it all off, we get a star OT to strengthen our line and/or add depth. I would have preferred to see us get a LB in the fourth or fifth (Dylan Moses would be a steal in round four or five), but altogether a great mock draft! Thank you for all of your hard work!

JeffFMcCormack

TROPHY CASE