Black Gate 5

Black Gate 5

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A young woman and her barbarian protector stumble across an ancient horror in a ruined temple…a group of children are trapped by the lethal remnant of a sorcerous war…a young explorer undertakes a dangerous journey to Earth’s surface, untold centuries after an alien conquest…and the last survivor of a race of shape-shifters faces an unexpected fate in the bloody coliseum of Ancient Rome.

These and many more exciting stories await you in the big spring issue of Black Gate, on sale now. Have a look at our online sneak peek, featuring lengthy excerpts, artwork, and much more. This issue features fiction from Bram Stoker Award-winning author Brian A. Hopkins, a chilling new horror novella from Todd McAulty, and great new fiction from Don Bassingthwaite, Michael H. Payne, Jennifer Busick and many others. And don’t miss the hilarious exploits of the Knights of the Dinner Table by Jolly R. Blackburn!

Special Fiction Feature: “Iron Joan” by ElizaBeth Gilligan

Special Fiction Feature: “Iron Joan” by ElizaBeth Gilligan

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The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) has released the 2002 Nebula Awards preliminary ballot, and we are very proud to announce that ElizaBeth Gilligan’s “Iron Joan,” from our Winter 2002 issue, has been nominated in the category of Best Short Story. The Nebula Awards are voted on, and presented by, active members of SFWA, and the Awards will be announced at the 2002 Nebula Awards Banquet to be held in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 19th.

ElizaBeth’s tale of a mysterious young woman’s arrival in a small town, and the effect she has on its inhabitants, was one of the most acclaimed pieces of fiction we’ve published, and we are very pleased to present “Iron Joan” online here in a Special Fiction Feature, complete in its entirety and with the original art by Chris Pepper. We hope you enjoy it.

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New Reviews of Black Gate Magazine

New Reviews of Black Gate Magazine

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“There’s a whiff of Ray Bradbury, maybe even a hint of Stephen King…This is readable, entertaining fantasy at its best. Excellent stuff. It may well evolve into a ‘must read’ for all fans of the fantasy scene.”

— The Fix

We’ve posted excerpts from seven new reviews of our recent issues, from such diverse publications as Locus, SF Site, SFReader.com, The Fix, and others. Come see why Black Gate is being hailed as “Spellbinding…expect your vision of Fantasy fiction to be challenged and enlarged by some of the most imaginative and technically proficient storytellers the genre has to offer.”

An Interview With Editor John O’Neill

An Interview With Editor John O’Neill

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In the late ’90’s, Cyberus struck a deal to be acquired for $5.2 million…[which] meant we could finally talk seriously about doing some of the things we’d dreamed about. I drafted a business plan for a publishing house, and showed it to the other owners… It called for the creation of a fantasy magazine with the emphasis on exciting, accessible fiction. In essence, it would be a modern age pulp magazine, with serials, colorful settings and characters, and an unabashed emphasis on fun.

Read Daniel E. Blackston’s hard-hitting interview with Black Gate‘s Editor and Publisher John O’Neill at SFReader.com. Ranging from the early days of the SF Site through Black Gate‘s genesis and recent success, the conversation covers modern adventure fantasy, pulps, electronic publishing, the perils of modern distribution, and much more. Read this candid and surprising talk with a “website pioneer and print publisher extraordinaire.”

Black Gate 4: Summer 2002

Black Gate 4: Summer 2002

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A Chicago pub where the ghosts of Blues legends gather to swap tales and jam one final time…a post-apocalyptic cityscape where automated bombers still cruise overhead and the last rock band hears the sound of extinction…a wild west where a trio of demons test the wits of a lone bounty hunter…and the dungeons of Chateau Machecoul, where an aging knight comes face-to-face with a horror unlike anything he’s ever known.

These are just a few of the unique and exciting settings that await you in the big summer issue of Black Gate. This issue features the start of a major fantasy series from Hugo Award-winning author Bill Johnson and a new novelette from epic fantasy novelist David B. Coe, as well as fiction from Cory Doctorow, Tina Jens, Mark McLaughlin, and many others. And don’t miss the return of the hilarious Knights of the Dinner Table comic by Jolly R. Blackburn to the pages of Black Gate!

Updated Submission Guidelines

Updated Submission Guidelines

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Interested in submitting fiction to Black Gate? BG magazine is one of the top-paying markets in the field, but we have very specific needs and requirements. Be sure to check out our updated Submission Guidelines to get the latest on what we’re looking for.

New to this edition are clarified requirements & advice for both post and e-mail submmissions, as well as two special features by Black Gate editor John O’Neill: “The Seven Most Common Reasons we Return a Manuscript,” and “Six Things That Will Cause Us to Stop Reading.” That’s thirteen great reasons to have a look at our updated guidelines!

New Reviews of Black Gate magazine

New Reviews of Black Gate magazine

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Critical acclaim for the first three issues of Black Gate continues to pour in. “These guys aren’t kidding around,” says Tangent Online of our third issue — “This heavy-duty volume, bigger than many trade paperbacks, is very classy.”

Our fiction, reviews and columns have been called “Incredible” (Indigenous Fiction), “Excellent” (SF Chronicle), and “Genuinely arresting” (Locus). And SFReader.com exclaimed “You won’t find a better looking or more professionally written pub…the literary standards, production value, and generously-heaped content of Black Gate are unparalleled.”

But don’t just take our word for it — read what the experts have to say. We’ve updated our reviews page with excerpts and links to six new in-depth reviews, from The Fix: The Review of Short Fiction, SF Site, SF Chronicle, and other fine publications. Enjoy!

Special Fiction Feature: “The Whoremaster of Pald”

Special Fiction Feature: “The Whoremaster of Pald”

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Zed runs a friendly, profitable business in Pald’s foreign quarter — kept that way by his seeming willingness to avoid conflict at all costs. But beneath this carefully constructed cowardly exterior beats the heart of a shrewd businessman, one who will go to any lengths to protect both his business and his employees. But he’ll need every resource at his disposal when he finds himself up against an unknown opponent who wants him dead… an opponent with very powerful allies, and deadly Lisk stitch magic at his fingertips.

Harry James Connolly’s “The Whoremaster of Pald,” praised for “vivid prose strongly reminiscent of Jack Vance” (Tangent Online), was one of the most popular and acclaimed tales in Black Gate‘s second issue. Now we are proud to present it online, complete in its entirety, with the original art and sketches by Chris Pepper. If you enjoy it, be sure to read Connolly’s second tale of swordplay and magic in the decaying city of Pald, “Another Man’s Burden,” in the Winter 2002 issue of Black Gate!

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Reviews of Black Gate magazine

Reviews of Black Gate magazine

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What have the reviewers been calling Black Gate magazine? “Ambitious” (Interzone), “Wonderful” (RPGNet), “Spectacular” (Tangent Online), and “The Best Thing to happen to fantasy since Robert E. Howard faked his own death, moved to England, and took on a new identity as J.R.R. Tolkien” (The Wall Street Journal).

Okay, we’re kidding about that last one. But we’ve been thrilled to see the reception the critical press is giving BG. With just three issues shipped so far, SF Site proclaimed “Black Gate promises to be what I’m looking for.” And The Fix: The Review of Short Fiction asked “240 pages? How do they manage to fill all that?… So much for not much, in a good-looking, easy to read format. All power to John O’Neill and Black Gate!”

But don’t take our word for it. Drop by our new reviews page to read excerpts and recent articles about us from magazines such as Locus, SF Chronicle, Tangent Online, and many more. And find out why Interzone proclaimed “Does Black Gate deliver? In spades!”

Black Gate #3: Winter 2002

Black Gate #3: Winter 2002

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A trio of adventurers scheme to steal a deadly enchanted sword… a dwarven detective stumbles on an ingenious new scam in a very old casino… a deadly worm terrorizes the helpless inhabitants of an ancient sky city… and the Lord of the Underworld tracks a child murderer across a chilling landscape where spiders lurk in hidden lairs and ghosts are hunted for sport — all in the big Winter issue of Black Gate magazine, shipping this week.

Our third big issue features fiction by multiple Hugo-Award winner Mike Resnick, Forgotten Realms novelist Elaine Cunningham, Darrell Schweitzer, and a brand new Pald story by Harry James Connolly! Our special preview has a complete list of the contents, as well as artwork and fiction excerpts. Look for our 224-page Winter issue in the finest book and comic stores across North America — or drop by our subscription page to subscribe online.