PLOTS WITH GUNS: "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold This Body Down"
Here's how this is going to work: PLOTS WITH GUNS will go back online in the new year, as soon as I get enough good stories to fill an issue. I'll be doing quarterly issues. The pay will be...well, it'll be me buying you your drink of choice the next time I happen to see you. The standards will be higher than ever, and I'll be pickier than ever. Looking for hard-boiled, noir and transgressive crime fiction. Every story has to have a gun in it somehow, some way (doesn't have to play a big role. Just needs to be there). No pastiche. It's got to feel right to find a home in PWG.
Why zombify this thing? Well, when the Crimedogs packed it in back in 2004, it was because we were juggling our own writing with our day jobs, and PWG was taking up a lot of time. Hard to balance. So we took time off, put together a print anthology with Dennis McMillan, moved all over the country, and wrote some books. I also learned a lot more about how to reinstate PWG back into my life and not have it be a giant headache. Plus, I got inspired, and I am just really hungry for new noir short stories that take literary risks. Want to find them and share them with the world on a really sharp looking website.
The archives of the first run are still available on the Way Back Machine here. We're damned proud of this catalog. Some amazing stories from heavy hitters, new voices, and plenty of surprises. An Anthony Award nominee, and a few who made it into Best Of anthologies. We hope to find an equally strong showing amongst the noir-istas out there this time around (if you don't mind sharing it for the price of a cocktail). Since we also wanted the thing to always have a striking look to it, we're also on the prowl for great photos or artwork from artists looking for a little exposure.
In 2008, we're starting over with Issue #1. Send me your best (email only). You know how to get in touch. And I promise you this won't be a Ross Perot thing (he's running, he's not, he's running again, he's not). This time, I'm sticking around for the long haul.
Submissions are now open.
Great news!
Posted by: Bill Crider | November 18, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Huzzah!
Posted by: JDRhoades | November 18, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Whaaaaaaa?
(rub eyes)
Whaaaaaaaaaa?
Posted by: Victor Gischler | November 18, 2007 at 01:27 PM
That's awesome news!
Posted by: ChrisR | November 18, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Allow me to be the first to say, "Holy fucking shit!"
That's the best news I've heard all month.
Posted by: Stephen Blackmoore | November 18, 2007 at 03:29 PM
I've got my gun out of the holster already.
Posted by: patti abbott | November 18, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Fuckin' A.
Posted by: Patrick Shawn Bagley | November 18, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Excellent news. I look forward to its return.
Posted by: Jeremy Lynch | November 18, 2007 at 05:39 PM
...it'll be me buying you your drink of choice the next time I happen to see you.
Fuck that, we'll buy you a drink. Fabulous news!
Posted by: Graham | November 18, 2007 at 07:25 PM
Oh my god that's brilliant news! A great way to start a shitty Monday morning. Cheers Neil. I've missed it.
Posted by: Donna | November 18, 2007 at 11:53 PM
A place for "transgressive" crime fiction? ... Love it. ... Congrats on the big announcement.
Posted by: Greg B. | November 19, 2007 at 06:09 PM
Guns are so violent.
Have you thought about Plots With Geraniums?
You could keep the PWG thing, and it wouldn't be so yucky violent.
Posted by: Guyot | November 19, 2007 at 06:31 PM
I can't wait.
Posted by: Mike MacLean | November 20, 2007 at 05:09 AM
Awesomeness, man! Can't wait for the rebirth.
Posted by: Sean Chercover | November 21, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Hot fucking damn!
Posted by: Beverley Brackett | November 22, 2007 at 08:07 AM
What great news, Neil. Looking forward to the return of PWG. It will be a killer. Let hard edged meaness rule.
Posted by: Louise Guardino | November 22, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Fantastic news! Looking forward to the first issue.
Posted by: Gary Bush | November 23, 2007 at 04:19 PM