The bite-sized September issue of Byzarium is here! This month, we have two stories to bring you:

The Mistman, by Michael John Grist. I liked this story because it feels like an old-timey fairy tale: disturbing as fuck and more than happy to crawl into your back-brain and set up residence there. A welcome prelude to the creep-fest that will be the October issue.

An Occurrence at Oakpost Sundries, by Jacob P. Silvia. This was actually initially submitted as a Bad-Fic contest submission. This entry had a little something extra to it, however, that convinced me it needed to be bumped up to a regular submission. And it has zombies. I am a sucker for well written zombies.

Again, I hope you enjoy both these stories. I certainly did.

In other news...

We got a TON of entries last month for the flash fiction contest -- thanks again to Kiriko-Moth for allowing us to showcase such beautiful artwork. It was very hard to select just one story, but Barbara and I finally got it narrowed down.  The winning submission will appear in the October issue.

A new flash fiction contest image will be posted Monday, September 15, and I hope you find it equally inspiring. Thanks again to everyone who submitted such great stories. You did not make our jobs as editors easy ones, I assure you!

The September issue will be posted on Tuesday, September 9th.  It's going to be small,  but I'm very happy with the stories that will comprise the issue.  And it's not like we didn't give you guys a plus-sized August issue. ;)

It's a big issue this month!  So click Current Issue and go check it out.  Also, we have a new Flash Fiction Contest Image this month, a beautiful piece of art courtesy of Kiriko-Moth.  I hope you guys find it as inspirational as I did!

In other news, Byzarium is once again open for submissions.

Hey all! You know how I post paintings to Byzarium which people can then use as inspirational spring-boards to write Flash Fiction submissions? And how each time I select a classic painting? Well, I got to thinking, and my thought process went thusly: I know a lot of artists. I know a lot of artists I would like to see get more attention. What if I asked some of those artists to submit a couple of their paintings or sketches, and I could pick one to use as a Flash Fiction Contest Image?

One important thing! I'm not going to be able to pay you for your art! So for the love of dawg -- don't create something specifically for this! If you've got some paintings/pictures in your DevArt account, and you'd like to get some exposure, swing one my way. Like I said, I won't be able to pay you, but I'll make sure your name and the link to your website is prominently featured. And you'll get to see what fictional weirdity your picture would inspire.

The weirder the better, and no fan-art, please!

Email me if you have any questions.

Here's the second batch of Bad-Fic winners! Check the April issue for more Bad-Fic.

	Love in Bloom - By Don Edwards.
	The Stars Like Flying Toasters by Laura Loomis
	Leftovers: Luncheon of Souls (The Saga Continues) by Kevin James Miller

Writing Treat
Sent in by Lisa Jonte: The Everchanging Book of Names

The June issue of Byzarium will be posted on Tuesday the 17th.  Sorry for the delay, but between freelance work and my preparation for MoCCA, there was no alternative.

Ack!  I'm going to post the June issue next week.  I'm back from MoCCA, but came back right in the middle of a deadline for a freelance project.  That has priority, but I'll be caught up on it by Monday.  Again, my apologies for the delay!

I'll update the June issue when I get back from MoCCA.  Thanks for your patience -- there's just no way I can get it done before.

	A Game of Cards by Melinda Selmys Food and high stakes poker, all equally apportioned.
	What My Bass Teacher Tried to Tell Me by Daniel C. Smith A simple message, elegantly written. Learn to love grammar - it's not your enemy!
	Natural Order by Laura Bickle Evicting unwanted tenants is always a tricky proposition.

Byzarium is still unable to accept submissions at this time.

My life is full of crazy, but I'm making headway, and there are good things on the horizon.  Yesterday I turned the first chapter of Book 2 of The Faerie Path manga in to my editor at Tokyopop.  I am now gathering together material and getting ready to go to MOCCA, along with my friends Karen Luk and Rachel Nabors in June.  More on that later!  I'm also deeply mired in a personal writing project.  So yes: BUSY. @_@

Your helpful grammar tip for the day:

Whose vs Who's

Whose is the possessive.

Who's is a contraction of 'who has' or 'who has'.