A new anthology

Edited

By

Stephen Studach

&

To be

published

By

Paroxysm press

Seeks

The best flash fiction in THE WORLD

This will be a one hundred work anthology of some of the best new flash fiction from Australia and around the world.

Submitted pieces should be from 0 to 1000 words in length. Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dark Realism and anything in between. Award winners and reprints are welcome.

The anthology will be produced by iconic cult publishers Paroxysm Press.

The submission period is now open and will remain so until the editor has 100 brilliant works and that announcement is made.

When submitting; apply standard ms format. We prefer 12 pt Times New Roman font. Three character indent for paragraphs, including first paragraph. Underline for italics. Oxford English spellings (colour not color etc). Double quotation marks for dialogue. Single quotation marks for quotes and ‘stressed’ words. Otherwise, refer to the Oxford style manual. Please send stories as Word.doc or RTF files.

Payment is in contributor’s copies.

Please send up to three flashes to paroxysm@paroxysmpress.com

If you think that you can hurl literary lightning bolts, we want to read you.

One hundred writers, one hundred outstanding flashes of brilliant plasma – each captured in the mason jar of this volume.

From the editor: ‘I am the lightning collector. The lid is off the jar. Come thee and fork lightning…’

With Paroxysm original bad-boy, Kami, making it to the final of the
National Australian Poetry Slam (in the Sydney Opera House no less!) we figured a quick Sydney trip was in order (nothing to do with one of the fights of the century being on the day before mind you).

We’re very happy to be cruising along with this years (and last years)
S.A. heat winner, Indigo (Ten Years of Things that Didn’t Kill Us).

On Tues the 1st of Dec. we’ll be going along to see the locals do
their thing at ‘Word in Hand’ held at the Friend I Hand Hotel, 58
Cowner St, Glebe. (02) 9660 2326

Wed. night is Danny Green vs Roy Jones Jr – so we’ve put up the ‘do
not disturb’ sign for that one.

Thursday the 3rd Dec. is the massive Australian Slam Final – about as
slick as spoken word gets. The overall winner will receive $5,000 and
a place at the Ubud Readers & Writers Festival in 2010, including
flights and accommodation. The overall runner-up will receive $500.
www.australianpoetryslam.org

AND MORE NEWS SOON ON:
- Hardboiled Thursday 10th, Adelaide (including free demo-CDs)
- Latest Paroxysm anthology submissions open.
- Crossover gigs in Adelaide in 2010
- Adelaide Fringe Paroxysm Press Sixty Second Slam
- Melbourne tour in May.

1. Sucked, Fucked and Tattooed in Melbourne (21st March)

2. Adelaide Fringe Zine Fair (14th March)

3. Paroxysm Press t-shirts, beanies & stubbie holders

. . .

1. Sucked, Fucked and Tattooed in Melbourne

It’s time for Melbourne to witness the relaunch the out of print and much requested first novella from Kami, S.F.&T* (Sucked Fucked and Tattooed) – THE Australian punk-rock novella – now published together with his second novella Bunk Beds & Chilli Vodka.

And to spice it up Hop Dac and Shane Jesse Christmass (both ‘characters’ in Bunk Beds & Chilli Vodka) will be reading small extracts from when they first ‘met’ Paroxysm before launching into their own original work. Plus a short story reading from Paroxysm main-stay Kristy Love with more TBA.

And of course the compulsory BEER and munchies!

This will also be Melbourne’s first chance to get hold of the new raft of Paroxysm Press merchandise (although with the stock we have to lug over supplies will be limited)

SATURDAY 21st MARCH.
COLLECTED WORKS BOOKSHOP
Lvl 1 / 37 Swanston St, Melbourne.
2 p.m. for 3 p.m. start.

2. Adelaide Fringe Zine Fair

Saturday March 14th
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The John W. Howard Memorial Hall
145 Hindley Street
(Next to Crazy Horse! – yes you heard right – hell we used to do gigs next to a brothel so I guess we’re stepping up in class)
Adelaide

Some very special reasons to get down there and spend some cash:

First off – anyone who buys two Paroxysm books will receive FREE a Paroxysm stubbie holder (worth $10).

Secondly – this will be only the second Adelaide appearance for the new Paroxysm merch. (see below)

And third – Lisa Dempster from the brilliant Melbourne publisher Vignette Press will be in town – and this will be your first chance in Adelaide to get hold of their new anthology – Death Mook – which features a huge line-up including our own Paroxysm Press publisher, Daniel Watson.

“The Adelaide Zine and DIY Fair has been run annually since 2005, beginning as an independent event before attracting attention and support from the Fringe festival in 2006. Last year’s event featured sixty zine and independent publishers, ranging from members of the Unley City young writers’ group, long standing punk fanzine writers, local poets and artists, members of the Magdalene Community Centre and a vast array of young and emerging writers who have utilised zine publishing as the cheapest and easiest way to produce their work. The Fringe estimated around 1000 visitors over the course of the day.”

3. Paroxysm Press t-shirts, beanies & stubbie holders

Over the years the various Paroxysm Press t-shirts have been very popular and in response to the demand from all you good people we have a new design just released. The latest shirt is black (of course) with ‘paroxysm’ written across the front in the Impact font we use. The back features the amazing poem Jesus Was Wrong from Kelly-Lee Hickey (as appeared in Ten Years of Things that Didn’t Kill Us). $20.

The previously very rare Paroxysm Press stubbie holders (featuring our logo) are also now available to the general public. $10.

And brand new (and of a very high production quality – thanks to our new merch guys) Paroxysm Press beanies! A very modern style of black beanie featuring our logo. These ones really look kick arse! $20.

We’re still working out the logistics re: whether they will be offered for sale on the website or not but if you’re interested send us an email and we’ll let you know how we’re going.

Paroxysm Press is proud to relaunch the out of print and much requested first novella from Kami, S.F.&T* – Shotgun fiction for those who don’t have time for long drawn-out epics about lives we’ll never lead. And to spice it up even more it’ll be re-released as two novellas in one – also containing Kami’s second book, Bunk Beds & Chilli Vodka. And if that’s not enough we’ll also be doing a live recording of a set from Recyclopath to be released in the Paroxysm Radio-Demo series later this year. Plus spoken word from Kerryn Tredrea, Indigo (2008 SA winner National Poetry Slam), Matthew Smith, Heather Taylor Johnson, Jenny Toune and U.K. Jamie.

Friday 20th February. Tuxedo Cat, Rooftop 15-19 Synagogue Place, off East Rundle Street, Adelaide. Doors open 7p.m. for 8p.m. start. Free entry.

And don’t forget – David Rat’s ‘Happy Ending’ will be out later this year.
plus coming soon – some news on a prose-based Paroxysm anthology with a difference.

To help Hard Boiled celebrate its last reading for 2008 Paroxysm Press is launching #3 in its Radio-Demo series. Entitled ‘Kids These Days . . .’ it features Hard Boiled MC, Matthew Smith plus Rob Parry and Gemma Parker. All three are big up-and-comers – hence the demo title. All were published in the Ten Years of Things that Didn’t Kill Us anthology while Matthew Smith is also in Shotgun.

And to make it really special – we will be giving the demo away FREE on the night. But get in early – stock will be limited.

Thursday Dec 11th at La Boheme, 36 Grote St.
8pm, Free entry
Raffle and raffle prizes
Best reader gets the $$
Open Mic

Then stay on to party at this very big Hard Boiled with DJ Shit Magnet and his Redneck Lounge (as featured at the 2008 National Young Writers’ Festival).

Kerryn Tredrea, Matthew Smith and Daniel Watson will be taking to the mic between punk bands for some rapid ‘between the eyes’ spoken word this weekend. First bands on at 8 sharp. Whole gig wrapped up by 11.30. All ages.

Saturday Nov 22nd at L!ve on Light Square. Featuring Slick 46, Standard Union & SA Waste.

Big news people. All Paroxysm Press products are now available for purchase online.

Not only this; but thanks to our good friends at Australian Music Books all will be available at REGULAR RETAIL COST including FREE POSTAGE within Australia.

For those outside the country – especially our ever growing support base in the U.S. – just send in an inquiry with the products you are after and head-man at Oz Music Books, Harry Butler, will have the shipping rate to you in no time.

Any online purchase will be shipped IMMEDIATELY. We cannot stress enough just how efficient these guys are.

Check out the updated website at www.paroxysmpress.com to see our full catalogue and from there link to the online sales site. Or head direct to www.ozmusicbooks.com to make your purchase.

Some Paroxysm products will be temporarily out of print. Our site has the full list of all Paroxysm releases – Australian Music Books lists those currently available at this moment in time. If something you’re after is not available right now send us an email or fill in an inquiry on the ‘contacts’ page of the website and we’ll let you know an expected reprint date.

For those of you in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney you can still head into the following stores (with Perth and Brisbane TBA):

Adelaide:
Dymocks Rundle Mall, Imprints, Mary Martin, Big Star – City.

Melbourne:
Polyester Books, Collected Works Bookshop, Readings – Carlton, Dymocks – Collins Street, Brunswick Street Bookstore, Sticky Institute – Degraves St Subway.

Sydney:
Better Read than Dead, Gleebooks.

Don’t forget Adelaide people this is the big one. Sydney and Newcastle were exhausting but great fun.

Tonight its time to celebrate the ‘Ten Years of Things that Didn’t Kill Us‘ anniversary anthology launch in our own home town. Spoken word from across the years: Kami, Kerryn Tredrea, Michael Hier (in a rare appearance), Jason Sweeney, Matthew Smith, Heather Taylor-Johnson, Indigo, Rob Parry and Cheryl Lehmann.

Music from long time supporter Palky and from Spindickle (including one set with the full band) – someone I’m very happy to finally be sharing toys with.

And of course – beer – what more could you want?!

Paroxysm Press – too stubborn to die!

Friday 10th October, L!ve on Light Square, 63 Light Square. From 8pm – Paroxysm spoken word plus acoustic from Palky and Spindickle. 18+ only. $5 entry.

Don’t forget – Sydney this Thursday, Newcastle – Saturday and Adelaide – Friday the 10th . And see below for details on the various panels and gigs the extended crew will be involved in across the National Young Writers’ Festival in Newcastle.

Sydney:
Mu-Meson Archives at Crn Parramatta Rd & Trafalgar St Annandale (at the end of King Furniture building up the steel staircase.) October 2nd 7.30pm for 8pm start $5 at the door.
www.mumeson.org

Newcastle:
As part of the NYWF ten year anniversary event – Saturday 4th October, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Festival Club, National Young Writers’ Festival.

PLUS:

1. Reading Series: Short Fiction (Hop Dac)
Friday 3rd , 12:00 – 1:30, Mulubinda Room (1st Floor)
How much bang can you fit into a short fiction buck? Size doesn’t matter in this big reading from smaller pieces. Listen in as emerging and established short fiction writers share their work.

2. Things That Didn’t Kill Us – Panel (Daniel Watson & Kami)
Saturday 4th , 12:00 – 1:30. University House – Seminar 2
So how do you small-press publish and survive? Forget sales charts and smiling future prospect reports. I mean, how do you really get by in small publishing with the everyday problems, financial questions and personal pressures? Useful tips, practical suggestions and honest stories from those who do it.

3. The Anti-Social Social Club (Kami)
Saturday 4th , 3:00 – 5:00, Festival Club
/The Anti-Social Social Club /resides in the outside lawn at the Festival club. Grab a deck chair and kick back. Friday: fresh new works from songwriters and acoustic artists. Saturday: The Redneck Lounge, where fun activities include recovering from Friday, Country n’ Western, and poetry stubby holders.

4. Matinee Open Mic (Kerryn Tredrea – MC)
Sunday 5th . 1:30 – 3:00, The CRACK House
Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The /Matinee Open Mic /sessions are your chance to show us what you’re made of. Be bold. Be daring. Grab that mic and do what you will.

Adelaide:
Friday 10th October, L!ve on Light Square, 63 Light Square. From 8pm – Paroxysm spoken word plus acoustic from Palky and Spindickle. 18+ only. $5 entry.

Thanks everyone who came to the Melbourne launch of our ten year anniversary anthology and made it such a huge success – and what a party afterwards! Thanks especially to Collected Works, Hells Kitchen and Kristy Love for our various drinking venues. It was a great afternoon/night and the stores have responded very well to the new release. See www.paroxysmpress.com for the full list of Victorian retailers.

Next up is Sydney and then the National Young Writers’ Festival in Newcastle.

1.
We want every one of you in Sydney and everyone passing through on your way to NYWF to come support the launch for ‘Ten Years of Things that Didn’t Kill Us’. The people at the Mu-Meson Archives have welcomed us in with open arms and we want to put on a good showing to return the favour. For those of you not in the know – the Mu-Meson Archives screens wicked cult films and ‘collectable’ footage, runs gigs, art exhibitions and generally gets creative as hell in all the right ways! This is our first Sydney launch outside of a set festival so get your arses down to party with us. We’ll have local Paroxysm authors (including hopefully a special guest) and full length sets from the touring crew, including the Paroxysm Press publisher.

Sydney:
Mu-Meson Archives at Crn Parramatta Rd & Trafalgar St Annandale (at the end of King Furniture building up the steel staircase.) October 2nd 7.30pm for 8pm start $5 at the door.
www.mumeson.org

2.
Then on to Newcastle to celebrate the event we first called our home away from home – the National Young Writers’ Festival. Our ten year anniversary release will be launched at the premier event of the long weekend – the same event that sees the launch of the book celebrating NYWFs own ten year history. (Expect some follow up information soon on all the other gigs and panels the Paroxysm crew will be involved in at this wicked festival.)

Newcastle:
As part of the NYWF ten year anniversary event – Saturday 4th October, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Festival Club, National Young Writers’ Festival.

3.
And don’t forget the Adelaide launch will be on us soon – note that the venue is changing address but its still the same guys – and still on light square. And some more good news – for the second half of his ‘split-set’ for the night Spindickle will be bringing the full band!

Adelaide:
Friday 10th October, L!ve on Light Square, 63 Light Square. From 8pm – Paroxysm spoken word plus acoustic from Palky and Spindickle. 18+ only. $5 entry.