At last! Polar Borealis #4 is published and available for download. Just go to “Current/Back Issues” and click on the appropriate link.

This is the largest issue yet! Contains the following:

Cover Art by Jenni Merrifield.

Poems by Marcie Tentchoff, Matt Moore, Richard Stevenson, Taral Wayne, Walt Wentz, Lisa Timpf, Tonya Liburd, Lee F. Patrick, Aaron Miller, Colleen Anderson, Lena Ng, Maria Haskins, Selena Elizabeth Martens, Lynne Sargent, and J.J. Steinfeld.

Stories by David Perlmutter, William Lewis, Mario Lowther, Vincent Sakowski, J.J. Steinfeld, Tonya Liburd, Jordan King-Lacroix, Mike Thorn, Jonathan Cresswell-Jones, Dean Wirth, Jeremy A. Cook, S.L. Dixon, Jason M. Harley, Michael John Bertrand, Chris Campeau, Betty Rocksteady, Jon Gauthier, and Matthew Hughes.

Enjoy!

Up till 3:00 AM this morning putting finishing touches on the 4th issue of Polar Borealis Magazine.

Proofing version has gone to the eagle-eyed, ever vigilant proof reader Steve Fahnestalk and been distributed to all the contributors.

Once myriad corrections and adjustments have been made, I will post the final version online where it will be available for free download by anyone who wants to read it. I figure it will be ready to post in a week or so.

18 short stories and 20 poems in 110 pages (not counting cover) designed to be as easy on the eyes as possible on both screen and paper (if you choose to print it out).

Contributors range from beginners making their first sale to solid professionals, all writing to the “Horror” theme.

I will post it as soon as I can.

All stories and poems for issue #4 of Polar Borealis have been slotted in, plus an editorial and letters of comment. Just ads, promotions, and author bios to write and place. Looks like it will be about 110 pages of material, or slightly less than the previous issue.

The proofing copy will then go out to all the contributors and, of course, the proof reader. Early August publication is looking very doable!

All contributors to Polar Borealis #4 paid via PayPal or cheque in the mail. Now all I have to do is put the darn thing together!

Another 13 contracts for contributors to Polar Borealis issue #4 have been sent.

Only 15 more to go.

Countdown to publication launch has begun!

The first batch of 5 contracts for contributors to issue #4 have been sent out. 28  more to go! Once they have signed their contracts, contributors will be paid ASAP.

To be more specific, gone through every story and made changes as needed.

Now in the process of inquiring if my edits acceptable to the authors. If approved, will start sending out contracts and then payments.

Meanwhile I’m placing the stories into the master file. Then I will decide which poems go where, and after that, compose ads for this and that worthy competitor to be placed in whatever space is left. Then I’ll work on the Author bios.

Finally, the whole thing will be sent to my proof reader, Steve Fahnestalk. Once back and final corrections made, I’ll forward the issue to the contributors for their approval.

Then I’ll publish it online for all to see.

When? I’m hoping early August.

Issue #4 (special horror theme issue) will be huge. Features 19 stories and 21 poems.

Am currently compiling contributor info in preparation for sending out contracts. All should receive theirs by the end of June. Will then begin making payments and doing final edit and layout. I anticipate publication last week of July.

Then I will start work on issue #5. Closed for short stories, but still open for poetry submissions. Hope to publish November/December.

Will probably open for short story submissions (for issue #6) in October.

Personal problems including cleaning apt free of bird antigens (I have a fatal allergy to birds and nearly died recently) continue to delay PB activity, but I hope to get back to editing upcoming issue #4 within the week. Hope to start sending out contracts soon. Realistically speaking, publication probably not till July, but hoping for late June.

I have not responded to author inquiries for some time. Nearly dying only one of the problems plaguing me of late. I’ll just say it’s not been a good year so far. Once I’ve reviewed what I accomplished on the issue up to the point where everything in my life fell apart, I’ll start reconnecting with the authors.

Will list definitive choice of short stories and poems within a week, or such is my goal. Due to cost constraints (which have worsened of late) I may have to reduce number of stories & poems to be published in the issue. At any rate, still intend to pay everybody appearing in #4 before publication.

Also intend to get out at least one more issue by the end of the year. Two more if possible. My original intention was to publish at least three issues a year. Still hoping to accomplish this.

Stay tuned.

P.S. Submissions still closed. Maybe reopen before year’s end.

Had planned to publish Issue #4 (special horror issue) circa March/April. Severe health crisis combined with apartment renovations (expensive) take both time and money away from PB #4 preparations. Publication may be more like May/June period. Cannot predict at this time. However, definitely intend to publish eventually, preferably sooner than later. Will update as matters develop.