We like comedies that make us cry and dramas that make us laugh. We are looking for clever, happy, funny and entertaining fiction. Read the complete guidelines here.
SQF: Why did you start this magazine?
Tina J. Bowman: Starting a magazine was something I had wanted to do for a long time. When the [coronavirus] lockdown was on the horizon here in the UK in March, I felt that push to go for it. There was a need for me to do something positive, something that could be a source of escapism for everyone.
I wanted to create a magazine to my taste, by curating stories with an equal measure of drama and humour, along with exceptional pieces that linger on the bittersweet, with the hope there would be an audience out there that would find joy in these same stories.
SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?
TB:
1. The unexpected. A left-field concept, an unforeseen plot turn, a surprising sentence. Also, something that causes sudden laughter or sudden tears.
2. An actual story! A piece can be beautifully written but lack a narrative. You can be economical with your words, but always be generous with the plot.
3. A piece that makes you work for it! Some of the best stories are the ones you have to read several times, google the references, put together the puzzle. Some examples of this from our first issue are How to Make Dominoes Fall by Mandira Pattnaik and MTA Missive by Jacqueline Brown.
SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?
TB: Weak female characters; women described by their looks only, who are overly sexualised and/or without personality.
SQF: What do you look for in the opening paragraph(s) of a submission?
TB: A gripping first line that draws us in is hugely important. Content that is either unexpected, weird, makes you laugh, and/or drops the reader straight into the character’s shoes are the kind of opening paragraphs that make me want to read more.
I approach short stories the same way I approach watching films or television - if they don’t grab me in the first 5 minutes/opening paragraph you’ve lost me. I read every submission in full multiple times, but it’s a lot harder to win me over if the opening paragraph isn’t enticing. First paragraphs are like first impressions, they count.
SQF: If Truffle had a theme song, what would it be and why?
TB: This is probably the hardest question of all! I’m going to pick Moloko’s The Time is Now. It’s upbeat and alternative like us, and now is always the time to write the perfect story for Truffle. ;)
SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?
JB: What is it like to be published by Truffle?
We are very proud of the work we publish, and once your story becomes a Truffle story, we promote it endlessly, online and offline, and continue to champion you as a writer.
What started as a small group of 13 writers, is growing into a community of exceptional people who nurture and support each other.
As an online platform, we have built a simple to navigate website that is both design-conscious and aesthetically-minded, and where every issue can be read as a full journey and be as enjoyable as turning the pages of a print issue.
Finally, I’d like to say thank you to Jim Harrington for this interview, myself and team Truffle really value being included here!
Thank you, Tina. We all appreciate your taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.
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