Utopia Science Fiction Magazine publishes fiction (100-6,000 words), non-fiction (to 6,000 words), poetry (any length, open as to style and content), and artwork. “We want enthralling stories set in futures we might want to live in.” Issues are themed. Read the complete guidelines here.
SQF: Why did you start this magazine?
Tristan Evarts: I was really a bit tired with reading all the post-apocalyptic/dystopian stories out there today. Especially when it feels like we're living in a dystopian world itself more often these days. I firmly believe that literature, especially sci-fi, helps to shape the world we live in. If we're always reading about dystopian kind of worlds, subconsciously that's how we start to interpret the world and that sort of brings those worlds into reality - like a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. So I wanted a magazine that focused on a brighter future, gave a more hopeful and humanitarian outlook on things. That was the launch point for the creation of Utopia Science Fiction Magazine.
SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?
TE: The first thing I look for of course is, is it a well-written piece. For me that entails two essential things, does it evoke a strong sense of world-building and does it have strong well developed characters. The third essential thing I look for in a submission is, is the author conscious of the message they're trying to send. Every piece of work says something, by virtue of it being written and sent out there's a message, a theme to it (though for some reason people balk at the word 'theme' when you talk about it, it's a very relevant/important thing) the question is what is the author trying to say and is it well thought out and expressed.
SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?
TE: There's the usual stuff that turns most people off from submissions - typos, a poor first line, too much exposition, not enough character development. There's also the we were sent a racist/bigoted manifesto -- not a story; that one turns me off of any submission very, very quickly. I think, uniquely to Utopia - stories end up getting rejected when they're actually dystopias trying to disguise themselves as utopias. Dark, dismal endings also don't work very well. We do accept some stories with sadder or darker endings, but usually because there's something deeply beautifully human about the piece, or it ends with some hopeful note.
SQF: What do you look for in the opening paragraph(s)/stanza(s) of a submission?
TE: A good first line is the most important. Something that raises a question in the reader's mind and that either establishes the scene or introduces the character. Think of all those stories where you know the title of the book just by hearing the first line "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", "I always get the shakes before a drop", etc. There should be a bit of a surprise in the first line, enough to tease me into reading the next and then the next.
SQF: Many editors list erotica, or sex for sex sake, as hard sells. What are hard sells for your publication?
TE: Those are also hard sells for Utopia. Additionally I'm very much not a time travel person—it's very difficult to write a good time travel story that doesn't cave in under its own logic. I almost always reject those and things written in second person (not always, but usually). I think post-apocalyptic/dystopian stories are also very hard sells for this particular publication.
SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?
TE: I think a good question to ask might be "What makes a good Utopian story?"
I'd answer it by saying utopias take place in an ideal world, a world that reflects the author's personal beliefs and philosophy. Most of us are told Utopias aren't possible, or that they're traps that lead to stagnation, and I don't believe either of those is really true at all. So what would your ideal world look like? Take it a step more; imagine living in that world, even just for a day, and bring it to life in as much detail as you can. Send us those stories, that's what a good Utopian story looks like. And remember that a Utopian society doesn't mean we've solved all our problems - just that we know how to deal with them in responsible and healthy ways.
Thank you, Tristan. We all appreciate your taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.
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