but what *really* makes me incandescent is that Must Read is preying on newer authors. people who aren't yet plugged in to networks, who don't have much experience with short fiction contracts, who might overlook a dogshit contract because of the magazine's prestige.

because prestige *is* a thing.

Ellery Queen was my first pro-rate publication ever. I’ve since crossed over to spec. I hate to see this happening to markets that have been so meaningful to so many spec and crime writers’ careers. And to the editorial teams who helped champion our stories.

Thank you, Bill! Always nice to see an older story getting some reader love!

💙