I was yet to come across a publishing house, with a literary magazine that’s purely dedicated to the romance genre. That was until recently Tallon Lake seem to be it, and I can’t believe my application was successful for the Associate Editor’s role! I submitted Sacrifices which is published on the 30th of this month, for consideration to be featured and saw the advert for the role. On the off chance I asked about the job, and what it’s all about. I really liked the sound of it so I applied, as of this week I landed the job to my surprise. Here’s a bit about the Tallon Lake:
Tallon Lake
One goal of the magazine is to open opportunities for diverse voices, providing inclusivity. This means that the editor welcomes content from all writers, poets, and artists, including BIPOC, LGBTQ, and international creatives. Another goal of the magazine is to pamper readers and to help them escape into a much safer, warmer environment – far away from the harsh reality of today’s stress-filled world, one page at a time. The last goal of the magazine is to give back to the community. Each quarter, the editing staff will select a charity that benefits critical social issues — like mental helath awareness, human trafficking, child abuse, homelessness, and addiction — and gift 10% of its sales to help create a better world for all.
Tallon Lake isn’t just a magazine… it’s a legecy of good will, entertainment, and positive energy.
To learn more about the people behind TL, see TL Staff.
What’s An Associate Editor’s Role?
Well I’ll read the submissions that come in from writers, then agree with the team which stories are a good fit for us. Then, it’s my job to work with authors who receive conditional publishing contracts, covering the editorial side of things, before the publication of their work in a nutshell.
Am I excited? You bet! The first magazine is published on my birthday in February. (That’s fate LOL). I really look forward to this role, it’s the second editorial role I’ve had. My last one I enjoyed for a current affairs magazine, it’s just a shame the founder let the project go. I have faith that Tallon Lake as a publishing house and literary magazine will do great things! Plus, it’s the genre I love to read and write (other than thriller), it’s a dream job really.
Also, Tallon Lake’s main focus is to publish marginalised voices, this I am all about and I love that. This was a massive selling point for me when I decided to apply. BIPOC ( Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), and LGBTQ stories and writers are sooooooooooooo welcome at this small press! I look forward to reading what comes in. Note that BDSM and erotica genres are not accepted by Tallon Lake.
Do You Love Reading Romance Like Me?
Right now, the team are preparing to publish the February issue, there will be a preview copy available this November. If you’d love to grab a preview then just check out https://www.tallonlakemag.com/ and add yourself to the newsletter. There will be NO spam or unnecessary emails, don’t worry. You’ll be notified when the preview is ready!
Does This Mean I’ll Stop Writing?
Hell-to-the-no! Writing is my first love, you can make a writer an editor, but I don’t think you can convert or convince a true writer (who loves it) to give up that part for pure editorial work. Well, at least not in my case! I will be writing my romantic suspense stories and thrillers/mysteries just like normal. In fact my focus is my series of mysteries I shared the covers for last week. That will not stop. You might be thinking, ‘so why are you doing this?’ To be honest, I love magazine work, and I love reading too. I always have and it’s even better when it’s focused on things I feel passionate about, be it current affairs or the genre I write in. Plus, this is so exciting I am yet to really see a romance only focused literary magazine, so why the hell not!? I’d read it even if I never had the role, if there’s a chance to be part of it even better. I may enjoy it it’s worth a try!
I’ll keep you guys updated on what we’re working on, but in the mean time feel free to check out Tallon Lake here: https://www.tallonlakemag.com/
Author, Kim Knight 