Bloodsongs
Encyclopedia
Bloodsongs magazine was created by Steve Proposch and Chris A. Masters in 1993 as a vehicle for original horror fiction. It was published by Bambada Press in Melbourne
Australia from 1993 to 1997.
The Melbourne University Press Encyclopaedia of Science Fiction & Fantasy (1998), edited by Paul Collins
considers Bloodsongs to be "Australia's first professional horror and dark fantasy magazine" (p. 143).
The first three issues of the magazine were co-edited by Steve Proposch and Chris A. Masters. Issues four to seven were edited-in-chief by Steve Proposch and co-edited by Chris A. Masters and Bryce J. Stevens
. According to the MUP Encycopaedia, issues 4-7 reflected a "swing away from graphic horror to a more balanced approach." (p 143)
Bill Congreve
, Sean McMullen
and Steve Paulsen's William Atheling Jr award-winning essay, "A History of Australian Horror", notes that"Issue 1 received some criticism for tending towards the splatter end of the genre... A Category One Restricted rating by the Attorny General's department saw it restricted to readers 18 years and older, and banned altogether in the state of Queensland." (Bonescribes: Year's Best Australian Horror 1995, p. 135)
During that time all published contributions to the magazine were paid for, and all submitters were offered detailed and prompt feedback on their fledgling work.
In 1997 Bloodsongs was taken over by Implosion Publishing, based in the USA. Steve Proposch stayed on as fiction editor until issue 10 (1998) after which publication of the title was discontinued. Due to an agreement between Bambada Press and Implosion Publishing, copyright for the title and masthead design has now reverted to the original owners, being Steve Proposch and Chris A. Masters.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
Australia from 1993 to 1997.
The Melbourne University Press Encyclopaedia of Science Fiction & Fantasy (1998), edited by Paul Collins
Paul Collins
-Athletes:* Paul Collins , American football player* Paul Collins , Canadian long-distance runner* Paul Collins , Australian rugby union international...
considers Bloodsongs to be "Australia's first professional horror and dark fantasy magazine" (p. 143).
The first three issues of the magazine were co-edited by Steve Proposch and Chris A. Masters. Issues four to seven were edited-in-chief by Steve Proposch and co-edited by Chris A. Masters and Bryce J. Stevens
Bryce J. Stevens
Bryce John Stevens is a horror writer/artist.Between 1987 and 1992 he co-edited, , Terror Australis: The Australian Horror and Fantasy Magazine...
. According to the MUP Encycopaedia, issues 4-7 reflected a "swing away from graphic horror to a more balanced approach." (p 143)
Bill Congreve
Bill Congreve
-Biography:Congreve's first work was published in 1987 with his short story "Collector" which was featured in the Summer 1986/1987 edition of Aphelion Science Fiction Magazine. In 1992 Congreve's first edited anthology was released by Five Islands Press, featuring a short story and introduction by...
, Sean McMullen
Sean McMullen
Sean Christopher McMullen is an Australian science fiction and fantasy author.-Biography:McMullen has a degree in physics and history from Melbourne University , a postgraduate degree in library and information science, and a PhD in Medieval Literature...
and Steve Paulsen's William Atheling Jr award-winning essay, "A History of Australian Horror", notes that"Issue 1 received some criticism for tending towards the splatter end of the genre... A Category One Restricted rating by the Attorny General's department saw it restricted to readers 18 years and older, and banned altogether in the state of Queensland." (Bonescribes: Year's Best Australian Horror 1995, p. 135)
During that time all published contributions to the magazine were paid for, and all submitters were offered detailed and prompt feedback on their fledgling work.
In 1997 Bloodsongs was taken over by Implosion Publishing, based in the USA. Steve Proposch stayed on as fiction editor until issue 10 (1998) after which publication of the title was discontinued. Due to an agreement between Bambada Press and Implosion Publishing, copyright for the title and masthead design has now reverted to the original owners, being Steve Proposch and Chris A. Masters.