SFWA has announced the lifting of the probation period for Night Shade Books. Night Shade was placed on probation on July 8, 2010 after irregularities surfaced in Night Shade’s contractual fulfillment and rights. Night Shade has worked closely with SFWA during the intervening period to ensure that the infractions were rectified. Fiction contracted during that probationary term is acceptable for qualification for SFWA membership.
John Klima has announced that Electric Velocipede will cease to be distributed by Night Shade Press after the current issue, 21/22. Klima and Night Shade have determined that Night Shade’s book business can not support the distribution of a periodical. Night Shade will pay contributors to Electric Velocipede 23-25 and the contents of those issues will be placed on-line. If the magazine continues beyond that point, it will most likely be on-line only.
Following complaints by authors about Night Shade Books’ practices and an apology from Night Shade with promises to correct their mistakes, SFWA has placed Night Shade on a one-year probation as a qualifying market for SFWA Membership. During that time, fiction contracted by Night Shade will not be considered qualifying (although it may be retroactively if Night Shade completes the terms of its probation).