Tom Schaad’s interview with Neil Clarke of Clarkesworld for Fast Forward TV has been posted on YouTube.

Clarke is frank and supremely interesting as he discusses the submission process, the way issues are assembled, and his business model.

Here are some examples of the information he shares —

“Short stories sell more short stories – they don’t sell authors.” He’s had more success cross-selling other magazines than books by Clarkesworld authors.

He’s been tracking gender of story submitters since 2008 – while only 1/3 submissions are from women, about half the stories he’s published are by women.

The session was recorded live in front of an audience at Capclave 2012. The YouTube description phrases it “in front of a live audience” which tempts me to imitate Jack Nicholson’s line, “Is there any other kind?”

I also recommend Clarke’s editorial in the current issue, “Publishing Turns Like a Battleship”.