Hmmmm...could be good news, could be a trap

I recently read a book published by Forge which was in my "goody bag" from Nationals. We get these awesome bags chock full of books either not released yet or authors the publishing houses are pushing. Most of them were NOT my thing, lots of paranormal and some erotica. A few were Regency and I did read those and I thought that the The Secret Pearl by Mary Balough was terrific and I found myself sort of welling up at one point.

Anywho, one of the books was a contemporary and it's...mediocre at best (no names) so I wanted to know who published it and it was Forge so I went to the website. Now, they are a publisher actually called Tor/Forge. Tor publishes a very extensive and well-known line of sci-fi, fantasy and Forge is their mainstream brand. There I found this:

Thursday, March 17: Tor/Forge is now actively seeking chick lit. Download a PDF of the guidelines here.

Here are said Guidelines:

Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

Tor/Forge is actively seeking chick lit submissions.

All submissions should follow these guidelines and be addressed to:

Natasha Panza, Tor Editorial
Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10010

􀂙 Our definition of chick lit is slightly different from that of other publishers. We are not looking for the standard New York City/L.A. shopping/complaining/sex novels, but rather somewhat humorous, romantic and/or sexy novels about protagonists in their mid twenties through late thirties who are doing interesting things and lead interesting lives with whom readers can relate and sympathize.
􀂙 These novels may have paranormal elements, but we are not looking exclusively for paranormal chick lit.
􀂙 Submissions should be 75,000 - 110,000 words.
􀂙 These books will most likely be done first in trade paperback, and then in mass market. However, we reserve the right to publish these books as we see fit; we will be publishing them just like all our other books -- that is, in a manner in which we can expect them to sell the highest possible quantities.

Unagented Authors:
􀂙 Proposals should contain the first three chapters, a 2-3 page synopsis, and a cover letter.
􀂙 Previously unpublished authors (or authors who have only published in category romance) must have a completed manuscript.
􀂙 Previously published authors who are unagented may submit a proposal and a copy of one of their previous books.

Authors with agents:
􀂙 Please have your agent call Natasha Panza at 646-307-5497 to discuss the project prior to submission.
Do not send query letters, proposals by fax, or proposals by email.
Such submissions will not be considered.

So I figure it's one of two things: They Do want to see some chick-lit (of a different feather) or they're just out to mock us as most agents are at this point (no names).