November 2011
Vol. 4 No. 8
(Whole No. 44)
Cynthia Ward
Publisher
P.O. Box 2228
Apple Valley, CA 92307
USA
Subscription: $20/year
Subscription may be paid by Paypal (http://www.cynthiaward.com/maven.html or http://www.paypal.com), check, money order, or credit card (please note: credit card payment must be made via Paypal).
For your convenience in subscribing by snailmail, there is a SUBSCRIPTION BLANK at the end of the newsletter.
YOUR SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRES:
PUBLISHORIAL:
November brings a couple of new magazines (one paying professional rates) and several new anthologies (one paying pro rates) and imprints. Some of the anthologies have tight deadlines, so I'll let you get right to your Market Maven.
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Save Your Postage:
Temporarily Closed:
BULL SPEC is "open for fiction until (planned) December 1, but we're now closed to poetry submissions until (at least) January."
KHP BOOKS is closed to all submissions.
THE NIGHT LAND is indefinitely closed to submissions.
PHANTOM DRIFT (http://www.wordcraftoforegon.com/pd/?page_id=2) will open to submissions on December 1, 2011 and close on March 31, 2012.
REDSTONE SF will close to submissions on November 15, 2011.
RESIDENTIAL ALIENS is temporarily closed to submissions.
STRANGE HORIZONS is closed to submissions until January 1, 2012.
Permanently Closed/Missing:
AURA SPECULATIVE FICTION, BOOKS OF DESIRE PUBLISHING, and FaePublishing may be dead.
COSSMASS INFINITIES, DROLLERIE PRESS, EINSTEIN'S POCKET WATCH, EMERALD TALES, MOONLIGHT TUBER, and PAISLEY STITCHINGTON have been closed by their respective editors/publishers.
HEROES OF MARS (PULP EMPIRE) will close on December 15, 2011.
A writer is reporting "LIBRARY OF THE LIVING DEAD went under."
REALMS OF FANTASY (http://www.rofmag.com/) has folded, but hopes for another resurrection; for details, see http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/11/realms-of-fantasy-folds-again/.
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Changes of Address:
EVERY DAY FICTION to http://www.everydayfiction.com/submit-story/.
EVERY DAY POETS to http://www.everydaypoets.com/submit-story/.
MIDNIGHT ECHO has a new URL, http://australianhorror.com/wordpress/, and new guidelines.
WHISPERS PUBLISHING e-mail address to eichwhisperspublishing@gmail.com.
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Writer Beware:
WARNING:
A writer says, "I've received two reports of a new Croatian magazine, SIRIUS B (http://siriusb.hangar7.hr/), translating and printing stories without the author's permission. Looks like they've only printed one issue so far."
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Magazine/Webzine News:
NEW:
From http://www.cometsandcriminals.com/?page_id=52:
FICTION GUIDELINES
COMETS AND CRIMINALS is looking for flash and short fiction up to 5,000 words within the Science Fiction, Adventure, Historical, and Western genres. We’re also looking for Crime and Mystery fiction up to 10,000 words.
COVER LETTER
Make sure your subject line includes ‘FICTION SUBMISSION: Name of Story,’ or ‘FLASH SUBMISSION: Name of Story.’ Emails received without something like that in the subject line will be deleted unread.
Your cover letter need only include your name, the name of your story, the genre, the approximate word count and any relevant credits (two or three are enough, and if you have none, don’t fret–the strength of the story is the thing, not your previous sales), as well as your email address. If you’re not sure exactly what genre your story fits under, or if it falls under multiple genres, give us your two best bets. E.g. ‘science-fiction western,’ or ‘historical crime.’
And, of course, don’t forget to attach the story. Either .rtf or .doc, though .rtf is preferable.
We have additional cover letter guidelines for reprint submissions. Please see the reprint section below for these.
FICTION FORMATTING GUIDELINES
Fiction should be presented in standard manuscript format. Courier (the editorial preference) or Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced, 1-inch minimum margins, the opening lines of each paragraph indented.
At the end of the story, type END, just so we know we’ve reached the conclusion and we’re not missing part of the document.
FLASH FICTION
C&C defines flash fiction as a story of 1,000 words or less. We love flash fiction. Go to town. Hit us with those weird, experimental pieces (within the scope of our accepted genres, of course).
Payment is a flat rate of $10 per story. All payment is made through PayPal.
SHORT FICTION
For all genres except crime and mystery, our upper word limit is 5,000. For crime and mystery we accept stories up to 10,000 words in length.
We pay 1c a word, through PayPal.
Don’t feel you have to stick to one genre. A sci-fi detective story set in an alternate history of the wild west sounds like a real good time. That’s not to say you have to cross genres, but don’t be put off subbing to us if you do. Our interpretation of science fiction is fairly loose, also, so if you have a story that’s bordering on fantasy, but not quite, send it in. The worst we can say is no. That being said, straight fantasy and horror will be very hard sells.
We’d like to accept original stories up to 10,000 words in all genres, but budgets are budgets and right now we can’t afford to. Perhaps in the future. If you’ve written a cross-genre story longer than 5,000 words where a crime or mystery is central to the plot, go ahead and submit it.
MULTIPLE AND SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS
Sorry, we do not accept multiple or simultaneous submissions.
REPRINTS
We do accept reprints, but pay a lesser rate. $5 for flash fiction, $10-25 for longer, depending on the length. Please make sure the exclusive rights to the stories are no longer held by their previous publisher before submitting them to us. For reprints, we accept stories up to 10,000 words across all genres.
In your cover letter, let us know that the story you’re offering has already been published and where it’s previously been published.
RIGHTS
For original fiction, we purchase first, exclusive electronic rights for six months, and indefinite, nonexclusive archival rights. The former means you can’t sell the story anywhere else until it’s been available from C&C for six months, and the latter means we reserve the right to keep it in our archives indefinitely. If at some point in the future you’d like your story removed, contact us with your wish. It’s unlikely we’d refuse.
We also purchase nonexclusive world anthology rights for eighteen months, in case we want to publish an anthology of our favorite fiction later on down the track.
For reprints, we purchase nonexclusive rights to showcase the story for six months, and then to archive indefinitely. We also purchase nonexclusive world anthology rights for eighteen months.
WHERE TO SUBMIT
Send your submissions to ‘fiction@cometsandcriminals.com.’ You should receive an automated response within an hour of submitting.
FOLLOW UP
If you don’t receive an automatic response within twenty-four hours, email ‘editor@cometsandcriminals.com’ with ‘QUERY’ in the subject line to let him know.
Please be prepared to wait at least 60 days for a response to your submission. In the meantime, write that next story!
http://www.cometsandcriminals.com/?page_id=36
POETRY GUIDELINES
C&C loves all types of poetry, from formal to free-verse. Rhyming poetry can be hard to pull off, but if done well it’s magnificent.
The thing that will impress us most is your voice. Make us feel the poetry, make it turn the little spoked wheels inside our hearts.
While we’re a genre magazine, we’re aren’t strictly genre when it comes to poetry. Amaze us. Awe us.
Payment is $10 per poem, regardless of length. All payment is made through PayPal.
COVER LETTER
Make sure your subject line includes ‘POETRY SUBMISSION.’ Emails received without something like that in the subject line will be deleted unread.
Your cover letter need only include your name, the titles of your poems and any relevant credits (two or three are enough, and if you have none, don’t fret – the strength of the poetry is the thing, not your previous sales), as well as your email address. If your poetry is genre-specific, you can mention the genres encompassed, but that’s not a strict requirement.
We accept up to five poems submitted at one time. If you are submitting multiple poems, submit them in the same email, as separate attachments. Either .rtf or .doc, though .rtf is preferable.
We have additional cover letter guidelines for reprint submissions. Please see the reprint section below for these.
POETRY FORMATTING GUIDELINES
Times New Roman or Courier as the fonts. Black text on white background.
Apart from that, we’re pretty relaxed as to poetry format.
MULTIPLE AND SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS
We accept up to 5 poems in a single submission. We do not accept simultaneous submissions, and if you do submit multiple poems, make sure they’re in the same submission email, and in different attachments.
REPRINTS
We do accept reprints, but pay a lesser rate of $5 per poem.
In your cover letter, let us know that the poetry you’re offering has already been published and where it’s previously had a home.
RIGHTS
For original poetry, we purchase first, exclusive electronic rights for six months, and indefinite, nonexclusive archival rights. The former means you can’t sell the poem anywhere else until it’s been available from C&C for six months, and the latter means we reserve the right to keep it in our archives indefinitely. If at some point in the future you’d like your poem removed, contact us with your wish. It’s unlikely we’d refuse.
We also purchase nonexclusive world anthology rights for eighteen months, in case we want to include the poem in an anthology later on down the track.
For reprints, we purchase nonexclusive rights to showcase the poem for six months, and then to archive indefinitely. We also purchase nonexclusive world anthology rights for eighteen months.
WHERE TO SUBMIT
Send your submissions to ‘poetry@cometsandcriminals.com.’ You should receive an automated response within an hour of submitting.
FOLLOW UP
If you don’t receive an automatic response within twenty-four hours, email ‘editor@cometsandcriminals.com’ with ‘QUERY’ in the subject line to let him know.
Please be prepared to wait at least 60 days for a response to your submission. In the meantime, keep writing those poems!
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NEW:
FENDER STITCH: The Online Short Fiction Review (http://fenderstitch.com/) is a new monthly webzine seeking all genres (fiction/art/music) and paying 5 cents/word:
From http://fenderstitch.com/submission-guidelines:
Submit
There have been a few changes to our submission system for fiction. To keep track of writing leads, advice, et. al., we recommend you follow the Fender Stitch Blog (http://fenderstitch.com/submission-form). It is a blog on all things Fender Stitch shared by the entire editing staff.
Please read the full guidelines before submitting work. Regrettably, submitted works that do not adhere to our specific guidelines may not receive any response at all.
FICTION SUBMISSIONS1
Beginning 20 October 2011, HeyPublisher has become Fender Stitch’s preference for processing Fiction Submissions (http://fenderstitch.com/submission-form). Any subs previously received under the old system are still in queue, but please use the new system to submit fiction.
Upon acceptance, we pay 5¢ per word via PayPal for first time print and electronic world rights, nonexclusive anthology rights, and archival rights. We expect to be credited as first publisher in any subsequent reprints.
=Submitting your work to us means that you are prepared to accept these terms.=
Simultaneous submissions are OK. Multiple submissions are not OK.
If you do decide to send a simultaneous submission, please be courteous enough to mention that your SimSub is a SimSub in the cover letter.
We’ll look at anything less than 4,000 words. The sweet spot is more like 1,500-2,500 words. This preference is for readability. For an online zine, we feel brevity reads more comfortably.
The genre is not important to us. We like the unique and unusual. We have a penchant for unadulterated awesomeness.
Make us laugh, make us cry, make us scream in horror… whatever you do, just do it well.
Oh, and do it here (http://fenderstitch.com/submission-form).
ART SUBMISSIONS2
Readers are more responsive to fiction when it is cleanly and professionally packaged. Fender Stitch publishes two stories each month with an original image adapted as a skin for the online reader.
That means that we seek original art just as actively as we seek fiction.
We pay artists $100 for the right to adapt a piece of art into an appropriate format. All rights to the work remain with the artist. We expect to retain usage rights for the lifetime of a story and for advertisement purposes relevant to the zine.
A brief artist’s bio and a link to their online gallery is included at the end of each story.
What are we looking for? We seek quality. Fender Stitch has no genre or style preference. Our tastes are highly eclectic.
Submit a link to your online portfolio via our Submission Manager (http://fenderstitch.submishmash.com/submit).
MUSIC SUBMISSIONS3
Fender Stitch does not pay for unsolicited music or sound effects. When a song is accepted from the slush, we will credit the musician and song details at the end of the story with a promotional link to help boost their sales.
You can submit a link to an online playlist or an album preview via our Submission Manager (http://fenderstitch.submishmash.com/submit).
*An individual submitting work to Fender Stitch is acknowledging that they have sole copyright ownership of all work submitted and that the submitted material is their original creative product. Never submit someone else’s work to us as your own.
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UPDATE:
"John Joseph Adams, editor of FANTASY and LIGHTSPEED, has purchased both magazines from PRIME BOOKS. Adams will become the official publisher in January 2012." For details, see http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/11/john-joseph-adams-buys-lightspeed-and-fantasy/.
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Anthology News:
NEW:
[NOTE: May never pay more than copies.]
A new anthology from BLACKSAILS PRESS:
From http://www.blacksailspress.com/Submissions.html:
BlackSails Press
Steampunk*Horror*Sci-Fi*Fantasy
Submissions
OUR FIRST ANTHOLOGY CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
Title: "VAMPIRE STEAMPUNK TALES, Vol. 1: Bloodsucking by Gaslight"
Publisher: BlackSails Press
Edited by: Ryan Miller & Erick Willand
Cover Art: Erick Willand
Featuring:
An introduction and original short story by well-known Steampunk author MARK HODDER (author of THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF SPRING HEELED JACK)
Release Date:
To be announced (Expected to be spring 2012)
*Print and eBook versions will be produced
We are looking for:
Steampunk vampire tales between 5,000 and 9,000 words. We are looking for smart/clever vampire tales wrapped in horror and suspense and dipped in the aesthetic of Steampunk. If you are unfamiliar with the term Steampunk there are several great websites we can suggest. You can also ask as many questions as you like of both Ryan and Erick, as well as the other members of the BlackSails Facebook group.
*HINT: we despise everything TYPICAL, so leap outside of the box, burn the box, then dance on its ashes. Use the Victorian Age, American Wild West, the future, or choose Mars as your setting and run with it, as long as the story is unique, intriguing and fun to read.
The rights we want:
First publishing rights, the right to use the story for as long as there is demand for the book, the right to edit each story for any missed grammatical errors, and the right to use parts of the book and/or the author's name for promotion.
*You retain all other rights and may republish the story.
Payment:
At a minimum (subject to be added to, but not taken away), all authors will receive a free copy of the book, along with a drastically reduced price on ALL copies ordered by the author for their own book signings/events/etc. Also, we will link each author to our webpage (if you’d like) and have a Facebook page to help promote each author’s BlackSails AND non-BlackSails Press works.
This is to be our first publication, but if the response we've already had is any indication, BlackSails Press will grow and expand quickly and we would like to have a dedicated group of authors and artists to share in that growth. This is only the beginning of our voyage, and it is our hope that there will be plenty of rewards for joining the crew early.
Manuscript Format:
Word doc.
Cover page:
Title, Author's Name, Word Count, and Author's Email
Send submissions to:
BlackSailsPress@yahoo.com
*The email’s subject line should read "Steampunk Vampire Tales_(Your story’s title)” Submissions
DEADline:
December 31st, 2011
Questions:
BlackSailsPress@yahoo.com
*We plan to build solid relationships with our authors/prospective authors, so feel free to contact us for story critiques/guidance as you write, etc. We aim to be an accessible publisher, willing to lend a hand during the creative process and beyond!
~BlackSails Press
BlackSailsPress@yahoo.com
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Also, we are NOW accepting submissions for novels/novellas and prefer steampunk/horror/fantasy/sci-fi.
Send all submissions/proposals/questions to: BlackSailsPress@yahoo.com.
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NEW:
New erotica anthologies (some SF/fantasy/paranormal) from BREATHLESS PRESS:
From http://erotica-readers.blogspot.com/2011/08/call-for-submissions_18.html:
Call for Submissions
BREATHLESS PRESS (http://www.breathlesspress.org/) currently has the following themed submission calls [some are SF/F]. Send your submissions to acquisitions@breathlesspress.com with the name of the anthology in the subject line.
HOT SHOTS ANTHOLOGY: Our Hot Shots anthology is an ongoing submission call. Stories must be under 10k, have a heat rating of at least 3, and be original stories. There is no other theme besides being erotic. All stories must be m/f. The anthology will consist of 10 stories each with a royalty of 4% of net sales. No single author shall have more than 2 stories in this anthology. We reserve the rights for digital for 1 year with the option of renewing after that. Some anthologies will go to print, if this is the case for this volume, royalties are 1.5% of net sales and we reserve the rights for 2 years with the option of renewal for another 2 years. Deadline: Nov 26th, 2011 - April 30th, 2012. Published: Nov 30th, 2012.
RAVAGED ANTHOLOGY: Our Ravaged anthology is an ongoing submission call. Stories must be under 10k, have a heat rating of at least 3, and be original stories. There is no other theme besides having something to do with shifters. This can be wolf, lion, panther, etc. The anthology will consist of 10 stories each with a royalty of 4% of net sales. No single author shall have more than 2 stories in this anthology. We reserve the rights for digital for 1 year with the option of renewing after that. Some anthologies will go to print, if this is the case for this volume, royalties are 1.5% of net sales and we reserve the rights for 2 years with the option of renewal for another 2 years. Deadline: Aug 4th, 2011 - Jan 31th, 2012. Published: Aug 3rd, 2012.
CRIMSON ANTHOLOGY: Our Crimson anthology is an ongoing submission call. Stories must be under 10k, have a heat rating of at least 3, and be original stories. There is no other theme besides having something to do with vampires. The anthology will consist of 10 stories each with a royalty of 4% of net sales. No single author shall have more than 2 stories in this anthology. We reserve the rights for digital for 1 year with the option of renewing after that. Some anthologies will go to print, if this is the case for this volume, royalties are 1.5% of net sales and we reserve the rights for 2 years with the option of renewal for another 2 years. Deadline: Feb 4th, 2012 - Jul 31th, 2012. Published: Feb 1st, 2013.
SERVICED ANTHOLOGY: Our Serviced anthology is an ongoing submission call. Stories must be under 10k, have a heat rating of at least 3, and be original stories. There is no other theme besides having something to do with the army, military, navy, or air force as well as being romantic/erotic in nature. We will be doing two a year, one with a focus on m/m stories, the other on m/f stories. The anthology will consist of 10 stories each with a royalty of 4% of net sales. No single author shall have more than 2 stories in this anthology. We reserve the rights for digital for 1 year with the option of renewing after that. Some anthologies will go to print, if this is the case for this volume, royalties are 1.5% of net sales and we reserve the rights for 2 years with the option of renewal for another 2 years. M/M Deadline: Sept 8th, 2011 - Feb 29th, 2012. M/M Published: Sept 7th, 2012. M/F Deadline: Mar 10th, 2011 - Aug 31st, 2012. M/F Published: Mar 8th, 2013.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Our Home for the Holidays is published for December. We will be releasing 8 stories in December all revolving around the holiday season. Stories must be more than 10k with a heat rating of 2 or more. Deadline: Jan 1st, 2012 - June 30th, 2012. Published: December 2012.
HOT SHIFTERS: Our Hot Shifters are published for October. We will be releasing 8 stories in October all revolving around the shifters. This can be wolf, lion, panther, etc. Stories must be more than 10k with a heat rating of 2 or more. Deadline: Nov 1st, 2011 - April 30th, 2012. Published: October 2012.
Send your sexy stories to acquisitions@breathlesspress.com with the name of the anthology in the subject line. And please check out our submission guidelines at: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Page/submissions.
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NEW:
A new anthology from CANDLEMARK & GLEAM:
From http://www.candlemarkandgleam.com/2011/10/17/call-for-submissions-new-anthology/:
Call for submissions – new anthology
Candlemark and Gleam is proud to announce an anthology of Alternate History: SUBSTITUTION CIPHER, a collection of tales of deceit, betrayal, and espionage, in worlds that could have been our own.
Sun Tsu said: “The end and aim of espionage in all its five forms is knowledge of the enemy; this knowledge can only be derived from the double agent.” The crucial knowledge a spy obtains can change the course of history; or show, through a dark mirror, the shape our own world could have taken.
We invite authors to submit completed original stories of between 6,000 and 20,000 words, in any genre appropriate to espionage: psychological or action thrillers, war stories, dystopias, and picaresques are equally valid submissions. All stories must take place on an alternate Earth, and the changed timeline must have some bearing on the plot of the story. Any historical time period and geographical area is acceptable, from the invention of war up to the present day.
Original stories are preferred. Please query for reprints.
No simultaneous submissions please.
For multiple submissions, please query first.
Submissions open: October 17, 2011
Submissions close: January 15, 2012
Anticipated publication date: July 2012
Electronic submissions only. Please send your story as an RTF or DOC attachment to kaye.chazan [at] gmail [dot] com, with the subject line: SUBMISSION: Title of Story.
Please ensure your story file includes your contact details, including postal address and email address.
Please submit only final, proofread copy.
Payment will be a flat $75 and two contributor copies of the print book (the anthology will be published in both print and digital form). There will be a bonus payment when/if the anthology sells 1,000 copies in print.
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NEW:
Two Calls for Submissions from CIRCLET PRESS:
From http://www.circlet.com/?p=3440:
Call for Submissions: Love spells & enchantments
DEADLINE: November 15, 2011.
LIKE HEARTS ENCHANTED
Everyone has experienced some form of unrequited love, but what if you could wave a magic wand or brew yourself a potion to turn things around? Would there be unintended consequences, or unforeseen troubles to overcome? How far would you go to bring love into your own life? Would you climb an enchanted mountain for that all-important ingredient? Or perhaps you’re not the caster of the spell… you’re the target. From singing sirens of the sea to faerie enchantresses, the storybooks are full of mortals being lured by lust, love, and magic. A love spell is cast… you show us what happens next.
All sexualities and gender expressions are welcomed.
LIKE HEARTS ENCHANTED will be edited by Kathleen Tudor and Cecilia Tan.
For more details on how to submit, keep reading:
Length: Our preferred length is approximately 3500 to 7500 words, but we will consider the range from 2000 to 10,000 words.
How to Submit: All submissions must be made via email to Kathleen Tudor, editor, at the following address: polykathleen@gmail.com
Submissions sent to other addresses/other editors at Circlet Press will not be considered. Standard manuscript formatting rules apply even though sending as an attachment (MS Word .doc or .rtf preferred). Please note that this means your name, address, and email contact must appear on the manuscript itself and not simply in your email message. (If you’re not sure what standard short story submission format should look like, Google is your friend.)
No simultaneous submissions (that is, don’t also send your story elsewhere at the same time, and don’t send it to multiple Circlet editors, either), and no multiple submissions to the same book. One story per author per anthology, thanks.
All stories must include explicit sexuality and erotic focus. Romantic content is welcome, but in a short story remember to keep the details on the action and its effects on the main character’s internal point of view. We favor a strong, singular narrative voice (no ‘head hopping’). For more details on our editorial preferences, see the general submission guidelines on circlet.com. We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the “do not send” list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love. Try to avoid cliches. Fresh and direct language is preferred to overly euphemistic. Sex-positive, please, no rape/nonconsensuality/necrophilia or other purposefully gross topics. We do not publish horror.
Originals only, no reprints. We purchase first rights for inclusion in the ebook anthology for $25, with the additional rights to a print edition later which would also be paid $25 if a print edition happens. Authors retain the rights to the individual stories; Circlet exercises rights to the anthology as a whole.
* * *
New and exciting! Every two weeks on Fridays, CIRCLET PRESS features microfiction by different authors. Experience an ever-changing smorgasbord of luscious little bites of the sensual and erotic! If you have microfiction you want to submit, they must be 250-1000 words, sex positive and of literary quality, but tastefully written. These pay $5 (via PayPal only) or a free book or ebook of your choice (if you're in the US or Canada). Submit to circlet.microfiction@gmail.com.
See our microfiction here: http://www.circlet.com/?cat=244.
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NEW:
FORBIDDENFICTION.COM seeks erotic fiction submissions for several SPECIAL COLLECTIONS "gathered by theme into ebook/print anthologies and posted to our royalty-paying online library. All lengths of stories are considered for Special Collections. Short stories and novellas will be grouped with similar stories for promotions and anthologies. Novels will be eligible for both the novel promotions and possible excerpts in the anthologies. Stories are also eligible for more than one special collection if they fit the themes.
"ForbiddenFiction.com is a full-service, royalty-paying publisher that offers multiple forms of publications and income streams, including ebook, print, and audio. We work with both established and new authors. We prefer original works, but will consider previously published stories as well.
"For more information about and a list of other Special Collections calls for submissions see: http://forbiddenfiction.com/specialcollectioncalls.
"For more information see our Submissions Information and Guidelines at: http://www.forbiddenfiction.com/submissions."
From http://www.forbiddenfiction.com/submissions:
Calls for Special Collection Submissions - Anthologies & More
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS - creatively themed calls for submissions meant to create anthologies and special online library collections with ForbiddenFiction.com. Stories accepted for the Special Collections will be gathered by theme into ebook/print anthologies and posted to our site with collection tags to mark their themes.
TOUCHED BY DEATH - Erotic horror tales of the dead. We expect this to include stories of living people who have been touched by ghosts, zombies, vampires and/or other dead – or stories with dead/dead encounters. Stories chosen for this Special Collection should balance sexy and horror in a way that makes the readers squirm. (Open call Oct. 6, 2011 - Jan. 6, 2012.)
WINTER'S DARKEST DESIRES - Erotic stories from the dark side of the holidays. Winter brings longer nights and holiday cheer is not always enough. Dark passions? Naughty Santa? Drunken holiday party mistakes? (Open call Oct. 13, 2011 - Jan. 13, 2012.)
DOWN BELOW - Erotic stories underground - caves, caverns, tunnels, catacombs, tombs and dungeons. Take us deep - lost in a cave, sex in a tomb, kept in a dungeon. Show us dirty things in the dark. (Open call Oct. 20, 2011 - Jan. 20, 2012.)
RAWHIDE - Leather, lassos and spurs! Erotic tales with the bad men and women of West. Cattle rustlers, gunslingers, salon halls and brothels, stage coaches, cowboys/girls, bank heists and jail breaks, corrupt sheriffs and hangings. Give us those old Western tropes with a sexy twist. (Open call Oct. 27, 2011 - Jan. 27, 2012.)
SUBTLE DEVICES - Erotic stories of wicked steampunk. Sex toys of brass, gears and steam? (Open call Nov. 3, 2011 - Feb. 3, 2012.)
CRUSHED FLOWERS - Valentine stories of passion, pain and pleasure. Give us your naughty valentines, celebrations of Lupercalia or other rites of eroticism. (Open call Nov. 10, 2011 - Feb. 10, 2012.)
WICKED FAIRY TALES - Erotic, edgy fairy tales. Naught tales from Grimms, Anderson and more. What did the wolf do to Red Riding Hood, or even grandma? What kind of services did Cinderella give her stepmother and sisters? Did the prince do more than kiss Sleeping Beauty? What happened once Rapunzel pulled him into her tower? (Open call Nov. 17, 2011 - Feb. 17, 2012.)
MIND OVER BODY - Erotic tales of mind control - spells, technology, anything that leaves the person in another's control. (Open call Nov. 24, 2011 - Feb. 24, 2012.)
HOW SPECIAL COLLECTIONS WORK:
Calls go up every Thursday and stay open for 90 days. (Although, a call may be removed early if we receive a large enough response to a specific call. Stories submitted to ForbiddenFiction.com are not limited to those call themes or dates.)
We will also be sending the calls for submissions out on our social media accounts with Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Livejournal and various lists. (If you wish to receive these notices, see the sidebar with links to ForbiddenFiction on those social media.)
All stories for the Special Collections follow the same guidelines, pay the same royalties, and are eligible for the same income streams as other submissions to ForbiddenFiction.com.
All lengths of stories are considered for Special Collections. Short stories and novellas will be grouped with similar stories for promotions and anthologies. Novels will be eligible for both the novel promotions and possible excerpts in the anthologies. Stories are also eligible for more than one special collection if they fit the themes.
Special Collections will give us a chance to provide creative prompts to authors, fill niches in our readers' interests and cross-promote related stories.
To submit a story to Special Collections, follow the ForbiddenFiction.com Submission Guidelines (http://forbiddenfiction.com/submissions) and include the name of the collection in the title of the email. For example: Submission to SC - Naughty Pirates
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NEW:
From http://erotica-readers.blogspot.com/2011/10/call-for-submissions.html:
Call for Submissions
GEEK LOVE
Editor: F. Solomon
Publisher: RAVENOUS ROMANCE (http://www.ravenousromance.com/)
Deadline: December 1, 2011
Payment & Rights: $25 flat fee, world rights in all formats
Who does not make passes at a guy in glasses?! We're doing a GEEK LOVE anthology, so dig out your BIG BANG THEORY slash (or your old FREAKS AND GEEKS stories), change the names, and send them in! We seek M/M or M/F stories with a geeky alpha male--think Clark Kent (although, if you have a hot alpha female story, we'll take a look)! Make it steamy and hot, and submit tofidencia@literarypartners.com, including a short query letter, author bio and the story (2500-5000 words) as a word doc attachment. Deadline is December 1. Payment is a $25 flat fee.
Guideline details at: http://www.ravenousromance.com/submission.html.
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NEW:
Anthology Guidelines
Title: HILLS OF FIRE: Bare-Knuckle Yarns of Appalachia
Publisher: WOODLAND PRESS
Editor: Frank Larnerd
Format: Trade Paperback
Payment: five-cents per word (upon publication) plus contributor copy.
No reprints
Story length: Up to 2500 words
No multiple or simultaneous subs
Deadline: 12:00am Saturday, June 30th, 2012
E-mail submissions to: HillsofFire@yahoo.com
.doc attachments only.
I am looking for fictional pulp action stories in an Appalachian setting. Submitted stories should harken back to the square-jawed tales of Robert E. Howard, Dashiell Hammett, and Louis L'Amour. Stories can be set in any time period, but must take place in the Appalachian region.
Stories involving mountain men, moonshine runners, lawmen, heists, wrestling, soldiers, and outlaws are highly encouraged. Addition of regional history and folklore is also advised. Complex characters should be equally mixed with solid plots and high octane excitement. Submissions should avoid popular action clichés and unflattering Appalachian stereotypes.
Although the anthology is mainly targeted for adults, we DO NOT want stories containing language or content unsuitable for children.
Accepted Manuscript Formatting:
Double-spaced.
Use Times New Roman (12).
Italicize what you want italicized.
Single space after sentence-ending punctuation.
Be sure to include your name, address, and email on your manuscript.
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NEW:
From http://marlowe1.livejournal.com/1953612.html:
KING DAVID & THE SPIDERS FROM MARS: Submission Guidelines
Due to the positive response to SHE NAILED A STAKE THROUGH HIS HEAD: Tales of Biblical Terror (http://www.amazon.com/Nailed-Stake-Through-Head-ebook/dp/B003R7LA48/ref=httpwwwliv022-20), I will be editing another Bible-themed anthology. Tentatively titled King David & The Spiders from Mars: More Tales of Biblical Terror, this will be a Bible-themed horror anthology specifically based on The Book of Samuel. Some of my favorite stories from the first anthology were David centered including Elissa Malcohn's "Judgement at Naioth" and Christi Krug's "As If Favorites of Their God."
What I'm Looking For: Short stories, ideally between 1,000-12,000 words. All stories must be based in some way on the book of Samuel (usually edited to be 1 & 2) which is the story about how Israel transitioned from a Judge based society to a kingdom under King David. Even though this is primarily a horror anthology, I'm willing to look at stories that fall into different categories including bizarro, science fiction, fantasy, literary and romance (although if you write a romance between Tamar and Amnon, I'm going to be worried about you and not in a good way). There are several stories within Samuel including the madness of Saul, the end of Eli's family as the major priesthood, David & Goliath and the death of Absalom so feel free to use whatever inspires you. Also, even though the Book of Ruth is a completely different book, it serves as a prequel to the David saga so if you got a great Ruth story, I will read it.
Check out this Amazon List (http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1J2TOFTB0FUI3/ref=httpwwwliv022-20) for reading suggestions. Please at least read the book of Samuel once to get the flavor of the stories. If you only know the story of David & Goliath, you will be at a disadvantage since that's the most popular story in the bunch and you will have a lot of competition.
Also, if you are going to do a David & Goliath story read the original. This is a much more interesting story than the children's books would have you believe and all that "come from behind victory" blather is inaccurate (not to mention boring as hell).
Other Suggestions:
Retellings of Biblical Stories from the perspective of another character.
Kiastic Storytelling
Deconstructionist Commentary akin to Rashi
Biblical stories retold in different literary styles (high adventure, Victorian, Romance, Mystery, etc.)
Modern stories told in the Biblical style (Best use Robert Alter's Art of Biblical Poetry and Art of Biblical Narrative if you want a crash course)
Parodies of Prophets
"Queen Esther vs. The Brain Eating Penis Monster from Outer Space" (note that just sticking this title on a lame story is not going to endear you to me. Write a story that would justify this kind of title and I'm interested)
Biblical Movie Parodies
I am also impressed by the following: original takes on classic stories, strong female characters, stories that actually understand the original tales, style.
Formatting Guidelines:
Please use Standard Manuscript format. I am going to be a little more hard on people not using this format since the last time I had stories where I couldn't get back to the writers because they neglected to put their emails on the stories so I had no way of knowing how to tell them that they were rejected. One even made it to the Maybe pile. Please submit in .rtf or .doc.
What I am Not Looking For:
I have a blog post for the first Bible anthology (http://marlowe1.livejournal.com/1368848.html) where I go off on the "do not want" list. It basically comes down to "no preachiness" which is the major pitfall for people tackling these kind of stories. I don't want a story with an agenda - whether it's atheist, Christian, or Jewish. I am not interested in other stories in the Bible. Do not set a Sodom & Gomorrah story in San Francisco. Do not send poetry. Do not retell a Bible story from a character's perspective that adds absolutely nothing to the narrative. In the last anthology, I got a bunch of stories that had to stop to tell me that "Jesus is love" but since this one is about King David, I figure there will be less of those in this slush pile. Still, don't do that.
Also note that all snotty replies to rejections will be aired publicly on this blog and mocked mercilessly.
Pay: $50 advance against equal share of royalties - to be paid out no later than publication.
Reading Period: November 1, 2011 - January 31, 2012. All stories submitted before November 1 will be deleted unread. Although that's the best case scenario. If I do read them I will mock them on this blog. I am using a three month window as well as waiting until November 1 because I don't want trunk stories and I doubt anyone has been submitting their awesome King David Rips Off Foreskins story to markets until now. This gives you time to write an original story and send it by November 1 or to spend about 4 months perfecting it until it's ready at the end of January.
Reprints. Yes. Same price. Make sure you tell me where it was originally published and that it is available for reprint right sales.
Send to: timlieder1 - at - gmail.com
Feel free to repost these Submission guidelines where ever there are interested parties.
[NOTE: They want "First Worldwide Rights and Reprint Rights depending on what I'm buying."]
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NEW:
PULP EMPIRE is reading for a new anthology:
From http://pulpempire.com/mag/?page_id=325:
MODERN PULP HEROES
Pulp Empire’s second anthology of 2011 will be Modern Pulp Heroes (working title). The book’s concept is simple: invent new or revive classic public domain pulp heroes in the 21st century.
Stories should have a heavy heroic bent. We want tales of adventurers, masked men, avengers and crimefighters. Your lead should be larger than life, someone at the peak of human development or even past it. Think characters in the vein of the Spider, the Phantom Detective, the Moon Man or the Black Bat.
If your story is just a hard-boiled P.I. or a cop on the beat, we probably don’t want it. If your story spends a bunch of time contemplating the nature of evil, we probably don’t want it. We do want action. We do want excitement. We do want a narrative that takes all the great momentum of a classic pulp and updates it for the 21st century.
Word count is from 3,000 to 20,000 words, though longer stories may be considered.
Pulp Empire will consider reprinted work, but any reprint material must be clearly marked as such went submitted.
By submitting to Pulp Empire you certify that your work is wholly written by the given author.
Pulp Empire buys First Electronic and First North American print rights. You retain all copyright and reprint rights. Stories will remain available in print/electronic versions for perpetuity.
Pulp Empire will pay authors a percentage of print profits based per story on the number of contributors/stories in a given issue, usually in a range between 1% and 10%, determined by page count in the final volume. Back issue sales will continue to be paid at the same percentage as initially established in perpetuity, through its life in a print format. Payments will be distributed on a quarterly basis. We use PayPal only for monies distribution.
Pulp Empire considers all stories from all writers, regardless of experience or resume. We ask that you submit all stories as an RTF attachment to submissions(at)pulpempire.com.
=Please mark all submissions to this anthology with the word “Modern Pulp” in the subject header.=
Please also include a short third-person biography including publishing history and a picture if available.
The deadline for submissions to this anthology is MARCH 15, 2012.
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NEW:
STORM MOON PRESS is reading for several trans anthologies, one of which specifically seeks science fiction and fantasy fiction:
From http://erotica-readers.blogspot.com/2011/08/call-for-submissions_25.html:
Call for Submissions
Storm Moon Press has always been open to trans* fiction, but sadly, little has come our way. We've thought to encourage some trans*-positive fiction by dedicating an initial three erotic romance anthologies in 2012 to various themes starring trans* characters.
SIXES AND SEVENS
Submission Deadline: November 30, 2011
Expected Release Date: March 23, 2012
To be 'at sixes and sevens' means to be in a state of chaotic confusion, at odds with everything around you. The term dates back to the late 18th century, making it the perfect backdrop for a historical romance anthology focused on transgender protagonists. (Which is not to make the case that trans* individuals are themselves 'confused', but merely to highlight the period of confusion most go through as they struggle to understand and come to terms with their identity.)
Individuals have presented themselves as other than their assigned birth gender as least as far back as ancient Egypt, which leaves the field wide open to present stories of transgender romance in a variety of historical periods. We are looking for stories where at least one of the main characters presents themselves (either part-time or full-time) as an individual of a gender other than their assigned birth gender, for whatever reason. Any sexuality is permitted. The story should include erotic romance elements, and handle the topic of transgenderism with respect and positivity. As times were typically difficult for those who didn't conform to gender norms, we aren't requiring a happily-ever-after ending. Happy-for-now is preferred, but any satisfying and reasonably uplifting conclusion will be considered.
FLUX
Submission Deadline: February 29, 2012
Expected Release Date: June 29, 2012
"Flux" is a science-fiction and fantasy anthology of stories containing intersex characters. The term 'intersex' is a broad term that covers a variety of anomalies that result in an atypical presentation of usually sex-linked physical features. This includes everything from a genetic XY-male with female secondary sex characteristics to full hermaphroditism, where both sets of sex organs are present. (See http://www.isna.org/faq/conditions for a partial list of conditions that can result in intersex anatomy.)
And as this is a SF/F anthology, the possibilities are even broader: a male brain implanted into a female-shaped android body, aliens with more than two distinct genders, fantastical creatures whose outward appearance shifts with their moods, or anything else imaginable. However, please avoid stories of magic curses/scientific experiments that treat a gender shift as a punishment or an accident, or 'polyjuice'/virtual reality scenarios where changing gender expression is voluntary and/or temporary.
Stories need not center around the specifics of the character's intersexed nature, but it must be at least discussed and handled respectfully. The point is to give the spotlight to the type of characters that in modern society are often used as punchlines, when they're not being erased entirely. Happy endings are definitely expected, along with all the usual erotic romance elements. All sexualities are permitted, as well as all variations on the intersex theme.
Happy-For-Now or Happily-Ever-After endings are required for this anthology.
TRANSITIONS VOLUME I & TRANSITIONS VOLUME II
Submission Deadline: July 30, 2012
Expected Release Date: November 23, 2012
With "Transitions", Storm Moon Press would like to showcase stories of contemporary erotic romance centered on individuals considering, starting, undergoing, or completing sexual reassignment surgery. "Volume I" will contain stories focused on trans women (M2F), while "Volume II" will contain stories focused on trans men (F2M). While we are aware that not every transgender individual feels a desire for transitional surgery, this anthology is concerned only with those who do.
Characters may be at any point along their journey to transition, and all sexualities are permitted. Stories should be in a contemporary setting, with no urban fantasy or paranormal elements. While the transitioning itself need not be the primary plot element, it should at least play a significant part. Happily-ever-after or happy-for-now endings are required, as we want to accentuate the positives despite social acceptance being slow to catch up.
Happy-For-Now or Happily-Ever-After endings are required for these anthologies.
Please look at our submission guidelines (http://stormmoonpress.com/anthologies.aspx) for details on payment and how to submit.
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NEW:
Guidelines for two multi-genre erotic romance anthologies:
From http://erotica-readers.blogspot.com/2011/08/call-for-submissions_30.html:
Call for Submissions
TOTAL-E-BOUND PUBLISHING (http://www.total-e-bound.com/), a leading Erotic Romance Publisher, is looking for submissions for the following anthologies:
ALL TOGETHER NOW - MÉNAGE ANTHOLOGY
We'd like to see some mixed-gender ménage and multiple-partner stories in any genre, with the heroes and heroines overcoming obstacles to be together.
15K to 20K word count per short story/novella.
Heat Rating: Burning/Melting (see our book rating info).
The Submission DEADLINE IS 15th NOVEMBER 2011 for release in May 2012.
Submit the full story plus synopsis.
When submitting, please enter "All Together Now Submission" in the email subject line.
Submissions should be sent to submissions@totalebound.com.
BODICES AND BOUDOIRS
We'd like to see some hot historicals, exploring any period of the past as long as it has a sultry summer setting. Regency rakes, knights in shining armour, Victorian gents, raunchy Romans...as long as it's hot in both senses of the word.
The submission DEADLINE IS 1st JANUARY 2012 for release in the summer of 2012.
We're looking for 4 stories between 15,000 and 20,000 words.
Any combination of M/F, M/F/M, M/M/F, M/M.
Non-TEB authors should submit the full story plus synopsis.
Existing TEB authors should submit a synopsis to your Editor in the first instance.
When submitting, please enter "Bodice and Boudoirs Submission" in the email subject line.
Payment: Royalties are 40% of RRP for eBooks and 10% for print to be divided equally and fairly between the authors of the anthology. Every story in an anthology also gets releases as a single story in eBook and Audio book further into the contractual term.
For further information on our guidelines, please go to http://www.total-e-bound.com/submissionguidelines.asp.
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NEW:
[NOTE: They're not paying much, especially considering the prominence of the editor, so find out what rights you'd be selling before submitting to this one.]
VAO Publishing is accepting submissions for its upcoming title BORDER NOIR: Hard-Boiled Fiction from the Southwest, edited by Álvaro Rodríguez, co-author of the recent film MACHETE. The anthology will be available in May 2012 in trade paperback and eBook form.
noir@valartout.org. Submission deadline is February 1, 2012.
CONTENT GUIDELINES
The simplest definition of noir is fiction that focuses on mostly amoral characters, that typically involves crime or misdeeds, and that evinces a bleak or fatalistic view of the universe. However, noir doesn’t have to be overly depressing or serious; in fact, black humor is often a secondary characteristic. And though noir usually features stripped-down, utilitarian prose, it doesn’t have to; a complex, dense and subtle style can also be used to create stories in this genre.
What we’re looking for in Border Noir are stories set in the US Southwest (or with origins in/implications for the area) that explore the darker, tougher and grittier underbelly of life in this region. We are interested in everything: straight-up hard-boiled detective fiction, procedural police stories, tales of ordinary losers trapped by the consequences of their own actions, gothic pieces, and even edgy magical realism that borders on the horrific or phantasmagorical.
We are especially looking for authors from South Texas or the Southwest, but we are also interested in compelling work by writers from elsewhere who are able to capture something essential about this region.
Authors will be paid an initial $25 upon acceptance, plus a 2% royalty on the first 600 copies sold.
For further information, drop an e-mail at the above address.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Álvaro Rodríguez has been writing since childhood and, in fact, did his best work when he was 11. With filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, he is the co-writer of the wishing-rock children’s movie SHORTS (2009), and MACHETE (2010) starring Danny Trejo and Robert DeNiro, and is the screenwriter of the vampire western FROM DUSK TILL DAWN: THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER (2000). His short stories (including a Pushcart Prize nominee) have appeared in The MesquiteReview, flashquake, BorderSenses and Popcorn Fiction.
http://www.publishing.valartout.org
http://rgvtheword.com/?p=1695
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UPDATE:
From Editor Warren Lapine:
FANTASTIC STORIES OF THE IMAGINATION is still open. I plan to keep it open once this volume fills up and just start work on the next one. Since my turn around time is not what I was hoping it would be, I will now consider simultaneous subs.
Guidelines:
Fantastic Stories of the Imagination is a yearly anthology. Edited by Warren Lapine, Wilder Publications Box 10641, Blacksburg, VA 24063.
I’m looking for stories that cover the entire science fiction, fantasy, and horror spectrum. I love magic realism (think Tim Powers and Neil Gaiman) and hard sf. I want a story to surprise me and to take me to unexpected places. I love word play, and would like to see stories with a literary bent, though decidedly not a pretentious bent. I could spend some time telling you what I don’t want, but I’ve found that good stories can make me buy them regardless of how many of my rules they violate. Let your imagination run wild, push and blur the limits of genre, or send me something traditional. I want it to see it all. My experience as an editor tells me that over time I’ll develop preferences and that the anthology will take on its own personality. When that happens I’ll change the guidelines to be more specific, but for now I’m going to explore what’s out there before I decide what direction to go in.
Payment: 10 cents per word on acceptance for original stories (maximum of $250.00) or 2 cents per word for reprints (maximum of $100.00). A check will accompany the contract so no simultaneous submissions please. I am purchasing First English Language Book Rights and non-exclusive electronic rights.
Story length, I have no limit on story length but the longer the story is the better it will have to be.
Sorry no e-mail submissions. Why is this? Don’t you know that e-mail submissions is the future? Yes I do know that, but it’s not the way I want to do this. For me the best part of being an editor is having people over to have slush parties and interacting with them during the reading process. Editing on a screen is a thing devoid of fun or joy, I edit for the fun and joy of it.
I will close it once I've filled the anthology, unless I don't fill it until near the publishing window, in that case, I'll just leave it open for the next yearly edition. The story length that I most tended to buy back in the day was 3k to 10k. I purchased nothing under 1k, ever and only a handful of stories under 2k.
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Contest News:
NEW:
PJM PUBLISHING are proud to announce their TWISTED AMERICANA SHORT STORY WRITING COMPETITION.
Entry is free and the winning entries will feature in a paperback compilation next year.
Submissions close January 28th 2012.
Full details can be found at: http://www.pjmpublishing.com/competition.html.
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NEW:
Rules for ZHARMAE'S SPRING SCIENCE FICTION-FANTASY-HORROR WRITER'S COMPETITION:
From http://www.zharmae.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=67:
Annual Spring Science Fiction-Fantasy-Horror Writer’s Competition
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The competition is open to anyone in the known universe with an interest in science fiction, fantasy, or horror. Participants must be at least 13 years old to enter. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent’s permission to participate.
WHEN CAN I SUBMIT MY WORK?
The competition runs every year from February 5th to May 5th, however, we do accept submissions year-round. Entries received after May 5th will be considered for the upcoming year's competition. Winners are announced annually on June 5th.
WHY DO YOU HOLD THE COMPETITION?
TZPP Holds the competition as one way of recruiting qualified authors to work with for full length books. Many of the winning writers, especially those in the Top 5 get offers to work with TZPP on future works.
HOW MUCH DOES THE COMPETITION COST TO ENTER?
It’s free to enter the competition!
WHAT ARE THE RULES (They’re As Easy As 1-2-3!)
1. Dream up (on paper) a story of 5,000 to 20,000 words of amazing science fiction, brilliant fantasy, or heinous horror.
2. Proofread your work for errors in spelling and grammar (remember to always put your best foot forward)
3. Submit your story for the opportunity to win up to $400 and publication in our Annual Anthology.
PRIZES
All winners will receive publication in our Annual Anthology, and three free copies of the anthology they are featured in, as well as, cash prizes totaling $1,500!
Winners will receive their cash prizes based on the following ranking:
1st Place $400
2nd Place $350
3rd Place $300
4th Place $250
5th Place $200
HOW DO I SUBMIT?
All submissions will be electronically sent to competitions@zharmae.com as an attachment. Acceptable formats need to be document/text files, double spaced with one inch margins all around.
The Subject line should read: Last Name, First Name -- Annual Spring Sci-Fi & Fantasy 20XX Submission
In the body of the email you need to include the following information:
Name: Travis Grundy
Street: 123 Apple St,
City/State: Spokane, WA 99205
Phone: 509-555-1234 (cell/home)
Email: travis@zharmae.com
Title of Work: “The Day I Became Invisible”
Word Count: 8,205 words
Comments to the Editor: I hope that you have as much fun reading this story as I had writing it!
That's it! You'll hear back from us within thirty (30) days of the close of competition if you are a winner. We will publish a list of the winners and their story titles by June 5th. We wish the best of luck to all participants.
NOTICE: If you submit a winning short, you will be notified within thirty (30) days of the close of this competition. Additional information will be required for publication and copyright registration. Winners will receive three complimentary editions of the Anthology. This competition is open to all persons, 13 years of age or older. Entrance in this contest does not constitute an agreement by the publisher to accept or to publish your work. All submissions are subject to future use by the Publisher. Should a submission be used in any way other than and or through inclusion in an upcoming anthology, the writer will be compensated at a rate of at least $25, but not more than $100 and no further compensation will be required. Copyright is retained by the Author. Works accepted for publication may require additional contract signing. Accepted authors acknowledge that prize winnings constitute full payment for the use of their work, and no further payments will be owed to the Author from the sale of the works to include advances against royalties, or future royalties. The Annual Spring Science Fiction & Fantasy Writer's Competition is one method used by The Zharmae Publishing Press, L.L.C. to recruit qualified writers for future endeavors.
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Publishing News:
NEW:
AMAZON.COM has launched an new SF/fantasy imprint: 47NORTH:
From http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/10/amazon-launches-sffantasy-imprint-47north/:
Amazon.com’s publishing division has announced a new SF/fantasy/horror imprint, 47North.
The imprint has announced their first 15 titles, to be released in late 2011 and early 2012. Upcoming books include Against the Light by Dave Duncan (January 2012); The Mongoliad: Book One by Neal Stephenson & Greg Bear (April 2012); and Further: Beyond the Threshold by Chris Roberson (May 2012).
Titles will be available in Kindle, print, and audio formats at Amazon.com, “as well as at national and independent booksellers.” They plan to publish original work, reprints, and out-of-print titles.
47North is the seventh imprint from Amazon Publishing, and joins other genre lines including MONTLAKE ROMANCE and mystery/thriller imprint THOMAS & MERCER. For more details, see http://www.amazon.com/47North.
From http://www.amazon.com/47North:
More on 47North
Please share your thoughts or questions with us at 47north-pr@amazon.com
For proposal submissions or inquiries, please contact 47north-submissions@amazon.com
For more information on the founding of the imprint, visit the Amazon books blog, Omnivoracious: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror All Under One Roof: 47North
Are you a bookseller? 47North titles are available through Ingram Book Company and Baker & Taylor.
In the News
To learn more about 47North and our authors, please see our press release below.
* Amazon Publishing Launches Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Imprint, 47North (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?ID=1615727&p=irol-newsArticle&c=176060&highlight=).
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NEW:
From http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/10/new-e-book-imprint-intermix-launched-by-berkleyhnal/:
New E-Book Imprint, INTERMIX, Launched by BERKLEY/NAL
Beginning in January 2012, Berkley/ NAL, the mass-market division of PENGUIN, will launch a new e-book imprint called InterMix. Focusing on genres common among mass-market titles, such as women’s fiction, romance, mystery/ thrill, and science fiction, InterMix plans to release a mix of titles from new authors and reprints. All InterMix titles will be given new cover art, interior design, and “creative marketing, publicity, and advertising campaigns.” Leslie Gelbman, president of Berkley Publishing, said that InterMix is “an extension of what we’ve been doing, providing a way for original voices to reach readers,” and noted that some of the original InterMix authors could be republished in any of the print formats.
For more information, see the article at PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/49162-berkley-nal-to-launch-e-book-imprint-intermix.html).
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NEW:
From http://erotica-readers.blogspot.com/2011/07/call-for-submissions_31.html:
Call for Submissions:
JMS BOOKS LLC (http://www.jms-books.com)
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press specializing in GLBT erotica, romance, and young adult fiction. We release 3 e-books a week and 4 print titles a month. All books are available electronically, and any title over 30,000 words goes into print. While we don't pay advances, we do pay authors 50% net on royalties from all sales. We sell through our own website as well as a wide distribution network to ensure we reach the largest audience possible.
We are seeking queer, genre, and literary stories at least 5k and no longer than 100k in length. Reprints are accepted. We are particularly interested in GAY, LESBIAN, and TRANSGENDER stories in a variety of genres.
We do not accept submissions of extreme BDSM, incest, or heterosexual, bisexual, or intergender menage erotica.
Contract terms:
* Authors earn 50% net royalties on all sales (e-book and paperback) from all distributors.
* Contracts are for a period of 2 years and auto-renew annually.
* We require exclusive electronic and print rights, but can negotiate if the story has been published in an anthology or collection.
Full submission guidelines are available at http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=page_2.
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UPDATE:
From BLOOD BOUND BOOKS:
Submissions:
We are currently accepting novel/novella submissions. All the need to know details are on our website & forum, including a page full of tips for what we most want to see.
http://bloodboundbooksforum.lefora.com/2011/07/26/new-guidelines/
Specials:
We are currently running a Halloween special on all our anthologies. $6.66!!! Plus shipping, but still . . . $6.66. Order right from our website using Paypal.
www.bloodboundbooks.net
Books:
D.O.A. Extreme Horror Collection - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DEYJJG
Night Terrors - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DCMVB6
Rock ‘n’ Roll is Dead - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005D98QSQ
Seasons in the Abyss - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FFTMS6
Steamy Screams - http://www.amazon.com/Steamy-Screams-Jack-Burton/dp/0984540857
Monster Porn – http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Porn-KJ-Moore/dp/0984540865/
Scarecrow and The Madness- http://www.amazon.com/Scarecrow-Madness-Craig-Saunders/dp/0984540873/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318717953&sr=1-1
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UPDATE:
Science Fiction Holiday Submissions Call
"CARINA PRESS is pleased to announce a call for submissions for our 2012 holiday collections…
"Carina is looking for science fiction novellas with a winter holiday theme, to be published digitally both individually and as a collection in December 2012. The novellas should be from 18,000 to 35,000 words and feature science fiction elements as integral to the novella."
For more information on how you can submit, read the blog post:
From http://carinapress.com/blog/2011/10/science-fiction-holiday-submissions-call/:
Science Fiction Holiday Submissions Call
Angela James | October 6th, 2011
Carina Press is pleased to announce a call for submissions for our 2012 holiday collections. This will be the only open collection call for 2012 and is an excellent opportunity for authors interested in participating in the normally by-invitation-only Carina Press collections.
Carina is looking for science fiction novellas with a winter holiday theme, to be published digitally both individually and as a collection in December 2012. The novellas should be from 18,000 to 35,000 words and feature science fiction elements as integral to the novella. The stories do not need to be romance, or even have romance elements, but can be straight science fiction, or science fiction with romantic elements, and can also feature elements of mystery, thriller, horror or other sub-genres. Additionally, there is no set heat level for these stories, so they can have no sex, or be ultra-sexy, or anything in between.
I recognize that saying simply “science fiction” leaves room for a tremendous amount of interpretation within the genre. However, this is preferable as I feel narrowing it down too much might leave out something amazing.
Essentially, we’re looking for interesting, creative, well-written stories within the science fiction genre that will appeal to readers’ imaginations and add to our growing catalog of science fiction stories.
The science fiction holiday collection will be edited by Angela James and supported by a marketing and promotion campaign both online and in print. In addition, each author chosen to contribute to the anthology will receive a set number of limited-edition print copies for their own use in giveaways and contests (or to decorate their own bookshelves).
To submit, please send your completed manuscript and synopsis, along with query letter to submissions@carinapress.com by March 15th, 20112. In the subject line, please put SciFi Holiday: Manuscript Title and Author
All submissions will be reviewed and final decision made by April 30th, 2012.
For questions about this call for submissions, please email Angela James at submissions@carinapress.com
For more information about Carina Press, and to read the submission guidelines, please visit http://www.carinapress.com.
*permission to forward granted*
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More CARINA PRESS news (from http://carinapress.com/blog/2011/10/carina-press-call-for-submissions/):
Carina Press call for submissions!
Rhonda Helms | October 21st, 2011
Hi guys! Several of us freelance editors decided it was time to do another call for submissions we’re dying to get in. Of course, PLEASE note that in the end, what we really want is a good story, so even if yours doesn’t fit the descriptions below, don’t hesitate to send it to us anyway! Sometimes we don’t know what we want until we get it in our inbox. You can find out more info on all the Carina freelance editors on this page.
Now, that said, let’s dish:
Rhonda Helms: I’m always open to pretty much every genre, with or without romance. Sometimes I don’t know I want something unless it hits my desk. But there are certain genres I’m eager to read more of, including: steampunk, atypical fantasy, sci-fi/futuristic, romance (any steaminess level), cross-genre urban fantasy, stories with a mythological element, historicals (especially if they feature real historical figures/events), stories set in unusual locales, gladiators (I LOVE them), thrillers with unusual twists, horror, super-funny
stories, books with kick-ass heroines, and anything with a multicultural element.
Gina Bernal: Romance of any subgenre with military heroes or heroines, contemporary romance without suspense elements (including but not only
small-town settings), historical romance with an adventurous bent (still searching for those elusive pirates), shapeshifter paranormals, urban fantasy with a unique twist (i.e. beyond the usual vampires and werewolves), and creepy though not necessarily gory psychological thrillers.
Melissa Johnson: Melissa would like to see submissions of any genre that have great worldbuilding, believable and original characters, and deep and difficult conflict. She works with authors across the range of genres and niches that Carina publishes. She is especially excited to see manuscripts with series potential that hint of a vast world and even bigger story in the author’s head.
Alison Janssen: I want to see more:
Scifi, especially space opera.
Gaslight and/or steampunk. (don’t we all, lol!)
Medieval.
Small town contemporary romance (or contemp. where setting plays an important part).
Redemption stories—any genre, really. I love, love, love themes of characters struggling to redeem themselves in the eyes of a parent, lover, community — or even their own eyes.
Denise Nielsen: It’s harder than it seems to narrow down genres I’d love to see. Just as my mind settles on one thing, another pops up. I’m still looking for solid contemporaries, steampunk and/or suspense stories or novellas, but with the gloomier weather kicking in, I find I am more in the mood for plots and characters that have a darker edge. Not so much shape shifters, but more danger and mystique, more human characters with secrets. I would love to see something gothic come my way with a hint of suspense perhaps…think smugglers, highwaymen or soldiers of fortune; think mysterious heroines and a world where not everything is as is seems.
Historicals are still something I’m keen on and anything to do with norse or medieval themes would especially capture my interest. Feel free to incorporate legend and myth to give it more of a fantasy flavour too. I also maintain that a novel set among the spies and resistance fighters of world war II would be intriguing…there is so much room for developing a strong heroine in that period. What I don’t want is a history lesson…the focus needs to be on the characters, but please do weave in authentic historical details to give depth to your
story.
Take a risk with cross-genre blends, or stick to your favourite genre. But do it with strong characters who take an active role in their own plot. Give me conflict (both internal and external) and character development, and if there is a romantic element to your story, show me the fire — whether that is a slow burn or instant passion — between the heroine and hero.
Lynne Anderson: I’d particularly love to see cross-genre stories, and interracial, multicultural, and/or LGBT relationships. However, I’m always interested in reading well-written, engaging stories in all genres (truly — I enjoy them all!), of any length. What catches my attention is a distinctive writing voice, a certain flair with language, unusual premises, new and interesting takes on standard tropes, and imperfect, genuine characters with depth. I look forward to reading your submissions!
Deb Nemeth: On my wish list are high-stakes thrillers and cleverly constructed mysteries featuring a compelling detective who a series can be based on. One of my favorite genres is historical romance, especially English and Irish settings from Celtic to WW2 but also any European (medieval, Crusaders, Renaissance, buccaneers), as well as unusual settings such as Asia and Africa. I can’t get enough steampunk, so if your invented world is full of gears and gadgets, I wanna read it. I’m also actively seeking contemporary romance mss with strong
conflict — something more than an I’ve-been-hurt-before hesitation to commit — and passionate characters. I’ve been longing to acquire Asian-inspired urban fantasy, space westerns, futuristic mystery/suspense and Arthurian fantasy. In all genres I’m looking for m/m and multicultural stories, and I’m open to all heat levels. I’m attracted by intense characters, both lawmakers and lawbreakers, and crisp writing.
Elizabeth Bass: What would I like to see more of? Historicals! Romances, of course, but I also would be interested in historical mysteries or thrillers. I’ve really been craving more Western historicals, Regencies, and books set in the medieval period. (Although from the Carina submissions I’ve received and acquired, I’ve discovered any historical period can be great if the writer finds the story to make it click!) Also, it would be fun to see submissions from authors who have branched out into twentieth century historicals – romances, mysteries or thrillers set during the World Wars or the years between. I’d love to see more thrillers or police procedurals with a hero/heroine detective who has series potential. Cozy mysteries, too. I’ve been rereading Sparkle Hayter’s Robin Hudson series and I’m craving a fun cozy series with a woman detective. Finally, a great zombie/creature apocalypse thriller in my inbox would make my day.
Mallory Braus: Mallory looks for characters first. Three dimensional and relatable characters—with depth and vulnerabilities—pull her into a story faster than anything else. She’s looking for all genres, but there are a few things she’s especially keeping an eye out for:
I’m still hoping to find a zombie hunter romance in my inbox. Though, I will read all things zombie related.
Psychics – Especially if you have psychic FBI agents or members of a special government agency…
I’ve been keeping an eye out for quirky characters. Nerdy/dorky heroines or heroes. Funny relatives. Etc.
Gritty thrillers.
Historical Mysteries.
“Band of Brother” type series. Examples would be Nora Roberts’s trilogies, Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters, or J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. Where an emphasis is on the building of multiple characters’ relationships.
Stories with unique worlds/setting, including, but not limited to:
steampunk, post-apocalyptic, futuristic sci-fi and urban fantasy
So, if you have anything that fits the editor requests (or even just a great book in general!) to submit, visit our submissions page and follow the directions there. You can address your submission to one of the editors above, or the editorial staff in general. Thanks, and we look forward to reading your amazing stories!
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Thank You:
I would like to thank Kent Brewster and Speculations; Market Maven subscribers; editors and publishers; Ralan Conley's Webstravaganza (http://www.ralan.com); Contesting Anthologist (contestinganthologist-subscribe@yahoogroups.com); Erotica Readers and Writers Association Blog (http://erotica-readers.blogspot.com/); Facebook (http://www.facebook.com); Locus Online (http://www.locusmag.com/); Douglas Smith's Foreign Market List (http://smithwriter.com/foreign_market_list.htm); and Writers Markets for Speculative Fiction: SF/F/H's Journal (http://specficmarkets.livejournal.com/).
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