Deadline: October 15th, 2014
Payment: Contributor’s Copy

‘Robbed of Sleep’ will be publishing volume 2 in December of 2014. We are currently looking for a sampling of the strangely dark, the darkly humorous, the starkly beautiful, and the hauntingly deranged to feature in its pages. If you are interested in submitting, send your very best work to:

[email protected]

Subject Line: ‘SUBMISSION (Robbed of Sleep, Vol 2.) – [TITLE OF PIECE], [WORD COUNT]’

An example subject line is as follows:

‘SUBMISSION (Robbed of Sleep, Vol 2.) – THE DAY THE EARTH TURNED INTO A WOOLY SCREWDRIVER, 2,500’

Failure to follow subject line guidelines is an instant poor first impression.

Submissions close on October 15th, 2014.

You are strongly encouraged to track your submission with our DuoTrope listing.

Guidelines:

We are looking for stories anywhere from 100-1,000 word flash pieces, up through 2,000-4,000 word larger pieces. Something falling in between 1,000-2,000 words will be considered, especially if it’s great.

I am willing to look at pieces above 4,000, but not very. This means that if you are sending me something super long, it better be twice as good as it is long to even stand a chance at inclusion. You are much more likely to get something within the guidelines accepted.

Pieces must be submitted in proper manuscript formatting. I remember when a writing friend asked me where I found the format I was submitting pieces in. I responded: “I just tried to make it look nice.” That’s when I found about proper manuscript formatting. I don’t compose any other way now, and I definitely don’t submit in other ways. That was a big day for me! So if you don’t already use this formatting, I suggest you learn about it now: it’ll really make your work look professional.

The first installment of ‘Robbed of Sleep’ featured 18 stories. This one will probably clock in around there, as well. Keep in mind, at least eight of those eighteen were nice little flash pieces.

You can submit up to three flash pieces, but please only submit one longer piece at a time. Simultaneous submissions are allowed. I’ll rapidly withdraw any stories that you e-mail me to withdraw. I’ve been there before, I understand. Please wait two weeks after rejection or withdrawal to submit another piece.

We’re not looking for reprints. You will retain full rights to your stories, however, and you can publish them after their appearance in ‘Robbed of Sleep, Volume 2’ without any entanglement of rights.

Payment consists of one paperback contributor copy within one month of publication.

I look forward to your submissions! Please allow one to two months for a response. I’m not sure how much feedback I’ll be able to give on rejections, but I’ll try not to be a robot. Thanks again, and happy writing!

Your Editor,
Troy Blackford

Via: Robbed of Sleep.