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Deadline: March 30th 2013 Payment: Shared royalties plus one print and one eBook contributor's copy. Authors will receive a discount on extra print copies.</strong. Get out those quills & ink and start burning the midnight oil. It's another open sub call from us. Our next anthology project is on the horizon. Remember those cozy Disney fairy tales you watched as a child? Dig deeper. Remember the somewhat horrifying Grimm's fairy tales you read by the light of your flashlight, under the covers, late at night? No. Oh. Maybe that was just me. Well if you haven't read the Grimm versions, you should hop to it lickety split because they are exactly the tone I'm looking for in these stories. Oh, but with a twist. I want the tales to be backwards. I want you to show me that the Grimm Brothers got it all wrong. The wicked stepmother? Really a sweet lady, but that Cinderella chick? Hell on heels. And Snow White? Pure as the newly driven snow, my butt. Hansel & Gretel? Let's just say that old, blind woman never saw it coming. I want tales of terror about seemingly innocent heroes. Dark and gritty stories about not so perfect princesses. Tell me why Red Riding Hood was something far more horrifying than the Big Bad Wolf. Make me recognize the tale, but cringe when it's not as I remembered it. Reading period opens February 1st. And the deadline is March 30th. The tentative publishing date is June 1, 2013. Payment will be shared royalties plus one print and one eBook contributor's copy. Authors will receive a discount on extra print copies. Word length should be between 3000-8000. Please see our submission guidelines for cover letter and formatting specifics. As always, we are looking for original, well written stories...

Deadline: March 301th 2013 Payment: 5 cents per word Penumbra is looking for original, unpublished stories of 3500 words or less. We prefer that writers use Standard Manuscript Format for submissions. (You can read this article by Chuck Rothman on the SFWA site on preparing a manuscript for submission if you are unfamiliar with SMF.) Please send your stories as file attachments in .rtf or .doc formats only. Please include a cover letter in the body of your email, with the manuscript title, you pen name if applicable, the exact word count of the story not including title and byline, and a publication history if applicable. Penumbra is a professional rates paying publisher, paying 5 cents per word. We will evaluate poetry submissions for each issue. We will also consider previously published stories with rights reverted to the author. Penumbra has multiple issue calls open at the same time, therefore it is imperative that you include the issue theme in the subject line of your email. Submissions that do not include this information risk getting lost in our queue and not read before the deadline. Penumbra uses Musa Publishing's house style guide, which relies upon the Chicago Manual of Style. All accepted stories will be edited to reflect Musa house style. If you have never been published before, please tell us. Penumbra likes publishing new authors as much as we like publishing experienced authors. Every month, we select one of the best stories from an author with little or no publishing experience and feature that story and author as our Rising Talent recipient for the month. The Rising Talent author's story, biography, and a non-fiction essay will be featured on our website for a full year, as well as spotlighted in the Penumbra issue for that month. We absolutely do...

Deadline: January 1st to March 31st 2013 (Do NOT Submit Early) Payment: Undecided at this time monetary payment and one contributor's copy The Alchemy Press Book of Pulp Heroes volume II edited by Mike Chinn Submissions guidelines by the editor: “Following the successful publication of The Alchemy Press Book of Pulp Heroes, The Alchemy Press is following up with a second anthology: Pulp Heroes II. Once again it’s time to celebrate (or subvert) the glorious Pulp tradition – as well as taking a wild new look at it. I suggest you read volume one to get a sense of my requirements (available via Amazon and other online retailers). From the arid plains of Mars to the canyons of Manhattan; the foetid jungle to the naked jungle. Demented criminals versus dark heroes with sinister powers. The flash of steel in the palaces of long-forgotten civilizations or along the sterile corridors of impossible spacecraft. Swords against sorcery or sword and planet. The Alchemy Press Book of Pulp Heroes II will be available as a print edition published in October 2013, to be followed by an eBook edition. Successful contributors will receive a one-off payment (to be decided) plus a copy of the book on publication. I am after original fiction; reprints will be considered if they are exceptional. No simultaneous or multiple submissions. Contributions should be in the range of 3,000-8,000 words (query if you wish to submit outside that range), with full contact details on the front page. I will accept electronic submissions only as email attachments in standard MS format (.rtf, .doc or .docx), sent to [email protected]. Any submissions included in the body of the email will be rejected unread. The subject line should take the form Title/author’s name/word count (i.e. My Great Story/John Doe/5,500 words). The submission period runs...

Deadline: March 1, 2013, and will close at 11:59 PST on March 31, 2013 Payment: 1 cent per word, paid within 90 days after publication. Plus contributor copy of print and e-book. The Future Embodied – An anthology of speculative stories exploring how science and technology might change our bodies and what it means to be human. The editors are looking for character-driven, near-future stories of how the trajectory of current science and technology could impact our daily lives and choices. Social sciences and as-yet-untested or anecdotal discoveries are fair game. If an idea or discovery has the potential to impact human behavior and bodies, it could make a great story. What Type of Stories We’re Looking For: We are looking for stories of medical and aesthetic body modification. Consider topics like genetic engineering, prosthetics, implants, body ornamentation, surgical augmentation, and age retardation or reversal. Surprise us. Don’t give us stories that we’ve read before. We want this anthology to embody the wide range of human experience, voices, and bodies, and, in particular, to credibly consider our present and future demographics. You are encouraged to populate your stories of the future with the kinds of bodies that have been under-represented in speculative fiction but which should be ever more present in visions of our near future — aging bodies, obese bodies, chronically ill bodies, diverse racial and multi-racial bodies, bodies from diverse geographies… Good Fiction Examples: “Faces in Revolving Souls” by Caitlin R Kiernan. This is a story that deftly balances the idea of how a science might progress AND the human feelings behind such changes and how it might change their experience of the world. What do we want to avoid: This anthology specifically is concentrating on the evolution of the human body through technology. We are not looking...

Deadline: March 31st 2013 Payment: Successful contributors will receive a nominal fee of £10, royalties plus a copy of the book on publication. We are purchasing First World Rights, including book and electronic rights, with a six month moratorium subsequent to publication. Astrologica The Alchemy Press Book of Astrologica: Stories of the Zodiac edited by Allen Ashley Guidelines by the editor Alchemy Press is pleased to announce The Alchemy Press Book of Astrologica: Stories of the Zodiac for print publication and e-book versions in 2013. This themed anthology will be edited by award-winning editor Allen Ashley. Allen says: 'I am looking for stories about the signs of the Zodiac, the characteristics associated with those signs and/ or people born under them. I will also consider stories involving the mythical characters and creatures of the astrological signs, perhaps their history and origin, perhaps their present and future state. Note: I am not saying that one has to believe in the paraphernalia associated with modern astrology; but authors should seek to use some of this as inspiration and underpinning of their narratives. I want stories based on the conventional Western Zodiac, the twelve Star Signs, not the Chinese calendar, the Vietnamese calendar, Aztec beliefs, etc. Stories should preferably be specific to a star sign, rather than pan-astrological. If you wish to try the latter, please query first with a broad outline. I will most likely be seeking at least one story per star sign, possibly more. Stories will be expected to contain at least some element of fantasy in its broadest sense. Stories may be fantasy, horror, science fiction, slipstream, fabulist or realist but demonstrating imaginative use of and/ or acquaintance with fantasy tropes. Use of mythical or historical detail is permissible but authors must not use copyrighted material from any artistic...

Deadline: March 31st 2013 Payment: The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic will be a paperback edition published in 2013, to be followed by an eBook edition. Successful contributors will receive a nominal fee of £10, royalties plus a copy of the book on publication. Urban Mythic The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic edited by Jan Edwards & Jenny Barber Submission guidelines by the editors: “For The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic, we are seeking contemporary tales with all the magic and wonder of myth and legend, blending modern life with the traditions of folklore from around the world. Whether lurking in dark alleys or brash shopping malls; from shanty towns to the floating cities of Venice, Bangkok or Dubai; swanky riverside penthouse lofts or humble suburban semis, we want to see how the mythic is woven into the everyday. Think Charles de Lint, Terri Windling, Robert Holdstock, Seanan McGuire, Jim Butcher, Kate Griffin, Simon R. Green, Holly Black, Neil Gaiman… We want fantasy that entertains but also pushes beyond the usual urban fantasy boundaries; fast-paced action; folk tales re-imagined; mythic creatures adapting to the urban environment; noir; humour; horror (with recognisable mythic elements); literary or lighter styles. Fully realised characters are a must and solid plots extremely desirable. We don’t want: secondary worlds; steampunk; SF; zombies; paranormal romance or erotica. Also, no human sacrifice; magic help-lines; religion; gore or mythic-beastie love triangles. No poetry. Give your story a head start by reading both these guidelines and the Alchemy Press style-guide http://alchemypress.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/manuscripts We are seeking original fiction: reprints only accepted by agreement with the editors. No simultaneous or multiple submissions. Contributions between 3,000 and 8,000 words (query if you wish to submit outside that range). Submission period runs from January 1st to March 31st 2013. Do not submit...

Deadline: March 31st 2013 Payment: 1/4 cent/word (subject to change). Digital copy + print copy. Discount for additional copies. ATTACK! OF THE B-MOVIE MONSTERS--A Tribute to the Films of the 50s Submission Guidelines Anyone who knows me personally knows I have a thing for the giant critter movies of the 1950s. We've all seen them (or at least one of them) at least once; some of us tuning in every time they're on. Who can forget the awesome (and yes, cheesey) reveal of the first giant ant in THEM! Or the tentancles of a giant squid coiling around the Golden Gate Bridge in IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA. Or even more recently, EMPIRE OF THE ANTS starring the legendary (?) Joan Collins, “Oh my God,they're herding us like cattle!” I love them all, and I thought it would be great to pay a tribute to these screen classics. Are you up to the challenge? The stories don't necessarily have to be set in the 50s, but they must follow the general tone/theme. Also, try to think outside the box. Giant Ants have been done to death. Yes, nuclear fallout can be the reason, but surely you can come up with something unique. NOTE: ATTACK! OF THE B-MOVIE MONSTERS will be a “digital first” publication, with a trade paperback to follow. DEADLINE: March 31, 2013 (or until filled) WORD COUNT: 3,000-10,000 words (query for longer/shorter submissions) PAYMENT: 1/4 cent/word (subject to change). Digital copy + print copy. Discount for additional copies. REPRINTS: No MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS: No SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: No FORMAT: Left-justify only FONT: 12 pt Times New Roman SPACING: Double spaced, no extra spacing between paragraphs TAB INDENT: ¼ inch PAGE NUMBERING/HEADERS: None First page should include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, word count, and pseudonym (if writing...

Deadline: March 31st, 2013 Payment: $10.00 and a copy of the book in 1 ebook format and print format. A collection of 10 stories within a defined theme brought out by Marion Margaret Press and Ron Leming, artist, editor, and writer. It will be published in ebook and print edition. Theme: The Confederacy of Steam is a worldwide organization, based in America, whose main purpose is to wipe out the zombie plague, wherever it may strike. Young Doctor Orloff, along with his Zombie Extermination team is the inventor, fabricator and technician of the Confederacy. Your tale may take place anywhere in the world and in any period of time, from the Victorian era to present day, so long as the world you create is an extrapolated steam-driven world, with the concepts of steampunk intact, and you base your story around expeditions of the Confederacy and its members battling the threat of the zombie plague. It can be scientifiction, adventure, romance, fantasy, whatever genre you like, provided they follow the guidelines of our little world, an uncertain future, where the aesthetics and ethics of Victorian society are combined with advanced steam-powered technology. I, personally, hope I may see a few famous people show up. People like Franz Mesmer; Prosper- Rene Blondelot and his discovery and use of N rays; Charles Babbage and his invention, the Difference Machine, used extensively by the Confederacy; Charles Dickens; Florence Nightingale; Alexander Graham Bell; Arthur Conan Doyle; Harry Houdini; Thomas Edison; and, of course, Young Doctor Orloff. The field is wide open. Send me a steampunk Sherlock Holmes vs Zombies story. I’m looking for the fabulous and unusual. Stories can be up to 7000 words. When is the submission period? We will accept submissions for the anthology from January 1, 2013 until March 31, 2013 or...

Deadline: March 31st 2013 Payment: 5 cents per word The Wily Writers site publishes two short stories per month in both audio and text formats. We host a celebrity editor for each of them, and they choose the stories along with the producer (Angel Leigh McCoy). We publish only short fiction that falls under the genre umbrella of speculative fiction: horror, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance / mystery / adventure. We have specific themes that we’re asking you to follow. See below: Themes are trickling in. More coming soon! Theme listed here: Horror which is due by March 31, 2013 Submission Requirements Submissions need to follow the guidelines listed below. IMPORTANT: Name your file so that it makes sense. An impressive filename for a fiction submission is: (lastname)-(word from title).RTF Word count: 1000 – 4000 (Firm. Do not query). Use standard manuscript formatting. (more info) No simultaneous submissions to other publishers. Multiple submissions okay, but only one story per theme. Story must have a speculative fiction element. Gore, sex, and adult language okay, but make sure it improves the story. We do not edit, so make sure you use good grammar, have double-checked the punctuation, and have done a spell-check. We prefer Chicago Manual of Style rules, and we will reject it if it’s a mess, even if it’s an amazing story. We may request revisions, so if you’re not open to the idea, then let us know in your cover letter. It will save us all some time by communicating that up-front. We will accept reprints. Make double sure that the rights have reverted to you. By submitting it to us, you affirm that it has been freed from all other commitments that conflict with the rights you give us. We reserve the right to change these guidelines...

Deadline: March 31, 2013 Payment: 3 cents per word Third Flatiron Publishing is an e-publishing venture based in Boulder, Colorado. We are looking for submissions to our quarterly themed online anthologies. Our focus is on science fiction and fantasy and anthropological fiction. We’re looking for tightly plotted tales in out-of-the-ordinary scenarios. Please send us short stories that revolve around age-old questions and have something illuminating to tell us as human beings. Fantastical situations and creatures, exciting dialog, irony, mild horror, and wry humor are all welcome. Stories should be between 1,500 and 3,000 words. Role models for the type of fiction we want include Kurt Vonnegut, Arthur C. Clarke, Dan Simmons, Connie Willis, Vernor Vinge, and Ken Kesey. We want to showcase some of the best new shorts available today. See the "Submissions" tab for preferred formats, etc. For each issue, we will also accept a few very short humor pieces on the order of the "Shouts and Murmurs" feature in The New Yorker Magazine (600 words or so). These can be written from a first-person perspective or can be mini-essays that tell people what they ought to do, how to do something better, or explain why something is like it is, humorously. An SF/Fantasy bent is preferred. Our publishing schedule for 2013 is below. Books will be available in a variety of e-formats for all popular reading platforms. Fires and backfires from inventions (Greek fire?), culture clashes, climate change, comets and meteors, Hephaestus, and so forth. Reading Period: January 1 - March 31, 2013 Submit Now! Writer Deadline: March 31, 2013 Publication Date: June 1, 2013