Deadline: March 1st, 2020
Payment: $25 flat rate per story
Theme: Short story submissions that explore the implications of non-cisgender life within the context of furry.

As furries, we base large swaths of our identity around species. We search for what fits, we let our species choose us, and find ways to be happy as such.

Species isn’t the only portion of identity that we explore within this subculture, though; given the relative safety of our community, gender is also something that we frequently explore. More than 8% of furries describe themselves as non-cisgender, and a further 6% describe their gender as ‘complicated’ (via the 2016 Furry Survey).

Furry is often a means of wish-fulfillment for us, the players of our characters and the bearers of our avatars, so we often present ourselves as we desire to be seen. Within a fictional furry world, though, there’s little reason to expect that similar statistics around gender identity and expression would not also be the case.

Genderful: Green and Gold — How would those in a such a world explore their gender in a day-to-day context? What are the mechanics of hormone replacement therapy – transdermal patches obviously being out of the question – or of gender affirming surgery? What are the social implications of gender transition in a society already differentiated by species?

Genderful: Blue and Silver — How would those in a such a world explore their gender in a sexual context? What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy or of gender affirming surgery on one’s sexuality? How does sex and sexuality work in a setting with complex scents and sensitive noses? Dating, already scary, gains a new layer of tension; romance, already complex, gains a new layer of difficulty; and sex, already fraught with gender, becomes even more complicated.

About the anthology

Genderful is an anthology of short fiction in two parts edited by Madison Scott-Clary. It will comprise several pieces from diverse authors. The anthology will be released in both physical and e-book formats, as well as, depending on interest, audiobook format.

Genderful: Green and Gold is the general side of the anthology, and Genderful: Blue and Silver is the adult side. Stories for general audience and adult stories will be offered in separate sections or books (the exact details will be determined when we receive submissions) to allow readers to curate their experience.

Here is what HYBRID will be looking for:

Submission content

We are looking for short story submissions that explore the implications of non-cisgender life within the context of furry. There is no restriction on gender of characters or perceived orientation, including anywhere on the asexuality spectrum. Though the set and setting may be tough and the plot may involve hardships, the characters should be treated with sensitivity and care. We are particularly keen on featuring #OwnVoices authors.

Stories should focus on characters struggling or living with a non-cisgender identity. There are no further restrictions on genre. No preference will be given to stories with any character:

• on any stage of their chosen path of transition,
• of any gender identity or gender assigned at birth, or
• of any orientation

We would like a balance of expressions, and will be publishing an anonymous list of what is represented in each submission as they come in!

HYBRID Ink will not, under any circumstances, publish content that portrays any of the following without justification or in a positive light:

• Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or other forms of discrimination
• Pedophilia or sex with characters under the age of 18
• Rape, torture, dubious consent, or forced seduction
• Gratuitous violence, gore, or death

For more information, please see here, and remember that we’re all governed by our code of conduct.

Submission genre

While there is no restriction on genre of submitted stories, we will aim for a cohesive anthology after the fact. For instance, if we receive more speculative fiction stories than contemporary fiction, that may play a role in accepting stories. Literary fiction, speculative fiction, murder mystery…give us your best!

Submission rating

G-X — stories of an erotic or violent nature and stories written for a general audience will be presented in separate sections/books (specifics to be determined) to allow readers to curate their experience.

Submission length

2,000–15,000 words — if you feel like you will fall outside this range, let us know!

Rate

$25 flat rate per story.

Simultaneous submissions

Yes, but please inform us if you are also submitting to other sources.

Multiple submissions

Yes — limit 2. A maximum of 1 will be published.

Prior publication

Previously published works are allowed, but preference given to entries that have not yet been published.

Schedule

Submissions open	December 1, 2019
Submissions close	March 1, 2020
Submissions read and responded to	Within four weeks
Anthology available for sale	within six months of contracts

Submission contracts will include a sunset clause. You may see an example contract here.

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Submitting to HYBRID

Please submit via email to [email protected].

Include your name and what you are submitting for in the subject line in the format [Submission type] Submission name (for X) by Author. For example, Jace Doe is submitting their story “Something Awesome,” to the Great Stories anthology, they would use the subject line [Story] Something Awesome (for Great Stories) by Jace Doe.

Alternately, for longer work queries, if Anna Doe is submitting a query for her novel Holy Crap, Birds!, she would use the subject line [Query] Holy Crap, Birds! by Anna Doe.

Please submit a synopsis of your work, plus the entire short work, or the first 10,000 words or so (about twenty pages) for longer work queries. We will accept the following formats: Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), Open Document Format/LibreOffice/Calligra Words (.odt), Markdown, TeX of various flavors. We can also accept Google Docs, but would prefer a standalone file.

If you are submitting to a call for submissions, please be sure to note the following in your submission email:

• Whether or not you are submitting simultaneously to other markets
• Whether or not your submission has already been published elsewhere
• Whether or not you are submitting multiple submissions to the call

We appreciate you following these guidelines, as they help all of us keep submissions organized!

Via: Hybrid Ink.