Sub Ops Ten

Ten Things About Submission Opportunities

Mystery and Horror LLC has an open call for their All Hallows' Evil anthology: "An anthology of mystery stories set during Halloween/Samhain/CandyFest. Paranormal elements are acceptable as long as the central story is a mystery. We're seeking stories that are 4000 - 8000 words in length (firm). Query about reprints. We will accept multiple submissions, but not simultaneous submissions. Open submission period: April 20 - July 15th, 2013. All contributors will receive a free trade paperback copy of the book, plus a $5 advance on royalties. Contributors will also be able to purchase more print copies at a 50% discount on the cover price. We're seeking first world rights in English to publish in print and electronic format for 12 months, beginning on the date of publication. Please see our Guidelines and Payment page for further information on the rights we ask for and the compensation we offer." [PBW notes: Remember to wait until the submission period opens on 4/20.]

UK digital quarterly ARC is looking for fiction and more: "Arc publishes short stories over 5000 words. On acceptance, it pays a flat fee of £1500 (c. US$2370) for first world serial rights. We publish stories that have some bearing on the future. You don't need to write science fiction to do that -- all we're interested in is your vision, your skill, and your ability to move us. We set our bar very high. Arc’s writers so far have included Margaret Atwood, Bruce Sterling, Stephen Baxter, M John Harrison, Hannu Rajaniemi, Alastair Reynolds, Adam Roberts, China Mieville, Frederik Pohl, Paul McAuley, Nick Harkaway, Lavie Tidhar, Robert Reed, Liz Jensen, Nancy Kress and Kim Stanley Robinson. If you can hook the editor's attention on page one, there is some slim hope for you. Joseph Conrad and Raymond Carver knew how to hook a reader. You should too. We like technology and science, but we love people. The stories we're looking for will explore their anxieties, their joys and fears. We don't publish fantasy and if you send us anything with even a whiff of steampunk about it we will come round and burn down your house." [PBW notes: And they say the British don't have a sense of humor.] "Arc also publishes features, essays and poetry. Please contact us before submitting these as we have very specific requirements and we usually commission this work. Our boilerplate rates are: (for essays under 1500 words) £250 (for features over 2000 words) £500 and £75 per page for poetry and experimental work. We commission news pieces and reviews for our blog at http://arcfinity.tumblr.com. We pay £30 per blogpost. If you're interested in contributing, tweet or DM us at @arcfinity." No reprints, electronic submission through online form only, see guidelines here for more details.

The submission period for The Future Embodied anthology has been extended; they want spec fic 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. 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." Length: 2-5,5K; Payment "3¢/word +copies." Reprints okay, electronic submissions only, see guidelines for more details. New Deadline: April 15th, 2013.

UK Publisher Gollancz is looking for manuscript submissions: "Gollancz publish Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Dystopia and a little YA cross-over fiction. If you’re writing in these areas, we’re happy to take a look at your work. Only get in touch when you have a complete, spell-checked manuscript of 80,000 words or more." Length >80K; no mention of payment but Ralan notes "assume industry standard." Query on reprints, no electronic submission, see guidelines for more details.

The John A. Hartford Foundation is holding a heroic stories competition, and is seeking stories "that convey how a person with geriatric expertise (in any profession and discipline) can make a difference in peoples' lives. Stories must be true, so the genre would most likely be creative nonfiction or essay. (Audio and video stories are also being accepted.)" No entry fee, length not specified [PBW notes: might query first to find out length requirements].Prizes: $3,000 First Prize, $1,000 Second Prize, $500 Third Prize. Eligibility: "USA-only, 18+" See guidelines for more details. Deadline: April 15, 2013.

Masque Books, the new digital imprint of Prime Books, is looking for submissions: "Our emphasis is on both general sf/fantasy, and sf/f romance." What they want to see: "We expect great writing, fully developed plots, and well-rounded characters speaking believable dialogue. Ideally characters will reflect the diverse nature of human experience. Science or magic systems must be logical and world-building complete. Science Fiction/Fantasy: Any subgenre or cross-genre including planetary romance, steampunk, space opera, alt-history, small-scale fantasy, contemporary fantasy, and dark fantasy. No romance is required, but if there is a romantic element it should be secondary to the main action of the story. SF/F Romance: The relationship between the protagonists should be the heart of the story and their emotional arc should be resolved. Science fictional or fantasy elements are essential to the plot. Multi-partner relationships are welcome as are queer ones. All heat levels will be considered, from sweet to explicit, but the sex scenes should be integral to the story. No stories under 30,000 words; no collections of short fiction; no poetry; no Young Adult, children’s books, or non-fiction. We plan on launching with three titles in July 2013 and publishing three titles a month thereafter. For now, please send only the first three chapters and a synopsis of your completed manuscript. If we respond to your submission positively, we expect to see a full manuscript immediately." Length: 30-50K (novellas) 50-120K (novels). Payment: "Masque Books pays a small advance (usually $100-250) against royalties of 50% net of all digital receipts. Our contract includes an option for print trade (not POD) publication after digital, but we do not promise this. If your book is traditionally published in print, we pay standard industry royalties." On reprints: "At this point we are interested only in original fiction, although we may be interested in previously published material that has reverted to the author at a later date. WITH THIS EXCEPTION: We may be interested in republishing a first or first and second of a series if new fiction for the series is available." Electronic submissions through their online form; see guidelines for more details.

MindShift: Writers Who Rock is "a forum for published and emerging writers of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. Writers Who Rock offers paid opportunities for first time and veteran authors to write essays, book reviews, short stories and columns." Length and Payment: "Short stories and essays up to 1000 words $50; Book Reviews up to 300 words $25." For more info, staycalm09@gmail.com.

Montag Press is looking for novel-length manuscripts, and "currently seeks subversive, speculative, science, historical, young adult (YA), new adult (NA) and horror fiction, in either a narrative or dramatic structure, with a strong plot, well-developed characters and engaging voices." Length: >40K; Payment: $100 advance and 30% net. Reprints okay if self-published, electronic submissions only, see guidelines for more details.

There's an open call for Neverland's Library, a Kickstarter-funded anthology, and the editors are looking for stories "focusing on the rediscovery of the fantastic; magic, dragons, the supernatural, etc. We are looking for stories which highlight finding that which was once thought lost, incorporating fantastical and/or fictitious elements. We will not restrict how the story is told. All styles, settings, and tones are welcome. We are looking for only unpublished stories. If the story has been made available for free or payment online then please do not submit it for consideration as it will be considered ineligible under our criteria. We ask that authors limit themselves to no more than 2 submissions, with no simultaneous submissions. That means when a story is submitted to us, it should not be submitted for publication consideration anywhere else." [PBW notes: I generally avoid posting charitably-funded ops because the whole practice troubles me, but the editor notes elsewhere that they have alternative funding to fall back on should the Kickstarter campaign fail. In light of that I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but do be cautious with this one.] No reprints, electronic submission only, see guidelines for more details. Deadline: June 20, 2013 or when filled.

Mystery and Horror LLC also has an open call for their Strangely Funny, an anthology of humorous paranormal stories: "All stories must contain paranormal elements (ghosts, psychic abilities, vampires, etc.) and be funny. Think Addams Family, Zombieland, or Love at First Bite. They should not contain gratuitous violence, gratuitous sex, or excessive foul language. We're seeking stories that are 2000 - 5000 words in length (firm). We will also accept cartoons if submitted in electronic format. No reprints. We will accept multiple submissions, but not simultaneous submissions. Open submission period: March 1 - June 10th, 2013. All contributors will receive a free trade paperback copy of the book, plus a $5 advance on royalties. Contributors will also be able to purchase more print copies at a 50% discount on the cover price. We're seeking first world rights in English to publish in print and electronic format for 12 months, beginning on the date of publication." Query on reprints, electronic submissions only, see guidelines for more details.

Most of the above sub ops were found among the many marvelous market listings at Ralan.com.