Absolute Write Speculative Fiction Anthology FAQs
I have received several questions that deserve response, and while I have responded to the individuals, I think further explanations here (to you all) are warranted.
Topic, theme, content of story.Because the anthology is of speculative fiction stories to be included, your story must not only contain speculative fiction elements, but be primarily speculative fiction. A story that incorporates erotic elements in an otherwise space opera theme should be primarily space opera, not primarily erotica. A story that might be designated Paranormal Romance, should be primarily paranormal with the romance playing second fiddle. My guess is that if you wrote a murder mystery on Titan, the murder should involve some spec fic element (like a ray gun or quantum blender or something), and not just be a knife in the throat in the waiting room of the offices of the Governor of Titan.
Number of Submissions per author.One. If you submit early enough and receive a rejection and the deadline (which is Sept 1) hasn't arrived, you may submit another story.
Format of Submissions.Word Count.Any number of words up to 10,000 but no more. No exceptions. Shorter stories are preferred. The editor is especially interested in flash. Please understand: the shorter the stories, the greater number of them will be included in the anthology. We are aiming at a total word count for entire anthology of 90,000.
PoetryWe do not want poetry, although a very brief interstitial story that has poetic elements might be accepted. In this one, folks, you take your chances.
Editorial Staff.
MacAllister Stone is editor in chief of the anthology. Yours truly (Peter Porterfield) is art director.
There will be a panel of readers that chooses the winning entries. Those readers will NOT know the author's name or identity in any way (we will strip off all identifying information prior to them reading your story). Those readers will NOT be eligible to enter the contest. No, I do not know who is on the panel. MacAllister may know, but she ain't gonna tell anyone so don't ask.
Artwork.I apologize for not mentioning this initially. The anthology will be illustrated, much like Analog or Asimov's is, with a color cover and b&w internal introductory images. We will accept tear sheets from prospective illustrators for consideration.
Our art budget allows us to illustrate ten of the stories plus the color cover. The decision which story to illustrate is an editorial one and is not open for discussion from the authors. However, if you have a subject that you prefer to be in the illustration (the man in the conical hat in paragraph 14, or the like) you may so indicate. Please realize, however, that we may illustrate some or all or none.
Interested artists should send
not more than three examples of your work (in .jpg format not greater than 1280 x 720 pixels, and not larger than 500kb in size) to
[email protected].
Payment.
- Payment for stories is 2¢ per word.
- Payment for each of ten black and white interior illustrations is $20.00.
- Payment for full color cover illustration is $300.00.
- All in U.S. Dollars.
I think this pretty much covers everything, but in the event I omitted something, I will add to this post as necessary.
Thanks folks!
Peter
ETA: Added payment schedule.