Open Call Submissions 2019 SFFWorld Anthology

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Can I ask what the language scope is for pg13? I currently have one f**k in mine.
 
That won't be a problem. A lot of YA fiction goes way past including a bit of swearing, so we can certainly tolerate the same. My sub for the last antho dropped more than a few f-bombs (I feel far more dirty saying "f-bomb" than the alternative, to be honest).

I think the greater concern would be gratuitousness. We're not likely to balk at bad language and violence (or implied sex, though we're not after erotica so I expect an actual sex scene would be a - pardon the phrase - hard sell), provided they work for the story and the story works.

Last year we had a sub which unexpectedly featured bestiality, and when it got to that bit my eyebrows rose (and that's all that did, btw). But the alarms were already ringing because the story wasn't even close to publishable, and that would be the bigger issue - the other thing was just a weird passing detail that really had nothing to do with anything. If the story had been good enough, that bit would have got cut during edits. Dude just liked horses, I guess...

So yeah, just ask "is this bit necessary" and if there's a benefit, keep it. Swearing goes to character, but not to every character. On the other hand, sometimes a person just has to let one out!
 
An extra note: we'd also be happy to get some horror subs, it's hardly ever happened across six collections now. We've had violence many a time in the anthos, but whatever the treatment is, the big questions are always going to be "how well was X handled" and "does the story work as a whole".

However, similar to the above points, this isn't really a splatter market. Unless it's really good! Why would we say "no" to anything that meets the theme and is really good?
:)
 
NOOB ALERT!
Hi, I stumbled upon this thread recently and it caught my interest enough to create an account. I have a little story I have been working on for a while which concerns events running up to an apocalypse, but not the 'Dying Earth' explicitly. Is that something you might be interested in, or would I just be cluttering your inbox by submitting it?
Thanks!

@Andrew LH
 
HI NOOB (/Hannah) :)

I'd say "apocalypse" implies a certain dying element, and if it takes place on earth... could be worth a shot.

If you wanted, you could post your story in the Writing/Stories sub-forum first and invite feedback (it's member-visible only there, so no need to worry about the whole world seeing it). I'd be happy to give it an unofficial read and let you know if it's in the right vein.

Usually people are expected to give feedback before they ask for it, but the feedbacking has been a bit quiet recently, so I've just suggested on the thread that we overlook that requirement in the hope we'll see a bit more of that kind of activity.
 
Andrew LH said:
HI NOOB (/Hannah) :)

I'd say "apocalypse" implies a certain dying element, and if it takes place on earth... could be worth a shot.

If you wanted, you could post your story in the Writing/Stories sub-forum first and invite feedback (it's member-visible only there, so no need to worry about the whole world seeing it). I'd be happy to give it an unofficial read and let you know if it's in the right vein.

Usually people are expected to give feedback before they ask for it, but the feedbacking has been a bit quiet recently, so I've just suggested on the thread that we overlook that requirement in the hope we'll see a bit more of that kind of activity.
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Thanks Andrew. Still needs some work, so will probably just go ahead and submit it when it's as done as I can get it. No hard feelings if it's 'not a good fit' - I'm a pro at shrugging those off!
 
I love these yearly themed anthologies and the work that Andrew and N.E. put into them is priceless. I'll be damned if I let one of these bad boys get past me without submitting something.
Let the Dying Earth stories commence!
 
Hobbit said:
Hi Grant.

Well done on finding this thread. I've just seen your post on the website's main page. I've asked the Anthology staff to answer here.

(For future reference, to send a Direct Message, click on the red envelope on the top-right of the page. You can then type in the name of the person you're trying to contact, a title and your message.)

Mark
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Hi Mark,
I'm having problems with the direct messaging. I am a new member and trying to figure all this out. I see a white envelope at the top of the page and when I click on that it takes me to conversations, of which I have none. I find no place to type in the name of the person I am trying to contact or any of that. Please help.
 
Kate Runnels said:
Hi Mark,
I'm having problems with the direct messaging. I am a new member and trying to figure all this out. I see a white envelope at the top of the page and when I click on that it takes me to conversations, of which I have none. I find no place to type in the name of the person I am trying to contact or any of that. Please help.
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Hi Kate, I've only been here a week myself and found the same thing. You need to comment a certain number of times (5 or 10, I forget) before you 'unlock' direct messaging.
Possible admin could override that for you, but probably quickest just to drop a few messages around. Good news is that you've already got one right here! Good luck with the submission
 
Hi all. Thanks for the help too, Hannah.

I see a white envelope at the top of the page and when I click on that it takes me to conversations, of which I have none.
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You are in the right place! 'Conversations' are our 'Direct Messages'. When it says "You have no conversations" there should be a link bottom right that says "Start A New Conversation". When you click on that, you then get a drop-down menu that you can add the person/s you wish to contact (EG: Hobbit, N. E. White or Andrew_LH), a title and your content.

We have had issues with spammers sending people messages before which is why there's a starter limit.

I hope that helps. I'll send a conversation message to you now to see if it works.
 
pyewackett said:
Any updates?:)
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I was just thinking I should do an update... Here it is:

We have roughly 35 submissions so far. Andrew is a reading fiend and has gotten through most of them. I am woefully behind. (Sorry.)

We are getting about one to two submissions a day.

Final decisions will be made after the deadline and I'll be sure to inform everyone as soon as possible there after.

I am always impressed with the inventiveness of spec fiction writers and the stories I've read thus far are no exception. I am looking forward to reading more. :)
 
This looks exciting - in fact it was spotting the call at Ralan.com that led me to this forum.

A quick spit and polish and I should have something for you by the deadline!
 
I think what's interesting is that, after the somewhat fraught nature of the voting process for this anthology and the ensuing uncertainty about What It Was Going To Be About, there's a core of rather good subs (just my opinion being voiced now) that could combine quite nicely - but they aren't all of a type. So will that let it expand into another relatively big collection, like most have been, or result in a relatively small one (Wars to End All Wars was only seven pieces, I think)..?
 
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