Greetings, aspiring writers of Changeling-related fiction. I want your words.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The anthology is going to include 10 stories, about 5000 words each. I haven’t hired anyone to write for it yet. I haven’t even decided if I’m going to write one (hint: I probably will, which would mean there are nine slots up for grabs).
- I am accepting submissions. Indeed, if you want to contribute a story, I am requiring submissions. Yes, this includes freelancers who are working on other OPP books.
- Submissions are open from the time this post goes live until August 1st. At that time, I will close submissions and pick ten (maybe nine) folks from the submitters. Submissions will not be accepted after August 1st.
- Submissions for this work a little differently than our normal submission process. See below.
Submitting to the anthology happens in three easy steps.
Step One: Fill Out & Send the Submission NDA
You can find the NDA form here.
When you’ve filled it out, send it to opp.submissions@gmail.com. Put “C20 Anthology” in the subject line. In the body of the email, tell us your name and some basic stuff; whether you’ve been published before, how much you love Changeling, your favorite kith, and so forth. I’m looking for diverse voices here. I want people who have interesting things to say.
Step Two: Fill Out The Submission Form
“This is different from the NDA?” you ask? Yes. This is the form. It’s very simple. It asks you whether you’ve filled out the NDA, and then it gives you a space for your fiction. And here’s where it gets interesting.
I want 300 words of fiction. If it’s Changeling related, that’s great, but it’s not strictly necessary (probably should be urban fantasy, though, yeah?). But you need to hook me. You have 300 words, and you must make me want to keep reading. That’s the challenge. I don’t promise that if I hire you, you’ll get to finish this story, but the best way to get hired is to write something so intriguing that I hire you just so I can make you finish the story.
If you are over 300 words, I will read the first 300 and then stop. (You think I’m kidding? I am not.)
Step Three: Wait
This is simultaneously the easiest and hardest step. It requires nothing but patience…but yeah, I’ve been there.
In August, I will slog through the entries, make some decisions, and contact the folks I want to hire. Once I’ve gotten positive responses, I will post the lineup on this blog. Yes, that means I won’t be emailing everyone who doesn’t get hired individually, for which I apologize, but I know I’m not going to have time for that.
Any questions, hit me in the comments.
Question: Should the fiction match the C20 mechanics (ie no impossible feats), or is it okay to fudge as long as the narrative is good for CtD?
For purposes of the submission I’m not concerned, as long as the metaphysics aren’t completely wrong (changelings are not deceased souls of people, f’rex).
Gotcha, thanks 🙂
do I need to write the 300 words In the NDA,or its best to just say I’m submitting Fiction in the NDA and actually write the 300 words fiction in the former?
You don’t need to write the submission in the NDA, no.
Should our fiction submission have its own title, and if so, does the title count towards the 300 word limit?
Up to you; title doesn’t count.
I use a pen name. Can I submit the NDA and fiction submission under that name rather than my real name? Thanks!
You can submit your fiction under your pen name, but obviously since the NDA is a legal document, it needs to be signed with your real name. Just make sure that in your email that you mention your real name so I can match your submission to your NDA.
What will we be paid if we are published?
Well, it would be great exposure…
(I’m kidding.)
Rich, you want to field this one?
It’s on our usual sliding scale based on experience. If we publish it, we pay the writer. No “for exposure” deals. We would usually start at 2 cents a word for someone’s very first story.
I just might give this a shot. I’ll mull it over.
I know you said that generally speaking specific adherence to the rules isn’t important, but I have an idea I want to investigate and I’m curious if it lines up with C20 rules at all. Is it possible to Unleash an Agenda? (With all the horror that implies)
Which one of these are your favorites? Victorian Ages, WWII, 60s and Modern Dreams.
And so this collection would be published online or also as a physical book?
Yes, published in PDF and POD (probably, all the other ones have been).
Either way I will give you a story about unseelie pooka. Now do I write the first 300 words and wait for selections to write the rest, or is it a leap of faith? Im going to leap, just asking. I have published two vampire novels but they are not based on WoD.
You can leap if you like, but like I say in the instructions, just send me the first 300 ’cause that’s all I’m reading. 🙂
I’m planning on writing the skeleton of the plot to make sure I have a story. Then clean up and submit the first 300 words.
If we are submitting to this and the Hunter All-Call, do we need to also submit 2 separate NDAs (or would that be more helpful) or should we reference the one in the other?
What level of foul language can we use?