Unlocking the Magic Submissions Guidelines
almost 6 years ago
– Sat, Jun 02, 2018 at 11:19:59 PM
The following are the submissions guidelines for Unlocking the Magic.
Word limit: 3000-6000 words.
Pay rate: $300/story + royalties
Genre: Fantasy only (no Science Fiction or Horror, although horror elements may be present in the story). Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Steampunk, and other genres of fantasy are all encouraged.
Language: English (translations are welcome).
Submissions open: June 2, 2018
Submissions close: November 1, 2018
Rights: We claim first world English rights (no reprints). For an excellent break down of what this means, please see Neil Clarke’s post here.
In fantasy, we read about how people with mental illness are more susceptible to magic, closer to breaks in reality, more likely to be able to see the unseen. These stereotypes are harmful and contribute to keeping people from seeing the good in getting help, taking their meds, or talking to someone.
This anthology is about changing the narrative and telling stories of strength and perseverance, of getting help despite the darkness. Not the myth that getting help will kill creativity and magic. Not the story our society tells about mentally ill people: that art and magic must come from suffering.
I want stories that show what can be accomplished when we take care of ourselves and seek help. I want stories that show the reality of being mentally ill within a fantasy setting. I want to see how mental illness and its treatment affects the magic that lies within all of us. I want to read realistic portrayals of mental illness in magical worlds.
Send your stories formatted in Standard Manuscript format attached as a .doc to cuppateaanthologies at gmail dot com. Include your name, byline, email address, mailing address, and approximate word count. In your cover letter, also include the mental illness diagnosis your story addresses (e.g. depression, PTSD, bipolar, etc).
When writing your story, consider that you’re writing about real experiences that real people have, not just something fictional characters have to deal with. Do your research and write with compassion. I am looking for noblebright, not grimdark.
Submissions from diverse individuals and those with mental illnesses are encouraged.
We did it!!!!!!!
almost 6 years ago
– Wed, May 30, 2018 at 11:00:55 PM
Hooray! With your help, we've been able to fund (and more!) this anthology. Now the fun part starts when everyone writes their stories!
I can't wait to read the stories as they come in and I'm really looking forward to sending you this book. I think it's going to be something really special. Thank you for taking this journey with me!!
Squee!!
Ok. On to the nuts and bolts. It will take about two weeks for everything to clear and for the money to be deposited into my account. Please be sure your payment info is up to date to expedite this process.
After that happens, then the fun begins. I'll post the call for submissions here as well as elsewhere and folks will get started on their stories. Submissions will open when I do that and then will close Nov 1.
After that, I will select the final stories and run them by Dr. Helvig as part of the selection process. Once she's agreed with me on the final stories, contracts go out, edits start and the book is rolling on through production.
But while we're waiting on that to happen, know that you have my deepest thanks and my most sincere gratitude.
-Viv
Stretch goal met! Woohoo!
almost 6 years ago
– Wed, May 30, 2018 at 03:59:23 AM
We have less than 30 hours to go and we've blasted past our first stretch goal! Now I'll be able to pay the authors more for their work. As I mentioned in a previous post, authors don't get paid a whole lot, so this means that you're contributing to making their lives more awesome just as you'll be able to enjoy the product of their work. Hooray!
As I mentioned, we are in the home stretch. Let's see if we can reach that second stretch goal to add more stories to this anthology!
And, as always, thank you for your support!
-Viv
Close to our first Stretch Goal! Fantastic Author Added!
almost 6 years ago
– Tue, May 29, 2018 at 08:25:38 AM
Oh my goodness! We're so close to being able to pay our authors more! I'm so excited for this because authors don't get paid a whole lot for their stories, and being able to give them more renumeration for their awesome work means so much to me (and to them!). We have four days to go and I totally believe we can get there. Yay!
For those of you who read Humans Wanted, you may remember A. Merc Rustad's work. For those of you who did not, you need to check out their work immediately. They are an amazing passionate author who has literally made me cry in public with how beautifully written their stories are. I simply cannot wait to see what they bring to this anthology.
Their bio is as follows:
A. Merc Rustad is a queer non-binary writer who lives in Minnesota and is a Nebula Awards finalist. Their stories have appeared in Lightspeed, Fireside, Apex, Uncanny, Shimmer, Nightmare, and several Year's Best anthologies. You can find Merc on Twitter @Merc_Rustad or their website: http://amercrustad.com. Their debut short story collection, SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROBOT, was published by Lethe Press (May 2017).
Finally, a reminder that our second stretch goal will get us more stories for everyone to read! Let's push toward that goal as well so we can make this the biggest anthology we can!
Thank you all again. So excited!
-Viv
Funded!!!!
almost 6 years ago
– Sun, May 27, 2018 at 02:08:05 PM
Oh my goodness! We funded and with days remaining! Thank you so much for your support and believing in this project as much as I do!
Hooday!!!
Ok, although I'm still happy dancing over here, some things. First, Stretch Goals! Since we have some time left, I'd like to implement some stretch goals.
First stretch goal ($9000) paying folks more! Right now, they're getting paid around 5c/word. I'd like to bring that up to 6c for the first stretch goal. For the second stretch goal ($12000), I'd like to add more authors so you can have more stories to read and inspire you. There are more goals beyond that, but let's focus on these first and go from there.
I can't wait to share these stories with you and I can't wait to read everyone's submissions. Speaking of submissions, the call for submissions will go out July 1 and will last from July 1-November 1. if you or anyone you know is considering writing for this anthology, get your typin' fingers ready and get going on those stories.
Hooray and thank you again!
-Viv
