Pro Se Press Announces Open Submmissions for Genre Anthologies

With all the new projects Pro Se has announced, it seems like there's something to interest every writer out there looking for anthologies to pitch to.

======================================

THREE POPULAR NEW PULP HEROES IN ONE BOOK BY OTHER WRITERS -- OPEN CALL FOR REESE UNLIMITED’S THREE TO FIGHT’ ANTHOLOGY!

Award winning Author Barry Reese has been a mainstay in New Pulp and Genre Fiction for years. Of his many creations, three stand out as notable characters in New Pulp-The Peregrine, Gravedigger, and Lazarus Gray. These three characters are the tent pole around which Reese Unlimited, Pro Se’s first Author imprint, was built and now, for the first time ever Reese and Pro Se announce an open call like no other. Submissions are now open for THREE TO FIGHT, an anthology that will, for the first time, feature stories written by other writers starring Reese’s three most popular and best known creations.

“THREE TO FIGHT,” says Tommy Hancock, “is an idea that has been discussed here and there, having other writers tackle some of Barry’s characters, as has been done in the past. The specific concept, though, for this anthology came from an image by Mark Propst, that Barry shared with me. As soon as I saw it, not only did I know I was looking at the cover for a future book, but the cool idea that has become THREE TO FIGHT basically exploded to life. And now, it’s time to bring the writers ready to get their hands on Barry’s wonderfully imaginative universe in and get this thing rolling.”

Two types of stories will be accepted for this anthology. The first type of story accepted for THREE TO FIGHT must feature TWO of the three characters-The Peregrine, Lazarus Gray, and/or Gravedigger. No story will only feature one and no story will feature all three. Another type of story that can appear in this volume can be stories featuring any TWO teams/supporting casts of the characters mentioned above, even if the characters themselves do not appear. Whole teams do not have to appear in these stories, but, as per the other type of story accepted, only TWO supporting casts/teams may team up, not all three.

Stories for THREE TO FIGHT series must be 8-10,000 words in length. Those interested in submitting a proposal should contactsubmissions@prose-press.com to request the Reese Unlimited Timeline. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

If accepted, final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. At point of acceptance, copies of all Reese Unlimited works related to the characters will be available to approved writers. Supplemental information may also be provided. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

THREE TO FIGHT is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company’s anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

======================================

THE CITY OF DARK VILLAINS AND DARKER HEROES RETURNS IN NEW CALL -- SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR ‘TALES FROM PORT VICTORIA’ ANTHOLOGY

First appearing in the pages of Pro Se Press’s break-through anthology, BLACK PULP and expanded on in other works by D. Alan Lewis, the fictional city of Port Victoria is a dark, crime-ridden metropolis, yet it also is home to the only superheroes to exist outside of the comics.

In the early years of the 20th Century, three college students volunteered for a secret government experiment which imbued them with unique abilities, including increased speed, dexterity, and strength. As the years passed, their abilities were passed on to their children and grandchildren, who took up wearing masks and capes to battle crime.

TALES FROM PORT VICTORIA will be a collection of 6 stories edited by the city’s creator, D. Alan Lewis, taking place anytime during the 20th and early 21st Century. Authors are encouraged to use characters presented in Pro Se’s THE BISHOP OF PORT VICTORIA, who are listed below by name and years they operated as heroes. A bible for the anthology is available for more in-depth information on characters, villains, and the city.

• Lady Victoria (1908 to 1922) (Also part of the Justice Trinity)
• Silver Shark (1908 to 1912) (Also part of the Justice Trinity)
• Thunder Jack (1908 to 1912) (Also part of the Justice Trinity)
• Stephanie Murray – unnamed hero (1933 – 1940)
• Dexter ‘Black’ Wolfe (1920 – 1944) This character has already been spoken for, but can be used as a background character.
• Stephanie Murry – unnamed hero (1933-1945)
• Dexter Wolfe Jr. – unnamed hero (1960 – 1973)
• Vicky Justice (1950-1952) (Also part of brother-sister team – The Justice Twins)
• Sargent Victory (1950 – 1954) (Also part of brother-sister team – The Justice Twins)
• Angelina Wolfe aka Lady Vic (1990 – present day)

If the author is using a new character, your story must contain information about the heroes’ origin and explanation of their abilities.

Stories for TALES FROM PORT VICTORIA must be set in the 20th or early 21st Centuries, and correspond with the years that existing heroes worked. Any elements of any genre will be considered appropriate in submissions and left to the discretion of Pro Se Productions and D. Alan Lewis to allow. This means that the supernatural, monsters, aspects of science fiction and fantasy, and so forth are allowed and encouraged to be included in submissions. As with THE BISHOP OF PORT VICTORIA, the stories can be (but don’t have to be) very dark in nature but some measure of restraint is asked for when using sex and violence. Authors are asked to use offensive or derogatory language only in very moderate amounts, if at all.

Stories for TALES FROM PORT VICTORIA must be 10,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. As previously mentioned, a bible is available upon request by mailing submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals. Authors whose proposals are accepted must submit the first four pages of their accepted stories as quickly as possible for review by Pro Se staff.

If accepted, final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions. This is a work for hire submission, as the properties used belong to D. Alan Lewis.

TALES FROM PORT VICTORIA is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company’s anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

COVER ART BY JEFF HAYES FROM 'BISHOP OF PORT VICTORIA'

======================================

PRO SE PRODUCTIONS OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR WESTERN ANTHOLOGY -- OPEN CALL FOR ‘ONE NIGHT IN DODGE’!

The Wild West of the United States has captured the attention of readers for well over a century, both in terms of history and fiction. The two collide in the latest anthology call from Genre Fiction Publisher Pro Se Productions-ONE NIGHT IN DODGE!

On June 10, 1883, one of the most iconic photographs taken in the West in its heyday of expansion and violence was snapped in Dodge City, Kansas. Featuring eight men, this portrait captured the members of the Dodge City Peace Commission.

The most famous of the eight in this image were Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Luke Short, but all the members of the Commission were a part of the force that, at least somewhat, provided law and order and kept their own version of the peace in Dodge City for a little over two years.

History paints this collection of men in a variety of ways, from upright lawmen to scoundrels out for themselves and every point in between. ONE NIGHT IN DODGE invites writers to share their takes on these men, either collectively or just focusing on some of them (stories must include at least two of the Commission members), and to tell a rousing, two fisted western tale that blends the best of history and fact.

Stories for ONE NIGHT IN DODGE must be 8-10,000 words in length. These should be set no earlier than November 1880 and no later than June 10, 1883. The story MUST take place one one night in Dodge City, a period of about twelve hours. These are to be straight westerns, no supernatural, science fiction, or weird tales allowed.

Those interested in submitting a proposal of 100-500 words should submit to submissions@prose-press.com. Although multiple resources exist with information on the Commission, this link goes to a comprehensive article as well as the famous photograph- https://truewestmagazine.com/the-man-behind-the-dodge-city-war/.

Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

If accepted, final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

ONE NIGHT IN DODGE is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company’s anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

======================================

FROM THE IMAGE COMES THE STORY -- SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR ‘WRITE TO THE COVER VOLUME THREE’

Known for being an innovative Genre Fiction Publisher, Pro Se Productions opens submissions for stories in a series unique to the publishing house-WRITE TO THE COVER VOLUME THREE!

“Every once in a while,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “we end up with an image suitable to be a cover that doesn’t really have stories to go with it…yet. To remedy this situation, Pro Se started the WRITE TO THE COVER imprint a few years ago to make sure that covers deserving of tales get them and make their way into readers’ hands. The image for the third volume is one that, while on the surface seems to point one direction or another, can definitely inspire and challenge writers to do something different with what their eyes see. Those are the kind of stories we look for this series particularly.”

The cover image that writers are to build proposals around is a work completed by artist Michael Hegedus. Stories can be of ANY Genre, but MUST involve enough aspects of the image shown that it could serve as a cover for said story.

Stories for WRITE TO THE COVER VOLUME THREE must be 8-10,000 words in length. Those interested in submitting a proposal of 100-500 words should submit to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

If accepted, final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

WRITE TO THE COVER VOLUME THREE is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company’s anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

======================================

AC COMICS’ HISTORIC SUPER HEROINE TEAM FLIES TO PROSE! SUBMISSIONS CALL OPEN FOR ‘FEMFORCE CLOSE UP’!

In 1985, AC Comics, founded by Bill Black, made history by forming a team like no other in comics then or since. The Federal Emergency Missions Force, popularly known as Femforce, was the first team made up of super heroines and for thirty plus years, characters like Ms. Victory, She-Cat, Nightveil and others have fought evil and stood for justice in comic books. And now, Pro Se Productions, through a licensing relationship with AC Comics and Nightveil Media, opens a call for the first anthology to feature prose adventures of the most powerful women ever drawn. FEMFORCE CLOSE UP VOLUME ONE is now open for submissions.

“There are certain properties,” says Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “ certain projects that a publisher, if they get the chance to work on them, recognizes as special and important. From the first moment discussions began with Bill Black about Pro Se producing the prose adventures of AC Comics’ characters, Femforce was the holy grail, the prize. These aren’t just super heroes who happen to be women. These characters are each very rich, fully realized not only as a part of Femforce, but as characters on their own. And, to introduce them to Pro Se properly, FEMFORCE CLOSE UP will focus on stand alone stories, each one featuring a Femforce member on her own.”

Stories for FEMFORCE CLOSE UP can be set in any period the heroines on the team were active, according to their comic history. Each story must feature only ONE of the following team members as the lead character-Ms. Victory, Nightveil, Stardust, She-Cat, Synn, Tara, Rio Rita, Garganta, The Blue Bulleteer. No other members from this list may appear in the story, but other heroes or villains from AC Comics can be used.

Stories for FEMFORCE CLOSE UP must be 8-10,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Although a working knowledge of the characters is best before proposing, information about the individual characters is available upon request by emailing submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

If accepted, final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions. This is a work for hire submission, as the properties used belong to AC Comics and Nightveil Media.

FEMFORCE CLOSE UP VOLUME ONE is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company’s anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

COVER FROM AC COMICS' FEMFORCE COMIC. COVER FOR PRO SE COLLECTION NOT YET CREATED

======================================

SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR SECOND ENTRY IN ‘THE PEERLESS’ SERIES-OPEN CALL FOR ‘THE PEERLESS: HANNAH BRADE, MAID OF MYSTERY

In December, 2017, Pro Se Productions announced a call for the first anthology in a new series. Now, the cutting edge Publisher opens up for submissions for the second collection in the innovative series-THE PEERLESS: HANNAH BRADE, MAID OF MYSTERY.’

THE PEERLESS refers to characters that will be featured as leads in various anthologies, all set in the same universe. The concept basically takes actual historical figures that were unique or extraordinary in some way and posits that they had adventures beyond what they are known for in history. One of the unique aspects of this idea is that the characters will not usually be the typical suspects for such a project. They won’t be well known, even with their oddity or bizarre history, but through this series, Pro Se hopes to make them the next group of heroes…and villains that fans clamor for.

HANNAH BRADE, MAID OF MYSTERY is a collection of stories focusing on the further adventures of a woman who left a singular strange mark on history. In March, 1830, Hannah Brade applied for a job as a maid for an English widow and her two children in Liverpool. Seemingly simple and shabby at first, over two years, Hannah proved to be much more than expected. Showing talents in music, medicine, art, mastery of several languages, and more. Hannah also became nervous each time someone visited the home. At the end of two years, Hannah left the home without warning. Two months after this, the family received a package of expensive gifts from Hannah, but never heard from her again.

Stories for THE PEERLESS: HANNAH BRADE, MAID OF MYSTERY will focus on Hannah’s adventures following her time a maid. Stories must be 8-10,000 words in length. Those interested in submitting a proposal should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request a bible for this project. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

Final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

THE PEERLESS: HANNAH BRADE, MAID OF MYSTERY is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company's anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2018-2019 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

 ======================================

CONFIDENCE MEN (AND WOMEN), THIEVES, FRAUDS, AND MORE-SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR ’ROGUE LIT’

Known for reaching into the past for ideas for stories for the future, Pro Se Productions seeks to revive a near forgotten genre in its latest anthology. Submissions are now open for ROGUE LIT!

A popular genre particularly in the 16th and 17th Centuries, Rogue Literature refers to stories about criminals living in the shadows of society. Not murderers or those seeking to destroy body and blood, but these types of stories focused on the colorful, yet often dark personalities of people making their way through life by picking pockets, flim flaming innocents, or relieving others of their wealth and dignity while leaving them alive. Popularized by authors such as Thomas Dekker and Charles Dickens, Rogue Literature has never really gone away, it has simply been absorbed into the Crime genre.

With ROGUE LIT, Pro Se seeks to return the spotlight to this exciting, often dangerous genre of tales with a modern twist. Writers are encouraged to set tales in the time period of their choosing that have as their protagonists men and women who make crime their profession and grow from the seedier side of life. Action and adventure are both welcome and, as usual, Pro Se will be looking for stories with a fast paced plot and larger than life characters, all about the shadiest souls of society.

Stories for ROGUE LIT must feature usually non violent criminals of some sort. No murderers, rapists, or other violent offenders, but instead thieves, frauds, grifters, and schemers. It is not necessary that the lead character be heroic or even the hero, but it is also allowed to do just that with the leads. And be aware, these should be stories full of danger and action and even death, if the story dictates it. The lead characters simply can’t be violent by nature, they must simply be rogues.

Stories must be 8-10,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

Final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

ROGUE LIT is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company's anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

 ======================================

HEROIC PUBLISHING’S HEROINE OF HOLIDAY HI-JINX MOVES TO PROSE! SUBMISSIONS CALL OPEN FOR ‘THE ADVENTURES OF CHRISSIE CLAUS!

One of Heroic Publishing’s most creative characters, first appearing in the pages of FLARE, now makes the transition to Genre Fiction prose. Pro Se Productions, in conjunction with Heroic Publishing, announces an open submissions call for stories featuring Santa’s elfin granddaughter in THE ADVENTURES OF CHRISSIE CLAUS!

“Chrissie,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “is the best of two worlds. Not only do we get fantastic, action packed, and even at times funny tales featuring an awesome super heroine, but we get to tell Christmas Stories! Having a character that is so woven into both the sheer insanity of comic books AND Christmas mythology means that writers will have an opportunity to explore all sorts of avenues for stories that most comic book types can’t conceivably travel.”

Stories for THE ADVENTURES OF CHRISSIE CLAUS must be 8-10,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Although a working knowledge of the characters is best before proposing, information about Chrissie and her world is available upon request by emailing submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

If accepted, final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions. This is a work for hire submission, as the properties used belong to Heroic Publishing.

THE ADVENTURES OF CHRISSIE CLAUS is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company’s anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

COVER IMAGE FROM THE ADVENTURES OF CHRISTIE CLAUS VOLUME ONE COMIC FROM HEROIC. PRO SE COVER NOT YET CREATED.

======================================

WHERE HEARTS MEET HANDCUFFS-ROMANCE AND CRIME COLLIDE! SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR ‘LOVE ON THE RUN'

Two of the most popular genres both currently and historically come together as Pro Se Productions announces an open call for submissions to a new anthology -- LOVE ON THE RUN.

“Everyone,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “enjoys a good love story, or so it seems. It also appears readers are huge fans of crime stories, liberal doses of noir mixed in with sinful acts and a dash of always being one step outside of jail. LOVE ON THE RUN takes both of those concepts and tangles them together for what we will hope will be a marriage made in mayhem.”

Stories for LOVE ON THE RUN must feature a romance at their core, a romance featuring two people who are considered criminals by their actions. These tales can be about fugitives from the law, a crime being committed, the consequences of two or more such people falling in love, or any variation on the theme, but romance and crime must both be integral parts of stories in the anthology. Also, although the stories can be set in any time period from the present day back, these must be realistic tales, not paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, or ‘weird’ fiction.

Stories must be 5-8,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

Final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

LOVE ON THE RUN is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company's anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

======================================

LIBRARIANS ON HORSEBACK IN THE WILDS OF APPALACHIA! SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR NEW ANTHOLOGY-‘BOOKRIDERS’!

Oftentimes some of the best ideas for fiction come from fact. Pro Se Productions announces an anthology that has its roots in 1930s Kentucky, the WPA, and some of the most amazing women ever to carry a book. Submissions are now open for BOOKRIDERS, an anthology of fiction tales based on the Pack Horse Library initiative.

“The old concept,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “about someone not being able to write a fiction story as good as the truth sometimes rings true more often than not. It definitely does where the Pack Horse Library initiative comes into play. Getting books out to the people who lived across eastern Kentucky in the 1930s was not only hard, but nearly impossible. In an attempt to employ women and to make sure books were accessible, the WPA started a program that actually, in its nine year history, employed 274 women as librarians riding horses or mules, literally spreading knowledge a book at a time to people that had no access otherwise. Who could make that up? And what better basis for a collection of great stories focused on fantastic women and the danger, adventure, and success they had to encounter on those backwoods trails? That is why BOOKRIDERS will be a collection, one we will dedicate to every single woman who rode hard with saddlebags loaded down with books. ”

Stories for BOOKRIDERS must be set in eastern Kentucky within the years of 1934 to 1943, the year the WPA ended. The central character of each story must be a woman employed by the Pack Horse initiative as a librarian. If writers find women who were actually a part of the program and they wish to base their stories on them, that is allowed. Fictional librarians are also appropriate as well. These stories must be true to the period, must contain some semblance of action or danger, adding to the pacing of the tale, and must be set firmly in reality and history. No supernatural, science fiction, or otherworldly elements allowed.

Although authors may submit their own creations as librarians, Pro Se will provide a bible on this concept, which will include five characters created by Pro Se that writers may also use. Writers interested in proposing for this anthology should request the bible.

Stories must be 5-8,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

Final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions.

BOOKRIDERS is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company's anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

======================================

FROM COWBOY TO SUPER HERO TO DARK AVENGER! SUBMISSIONS CALL OPEN FOR ‘PARAGON’ ANTHOLOGY FROM PRO SE AND AC COMICS!

Pro Se Productions and AC Comics/Nightveil Media have joined forces to bring AC’s classic lineup of characters to the prose pages of New Pulp Fiction. That cannot be done without including one of AC’s most imaginative and strongest characters. Pro Se Productions is now taking submissions for short stories in an anthology featuring Bill Black’s creation- PARAGON!

“Paragon,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “is not just the requisite guy in tights and a cape that every comic company seems to have. No, Bill Black made sure Charlie Starrett stood out in many ways, including essentially giving him three separate identities, or phases of existence. With Paragon, stories can actually be told of his time as the western hero, The Latigo Kid or as the Golden Age hero Captain Paragon, or even as simply Paragon, a darker version of the hero as seen in DARK APOCALYPSE. This diverse history of the character makes him ideal for an anthology focused on any and all of his various phases. I cannot wait to see what writers come up with. ”

Stories for PARAGON must be 8-10,000 words in length. Each story must focus on ONE period of Paragon’s life --The Latigo Kid, Captain Paragon, or Paragon. Supporting characters from the AC Universe can be used in the stories, pending approval of proposals. A bible will be available for this call by emailing submissions@prose-press.com. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

Final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions. These are considered works for hire as PARAGON and related characters are the property of AC Comics/Nightveil Media.

PARAGON is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company's anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

IMAGE FROM AC COMICS, NOT THE COVER FOR THE UPCOMING BOOK

======================================

A MYSTERIOUS KEEPER OF CREATURES OF IMAGINATION -- CALL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS TO ‘MATAGORDIA’S MYTHICAL MENAGERIE’ ANTHOLOGY

Known for its unique anthologies, Pro Se Productions ups its game as a cutting edge genre fiction publisher with its latest submissions call. Based on a concept created by Pro Se’s Editor in Chief, Tommy Hancock, proposals are now being accepted for ‘MATAGORDIA’S MYTHICAL MENAGERIE VOLUME ONE.’

“Perhaps the greatest part of my job, ” says Hancock, “is getting to be a part of the creative process at Pro Se. To not only make sure great writers and artists work for the company, but to also build concepts that challenge creators and draw in readers is one of the major reasons I do what I do. MATAGORDIA’S MYTHICAL MENAGERIE is a concept I’ve toyed with for a while, looking for a way to combine aspects of my favorite concepts from different genres and stories. I think this is it and one that will definitely excite both readers and writers.”

The world is not simply a blue and brown ball called Earth. It is a wondrous mix of magic, mystery, and madness. And from this tangle of wonder and wild come beasts, beings, and monsters thought to be fantasy…or fears alone. Yet, the truth is that humans and the animals we know to exist are not alone, never have been. And those things, those living things that belong to legend and nightmare, to dream and story…they need a place to be as well. A way to live, many of them the last of their kind. And someone to take care of them.

“Matagordia,” explains Hancock, “is a person that has what some would call a circus, a freak show, a traveling extravaganza…it all sort of depends on which time period you’re talking about. Be it a circus tent in the middle of a Midwestern field in the 19th Century or a small auditorium that somehow suddenly appears in Chicago in the 1930s…or any other such thing…Matagordia’s Mythical Menagerie is a place where not only can regular folks see creatures they thought to be made up…but those very beasts aren’t on display as much as they live in a world all their own, one that is more than tent flaps or doors. Where outsiders see a warehouse actually may exist entire landscapes…and then there’s Matagordia him…or herself.”

Stories for this anthology must be set in between the years 1800 to the present day. Writers interested in submitting proposals must request the bible for the concept by emailing submissions@prose-press.com. Stories will focus either on Matagordia’s work/hunt/rescue of creatures considered mythical from multiple beliefs, stories, and cryptozology or on adventures that take place within Matagordia’s unique mobile world. A list of creatures will be available and listed in the concept bible. No submissions will be considered for this anthology without the writer having reviewed the bible.

Stories must be 8-10,000 words in length. A proposal of 100-500 words must be submitted to submissions@prose-press.com. Authors not previously published by Pro Se Productions must submit a writing sample of at least two pages with their proposals.

Final deadline for completed stories is 90 days following acceptance of proposals. Payment will be in the form of royalties, the percentage determined by number of accepted submissions. These are considered works for hire as the properties are based on concepts created by Tommy Hancock and Pro Se Productions.

MATAGORDIA’S MYTHICAL MENAGERIE is a part of the Pro Se Open, the company's anthology project, and is scheduled to be published in the 2019-2021 calendar years, depending on submissions and other factors.

======================================

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com. 
Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.