34 Orchard Open for Fiction Submmissions

34 ORCHARD, a dark literary journal, is open for fiction submissions 1000 to 6000 words from January 1-10, 2026. At 34 ORCHARD, we like dark, intense pieces that speak to a deeper truth. 

We’re not genre-specific; we just like scary, disturbing, unsettling, and sad. We like things we can’t put down and things that make us go “wow” when we’ve finished. 

But our main goal here at 34 ORCHARD is to publish the stuff we like to read, and you’re not in our heads. So don’t overthink it. Just submit. 

Details on our guidelines page at 34orchard.com/guidelines. We look forward to reading your work!

Open Submissions for Gilgamesh from Flame Tree Publishing!

PAY: 8 cents a word

The ancient hero from Mesopotamian mythology and possible historical king of Sumer, Gilgamesh, is a hugely influential figure, not least on Homer's famous tales, the Iliad and the Odyssey, but also on modern culture. His stories, and later Babylonian interwoven narrative, have it all: quests to the underworld, epic journeys, ghosts, giants and beasts, a great flood, love and death. Together with the goddess Inanna (aka Ishtar) and his beloved companion Enkidu, Gilgamesh experiences adventure and self-discovery as gripping as any Hellenistic hero.

So as ever, we are seeking stories that really interrogate this character and all his flaws, traits and relationships. Whether as evidenced in the ancient tablets or extrapolated in your imagination, whether set 2000 years BCE or 2150 CE – your tales will be fresh with insight and inventiveness.

Multiple submissions are fine but must be in separate emails.

Simultaneous submissions are fine but you must have the right to license your story in an anthology.

Stories using AI-generated text will not be accepted.

For accepted stories we pay Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) rates of 8 cents/6 pence per word for original stories, 6 cents/4 pence for reprints.

We will aim to read each story and confirm its status within 4 months of the submission deadline.

Payment for the chosen stories will be made within 30 days of the final advertised publication date (see our website flametreepublishing.com for details), although some may be paid earlier than that.

Submission does not imply the right to publication. Each story will be read and assessed by the selection panel.

Let us know in your submission email whether your story would be a reprint or is currently unpublished.

For more info: https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/gilgamesh-call-for-submissions

Mythside Publishing is Looking for Storytellers!

Calling all #authors, #writers, and #storytellers!

Mythside Publishing is accepting story submissions for 7 upcoming pulp digests. Earn 7 cents per word crafting the next thrilling adventure! 

We are accepting stories in the following genres:

• Hardboiled Detective Capers
• Sword and Sorcery Adventures
• Femme Fatale Thrillers
• Shocking Science Fiction
• Fantastic Fantasy
• Weird Wild Westerns

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• Under 10,000 words.
• Original works.
• Submit as a PDF. Must include a title page including the name/pen name to be published under, the genre, and word count.

Email submissions to submissions@mythside.com. 

Make the subject line of the email the genre of the story and the word count.

Mythside publishing -- Return of the Pulp.

Quoir Publishing looking for Sci-Fi short stories!

Email Keith@Quoir.com for more info.

[Link] 24 Approachable Literary Journals

by Emily Harstone

If you are just starting to submit your work to literary journals, or perhaps you just want to avoid rejection, this list is for you.

All of the literary journals in this list accept between 20 and 80% of what is submitted to them, and a few have a higher acceptance rate. So the odds of your work being accepted just went up.

These are not the most prestigious journals; publication in them, in all likelihood, will not change your writing life in any way, but they are not a bad place to start if you are new to submitting your writing.

Make sure to read the guidelines before submitting to know if your work fits. Just because they are approachable, doesn’t mean that they will accept angry poetry when they only publish nature poetry. They will not.

Not all literary journals in this list are currently open to submissions, but most are. It is also important to note that this information is subject to change. Sometimes a journal that was once easy to get into no longer is, so if you are seeing this list long after it was published, please keep that in mind. This list is in no particular order. 

All of the information used to ascertain if the market is approachable or not was found through research done at the websites Duotrope and The (Submission) Grinder.

Read the full article for the listing: https://authorspublish.com/24-approachable-literary-journals/ 

New submission opportunity -- Remixing Giallo

Attention, all you folks looking for the coolest anthology ever to submit your crazy, creepy, sexy, bloody little stories to. I'm putting together the story collection outlined below. You're officially invited to submit. 

Giallo Re/Mixed & Re/Imagined
(AKA Sending Argento Into Space)

If you're a fan of Argento, Fulci, Bava, or Martino, you are familiar with the Giallo film genre. But did you know it got its name from yellow mystery books? Of course, the movies took it way past mere mystery into something almost synonymous with “Eurosleaze.”

Black-gloved killers. Sexed-up victims. Blood so red and thick it could never be real. But at its heart, a Giallo thriller was always wrapped up around a twisted murder mystery story that kept viewers guessing until the final blood-drenched scene. 

That's the vibe I'm hoping to recapture here in this anthology. 

Twisted mysteries that have one foot in violence and another in crazyville and bring to mind classics such as Twitch of the Death Nerve, Deep Red, What Have You Done with Solange?, Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, Stage Fright, Baba Yaga, Tenebre, All the Colors of the Dark, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, Blood and Black Lace, and Four Flies on Gray Velvet. (If you haven't watched any of these, please do. They're awesome-tastic, whether you choose to write for this anthology or not. 

The twist on this, though, for this anthology is:

Each story must take the standard tropes of Giallo and put it in a different genre setting. No two stories can be in the same setting. Wrap your story proposal in the trappings of sci-fi, Western, urban fantasy, summer camp horror, Gothic romance, Dickensian, superheroes, sword and sorcery, planetary romance, 70s urban crime, haunted house ghost story, medical thriller, martial arts, bodice ripper, samurai epic, etc. 

Sound like fun? I thought so. 

The details:

• Stories must be between 5-7k words.
• Stories must use the tropes of Giallo (gloves, up-close killings like knives and garotes, no poisoner or sniper types).
• Stores must be in a setting other than traditional Giallo.
• Story pitches must be approved before you turn in the story. Someone else may have already claimed the Western you had an idea about.
• R is welcome. Hard R can be even better. But let's avoid NC-17 or X though. 
• All characters must be original. No public domain characters or characters from Giallo flicks that would need to be licensed.
• The best Giallo stories still drop clues like any good mystery, even with all those twists and turns in the plot. 
• When in doubt, remember that "over the top" is your best friend here. 
• All stories will be approved by the editor, me. Speed is good, but this isn't first-come, first-served. 
• If you have questions, please email me for clarification.

Let me see your ideas, and we'll put a super cool book together. 

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

For those of you who were interested in the Giallo-inspired book (Giallo Re/Mixed & Re/Imagined), here's a sample of what I'm looking for when you send your pitches. You can also consider the Samurai epic setting no longer on the board. It's all mine. 

Petals Fallen Off and Scattered So Suddenly

A giallo-style story set in Edo-era Japan

by Sean Taylor

Hisakichi is a ronin who wanders Japan taking jobs as he finds them. Sute is a disgraced geisha already kicked out of her master's chambers and now wanted for the deaths of three of his heirs. If found by the Daimyō's guards, she will be beheaded with barely an afterthought of a trial.  

Having found Sute (whose name means "foundling") weeping over the latest victim), Hisakichi is determined to protect her and vows to buy back her honor by solving the crime and finding the true killer. 

The killer slices the neck of each victim with a kaiken, the weapon of choice for a woman for self-defense, and leaves a scattering of cherry blossoms beside each body (which signifies the idea of mikkaminumanosakura, or sudden change in life). There is also a single bloody koto (gauntlet) left on the other side of the body, the one worn for the murder, which only makes the killing so much more confusing -- a warrior's glove paired with a woman's blade and a ritual flower.

But he's no detective or wise man, so he knows the odds aren't in his favor, even as the killer picks up the pace almost as if to taunt him. Not only that, the woman he has vowed to protect is also hiding a devastating secret from him.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING NEW STORIES OF FIRST HARD BOILED DETECTIVE! “RACE WILLIAMS-SHOOT FIRST, TALK NEVER” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring characters Steeger either owns or manages, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for RACE WILLIAMS-SHOOT FIRST, TALK NEVER, an anthology of all-new stories featuring John Carroll Daly’s two-fisted hero, considered to the archetype for the hardboiled detective.

First appearing in BLACK MASK in June 1923, Race Williams fought and shot his way through short stories in various pulp magazines and novels through 1955. Though not quite the gentleman or smart guy later detectives proved to be, and, by some standards, more thug with a license than PI, Race Williams busted down the door and paved the way with bullets and blood for what would become known as hard-boiled in the mystery scene, one of the enduring sub-genres of detective tales since Williams’ first story.

"Pro Se has had the honor for the last twelve years," says Tommy Hancock, partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, "to bring new life to many characters from the past, both those in the public domain and licensed concepts.  None, however, have the historical significance of Race Williams.  The character that established what hard-boiled means from the get-go, revolutionizing detective fiction in a way probably no other has, I mean, for Pro Se to be able to contribute to this canon, to this life in fiction. I really don't have words, except to say we are looking forward to doing right by Race Williams."

Writers interested in proposing a story for RACE WILLIAMS-SHOOT FIRST, TALK NEVER should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of six of the published stories. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 5-6,000 words. This is a work-for-hire arrangement. 

The image with this release is the cover of the March 1931 issue of BLACK MASK featuring Williams on the cover. 

Following the anthology being filled with accepted proposals, there will be a call for a full-length RACE WILLIAMS novel as well.

For more information on this announcement, email editorinchief@prose-press.com.

A Veritable Cornucopia of Submissions Opportunities from Pro Se Productions!

Note: For more information on these announcements, email editorinchief@prose-press.com.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING LESTER DENT’S FIRST SERIES CHARACTER!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CURT FLAGG” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with the heirs of the Estate of Norma Dent, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for an anthology featuring the first series character created by Lester Dent, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CURT FLAGG!

Debuting in Dell’s SCOTLAND YARD INTERNATIONAL DETECTIVE STORIES in March 1931, Curt Flagg was a violent, two fisted Private Detective very much cast in the hard boiled mold. Over four stories, Dent, never once actually being bylined with his actual name, developed Flagg from a fight first detect later gumshoe into someone who bore more than a passing resemblance to later characters created by Dent, including Doc Savage. Rising through the ranks to eventually be a partner in an agency, Curt Flagg is undoubtedly the character Dent cut his series teeth on.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six open slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CURT FLAGG should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of the character’s four published stories. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image accompanying this press release is from the May 1931 cover of SCOTLAND YARD, the second issue Curt Flagg appeared in.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING POTENTIAL INSPIRATION FOR PERRY MASON!  “THE NEW CASES OF GILLIAN HAZELTINE” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring some of Steeger’s characters, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW CASES OF GILLIAN HAZELTINE, an anthology featuring a series character from ARGOSY Magazine.

Thought by many to be Erle Stanley Gardner’s model for his hugely successful Perry Mason series, Gillian Hazeltine, created by George F. Worts, debuted in 1926, seven years before Mason, and would appear in almost thirty stories, the majority of them in Argosy. Known as ‘The Silver Fox’, Hazeltine utilized his encyclopedic knowledge of the law as well as well played court theatrics, to defend his clients to the best of his ability, proving he was willing to use legal smoke and mirrors to prove his clients innocent. Hazeltine’s cases, though never simple, read like true pulp stories with well timed, almost breakneck pacing and wild mysteries with twists and turns throughout.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW CASES OF GILLIAN HAZELTINE should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of two of the published stories. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image with this release is the cover of the October 1927 issue of ARGOSY featuring Hazeltine on the cover. 

Following the anthology being filled with accepted proposals, there will be a call for a full length GILLIAN HAZELTINE novel as well.

Other calls for Steeger Properties LLC characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING SCIENCE/OCCULT SUPER VILLAIN!  “THE NEW DANGERS OF DOCTOR DEATH’ OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring some of Steeger’s characters, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW DANGERS OF DOCTOR DEATH, an anthology featuring author Harold Ward’s odd and unique super villain.

First appearing in his own self-titled magazine from Dell Publications in February 1935.  Doctor Death, created by Harold Ward under the pen name ‘Zorro’, was Dr. Rance Mandarin.  Convinced that the Earth needed to be cleansed of humanity, Mandarin used his extensive knowledge of both science and the occult to create potentially humanity ending devices and creatures. Facing off with his arch nemesis, Jimmy Holm, who was supported by the powerful group known as The Twelve, Doctor Death featured in all three issues of his own magazine and appeared in two more stories, both of the latter remaining unpublished until the 1980s.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW DANGERS OF DOCTOR DEATH should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of three of the five Doctor Death stories. 

Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image with this release is the cover of the February 1935 issue of Doctor Death, the character’s debut.  

A full length DOCTOR DEATH novel has been previously commissioned by Pro Se Productions and is currently in development.

Other calls for Steeger Properties LLC characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING LESTER DENT’S NEARLY SUPERHUMAN MOUNTIE!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER CORPORAL” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with the heirs of the Estate of Norma Dent, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for an anthology featuring a Lester Dent character from a popular genre in Pulp-THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER CORPORAL!

The Silver Corporal debuted in WESTERN TRAILS Magazine in 1933. Created by Dent, this diminutive silver haired Mountie appeared in a second story written by Dent that appeared, not in a Pulp, but in a collection of Mountie stories published in 1998.  While clearly a member of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police, the Corporal was actually a transplant from Wyoming who had superhuman strength, struck terror into the hearts of Canada’s worst villains, and even blended into the snowy landscape through disguise, armed with unique weapons. 

The image with this release is the cover of the May 1933 issue of WESTERN TRAILS, the first and only Pulp appearance of The Silver Corporal.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the four open slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER CORPORAL should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of the character’s only two stories. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

Other calls for anthologies featuring Lester Dent characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING BLACK MASK’S PENNY PINCHING PRIVATE EYE!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF REX SACKLER’ OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring some of Steeger’s characters, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW ADVENTURES OF REX SACKLER, an anthology featuring a series character from Black Mask Magazine.

Appearing in Black Mask Magazine from in various stories from 1940 through 1950, Rex Sackler, created and written by D. L. Champion, was a rather unique character in the Private Eye field.  Notoriously known as ‘the parsimonious prince of penny pinchers,’ Sackler was such a cheapskate that he was not beyond holding off solving cases until he was sure the client’s check cleared. In a series of tales narrated by a beleaguered assistant who Sackler constantly tried to cheat out of his wages, this definitely odd take on the Private Eye proves popular with Pulp fans today and makes for interesting, even humorous stories.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF REX SACKLER should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of the character's first four stories. 

Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image with this release is the cover of the October 1940 issue of Black Mask, the second Black Mask appearance of Rex Sackler.

Following the anthology being filled with accepted proposals, there will be a call for a full length REX SACKLER novel as well.

Other calls for Steeger Properties LLC characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING DIME DETECTIVE’S ORIGINAL OCCULT SLEUTH!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HORATIO HUMBERTON” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring some of Steeger’s characters, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HORATIO HUMBERTON, an anthology featuring a series character from Popular Publications’ Dime Detective Magazine.

Appearing in Dime Detective from 1932 through 1937, Horatio Humberton, created and written by J. Paul Suter, actually worked two jobs.  While a mortician during regular hours, Humberton pursued crimes, many of them with a supernatural bent, in his off time. One of the most original characters featured in Pulps, Humberton set the standard for occult investigators to follow, the stories a solid mix of paranormal danger, pulp excitement, and even quirky humor thrown in.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HORATIO HUMBERTON should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of three of the character’s stories. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image with this release is the cover of the July 1932 issue of Dime Detective Magazine, the first appearance of Horatio Humberton.

Following the anthology being filled with accepted proposals, there will be a call for a full length HORATIO HUMBERTON novel as well.

Other calls for Steeger Properties LLC characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING BLACK MASK MEMPHIS BASED DETECTIVE!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF LUTHER MCGAVOCK” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring some of Steeger’s characters, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW ADVENTURES OF LUTHER MCGAVOCK, an anthology featuring a series character from Black Mask Magazine.

Appearing in Black Mask Magazine from 1942 to 1948, Luther McGavock, created and written by Merle Constiner, worked for a Private Investigator Agency out of Memphis, Tennessee, after working for almost every other agency in the South. Not a white hat type hero, McGavock walked the line of hardboiled Private Eye and Noirish protagonist, sometimes easier not to like than the criminals he came up against. The McGavock stories were not what many considered typical mystery fare. Constiner presented detailed descriptions of the South, both the small towns and growing cities as well as the rather unique characters that peopled his version of the area. McGavock’s cases leaned into blood and violence, dark humor, betrayal, and double-crossing, sometimes even by McGavock himself, and often depended on little known facts of all sorts for resolution.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF LUTHER MCGAVOCK should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of the character's first four stories. 

Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image with this release is the cover of the January 1943 issue of Black Mask, the third appearance of Luther McGavock.

Following the anthology being filled with accepted proposals, there will be a call for a full length LUTHER MCGAVOCK novel as well.

Other calls for Steeger Properties LLC characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING LESTER DENT’S FIRST AND LARGELY UNPUBLISHED WESTERN HERO!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE COWL” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS!

With a licensing agreement with the heirs of the Estate of Norma Dent, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for an anthology featuring a character created by Lester Dent that remained unpublished in the classic era of the pulps-THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE COWL!

One of Lester Dent’s more unusual creations, The Cowl is also a character that was rejected by two Pulp magazines in 1930-31. The single story, a rather uniquely styled tale titled “The Cowled Nemesis”, would not see print until much later in the Spring 2007 issue of Ed Hulse’s BLOOD ‘N’ THUNDER magazine. The Cowl was in reality “Magic” Mason, a man of multiple skills on the hunt for his father’s killers. Mason was nearly as much masked hero with a bit of ‘super’ thrown in as he was saddle born cowboy. Clearly a western, the tale is set in a West similar to that depicted in many early Westerns: the Wild West still rarin’ and ridin’ in possibly isolated parts of the country while cars and other signs of progress moved forward.

The photo with this release is of The Cowl's creator, Lester Dent.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the four open slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE COWL should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of the story/article previously mentioned. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

Other calls for anthologies featuring Lester Dent characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING PULP’S ‘KING OF DETECTIVES’!  “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN SATAN” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS

With a licensing agreement with Steeger Properties LLC for anthologies and novels featuring some of Steeger’s characters, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN SATAN, an anthology featuring a series character from Popular Publications.

In a move that was rare, if not unique in Pulps, Captain Satan became the lead of his own self-titled magazine in March 1938 when Popular changed the name of its recently debuted STRANGE DETECTIVE MYSTERIES magazine. Satan, in reality mysterious and wealthy playboy Cary Adair, would only lead the magazine for five issues and not appear again. As Captain Satan, Adair led a large force of variously skilled men who in many ways literally waged a war on specific crimes by using criminal tactics. Whether or not he took a third to pay his crew or performed as a Robin Hood of some sort, it was clear Captain Satan was on the side of the angels.

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN SATAN should contact submissions@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology, which consists of all five originally published stories. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. This is a work for hire arrangement. The anthology will not be considered filled until six stories have been accepted.  

The image with this release is the cover of the July 1938 issue of CAPTAIN SATAN. 

Following the anthology being filled with accepted proposals, there will be a call for a full length CAPTAIN SATAN novel as well.

Other calls for Steeger Properties LLC characters will be forthcoming from Pro Se Productions.

------------------------------------------

For more information on these announcements, email editorinchief@prose-press.com.

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

SUBMISSIONS CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY FEATURING LESTER DENT’S AVIATOR SPY! “THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK BAT” OPEN FOR PROPOSALS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

With a licensing agreement with the Heirs of Norma Dent for anthologies of all new stories of characters created by Lester Dent, Pro Se Productions proudly announces that submissions are being accepted for THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK BAT.

“Yes,” explains Tommy Hancock, “there is a third Black Bat from the Pulps, and this one is not only an aviator involved in espionage, but he happened to be created by Lester Dent! Although he’s known for being the genius behind Doc Savage, as well as other known characters, this one came as a surprise even to me.  Although not immediately considered a writer of aviation pulp, Dent’s early career is peppered with the publication of such tales in various pulp magazines. The Black Bat starred in just one of those stories, but even in that brief tale, Dent introduced a mysterious character whose face was unknown to anyone that took his spying and fighting to the airways! This is such a fun character for writers to get an opportunity to be a part of. Dent packed a lot of style and details on this aviator hero into one tale while also leaving a lot of room for writers to explore while respecting the original work.”

Writers interested in proposing for one of the six slots available in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK BAT should contact Hancock at editorinchief@prose-press.com to request the bible for the anthology. Proposals must be 1-3 paragraphs long and must include the entire plot of the story, these are not elevator pitches or back cover blurbs. The stories should be approximately 10,000 words and payment will be on a royalty basis. 

For more information on this announcement, email editorinchief@prose-press.com.

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

SEVEN CHARACTERS CREATED BY LESTER DENT LICENSED FOR NEW ANTHOLOGIES!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pro Se Productions, a Genre Fiction and New Pulp Publisher, is honored to announce a licensing agreement with the Heirs of Norma Dent that will see the publication of anthologies featuring all-new stories of characters created by Lester Dent, one of the best-known pulp authors of all time and the primary creative force behind Doc Savage.

The agreement between the Norma Dent estate, as represented by noted pulp historian and author Will Murray, and Pro Se Productions allows for Pro Se to recruit writers and artists to produce a single anthology featuring each of the following characters created by Dent-Lynn Lash, Foster Fade, Lee Nace A.K.A. The Blond Adder, The Silver Corporal, Curt Flagg of Scotland Yard, The Cowl, and The Black Bat.

The Cowl was a character Dent created as a rather unique Western series, but only saw life in one story. Dent’s Black Bat, a masked aviator, appeared once in a published story. The other characters had two or more published appearances.

“In 2014 and 2015,” states Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief and Partner in Pro Se Productions, “we were given the honor of publishing the first new stories featuring two of Dent’s characters, Lynn Lash and Foster Fade, since their original appearances. Not only are we going to be able to return to Fade and Lash with a new volume of stories for each, but the fact that we are adding five more characters, each with their own set of new stories all their own, is amazing and humbling as well. To contribute to the continuation of any character is an honor for Pro Se Productions, as it is somewhat of a mission for us. To be able to make characters created by Lester Dent a part of that purpose is privilege and responsibility that we are not only glad to take on, but appreciative of having proved up to it previously.  Plus, it’s an added bonus that this collection of characters includes some of the most fun heroes we’ve had yet to publish!”

In the coming weeks, Pro Se will issue submission calls for an anthology featuring each of the aforementioned characters. Proposals will be taken and reviewed and those accepted will be included in the anthology set aside for each character. Payment for these projects will be royalty-based.

For more information on this announcement, email editorinchief@prose-press.com.

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

Seeking Submissions for Sharp of Tooth and Dark of Claw: Operation Cryptid from Mechanoid Press!

Mechanoid Press, a small indie publisher specializing in science fiction and pulp adventure, announced a slate of anthologies for 2022.

The first anthology is entitled Sharp of Tooth and Dark of Claw: Operation Cryptid. The book is the brainchild of pulp writer Sean Taylor, who will also edit. In this twist on Mechanoid Press’s Monster Earth series, soldiers take control of cloned cryptids to make the world safe for democracy. Tales will include such famous cryptids as the Jersey Devil, Skunk Ape, Mothman, the Chupacabra and more, and is slated for a summer 2022 release.

What sets this anthology apart is that the writers are donating their stories and the proceeds will go to help Afghanistan veterans. Jeffrey Ray Hayes, of Plasmafire Graphics, will provide the cover.

The book has 9-12 slots for stories between 5 thousand and 7 thousand words in length. The story bible is available here. Stories may be submitted in standard manuscript format to Sean Taylor here: staylor104@aol.com. The submission deadline is March 1st, 2022.

For more information, visit: https://www.jamespalmerbooks.net/press-release-2022-anthology-slate/

Slice of Paradise Now Open for Submissions

Deadline: September 1st, 2021
Payment: $0.01 per word for new stories and/or $25 for reprints PLUS $5 for complimentary flash fiction.
Theme: Beach Vacation Horror

Please read carefully. Submissions that don’t meet the guidelines may be automatically rejected.

Submissions will be accepted until September 1st, 2021– please submit to darklitpress@gmail.com, ensuring ’Slice of Paradise’ is in the subject line.

What we are looking for:

Horrifying short stories that occur on a tropical beach paradise. We also encourage writers to have good representation of POC, LGBTQ+, and strong female characters.

What we are NOT looking for:

Please, do not submit stories that do not take place on a tropical beach. Submissions cannot contain graphic sexual or rape scenes. Please ensure any scenes of a sexual nature are necessary and non-exploitative.

Submissions must be between 5,000 and 8,000 words.

Complimentary flash fiction submissions must be between 1,000 and 2,000 words.

Title, submitter’s name, pen name (if different), story word count, and author email address must be centered at the top of your submission.

Submissions must be written in 12 pt. Times New Roman and double spaced. Please DO NOT use the “tab” or “space” key to indent your paragraphs.

Submissions must not contain headers, footers or page numbers

All scene breaks must be three asterisks, centered, with no spaces in between (***).

Submissions should be clean and edited to the best of author’s ability.

Authors may submit as many stories as they want for review, however, there will be a limit of one published story per author.

We do not require exclusivity. You hold copyright, licensing us just for this publication.

If your story is a reprint, please include its original publication details in your submission email.

Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but you must have the right to license your story in an anthology. Notify us by email at darklitpress@gmail.com if you need to withdraw your submission.

The deadline for submissions is September 1st, 2021.

Read more: https://horroroasis.com/slice-of-paradise/

Submissions open for The Divine and the Devious: Gods Versus Spies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SUBMISSIONS CALL NOW OPEN FOR THE DIVINE AND THE DEVIOUS: GODS VERSUS SPIES

A war goes on between beings that live on high mountains and in the deepest seas and humans trained in espionage and intrigue. And now it shall be revealed in THE DIVINE AND THE DEVIOUS: GODS VERSUS SPIES, an anthology based on a concept by editor Sean Taylor now open for submissions from Pro Se Productions.

“I guess it's true,” says Taylor, “ that the best ideas spring forth in full bloom as the saying goes, but it is super exciting to see the reaction this anthology concept got right off the bat from what I thought was a fairly innocuous post on social media. The idea of classic gods and goddesses duking it out with a pantheon of spy heroes and heroines just really seemed to me like one of those "why hasn't anyone published this before" kind of ideas to me. I'm just happy to be a part of such an exciting anthology concept.”

The divine-Pantheons of religions and mythologies past, from Zeus to Spider to Freya to Kali and on and on. The devious-covert agents either based on archetypes from Bond to Bourne to Mata Hari or your own original take on the spy character. The concept of this anthology is simple-pitting one against the other in any time period and in any genre. 

To request a bible for THE DIVINE AND THE DEVIOUS: GODS VERSUS SPIES, email submissions@prose-press.com. Proposals for THE DIVINE AND THE DEVIOUS: GODS VERSUS SPIES should be 1-3 paragraphs long and sent to submissions@prose-press.com.  Two volumes of this title will be produced simultaneously. Six stories of 6,000 words will be selected for each volume. Once proposals are accepted, the deadline for completed stories is October 1, 2021. Pay will be royalty-based. 

If you have any questions, please email submissions@prose-press.com. Check out Pro Se Productions on www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

Wild Hunt Books Open for Submissions May 4th!

 

Wild Hunt Books is searching for novella-length manuscripts of between 17,500-40,000 words. 

OUR SUBMISSION WINDOW OPENS 4th MAY 2021.

Wild Hunt Books is searching for novella-length manuscripts of between 17,500-40,000 words. 

Project Aim

As a new publisher our aim is to showcase writing by talented new and emerging authors with the publication of three novellas in 2021/2022. We are accepting submissions by agented and unagented authors. For this list we are focusing on writers of any nationality residing in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and British and Irish authors living abroad. 

Our Flavour

We are looking for novellas that touch the following genres and styles or experiment with any of these forms, motifs and themes. To understand what we like, you can read more here. 

• Folk Horror
• Gothic
• Dark Fiction
• Folklore & Myth (originals & re-tellings)
• Liminal spaces & uncanny elements
• Surreal
• Unexpected Narrators
• Ghost Stories
• Magical Realism
• Fairytales (originals & re-tellings)

What You Need

A cover letter including your short biography

A synopsis of around 500-1,000 words with a complete plot of your manuscript (this includes all the spoilers). If you need help formulating your synopsis, have a look at Curtis Brown for inspiration and guidance.

The first 10,000 - 12,000 words of your manuscript (please include the title, your name and word count on the first page)

A Note from the Publisher

All writers are welcome and encouraged to submit. As stated, our mission is to identify and champion new and emerging authors. This will be our primary goal. We also highly encourage writers from marginalised communities to submit and welcome writers that identify as women, BAME, disabled, LGBTQ+, low-income, working-class and writers over the age of 50-years-old. Please drop a line if you have any questions or accessibility accommodations. 

We accept submissions from authors who already have at least one book published, but we will be focusing our attention to new authors. 

What We’re Not Looking For

Poetry, Short Story Collections, Memoirs, anthologies, non-fiction, YA, Children’s Fiction, MS outside of the word count (in short, novella-length manuscripts only, please)

Erotica, science fiction, high fantasy (think Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings), low fantasy is less of a priority

Please avoid the topic of Covid-19 as a theme, plot point or anything at all, really

Work sent that is homophobic, racist, bigoted, etc. will be ignored and no correspondence will be engaged

Submissions Requests: SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE OCCULT DETECTIVES III

After the success of Sherlock Holmes & the Occult Detectives Volumes I and II (Belanger Books, 2020), we are back, dear listener, to announce that we are now open to story pitches for a new anthology, Sherlock Holmes and the Occult Detectives III! So do read on for everything you need to know…

THE BACKGROUND

Last year I had the pleasure of editing the two anthologies mentioned at the start, in which we presented almost 200,000 words of brand new stories from a host of contemporary writers, all based on the possibility that Sherlock Holmes chose, or had of necessity, to work with those figures of the time who called themselves occult detectives, psychic investigators and the like.

Sherlock Holmes and the Occult Detectives III

Sherlock Holmes and the Occult Detectives III will once again be about detection, logic and mysteries. It will concern an authentic Sherlock Holmes, but with the same simple twist:

Perhaps Holmes is already privately aware that there may be supernatural elements in the world, but has tried to close off such thoughts, finding them too illogical. Or perhaps he is disturbed to find something quite inexplicable affecting his resolution of a particular case, and has to step beyond his normal boundaries. He may, of course, still be highly sceptical.

And maybe Dr Watson was never allowed to include any such explicit references when he wrote up his friend’s adventures, but now these instances can be brought into the light.

Does this ruin the core of Holmes’s original position? Not necessarily, for as we have oft said, Holmes’s most quoted comments on the supernatural are not quite as definitive as some might believe. Do you remember ‘The Sussex Vampire’? That particular Conan Doyle tale contains the famous lines, where Holmes tells Watson:

“This agency stands flat-footed upon the ground, and there it must remain. The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply.”

In ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, what he states is that normal investigative techniques and logical deduction would be of no use in supernatural cases.

“If Dr. Mortimer’s surmise should be correct, and we are dealing with forces outside the ordinary laws of Nature, there is an end of our investigation. But we are bound to exhaust all other hypotheses before falling back upon this one.”

We could therefore say Holmes’s concern is that none of his peculiar intellectual talents can be of value in a situation where normal ratiocination is overthrown. He has dismissed that which will not yield to him.

If there are such cases, genuine ones, who will take them on? More foolish, credulous or cash-hungry ‘consulting’ detectives? Fraudulent psychics? Or, now and then, the true occult detectives, those who have developed a different blend of investigative skills and knowledge of matters apparently ‘outside the ordinary laws of Nature’…

Will they come to him for advice, will they cross his path during a case, or will he, however reluctantly, turn to them when only the impossible can explain what has happened…?

You may be able to tell us.

THE SHORT VERSION DETAILS

A Belanger Books Project, edited by John Linwood Grant

Core concept: A 5,000–10,000 word story featuring the canonical Holmes/Watson which has them encountering and working with, or even working against, an occult detective/psychic investigator. Existing literary characters or your own inventions both welcome. Period: c.1880-1925. English language, no reprints.

Your pitch must be accepted for your completed story to be read. 

Pitch Deadline: 16 April, 2021.

Final Submission Deadline: 31 August, 2021.

Payment: Authors shall receive a payment of $100 or $50 plus 1% of the Kickstarter net profits, whichever amount is GREATER, and a paperback copy of the anthology.

For more information, visit: http://greydogtales.com/blog/sherlock-holmes-and-the-occult-detectives-iii

Submissions Requested: The Monsters Are Loose — And They Want You!

 A bonus post for today because I wanted to share this opportunity!

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

I am editing the CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED anthology for Crystal Lake Publishing. 

We’re looking for dark, scary stories featuring a classic monster or monsters (think famous creatures from pre-1960 horror movies). While we prefer new angles that subvert or re-imagine the monster, we are also interested in really good traditional monster stories. Stories can also star secondary characters, such as a well-known sidekick, assistant or love interest, from the classic monster universe.

GUIDELINES:

• Payment: 5 cents a word
• Length: 1500 to 5000 words (flexible)
• Reading Period: April 8 to May 30, 2021 (don't send before April 8)
• Expected Release Date: October 2021
• Kickstarter Launch: March 8, 2021
• No reprints, multiple subs or simultaneous subs

Note: A Kickstarter campaign to fund the anthology launches in March, after which we’ll open to submissions. (Of course, the campaign has to fund successfully, but we're confident it will.) This is an invitation and open-submissions anthology (with about 75% invited and 25% open). With the top-notch lineup of writers we’ve already signed, send only your very best. Sign up for a campaign alert at our Kickstarter preview page. 

Use classic Shunn formatting. Send as an attachment in doc or docx. In the subject line, put "Classic Monsters," the name of your story, and author name. Example: Classic Monsters – Story Title – Author Name.

Email story submissions to james@deadjack.com

We want to publish your first story. We’re holding at least one spot for a newcomer. If you’ve never been published before, say so in your email. Good luck!

CHARACTER LIST:

• Mina Harker
• Abraham Van Helsing
• Renfield
• Victor Frankenstein  
• Frankenstein monster
• Bride of Frankenstein
• Henry Jekyll
• The Invisible Man
• Cthulhu
• Phantom of the Opera
• Hunchback of Notre Dame
• Headless Horseman
• Dorian Gray
• Wicked Witch of the West
• Kaiju / Giant Monster (in the vein of King Kong or Godzilla)
• Morlocks
• The Tingler

​Note: We have enough Dracula stories, so he’s not included on the list. If you have any ideas for other classic monsters not listed, please ask before submitting. Also bear in mind: though these are public domain characters, don’t use any copyrighted or trademarked elements from the movies.

We will take more than one story per character. Mummy, werewolf and gill man stories are okay to submit, as well as any Universal Classic Monster, but they must be “based on” or “inspired by” if the characters are not public domain.

Contributors announced so far: Jonathan Maberry (Dr. Moreau), Ramsey Campbell (Count Magnus), Lisa Morton (Headless Horseman), Tim Waggoner (a character inspired by The Wolfman), Maurice Broaddus (Invisible Man), Dacre Stoker (Dracula), John Palisano (a character based on Creature From the Black Lagoon), Rena Mason (a character based on The Mummy), Linda Addison (a character inspired by The Blob) and Mercedes Yardley (Dorian Gray).

For more information: https://www.jamesaquilone.com/submissions?fbclid=IwAR3QQx7U_5pCqrz1ycop2llTlylrZ3o-1pAX6Ma9vVOXwyEVfS9MpH6upqM

Writers Wanted! (The Pro Se Open)

It has taken a while, but for the first time in a long time, the Pro Se Open Writers Wanted Page is completely Full! Thirty open calls! And as one fills up, another will be posted! Opportunities abound in both original concepts and public domain/licensed concepts for You to leave Your mark on Genre Fiction!

This is a list of anthologies and imprints that are open to writers to submit to.  We like to call it The Pro Se Open.  If you're a writer interested in the possibility of writing for Pro Se, bookmark this page and check it regularly to see if projects are still available and to keep up with all the new concepts open for submission from Pro Se Productions.

HOW YOU CAN SUBMIT TO A PRO SE OPEN PROJECT IS AS FOLLOWS-

1. An upcoming Collection or Imprint with openings is listed in the Pro Se Open. 

2. Submissions are accepted following a 2-3 paragraph proposal for the story and at least a four page writing sample if you are a new writer submitting to Pro Se, unless the specific call states otherwise. Proposals should be mailed to submissions@prose-press.com

3. Submissions will be reviewed and those writers whose proposals are accepted will have 90 days from date of acceptance to complete their story  Anthologies will remain open, however, until the Publisher determines enough stories are collected to go forward for publication.

4. Submissions to the book will be closed when all open slots in the listed work are filled. Editing will not begin until that occurs. Contracts will not be issued until the book is full, as royalties are determined in most collections by how many authors are in the anthology.

5. All projects, unless otherwise stated are royalty pay projects.  An amount is set aside for each anthology that will be divided amongst the accepted writers for each project. Royalty rates will normally range from 5% to 15%. Royalties are paid on every dollar made by Pro Se Productions, payment is not restricted until production costs are covered.  Pro Se Productions pays semi annually currently, in January and July, and sends payments when royalties for a particular author have reached a ceiling amount or exceeded that amount.

6. Editors assigned to these projects will follow up, monitor, and make sure work is being done. Steps will be taken to move the anthology along as planned if work is not being done in a timely manner.  

The Pro Se Open will be updated periodically as to adding new collections and removing ones that have been filled. Some of the collections have story bibles to go with them and are listed so. 

If proposals have been accepted for anthologies below, the number of openings remaining will be listed with the anthology. Anthologies with all slots still open will also be noted as such.

Please Note: These collections will NOT be scheduled for publication until all stories resulting from approved proposals are submitted for editing. 90 Day deadlines will be given with each accepted proposal, but until a minimum of three stories are received, anthologies will NOT be published. Final number of stories included in an anthology will be determined upon response to submission calls and by the Publisher. 

Email submissions@prose-press.com to request bibles when appropriate and to submit all proposals.

Read the full list of current opportunities: http://prose-press.com/pro-se-open

PRINCESSES GET PULPY! NEW SUBMISSIONS CALL OPEN FROM PRO SE PRODUCTIONS

Known for innovative ideas, Pro Se Productions, a Publisher of Genre Fiction and New Pulp, also often takes inspiration from other sources. The work of an artist shared on social media proved to lead to such a moment as Pro Se announces open submission calls for ‘PRINCESSES OF PULP’, a new anthology slated for release in 2019-20.

“It’s amazing,” says Pro Se Productions Editor in Chief Tommy Hancock, “when someone’s work not only makes me go ‘Wow, that’s awesome’, but also leads to an idea. That happened today when the work of artist Astor Alexander made its rounds on social media. Taking his cue from Disney movies, Alexander created several images featuring Disney’s version of fairy tale princesses as Noir characters. This simply blew me away and gave a new spark to an old general idea that Pro Se has played with before- taking folklore, fairy tales, myths, and other such stories and having writers do a Pulpy take on them. So, to follow up Pro Se’s ONCE UPON A SIXGUN, TALL PULP, and PULPOLOGY, we are now taking submissions for PRINCESSES OF PULP, giving writers the opportunity to reimagine either well known Fairy Tale princesses or even little known female leads in such stories into explorers, shadowy avengers, nearly superhuman team leaders, or any other Pulpy type character they might fit.”

Proposals for PRINCESSES OF PULP must be 1-3 paragraphs long and completely outline an overall synopsis, from beginning to end, of the proposed story. These stories are to be retellings of fairy tales from any country, popular or obscure, that originally featured female leads, either princesses or simply women, and must feature those same characters in the retelling. The retelling can be any genre considered Pulp, which would include westerns, detective mysteries, weird tales, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and more. Pro Se staff will determine if the concept is ‘pulpy’ enough for acceptance.

Proposals are to be sent to submissions@prose-press.com.

Stories must be 8-10,000 words in length. Writers who have not submitted to Pro Se before must submit a four-page writing sample with their proposal. Proposals will be accepted until November 10th or until all available slots are filled. Completed stories will be due by February 10th, 2019.

For more information on this submissions call, contact Hancock at editorinchief@prose-press.com.
To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com. Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR FIRST IN NEW ANNUAL ANTHOLOGY TO DEBUT IN 2019 -- ‘NEW PULP UNITED VOLUME ONE’ TO BENEFIT CREATORS IN NEED

Pro Se Productions, a publisher of Genre Fiction, is also a publisher and a leading figure in one aspect of what is considered The New Pulp Movement. This movement focuses on fiction that is inspired and in the style of Pulp Fiction published in the early 20th Century, influenced by Pulp of the past, but written by modern writers with an eye toward the future. New Pulp exists outside this movement, obviously, and many recognize all aspects of this style of fiction as a community. This feeling has been so prevalent in the past that it has led to creators coming together to produce benefit books in memory of other creators or, in the case of Pro Se’s Editor in Chief, Tommy Hancock, to assist during hard times.

“LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION,” says Hancock, “was a project put together by Jaime Ramos and Ron Fortier and Rob Davis of Airship 27 Productions. Over 100 creators threw their talents into the mix to put together the biggest volume of modern Pulp ever to help me after I was diagnosed with a rare form of Congestive Heart Failure. It was the single biggest outpouring of support I have seen in a long time in publishing, especially within New Pulp. And I will personally be forever grateful for it.”

New Pulp Author Sean Taylor noted this very thing recently in a post on social media, expressing concern about growing divides between writers today, due to politics and different world views. In this post, Taylor made a call to return to the sense of community that existed when collections were done for Hancock or when Pro Se produced WHEN THE SHADOW SEES THE SUN, a collection of essays about creatives and depression in honor of Logan Masterson, a writer who lost his battle with depression. Taylor’s post caused many creators to think, including Hancock.

“We don’t expect,” says Hancock, “to replicate LEGENDS or any other collections with what Pro Se plans to do, but the course of discussion Sean started this past week demands that we do something, at least it demands it of me. That’s why Pro Se Productions is now taking submissions for what will hopefully be the first of a yearly collection entitled NEW PULP UNITED!. All proceeds from this collection will go into a fund that is aimed at supporting New Pulp creators when there are medical issues or emergency situations beyond normal limitations. A committee will be formed that will oversee the distribution of funds. A website and Facebook page will be established prior to the release of the first volume with more details concerning how a creator may request funds.

“Any creator, that be writer, artist, or editor that wants to contribute can submit a story,” explains Hancock, “to NEW PULP UNITED!. With all money made going into the NPU fund, no royalties will be paid and Pro Se will absorb costs that we usually cover with royalties as well. Length of individual stories does not matter, only that the tales are some sort of largely unpublished Genre Fiction with an aim at adventure, action, thrills, and/or suspense. Previously published tales will be considered, but the collection should be more new material than anything else. Also, artists wishing to contribute can provide spot illustrations for stories. Editors wanting to help can also participate. All anyone who wants to be a part of this has to do is email me at editorinchief@prose-press.com. Writers need to send me a few lines about what they intend to write and/or submit, and if the story is good and meets Pro Se’s standards, it’s in.”

NEW PULP UNITED! is currently slated for publication in March 2019, and if subsequent volumes occur, they will be published in March of each year. This collection WILL ONLY go to print if the number of stories reaches a minimum of 30,000 words. There is no maximum limit. For a story to appear in the first collection, writers MUST email Hancock to show intent to participate and the final work needs to be emailed to submissions@prose-press.com no later than November 1, 2018.

Hancock says, “I know people will immediately have questions about how the money will be distributed, how it will be determined who is considered a New Pulp creator, and such things. To that end, all sales figures and earnings on this collection and subsequent volumes will be made public. As to who qualifies as a New Pulp writer, that will in part be up to the Committee to determine and guidelines will be set up to oversee that, although the intent here is to help, not to create a bureaucratic, complicated process. Right now, the focus has to be on seeing if the first collection even makes. If it doesn’t, it does not necessarily mean that there is a divide in the community. It may also indicate, though, that maybe there isn’t a community at all. Either way, Pro Se wants to help its creators and those outside our company who are why New Pulp exists today. This is a small way, but it is our way.”

For more information on this submissions call, please contact Hancock at editorinchief@prose-press.com.

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

New Submission Calls from Pro Se Press!

OPEN ANTHOLOGY CALL: 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.

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OPEN ANTHOLOGY CALL REPOSTED: 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.

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SUBMISSIONS CALL OPEN FOR FOUR MONTHLY PRO SE SINGLE SHOT SIGNATURE SERIES!

In 2014, Pro Se Productions announced and launched The Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series, an innovative line of digital only fiction series, most of them episodic in nature and centering around a series regular or cast. Though the first incarnation of the line came to an end in 2016, Pro Se Productions announces the return of The Pro Se Single Shot Signature series by opening a submissions call for four new monthly series for release in 2018-2019.

Proposals for submissions are now being accepted for four new series as a part of the Pro Se Single Shot Signature line. Any genre is acceptable and word length must be 3 to 10 thousand words per month for a twelve month series. The series may either be episodic, ‘chapters’ in one continual story OR 12 individual stories featuring the same character or cast, like stand alone episodes. A mix of both can also be used, some stand alone episodes, some multi ‘chapter’ arcs.

Proposals for a series MUST outline 12 episodes/chapters/stories. This is non negotiable. Stories each month must be a MINIMUM of 3 thousand words and a MAXIMUM of 10,000 words and authors can determine themselves how long each story will be within these parameters. Once a proposal is accepted, a series will not debut until the first three installments are submitted to Pro Se Productions. Depending on sales, each series may be collected at the end of its digital run as a single novel/collection.

As previously stated, any genre is acceptable for submission. Preference will be given to stories that move quickly and keep a reader engaged. Authors with skill in writing serialized tales and/or recurring episodic work are encouraged to submit. Please do not propose serializing works that were originally completed as a novel. Newly written works aimed at being a 12 chapter/episode series are preferred.

This is a royalty only project, with the author of each accepted series receiving 50% royalties for the entire run of the series and, if collected, the resulting book/collection. If a writer submitting a proposal has not previously submitted to Pro Se before, proposals must include a four page writing sample.

All proposals must be sent to submissions@prose-press.com.

Examples of series from the Pro Se Signature Series’ first incarnation can be found at:

• https://www.amazon.com/Magee-3-Book-Series/dp/B06XT4B2ZY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1530589253&sr=8-4&keywords=magee+david+white
• https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Flight-Fly-Girl-Season-ebook/dp/B00N37B8C6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
• https://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-World-Zenith-Book/dp/B072634HQV/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1530589332&sr=1-1&keywords=fabulous+world+of+zenith

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FROM APOCALYPTIC PROMPT TO ANTHOLOGY -- SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR ‘BLIND MAN BLUFF’

Pro Se Productions, a home for imaginative concepts, announces an open call for a unique anthology where authors take a few written lines and allow the story to carry them wherever it may. BLIND MAN BLUFF is now open for submissions.

“Providing a prompt,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “is a standard way for writers to practice or get ideas, usually used in writing groups or online. BLIND MAN BLUFF is an anthology that adapts the prompt to give authors an opportunity to create a world based on just a few sentences, giving them the seed to see what they allow to grow with it. And the lines we provide are where each story starts. I am excited to see who takes a chance on this idea and what sort of tales get told.”

The prompt that each proposed story should use as its starting point is as follows-

"My name is Daniel Bluff. The year doesn’t matter. I am 34 years old, just shy of 35, but age is really just a useless number now, too. I stand six foot, three inches tall, weigh about 285, what most would consider athletic, maybe muscular. Short cropped black hair, peppered with some gray. Deep green eyes, like forest leaves Mariah once told me. I earned the scar that divides my left eyebrow in a fight I should have died in. I have skills most only ever see in movies or read in old paperbacks. How I learned what I know doesn’t matter anymore. Nothing from that life does. Not since the Occurrence. I may even be the last human being left alive or unchanged on the planet. So, I don’t write this for anyone to read. I write it so I remember the words, so I remember what I look like. I write it because I am alone and without much in the way of supplies. No one will be left to tell me what I don’t see.

I write it because… the world as I know it has ended and I am quickly going blind."

Stories must be 5,000-8,000 words in length and must be based on the above prompt. Authors can take the story in any direction they want as long as they are true to the prompt AND Bluff remains blind. Proposals should be 1-3 paragraphs and sent to submissions@prose-press.com. If an author submitting a proposal has never submitted to Pro Se before, a four page writing sample must be included.

This is a royalty only project, with the final royalties being determined by the number of accepted stories. Deadline will be 90 days after a proposal is accepted.

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