Submissions
We are looking for submissions at the moment for our second anthology of dark fiction tales entitled ‘Darkshines’.
The theme for this one is going to be endings. The end of a relationship. The end of life. The end of the world. As narrow a focus as a divorce – or as broad as an appocalypse accompanied by the destruction of the universe. Give your imagination free reign. The only thing we ask is that it is dark and chills the reader to the core.
What we want:
We want unusual, edgy, grab you by the throat visceral dark fiction…with the emphasis on twisted and fresh. We do like erotic, but not gratuitous sex just for the sake of it. The same with violence. Think subtle, think intelligent, think different. Fiction that makes the reader think. We like the theme explored…after all, that’s what this book is about!
Word Limit:
The limit is 4000 words as a rule. If your tale runs longer than that, then please contact us with an inquiry first as we’ll need to process it differently. We’ll probably want a synopsis first.
What we definately don’t want:
Child porn. Slasher crap. Splatter-punk. Cookie-cutter vampires or creatures. Teenage angst. Violence for the sake of violence.
What we pay:
We aren’t Random House (yet)… so please don’t think BIG BUCKS, think small bucks! We are a small press publisher. We offer and pay a single set fee of $50.00 for any story we use. profits are ploughed back in to further our company ethos and aim that give new writers a platform to be published. We don’t pay by the word. Upon publication we like to have at least six months exclusive to US and Canada (in print) and three months exclusive (worldwide) on digital book rights. After this contractual period, which the author agrees to, the rights revert back to the author. On limited edition anthology releases we don’t pay royalties.
Where to send submissions:
We only accept electronic submissions and one at a time please.
Please mark your submission: Attention Editor IMP WATCH. If you don’t our filter might reject it.
We accept no responsibility for electronic mail that we have not received. Please give us at least 6 weeks before you send a follow-up inquiry email. Please bear in mind that we receive a lot of submissions and the editorial staff – or rather the three of us – read them as fast as they can. Be patient with us. We promise that we will get back to you with a yes or no as soon as is inhumanly possible.
So you’ve read all of the above, your story fulfills the criteria you agree with our company ethos and you think we will like it? Then please send it along to us at:
Many Thanks!
Nat-Chief Editor IPP
Ian Faulkner-Editor
November 4, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Hi,
What’s the last date of submission?
November 4, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Thanks for the inquiry. Submissions for vol. 1 closes on Dec 6th. Vol. 2 closes Fall 2011. Hope this answers your question?
Nat – Chief Editor.
February 1, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Hi,
What’s the last date of submission for Vol 2?
February 5, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Hey…there is a rolling date for submissions as we are anxious to make sure we have enough quality tales to keep the volumes full for future issues. Just send anything you want to be considered along to us and mark it ‘Watch Submission’.
March 13, 2011 at 7:38 PM
You say you pay small bucks and that you don’t pay by the word. What do you consider small bucks? $10? $25? $50?
July 18, 2011 at 4:22 PM
Hey Gary. Please re-read our submission guidelines. All the answers are there.
July 22, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Do you offer a contributor’s copy?
July 22, 2011 at 11:21 PM
We do Paul…and we also pay for any story we use.
July 23, 2011 at 11:57 AM
You mention that you only accept electronic submissions. Is there a particular file format that you require or prefer? (rtf, txt, doc, etc)
July 23, 2011 at 12:04 PM
THanks for the question. We prefer just a word document sent as an attachment. However, we can read most formats. If there was an issue with a file you sent us we’d contact you so you could re-send.