Circlet Press is seeking submissions for its new ebook anthology LIKE A CUNNING PLAN, er0tic trickster tales, edited by Michael M. Jones.
Everyone loves a good trickster, and every culture has that one guy/gal/deity who insists on breaking the rules, challenging expectations, pushing boundaries, and questioning social mores. Coyote. Puck. Loki. Heyoka. Anansi. Odysseus. Bugs Bunny. Relying on their wits and the foolishness of others, they’re often amoral, capricious, and whimsical, pursuing their own goals no matter what the cost to themselves or others and crossing boundaries that no one else would dare to. So what happens when a trickster decides to have a little carnal fun? Will it be a good-natured romp in the hay, or will someone get their come-uppance? Will they get away scot-free, or will someone learn a valuable lesson? Make it interesting, playful, thoughtful, and above all, sexy. Choose an established trickster, or make one up, retell an old favorite tale or tell us a new one for the modern era. Just make sure you’re not the one being tricked!
It’s all about well-played tricks, cunning plans, disguises and fast talk, lies and half-truths. It’s about having fun and occasionally outwitting oneself. It’s about wondering what the hell just happened, but realizing you had a good time. Stories will be inspected for that subtle ‘heart’ that makes a trickster tale more than an asshole getting his way.
Submission Details:
Deadline for submission is December 15th. Our preferred length is approximately 3500 to 7500 words, but we will consider the range from 2000 to 10,000 words. All submissions must be made via email to Michael M. Jones at the following address: Tricksterantho@gmail.com
More details: Submissions sent to other addresses/other editors at Circlet Press will not be considered. Standard manuscript formatting rules apply even though sending as an attachment (MS Word .doc or .rtf preferred). Please note that this means your name, address, and email contact must appear on the manuscript itself and not simply in your email message. (If you’re not sure what standard short story manuscript submission format should look like, Google is your friend.)
No simultaneous submissions (that is, don’t also send your story elsewhere at the same time, and don’t send it to multiple Circlet editors, either), and no multiple submissions to the same book. One story per author per anthology, thanks.
Romantic content is welcome, but in a short story remember to keep the details on the action and its effects on the main character’s internal point of view. Whether first person or third person, a strong, singular narrative voice is our preference (no ‘head hopping’ or swapping points of view within scene).
For more details on our editorial preferences, see the general submission guidelines on circlet.com. We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the “do not send” list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love. Try to avoid cliches. Fresh and direct language is preferred to overly euphemistic.
Originals only, no reprints. We purchase first rights for inclusion in the ebook anthology for $25, with the additional rights to a print edition later which would also be paid $25 if a print edition happens. Authors retain the rights to the individual stories; Circlet exercises rights to the anthology as a whole.
More information here.
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