Written by Stephen Thompson | 28 September 2010

Entries are now CLOSED to The Specusphere's first anthology.

You may still be interested in the original call we put out for submissions in September 2010.

In 2011, The Specusphere is publishing an anthology of short stories by Australian writers.

Basic guidelines (for more detail see the article Myths and Legends )

We are looking for stories that encapsulate the idea of the myth or the legend, or something that plays creatively with the form. It may be the re-telling of an existing myth, or it may be a new slant on an old myth – Jason commanding the starship Argo.

We will be looking for stories that entertain, are layered with meaning and bring a new and speculative insight to the theme – you can play with it as much as you want.

We want stories that can replace current myths and legends, or can be passed off as one of them.

We want original stories, strong characters, speculative plots.

Publishing details

Deadline: CLOSED

Publishing date: Second half of the year (to be further advised)

Book format: 198mm X 128mm (B format)

Author payment: 1c a word + 1 book + discount on books (40% discount, but author will have to pay postage).

Author payments will be made to a Paypal account.

Submissions open to Australian residents only

Length: stories to 6,000 words

Anthology word count: approx 50,000 words.

Submission details

Multiple submissions: we would prefer one month exclusivity on your story.

We would prefer original material but will consider reprints if the author provides a signed declaration from the earlier publisher indicating that the work has been released.

Works that include quotes or lyrics or anything that has been borrowed from somewhere else will need to have a signed declaration that clearance to use the said quote, etc. has been given.

Poetry is ok, but it needs to tell a complete story rather than be a single thought (ie, a dozen lines isn't going to make the cut).

We will not accept fan fiction or works that borrow from copyrighted worlds or characters.

We will not accept stories featuring gratuitous sex, violence, abuse of animals or people, torture or rape.

Before a story can be accepted the author will need to sign a declaration that they hold all legal rights to the story and that the story contains no libelous or offensive material.

Please submit by email as an rtf (not doc) or put the story in the body of an email. We will aim for a turn around time from submission to decision in 2–3 weeks. Stories will be read blind (i.e. the reader will not know who the author is). Once we've decided on acceptance the author will be sent a contract and an editor will be assigned to them to get the story into the best shape possible.

Use professional manuscript presentation, with no spelling errors, typos or obvious punctuation failures. Do not put your name anywhere but on a cover page, which should also have your contact details. Number the pages. Use Australian spelling and single quotes for dialogue. If in doubt, refer to The Specusphere style guide or contact the editor.

The book will be sold online, at review sites and at major writing events and selected specialist bookshops. Authors are expected/encouraged to participate in promoting the anthology at their own websites and in whatever forums they are engaged in. They will be expected to actively participate in the promotional campaign for this anthology by organising their own interviews, reviews, etc.

Submit to: Stephen Thompson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it