EXTENDED OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

EXTENDED OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Opportunity is knocking! Placer Gold Writers Ink has released a Call for Submissions in search of talented writers to supply high-quality short stories for inclusion in PGWI’s next publication.

1) BASIC SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

DATES: Submit story by our new extended deadline of February 28, 2018

GENRE: Speculative Fiction i.e. Sci/fi, Fantasy, Paranormal, etc. (see below for full genre list)

TIME FRAME: Stories may be set in the past, present or future.

REQUIREMENTS: Our anthologies are designed with common plot points…there are two:

• The setting / location MUST be set in Sierra Nevada Foothills of the Eastern California.
(See section 3 below)

For example: a real or fictional town, location, or area located in the Sierra Nevada foothills stretching from Chico/Susanville in the north to Mt. Whitney in the South.

Here are a few charming and historical towns and areas: La Porte, Sierra City, Alleghany, Nevada City, Grass Valley, Auburn, Forest Hill, Placerville, Jackson, Angels Camp, Columbia, Sonora, Yosemite, and Jamestown.

The story may, but does NOT have to be related to the “49er Gold Rush”.

• Use the word or concept of "gold" as some minor or major plot point. Note: "gold" does not have to refer to the precious metal. It could be someone’s hair, their personality, their luck or social status…be creative!

WORD COUNT: 2000 - 8000 words

ROYALTY: $20 - $30 sliding scale

FEES: There are no submission or reading fees

WHAT WE DO NOT WANT

We are finding many writers want to re-tell the history of the Gold Rush in their stories. This is not needed or even helpful. We look to publish a fresh and exciting story, not a history lesson — unless, of course, you are telling a tale of an alternate past where your story re-writes the history with zombies, fairies, monsters, etc. . . . Please keep the Wikipedia back-story to a minimum.

WHAT WE WANT

• Enticing, engaging, entertaining Speculative Fiction stories (see list in Section 2 below) that are based in the past, present or future;
• That occur within the physical localities of the California Gold Country;
• That include the plot element “gold” in some fashion;
• And is written at an adult-interest level (“rated” as if for Prime-Time Broadcast TV: a few swear words are acceptable, no F-bombs – more info on this online).

HOW TO SUBMIT STORIES – MORE INFORMATION

Please visit our website at http://www.PlacerGoldWritersINK.com for the style sheet, additional detailed requirements, and the submission form.

ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY

From the pile of submitted stories, the editors will select several outstanding manuscripts to be published in 2018. We are looking for previously unpublished stories (exceptions apply, see detailed guidelines on our website), which we will purchase and acquire exclusive “First Publishing Rights” for a year. The anthology will be released in both quality paperback and e-book formats.

ABOUT PLACER GOLD PUBLISHING

Placer Gold Publishing is a boutique publisher located in California’s Sierra Gold Country. Our recent release, “Through Button Eyes: A Collection of Short Fiction” under the Placer Gold Writers Ink imprint, was selected from thousands of national and international entries as one of the five medaled finalists in the Anthology Division of the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA). Contact: submissions@PlacerGoldWritersInk.com for more information.

2) SPECULATIVE FICTION

To assist authors, PGWI found Wikipedia’s description of Speculative Fiction to be succinct.

“Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing narrative fiction with supernatural or futuristic elements. This includes the genres science fiction, fantasy, horror and supernatural fiction, as well as their combinations.” Source: Wikipedia.com

WE HAVE ADAPTED THEIR CHART TO OUR PURPOSES: Name Description Examples

Fantasy: Includes elements and beings from human cultural imagination, such as mythical creatures (dragons and fairies, for example), magic and magical elements, sorcery, witchcraft, etc. The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter

Science fiction: Features technologies that do not exist in real life (but may be supposed to do in the future), including time travel, interstellar travel, flying cars and also beings and societies from other planets (aliens). Planet of the Apes, Star Trek, Star Wars

Horror: Somewhat similar to fantasy, but focusing on terrifying, evil and often powerful beings, such as monsters and ghosts. Also aims to transmit actual fear and confusion to the reader/watcher. A Nightmare on Elm Street, Case 39

Utopia: Takes place in a highly desirable society, often presented as advanced, happy, intelligent or even perfect or problem-free. Island, Ecotopia, 17776

Dystopia: Takes place in a highly undesirable society, often plagued with strict control, violence, chaos, brainwashing and other negative elements. 1984, Brave New World

Alternate History: Focusing on historical events as if they happened in a different way, and their implications on the present. Fatherland, The Tales of Alvin Maker

Apocalyptic: Takes place before and during a massive, worldwide disaster. The Day After Tomorrow, 2012

Post-apocalyptic: Focuses on groups of survivors after a massive, typically worldwide disaster. Waterworld, Metro 2033, The Stand, Fallout, Mad Max

Superhero: Centers on superheroes (i.e. heroes with extraordinary abilities or powers) and their fight against evil forces such as supervillains. Spider-Man, Avengers, Batman

Paranormal: Includes: Modern or Ancient Myths, Tall Tales, and Folk Tales. Also Gods and Angels/Demons, Were-X, Occult, Psychic Phenomenon and ordinary people with exceptional or supernatural abilities. American Gods, Twilight

3) THE SIERRA NEVADA LOCALE
There are many conflicting ideas as to exactly what is included in the geographical area of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the “Gold Country” found in its foothills. For our purposes, we look to have our stories set on the western slopes of the Sierras. Some stories, especially stories involving the historic Gold Rush, may require including key cities such as Sacramento, San Francisco, Reno, Carson City and Monterey which were hubs of commerce, transportation and political power. In any event, we look for our stories to include significant action within the locales of the actual Sierra foothills and mountains.
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Published on February 01, 2018 15:26 Tags: anthology, call-for-submissions, guidelines, short-stories, speculative-fiction, writing
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