Author Topic: Call for submissions for science fiction anthology - now on sale wide (Read 4555 times) Tweet

archaeoroutes · « **on:** March 08, 2017, 05:28:42 AM »

Last year I coordinated an anthology of short stories called The Newcomer (see signature). By popular request I have agreed to run another.

The theme and title of the collection is 'The Officer'. This could be military, police, fire, local government, whatever. Anything within the broader science fiction genre is welcome, though in the interests of not getting hidden by Amazon we'd need to avoid outright erotica.
The focus of the project will be on exposure for the participating authors. Each story will be immediately followed by a short 'about the author' and two links - one to their mailing list signup and one to their homepage (I would encourage participants to set up a unique landing page for these so they can track conversion). As all the stories will be scifi, this should help generate targeted also-boughts.
Profits from the sales will go towards paying off the setup (cover, proofreading, formatting etc), my time, and ongoing advertising costs. The Newcomer paid off the setup in a little over a month and the advertising kitty fills up nicely until I splurge on some promos.

Entries should be between 2500 and 7500 words. As long as they are available to publish, they could have been already released somewhere else, though new pieces would have priority. They can be completely one-off stories, or introductions to series as long as they have a self-contained storyline.
I can't guarantee that all entries will be included. You can submit more than one story, but I won't choose more than one per author to be included. I am aiming for twelve quality pieces that work well together and avoid covering too much of the same ground.

I am aiming for a June release to take advantage of people stocking up on stories to take on summer holiday. The deadline for entries will thus be 2359 30 May 2017 (please note that I am in the UK, so all times will be GMT).

By submitting your short story, you grant non-exclusive rights in perpetuity for it to be included in the anthology. There will be no fee for entry and no payment for inclusion.

Now closed to entries. Release date 28 June 2017 - http://www.alasdairshaw.co.uk/thenewcomer/officer.php

tommy gun · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2017, 06:46:34 AM »

Bumping and marking.
I will start working on the next short asap.

Starbright · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2017, 07:35:55 AM »

Can you give us an idea of the success of the previous anthology? Specifically qt of books sold, etc and pricing history?

VayneLine · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2017, 07:41:27 AM »

7500 words is the max?

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2017, 09:29:08 AM »

Quote from: VayneLine on March 08, 2017, 07:41:27 AM

7500 words is the max?

Yes.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2017, 09:39:10 AM »

Quote from: Starbright on March 08, 2017, 07:35:55 AM

Can you give us an idea of the success of the previous anthology? Specifically qt of books sold, etc and pricing history?

It has been 99c as an ebook and $6.99 as a paperback since it was released at the end of November.

After three months it had sold:
Paperback: 51
Kindle: 670
Other paid (ie. Apple, Google, etc): 53
It had also had 613 free downloads on Instafreebie by that point.

In terms of current sales figures, I don't have a full breakdown yet for this month but a quick glance at Bookreport shows 38 sold on Kindle in the last week (up to 8 March). Our three-month cliff should have been on 28 February.

Mark Gardner · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2017, 11:08:29 AM »

I've got a 5k I'll submit.

she-la-ti-da · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2017, 04:32:33 AM »

I've been thinking about submitting since I got the email, but so far I'm not coming up with anything that would fit. Maybe before the deadline. I'm striving to finish the sequel to Z eternal before the end of the month, so that might be tricky.

Good luck to all to submit, and may the sales be with you.

Libby13 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2017, 08:35:37 AM »

If I can think of something that will fit, I'll submit.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2017, 10:58:54 AM »

Looking forward to reading all the submissions. There have been two already!

ThomasDiehl · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2017, 12:04:55 AM »

Usually I'm good with everything under 1,000 and everything above 10,000 words. That range in between is a weird one for me. But I'll come up with something before the deadline.

David VanDyke · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2017, 08:01:30 PM »

I have something more like 10K.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2017, 12:23:57 AM »

I was wondering about doing a novelette/novella anthology after this. Say 10,000-40,000 words. It would have a milSF / space opera theme.

xbriannova · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2017, 07:05:57 AM »

Darn, I happen to have a Dark Science Fiction Fantasy Horror that's 20,000 words long. I don't think it'll fit into this anthology. Too many words, and too many genres in the mix.

Anyway, I'll see if I can write something else.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2017, 01:54:07 AM »

Four submissions so far!

Adrien Walker · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2017, 01:10:52 PM »

I'd love to submit, though it'll probably be a week before I'm finished with the story I want to submit. Chance there'll still be space?

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2017, 01:30:22 PM »

I won't make any decisions until 1 June.

Adrien Walker · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2017, 01:39:20 PM »

Quote from: archaeoroutes on March 12, 2017, 01:30:22 PM

I won't make any decisions until 1 June.

Sounds good! I'll be sending something soon.

CindyCarroll · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2017, 01:57:28 PM »

Brainstormed my story today! Can't wait to get it finished so I can send it in.

ThomasDiehl · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2017, 03:18:36 PM »

Do you count alternate history as science fiction?

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2017, 08:08:40 PM »

Quote from: ThomasDiehl on March 13, 2017, 03:18:36 PM

Do you count alternate history as science fiction?

Depends. Are there any elements like new technologies, aliens, alternate science?

ThomasDiehl · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2017, 12:59:56 AM »

Quote from: archaeoroutes on March 13, 2017, 08:08:40 PM

Depends. Are there any elements like new technologies, aliens, alternate science?

Basically the internet boom of the late 90's in a world where the Cold War never ended. So, technology is important, it's just not future technology from a 2017 perspective.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2017, 06:05:49 AM »

Quote from: ThomasDiehl on March 14, 2017, 12:59:56 AM

Basically the internet boom of the late 90's in a world where the Cold War never ended. So, technology is important, it's just not future technology from a 2017 perspective.

It could fit. Exploring the implications of the 'new' technology in an alternative setting would be interesting.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2017, 08:03:25 PM »

Up to six submissions now.

Kal241 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2017, 10:43:11 PM »

I've got a story that would fit, but no mailing list or author page. Looks like I'm out of the running.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #25 on:** April 01, 2017, 11:15:57 PM »

Neither are required. Feel free to submit without them - I just mention mailing list and author page because I will include them for the authors who want them in the anthology.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #26 on:** April 07, 2017, 02:14:58 PM »

Hope people have had some interesting ideas. I'm doing the same as last time - getting started on something then realising it would be better elsewhere. The first two things I tried writing for The Newcomer became chapters in a novel, and the third became a novella.

CindyCarroll · « **Reply #27 on:** April 07, 2017, 02:27:21 PM »

I have to start over. The story I brainstormed with my cousin is now going to be the prequel funnel story to a science fiction romance series.

I have plotting and brainstorming on my agenda for this weekend.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #28 on:** April 11, 2017, 10:43:56 PM »

I think I'm going to do something from the POV of one of the enemies in my main series.

lauramg_1406 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 12, 2017, 07:18:59 AM »

I've planned in some writing time so I will have something to submit! I have two ideas, one fitting with my story in the Newcomer, and one that fits with something I'm releasing at the end of June!

Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #30 on:** April 12, 2017, 09:53:07 AM »

I've got my idea! A space station security officer who keeps the peace in a pragmatic way. He is a good guy but has to keep on the good side of the mob in order to be able to keep working. Then he discovers a plot to disrupt the elections and has to decide whether to step up.

VayneLine · « **Reply #31 on:** April 12, 2017, 12:23:14 PM »

Are you still looking for entries? Is this going to be an ebook on amazon? I could probably put together a short enough story before the end.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #32 on:** April 12, 2017, 01:04:07 PM »

Quote from: VayneLine on April 12, 2017, 12:23:14 PM

Are you still looking for entries? Is this going to be an ebook on amazon? I could probably put together a short enough story before the end.

Yes. Still open for entries.
It will be an ebook on Amazon and all other major retailers. It will also be a paperback.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #33 on:** April 16, 2017, 02:25:42 AM »

A month and a half to go. Already had some pretty interesting entries.
Four months since release and The Newcomer is still in the top 100 in its category. I've got even higher hopes for The Officer.

StormChild · « **Reply #34 on:** April 16, 2017, 02:54:10 AM »

I wrote something for The Newcomer, but it twisted during the writing process and the final version didn't fit the theme at all. Funny enough, it would be a perfect fit for The Officer.

Abderian · « **Reply #35 on:** April 16, 2017, 04:39:54 AM »

Quote from: archaeoroutes on April 16, 2017, 02:25:42 AM

A month and a half to go. Already had some pretty interesting entries.
Four months since release and The Newcomer is still in the top 100 in its category. I've got even higher hopes for The Officer.

I'm sure I can tell when you're promoting because every so often I'll see a spike in visits to my blog.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #36 on:** April 17, 2017, 02:07:13 AM »

Quote from: StormChild on April 16, 2017, 02:54:10 AM

I wrote something for The Newcomer, but it twisted during the writing process and the final version didn't fit the theme at all. Funny enough, it would be a perfect fit for The Officer.

Funny how things work out, isn't it? I look forward to reading it.

Quote from: Abderian on April 16, 2017, 04:39:54 AM

I'm sure I can tell when you're promoting because every so often I'll see a spike in visits to my blog.

Glad to hear it. It is in my autoresponder sequence too, so whenever I get an influx of subscribers from promoting one of my own books there is a bump in The Newcomer a few weeks later.

TJ Jones · « **Reply #37 on:** April 18, 2017, 12:05:38 PM »

Just starting out and getting set for my first books launch soon(ish) but I can definitely hammer something that short together if you've got room still?

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #38 on:** April 19, 2017, 06:45:16 AM »

Quote from: TJ Jones on April 18, 2017, 12:05:38 PM

Just starting out and getting set for my first books launch soon(ish) but I can definitely hammer something that short together if you've got room still?

Cool.

tommy gun · « **Reply #39 on:** April 19, 2017, 09:17:02 AM »

Finally done. Okay. I wrote it yesterday and finished it today. need to walk away for a few days and then edit. Then send to editor for more polishing. Looks like 7,200+ words.

Hopefully this meets the requirements for acceptance (new series I am templating this will be backstory)

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #40 on:** April 23, 2017, 02:57:05 AM »

I'll start looking for a cover this week. I'm working hard to finish my current novel to clear the decks ready for The Officer's submissions deadline.

Adrien Walker · « **Reply #41 on:** April 29, 2017, 09:05:48 PM »

Submitted!

James Dreyer · « **Reply #42 on:** April 30, 2017, 12:00:14 AM »

Posting to have a reminder on this. I've got a short that I'm working on that would fit here I think. Military SF.

lauramg_1406 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 30, 2017, 10:55:52 AM »

Started properly plotting out my story today! (I knew what it was already, but some of the finer details needed working out!) Excited to start working on it!

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #44 on:** May 05, 2017, 03:04:38 PM »

Finished drafting. Ready to start writing as soon as I've put the finishing touches on the last two chapters of my next novel.

TJ Jones · « **Reply #45 on:** May 08, 2017, 05:21:30 AM »

And submitted

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #46 on:** May 10, 2017, 06:22:04 AM »

Twenty days left to submit. Fingers on keyboards...

AngryGames · « **Reply #47 on:** May 10, 2017, 01:14:00 PM »

Just saw this, posting so I'll remember to come back to it. Got two stories that would fit. Not sure which one to submit. Guess I'll go read both real quick and make a decision. This will be good as I've just published a sequel, publishing another sequel this week, and entering a book into Kindle Scout in (hopefully) two weeks. All the little bumps add up.

lauramg_1406 · « **Reply #48 on:** May 14, 2017, 12:56:57 PM »

Finished my first draft now :-)

Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

Abderian · « **Reply #49 on:** May 19, 2017, 05:05:36 AM »

Some great reviews recently on the previous anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Newcomer-Twelve-Science-Fiction-Stories-ebook/product-reviews/B01MTOHL8M

Benjamin Douglas · « **Reply #50 on:** May 19, 2017, 06:30:17 PM »

So glad I found this thread a week ago. Almost done with my first draft!

Prawn question (first time submitting for an anthology): submissions don't need covers, do they? Will a cover factor at all in your decision? Obviously you are contracting a cover for the anthology as a whole, so I assume no, but... like I said, prawn

Thanks!

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #51 on:** May 19, 2017, 10:26:31 PM »

The submissions don't need covers.

Benjamin Douglas · « **Reply #52 on:** May 20, 2017, 05:32:42 AM »

Quote from: archaeoroutes on May 19, 2017, 10:26:31 PM

The submissions don't need covers.

Thanks!

corrieg · « **Reply #53 on:** May 22, 2017, 10:00:48 PM »

I just finished first edits on a short story for The Officer - hope to submit this week! I planned to finish it in early May, silly me, forgetting that my kiddos would have a party and graduation this month for Every. Single. Thing. that they are involved in. :-)
Best of luck with the anthology!

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #54 on:** May 23, 2017, 09:50:05 AM »

Oh, I know that feeling!

One week to go, folks!

tommy gun · « **Reply #55 on:** May 23, 2017, 05:30:31 PM »

Okay, bumping this. Edit is back.
Can't submit from work because of firewall.....

will do it from home tonight

lauramg_1406 · « **Reply #56 on:** May 24, 2017, 09:56:18 AM »

I'll have mine ready over the weekend! :-) Went with my third story idea for this one!

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #57 on:** May 25, 2017, 10:28:38 AM »

Here's the first trawl of covers. Any opinions?

You can see the cover for the last anthology (The Newcomer) in my signature. Whilst I don't want to brand exactly the same, to avoid people thinking it is an actual continuing series, I want to evoke a similar feel.

Abderian · « **Reply #58 on:** May 25, 2017, 03:39:13 PM »

Gamma Project catches my eye most out of the selection too.

Benjamin Douglas · « **Reply #59 on:** May 25, 2017, 04:02:53 PM »

I like the Gamma Project imagery a lot.

Put any stock in the rule of thumb that says "sci-fi covers should be/have blue?" Or is that like, you know, omg, SOOOoo two years ago?

tommy gun · « **Reply #60 on:** May 26, 2017, 09:16:33 AM »

Submitted properly now. I hope

Gamma project the first one is good and actually fits with what 'is to come'.

Benjamin Douglas · « **Reply #61 on:** May 29, 2017, 12:01:37 PM »

Submitted--and SO EXCITED!!! I hope I get in!

I uploaded a few different formats to a folder on my G drive and just shared the folder with you--wasn't sure what you might prefer. Hope it works ok!

This anthology... it's gonna be sweet.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #62 on:** May 30, 2017, 03:32:12 AM »

Great entries so far. It's going to be hard choosing the ones to go in again this year!
Just under two days left!

lauramg_1406 · « **Reply #63 on:** May 30, 2017, 06:22:59 AM »

Should have mine submitted later today :-)

lauramg_1406 · « **Reply #64 on:** May 30, 2017, 05:15:13 PM »

Just submitted mine :-)

Martin J. Lajoie · « **Reply #65 on:** May 30, 2017, 08:03:24 PM »

Damn, didn't make it. I just finished the first draft.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #66 on:** May 30, 2017, 10:51:47 PM »

You've still got 17 hours...

ThomasDiehl · « **Reply #67 on:** May 31, 2017, 01:30:46 AM »

I've been out for some weeks, mainly because May 31st seems to be the most popular date for deadlines in all of publishing and I had to prioritize. Thought I'd at least let you know not to expect a submission anymore.

tommy gun · « **Reply #68 on:** May 31, 2017, 08:41:14 AM »

So we find out tomorrow?

?

I had a flash. What would the next one be called if it goes? The fight/battle? The war begins? First Conflict?

I love the idea and had 3 different ideas unfold for me as I drove back this morning!

Exciting!

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #69 on:** May 31, 2017, 11:00:49 AM »

May be not tomorrow. There's been a good last minute rush of entries so it might take me a couple of days to read through them and make decisions.

Five hours to the deadline!

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #70 on:** June 01, 2017, 12:45:26 AM »

Now closed to entries.
I'll let everyone who submitted know over the next few days.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #71 on:** June 03, 2017, 06:59:19 AM »

I've now written to everyone who entered to let them know whether they are in or not. If you haven't received your email, please check your spam filters and then let me know.
The next step is putting together the single document with all the stories in. I'll do that once I get everyone's edits back (due 10 June, but the earlier the better). It will also have my introduction and all the story blurbs.

The standard was good, and it was the usual hard few days choosing. Thank you to everyone who submitted work. Even if you weren't successful, please try again next time.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #72 on:** June 08, 2017, 10:14:15 AM »

Got the cover...

Benjamin Douglas · « **Reply #73 on:** June 08, 2017, 10:30:40 AM »

Quote from: archaeoroutes on June 08, 2017, 10:14:15 AM

Got the cover...

corrieg · « **Reply #74 on:** June 08, 2017, 08:40:32 PM »

I love that saturated yellow and orange!

Adrien Walker · « **Reply #75 on:** June 10, 2017, 03:53:11 PM »

This looks great.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #76 on:** June 12, 2017, 10:18:28 PM »

The Officer is now available to preorder.
http://www.alasdairshaw.co.uk/thenewcomer/officer.php

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #77 on:** June 14, 2017, 02:48:59 PM »

Woke up this morning to find it at #58 in Scifi Anthologies and Short Stories on Amazon US.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #78 on:** June 28, 2017, 05:26:53 AM »

The Officer launched today. Good luck to all the authors involved.

Abderian · « **Reply #79 on:** July 02, 2017, 02:40:52 PM »

Thanks so much for organising this Alasdair. I can't believe how successful this anthology's been. I think it's up to 14 reviews already?

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #80 on:** July 02, 2017, 02:55:09 PM »

16 when I last checked. I saw it at #10 in scifi anthologies, not sure how high it got overnight (UK time).

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #81 on:** July 03, 2017, 02:42:35 AM »

I've just opened the call for my next anthology. Please see the thread at http://www.kboards.com/index.php/topic,252897.0.html
The title will be 'The Guardian'.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #82 on:** July 07, 2017, 09:42:08 AM »

I just want to publicly thank everyone involved in this project. We did break the 200 sales in the first week target.

archaeoroutes · « **Reply #83 on:** July 22, 2017, 01:12:39 AM »

Quick update: we just passed the 500 Kindle sales last night (along with 30-odd paperbacks and a couple of dozen ebook sales on other retailers).