Call for Submissions : Samhain Publishing Space Opera Anthology

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Get your outer space on! Intergalactic wars, space battles, alien cultures, and love (and lust) across the cosmos.

I'm very pleased to announce an open call for submissions for a new, yet-to-be titled spring 2010 space opera anthology. I'm looking for fast-paced, action-adventure space opera romances. Don't know what space opera is? Think Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica or my personal favorite, Firefly/Serenity. For more information on space opera, you can check out the entry on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Opera

I'm open to M/F, M/M, or multiples thereof, and any sexual heat level. The only rule is the story should be set mainly or entirely in space and the romance must end happily ever after or happy for now.

The anthology will include novellas from 25,000 to 30,000 words in length and will be released individually as ebooks in April 2010.

Submissions are open to all authors, published with Samhain or aspiring to be published with Samhain. All submissions must be new material—previously published submissions will not be considered. Additionally, manuscripts previously submitted, whether individually or for past anthologies, will not be considered either. Please be aware that manuscripts submitted to this anthology cannot be resubmitted at a later date unless by invitation from an editor.

To submit a manuscript for consideration, please include:

The full manuscript (of 25,000 to 30,000 words) with a comprehensive 2-5 page synopsis. Please include a letter of introduction/query letter. Full manuscripts are required for this as it's a special project.

As well, when you send your manuscript, please be sure to use the naming convention SpaceOpera_Title_MS and SpaceOpera_Title_Synopsis. This will ensure that your submission doesn't get missed in the many submissions we receive, and makes it easy for me to find in my ebook reader.

Submissions are open until August 10, 2009 and final decision will be made by August 31, 2009. Please send your submission to editor@samhainpublishing.com and include Space Opera Anthology in the subject line.

Questions can be addressed to Sasha Knight sasha@samhainpublishing.com

Thursday 13 - #18 - Character Deaths

Today's Thursday 13 can be found at my Wordpress blog. Don't know if I can do a cut in a post here and it contains spoilers.

http://sarahleslie.wordpress.com/

Quote of the Day

I was looking for quotes a couple of days ago (they can be incredible spring boards for stories) when I came across this one from William Ralph Inge (1860 - 1954)

'There is no law of progress. Our future is in our own hands, to make or to mar. It will be an uphill fight to the end, and would we have it otherwise? Let no one suppose that evolution will ever exempt us from struggles. "You forget," said the Devil, with a chuckle, "that I have been evolving too."'

Methinks there's definitely a story there someday. :)

What I've Been Reading

So because of the decorating and writing, I’ve actually had very little time to do any reading. But I did manage to sneak in a quick novella - Object of His Desire by Ava March.

Yep I’m keeping with the historical theme of my other recent reads, this is a sweetly erotic m/m novella and I’ll be checking out more of Ava March’s stories. Blurb is below:-

“He thinks he’s just a wallflower. Little does he know he’s the guest of honor…

It’s the last night of a week-long house party in remote northern England. Every sensual delight imaginable is right at Henry Shaw’s fingertips. Yet all he wants is to be with his host, the deliciously handsome and enigmatic Arsen Grey. Henry’s certain it’s love, not mere infatuation. He’s also sure it’s hopeless. After all, the party’s purpose is to find Arsen a new mistress.

Arsen longs to leave the glittering, jaded world of the ton behind and find someone who will value him for himself, not his wealth and his title. He suspects that someone could be the strapping country gentleman he’s caught staring at him. Henry is loyal and dependable, nothing like his other acquaintances. Arsen sets a plan into motion, one designed to get Henry into his bed. One that includes a test of devotion.

Arsen never expected that in winning Henry, he risks losing his heart.”

WIP Update

On the writing front not much has happened over the past week or so.

Raven - up to Chapter 4 of the first draft, very pleased with the new outline.

Online Fiction - First part completed, going to get this out to my crit partners and see what they have to say. Will be posting more details next week.

On the decorating front - the kitchen is done and we're halfway through painting the hall. Hence the lack of writing.

Online Fiction - Poll Closed

So taking into account the two blogs, the results are :-

Land of the Fey - 4

Something New - 5

So it was pretty close and thanks to all who voted. I have an outline completed for the story and will be posting details in the next few days. Then I’ve just got to write the darn thing.

It's Cheesy But...

I'm glad to hear Dante's Cove will be back for a fourth season. :)

Just read the news over at The Dante Beacon.

Hopefully this means Toby and Adam will be getting out of the mirror that they were left stranded in.

Online Fiction

Looking at the results (so far) from the poll, from both blogs, it’s looking like - Something New has edged ahead.

So I’m working on an outline and will post what the story’s going to be about next week.

Apologies for the erratic post schedule at the moment. I’m currently getting my house ready to go on the market so it’s a bit crazy here to say the least.

WIP Update

Currently writing the first draft of Raven - 8291 words

And at the moment it’s looking like it will end up a minimum of eighteen chapters.

Also writing an outline for the sequel to The Bargain, which will be something of a challenge as it’s multi-plot.

Poll Added

So I’ve added my first poll to the blog.

I’m going to try and squeeze in some online fiction. If anyone has any preferences now is the time to speak up and vote.

To help with your choice the Land of the Fey story would probably be When Lily Met Alaric, or When Valerian met Alaric - their first meetings. Whilst the ‘Something New’ would probably be Bargain related, and therefore werewolfy.

It's that time of year again...

The ospreys are back at Loch Garten.

Loch Garten Webcam

Hopefully there will also be a peregrine nest to follow as well this year.

Lol - you don't think it will be addictive but before you know it you're hooked.