Monday, October 25, 2010

Submission deadline: Short Stories for An Honest Lie

Ping YOU et al:

Submissions open NOVEMBER 1 through MARCH 15 for short story submissions for An Honest Lie Vol 3: Justifiable Hypocrisy

Open Heart Publishing Submissions

This is the anthology I'm in twice -- see sidebar for Vol 1 and 2 -- so you know they'll accept just about anybody.

Debrin Case, the publisher (see his interview here) is looking for well-edited, clean stories with a creative twist.

Here's a hint: Debrin loves urban fantasy, especially Charles DeLint, and he likes the story to appeal to general audiences.

For instance, in Vol 2 he made me take out the hell words from my story, including the hell I had tucked in the title and the last line. Those lines were the same, actually, and he said I ruined the punchline, change the title, and so I did. My story is now entitled One Small Step. The last line is the same, though, and he let me keep that one hell in the story.

So take out the curse words and obscenities and add a little fantasy and change the title.

I'd be happy to look over anyone's submission, so long as I don't get swamped.

Please feel free to reference this on your blog, as Debrin is looking for ~GOOD~ submissions, and I know you all have some creative stories about hypocrisy tucked in your vault, and you have friends who can cook up something gritty for Vol 3.

NOTE: This is a paid publication, no entry fee (not a contest, see my blog on which way the money flows), includes professional editing, and you may be required to read your publication aloud, on camera, in a room full of staring people.

Then again, we may meet in a pub for a get-to-know-you. We did that too, see this post.

Also, whomsoever sells the most books (out of approx 13 authors) wins a book deal! That's how I got my book deal, if you were wondering. I sold an order of magnitude more books than most of the other authors, because that's how I roll, and publishers like authors who get out and hump it.

Any idea what Justifiable Hypocrisy is? Have you done this in real life? Do you have a book deal? Do you want one?

- Eric

18 comments:

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Thanks for the heads-up Eric. I might write a short story for this publication. I'll have to think some on what to write. Thanks again.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I have a story I'd like you to skim to see if it might pass muster, but I do not have your email address. Mine is in my profile.

It is 4500 words long. Too long? They said the limit was 6000.

Will Burke said...

Fefinitely food for thought, but I have a head full of NaNoWriMo right now. Thank God we have until March, 'cause I'll need to re-visit the idea in December :P

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Awesome, dude. Thanks for passing on the info. I'll ponder it for myself and tuck it in a post to let my other blogger buddies know, too.

You da man, that rebel, Olivia

Stephanie Lorée said...

Read this post yesterday. Spent the evening mulling it over, pondering pondiferously (which should totally be a word). Think I have an idea. Think I may try it...

dolorah said...

I'm sure I'll try it. I was impressed with this publisher, and his process - I read up on him while trying to purchase the last book.

Uhm, no not entirely sure what Justifieable Hipocracy is, but I'm sure you'll give us a post - you know, cuz you're such a nice guy and all . .

Thanks for the heads up. I'll post this on my sidebar and make an announcement when I make my next post.

So, do you like your book-deal idea yet?

.....dhole

Eric W. Trant said...

Roland: That was a good story you sent via email.

Will: Keep this in mind for sure. They're good folks to work with.

Olivia: Glad you're back, finally.

Mes: Ponderize, like I said in my email. I like your idea, by the way.

Donna: No idea what Justifiable Hypocrisy is, other than a fun thing to say. Do I like my book idea yet? Maybe. I'm down to re-writing a trilogy (which I'll probably do anyway), and polishing up one of my fictions. So two books to choose from.

- Eric

Phoenix said...

Thanks for passing this along! If someone asked me what justifiable hypocrisy is, I'd probably point out in the Bible where Jesus was super-critical of homeless and poor people and if they needed a home or work, he told them to stop being lazy.

Oh, wait. Jesus didn't do that. DAMMIT.

Uh, I'll get back to you... ;)

Eric W. Trant said...

Pho: You're going to hell, you know. But that's a good thing, because all the good bands are in hell.

Tara said...

Wait - hold my comment...ALL the good bands are there? Heck yeah, I wanna go!

Okay, where was I?

Right.

I suck at short stories (and keeping things clean). I do have one that came out of nowhere and I quite like it. I'm sure it wouldn't work, though.

Eric W. Trant said...

Tara: If you're good at novels, lemme have some of your talent.

I can bang out a short-per-week when I'm doing nothing but shorts.

But that novel thing... holy crap. Terror. I'm too spontaneous!

- Eric

Davin Malasarn said...

Thanks for the heads up! And, it's always good to know a little bit about the people behind the scenes when you're submitting, so thanks for that info too!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thanks for this info and thanks for becoming my 120th follower!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thanks for this info and thanks for becoming my 120th follower!

Jai Joshi said...

Thanks for letting us know about this, Eric. It's great to know about the paid writing opportunities out there.

Jai

Just Another Sarah said...

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing...I think I might give it a try!

Just Another Sarah said...

PS, I did come up with a blogfest idea, if you are interested! Nov. 16--Blogfest, Retold! http://sciensmulier.blogspot.com/2010/10/announcement-blogfest-retold.html

Eric W. Trant said...

Domey: You're right, it's good to know a little about who you're submitting to. Tough when there are so many choices!

Yvonne: You're welcome.

Jai: Is it paid, yes, I suppose you can call it that. ;)

Sarah: I'll be sure to check out your fest! I haven't done one in a while either.

- Eric