Editor Mara Johnstone invites your submissions!
From the utterly fantastical to the merely strange, this year's theme is out of this universe! Send your fantasy or science fiction story for possible inclusion in the next Redwood Writers anthology.
Open to all Redwood Writers and CWC members.
EXCITING NEWS! YOU CAN NOW SUBMIT UP TO TWO SHORT STORIES!
NEW DEADLINE — JULY 14!
Pointed ears. Pointed teeth. Eyes that glow with magic or electricity. Aliens, robots, magicians, eldritch beings disguised as trees; what else might you find in a world different from ours? You are invited to explore the possibilities in this year’s prose anthology, which has a theme of fantasy and science fiction. Submissions will be open from May 1 to July 14, with a workshop on the morning of May 20. Excitement is in the air. Give us a glimpse of what’s happening one universe to the left!
Need some ideas? Here are some possible topics:
- a pixie determined to learn squirrel-riding before their rival does
- an alien grad student whose research vessel crashes beside the Grand Canyon
- a cooking robot tasked with looking after a stray cat
- a shapeshifter in cat form who needs to escape do-gooders bent on adoption
- the life and times of an extra-dimensional mail carrier
Entries
Only Redwood Writers & CWC members in good standing may submit works to be considered for this anthology.
Up to TWO submissions per entrant.
If you are interested in becoming a member, click here for more information.
Important Dates
Submissions Open:
Monday, May 1, 2023
Submission Deadline:
Friday, July 14, 2023
at midnight
Workshop
Saturday, May 20, 2023
10 a.m. at Finley Center
(see below for details)
Please observe the following contest rules. Only entries that comply with the rules will be considered. No exceptions!
WHAT TO SUBMIT:
- The story must have elements of fantasy or science fiction
- The Redwood Branch of the California Writers Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the education of writers. As a non-profit organization, it is our position that the club and its publications do not engage in any political or religious activities. Stories that promote a specific political or religious doctrine will not be accepted.
- Poetry will not be included, as there is a separate anthology dedicated to poetry.
- TWO submissions per entrant.
- All stories must be submitted by the Friday, July 14, 2023, midnight deadline for consideration.
- Work can be complete works or excerpts from larger works.
- Work must be previously unpublished by a traditional publisher (self-published works are acceptable.)
PLEASE INCLUDE:
At the time of submission, include a 50-word professional biography written in the third person.
FORMAT REQUIREMENTS:
- This is a blind judging. DO NOT place your name or contact information anywhere on your submission
- Place the title at the top of the first page
- Word count: No more than 2,500 words
- 1-inch margins
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Manuscripts must be double-spaced
- One space after punctuation
- Page number at the top right
- An abundance of spelling errors could cause a submission to be rejected prior to the editing process.
QUESTIONS:
Questions should be addressed to 2023anthology@redwoodwriters.org, or use the form at the bottom of this page.
HOW TO SUBMIT: Document format: Your manuscript should be formatted as a Microsoft Word document (doc, docx, or PDF).
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS ONLY: All entries must be submitted online using the submission form linked below.
WORKING WITH EDITORS:
Authors whose work will be included in the anthology will be notified by August 1, 2023. For the benefit of our readers and for our growth as writers, we want to help each other hone these works to make them the best possible. As such, each member whose work is accepted will be expected to work with an editor in order to make recommended revisions.
If the editor-in-chief feels that you need to make specific edits for the integrity of the piece, you have the right to refuse; unfortunately, your refusal is grounds for the story to be eliminated from the anthology.
Workshop Information
Workshop date
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
(Before the general meeting)
Location
Cypress Room
in the Finley Center
Cost
$25 members
$35 non-members
The theme of the Redwood Writers 2023 prose anthology, One Universe to the Left, is fantasy and science fiction—stories that are magical, out of this world, or otherwise outside the norm. If you're not sure where to start and would like a multitude of ideas, as well as a breakdown of what makes a good story, then join us at the anthology workshop. Current anthology editor Mara Lynn Johnstone will discuss all things speculative fiction. Past anthology editor Roger Lubeck will go over anatomy of an excellent short story. And past editor Crissi Langwell will cover the specifics of submission requirements and how to submit to the website.
See presenter bios below.
Meet the Editor-in-Chief
MARA JOHNSTONE
Mara Lynn Johnstone grew up in a house on a hill, of which the top floor was built first. Interested in fiction, she went on to get a Master's Degree in creative writing, and to acquire a husband, son, and three cats. She has published several books and many short stories. She writes, draws, reads, and enjoys climbing things. She can be found up trees, in bookstores, lost in thought, and on various social media.
Meet the Associate Editors
Workshop Presenters
Questions? Comments?
Send Us a Message
If you didn't find the answer to your questions on this page, please use this form, or send an email to:
[email protected]
The editor will respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
