Editor Jan Rowley invites your submissions!
This year's theme is transitions and will be a collection of stories that allow the reader to experience your character's journey through a period of change. A character may be a human, an aspect of nature, or an alien of the author's imagination.
All adult fiction genres are welcome.
Think literary fiction: character driven versus plot driven. It is the journey across that bridge of transition that the judges want to read and the editors will be ready to polish.
The judging rubric, available to view or download below, lays out the expectations. Watch your email for posts from the editor with tips to help make your submission the best it can be.
Janice Rowley is excited to have you share her transition from 2023 Personal Essay Contest Chair to Editor-in-Chief of Redwood Writers 2024 Anthology.
Open to all Redwood Writers and CWC members.
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Topic Possibilities:
Transitions happen to each of us every day, probably multiple times a day — no state of being is permanent. Now is the time to pay attention. Place your character in a universal situation, i.e., one in which we might each find ourselves. Your story can be humorous, intriguing, mysterious, romantic, otherworldly, but, please, never dull or self-indulgent. Some ideas to jump start our imagination:
- A chance encounter on a bus, plane, train, in the grocery store, at a concert
- Something a stranger says or does begins a transformation within your character
- Your character moves to a new state or country: how and when does your character feel she belongs, or does she?
- A relationship changes: marriage, divorce, friendship established or lost
- A run-in with AI
- Job promotion or job loss
- Time travel
Entries
Only Redwood Writers & CWC members in good standing may submit works to be considered for this anthology.
ONE submission per entrant.
If you are interested in becoming a member, click here for more information.
Important Dates
Submissions Open:
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Submission Deadline:
Friday, May 17, 2024
at 11:59 p.m.
Please observe the following submission rules. Only entries that comply with the rules will be considered. No exceptions!
WHAT TO SUBMIT:
- The story must fall under the theme of "transitions"
- 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
- Memoir will not be included
- ONE submission per entrant
- All stories must be submitted by the Friday, May 17 2024, 11:59 p.m. 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 less than 500, 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 bottom right
- An abundance of spelling and grammatical errors could cause a submission to be rejected prior to the editing process
QUESTIONS:
Questions should be addressed to [email protected], 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).
Note: PDF discouraged due to editing needs.
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS ONLY: All entries must be submitted online using the submission form linked below. Check your submission carefully. Revised submissions not accepted - all submissions are final.
WORKING WITH EDITORS:
Authors whose work will be included in the anthology will be notified by June 14, 2024. 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.
Meet the Editor-in-Chief
JANICE ROWLEY
Janice Rowley’s curiosity has led her many places, from the rural South to the California wine country, from airline to veterinary, from show dogs to rescue dogs, from reading to writing—but always reading. She has served Redwood Writers as Vice President, Membership Chair, Board Member, and Contest Chair. Jan's prose, poetry, and editing are represented in most Redwood Writers' anthologies.
Associate Editors
Judges
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!
