COSMIC CRIME
STORIES
An anthology of tales of future crimes and detectives
Writers and Artists Guidelines
Hiraeth Publishing is looking for stories and illustrations for Cosmic Crime Stories, a
triannual print anthology of tales of future crimes and future detectives. This anthology
is published in March and September in trade paperback format with a color cover, and
black and white interior illustrations. The editor is Tyree Campbell.
Please note that crime fiction written in the third person stands the best chance for
acceptance.
“They” say that there are no new plots or stories anywhere. “They” may be right, but you
are the only you there is, so send us a story as only you can tell it, one that’s atmospheric
and highly entertaining, has fascinating characters, one that takes place in a unique
location or time period.
We do not want gore, blood, splatter, or slice-and-dice. A word about sex and extreme
language: we don’t mind it, necessarily, but the sex and/or colorful language must have a
purpose.
Stories for Cosmic Crime Stories must be written in English. You may use King’s
English or American English [but don’t mix them in the narration, please. Characters
will of course use the voice appropriate to each.]. Please use standard manuscript format:
12 pt Times New Roman, double spaced, etc. The word count of your story should be
between 2,000 and 8,000 words. We will be somewhat flexible on the 8,000, but the
2,000 is pretty firm. Of course, story quality usually overrides word count limitations.
Usually.
Other useful hints:
1. Do not underline. If you want italics, use italics.
2. Put quotation marks around your dialogue, so that we know it’s dialogue.
3. Do not, repeat, do not use headers or footers.
4. Your bio should include your thoughts about your writing style and what drives
your stories. Of lesser interest is your favorite color of pizza. And do not include
all your publishing credits, please.
Now, then:
We are looking primarily for original stories. However, we will consider reprints. If your
story is a reprint, be sure to let us know when you submit it. We will want to know the
name of the publication (online or in print) in which the story first appeared, and when it
first appeared. Also, you must currently own the rights to the story. We likely won’t
accept more than two reprints for each issue of Cosmic Crime Stories, and unpublished
stories stand the best chance for acceptance.
Submit your story as a Word or rtf attachment to cosmiccrimestories at yahoo dot com
[you’ll have to combine this address]. Be sure to put Story Submission/Cosmic Crime
and the title of your story in the subject line of the e-mail. Be sure to include the
following information in your e-mail: your name; your snail mail address; your Paypal
address, your story’s word count; your story’s title; a statement about which rights are
offered; and a brief bio written in the third person [50-100 words, more about YOU, less
about where you’ve been published].
Please allow 2 months for us to respond to your submission.
Writers and Artists, please note: If you move, tell us. If you change e-mail addresses, tell
us. It is your responsibility to let us know where you are so that we can communicate, as
well as send your payment and contributor’s copy.
Art submissions:
Interior art should be thematic, not necessarily applicable to any particular story.
Submit one black and white illustration at a time as a jpeg of less than 50K in the body of
an e-mail to hiraethsubs at yahoo.com. Be sure to put Art Submission/Cosmic Crime and
the title of your illustration in the subject line of the e-mail. Be sure to include the
following information in your e-mail: your name; your snail mail address; the title of
your illustration; a brief bio [50-100 words, more about YOU, less about where you’ve
been published].
Payment:
In return for your accepted story or illustration, you will receive payment and one
contributor’s copy of Cosmic Crime Stories, upon publication.
Pay rates for original stories: $25.00
Pay rate for reprinted stories: $10.00.
Pay rate for original illustrations: $6.00 per illustration.
Contributors who live in the U.S.A. will receive checks. Contributors who live outside
the U.S.A. have two payment options. One, they can receive cash in American dollars.
Two, they can receive payment via PayPal. And yes, if they have a third option, we’ll
listen to it.
Contributors are also eligible to buy additional copies of Cosmic Crime Stories at 25%
off the cover price, plus S&H at cost.
If you have questions about this anthology or these guidelines, please contact the editor at
hiraethsubs at yahoo.com.