The Forbidden: An Anthology
A Call for Submissions; Think, "Don't Open This Book!"
Well. It certainly has been a while.
So it’s probably time for a reboot to all the weird and wonderful creativity The Curious Post honors in its publications. For the first time, our missives will be sent out in: An Anthology!
The Collection:
This collection will explore the allure of the forbidden, the taboo, and the secret corners of the sentient experience. I’m inviting short stories, flash fiction, and poetry that push boundaries, challenge norms, and dive deep into what it means to confront the forbidden.
Our North Star
(the theme & requirements)
The anthology centers around the theme of forbidden. We encourage you to interpret this theme broadly and creatively. Consider relation to words such as taboo, illicit, concealed, uncharted, secret, hidden, obscure, veiled, transgressive, and unspoken.
Content:
We are looking for powerful, well-crafted stories that explore the forbidden in a way that resonates with readers. Content must be original and unpublished, and of the Speculative Fiction genre.
Format:
Submissions should be in a Word/Google document, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. Please include your name and contact information on the first page, top left.
Submission Window:
I will be accepting submissions from now (August 28) until December 1, 2024. I know this is a short window, but for this first anthology I’d like to encourage writers and artists to look in their treasure troves at what they already have that could be revivified: both because of the very modest pay, and because I’m confident in what we’ll be able to learn from this round, and I very much look forward to the next more wintry call for submissions in short order.
This is a unique opportunity (the first of its kind with The Curious Post, coming from a periodical background, and I hope to make the run something special) to contribute to a collection that promises to be both provocative, thought-provoking, and something each creator can be proud of.
Who Can Submit?
Submissions are open to all adult writers who have reached at least their 18th birthday, and I welcome stories from authors of all levels of education and backgrounds. While I encourage creativity and boldness, please note that I will not accept submissions containing gratuitous identity-based violence, including sexual violence. However, I’ll not censor personal experiences of the author that may be integral to the story. (And if you have any questions, feel free to ask! I’m open to discussion.)
Who is the Audience?
The collection will be firmly for readers 18 and over; who love the weird.
Submission Guidelines:
(& creator rights)
Written Work - Word Count:
Short fiction up to 10,000 words
Flash fiction up to 1,000 words
Poetry with a maximum of 50 lines
Artistic Work:
Size Requirements: 18”x27” or 1728 px x 2592 px
The submissions are open stylistically but should be black-and-white or grayscale, with preference given to older styles, i.e., etching, manuscript, etc.
Compensation
All payment is conducted via PayPal & Venmo (will work w/ Creators if this is an issue)
I hope to offer more in the next project:
$0.01/word (up to $100 in other words)
$20 flat rate for flash fiction, poetry, & art
The Curious Post will send a physical copy to all US creators at time of publishing; I’ll consult with folks to look into the cost of international, though in full transparency that may have to be reserved for later collections.
There will be no fee for your first submission. However each subsequent submission will require a $10 fee which will go directly into the cover art budget. We all know this is a crucial, costly component.
Rights:
Creators will retain all rights to their work until purchased
Submissions must not have reached the publishing stage previously
Simultaneous submissions are fine, but with one clause: that by submitting you agree to reach out immediately to work with The Curious Post to pull your submission prior to the publication date
Once submitted, Creators are asked not to publish the submitted pieces until a determination has been made on the piece (platforms like Instagram, Wattpad, etc.)
If selected, Creators whose work is featured in the book are asked not to have said work published elsewhere for a brief period of 6 months.
A Word On Editing:
Please give yourself the time to review your work and ensure your submission is a state you’re pleased with. After selection of the creations to be published (and the agreements in place), there will be an editing phase to follow. This does not mean anyone’s work is bad, we all need editing! And in the case of an anthology, it may be necessary to create subtle threads between the works to make it the best reading experience possible. This is the ultimate goal of every The Curious Post project.
That’s where we’ll begin working together. In my experience as an Editor, things I read don’t have to be perfect to begin to see their merit — but it’s a good reminder to be sure you’re submitting a piece which you’re willing to refine with an open heart and an open mind. I promise there’s a whole lot of empathy on this side waiting for this anthology’s creators!
A Serious Word Regarding Payment:
Puns, flavor, and squishy stuff aside, I would like to offer more in payment than I am. I know it’s not competitive. But I want to offer something, and I understand that the payments (which will be coming out my pocket for at least this first round) are not going to be suitable for all creators. I very much understand if you need to pass on this project.
That being said, I’d like to also offer my vision in case it’s something anyone can get behind (or would like to talk about or offer advice): The Curious Post (and my personal Substack, Struggling Writer) are always going to be free. I’ve seen others do the monetization thing in the writing space and plenty of them are great folks but it’s just not a model I can get behind — it doesn’t feel sustainable. It would also mean having to make content that’s less fun to read. I don’t want to make writers pay to be published, to be read mostly by other struggling writers. I just love to write and talk about anything related to it. So I’m hoping with some hard work and grit I can help everyone involved share in a little joy while we get going, and maybe eventually improve our little corner of the publishing industry. I hope that doesn’t sound too trite.
The Curious Post’s content is always free. If you know readers or writers that might enjoy this anthology, or any of the free short stories / riddles / art / interviews with creators we plan to feature in the future, please share the word. Things are just about to get weird.
How to Submit:
Please fill out this form.
You will receive a confirmation email once your submission has been received.
I continue to track and assess common threads within the submissions until October 1st
Get Hype:
This anthology is a chance to contribute to a collection that delves into the unknown and the unexplored, revealing what lies beyond the boundaries of the accepted. I can't wait to read your stories and bring this anthology to life.
Thank you for considering The Curious Post as a possible home for your work. I hope you’ll join us on this journey into the forbidden as we create something extraordinary together. I look forward to your submissions!
Keep your head down and, as ever, stay curious.
Your friend,
The Editor
(Nico Harlakenden)
What’s the best way to reach out with equations re: submissions?
what an amazing op! this collection is going to be so good, i can feel it