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The fourth element...

                           is coming...

Call for Submissions: Flashpoint Anthology

The fourth volume in the Speculative Elements series.

What to Submit
We are looking for short stories of up to 10000 words and poetry up to 100 lines, from Cape Breton writers. Stories and poetry must be in the speculative fiction genre. This includes: science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism, and paranormal (for example, ghost stories).

Stories/poetry that combine genres, such as mystery and science fiction, or romance and fantasy, are welcome, but all stories must include some speculative element. To improve your chances of acceptance, please click over and read our expanded submissions guide.

Submissions should in some way fit the theme of the anthology, which is "Flashpoint." This theme may be broadly interpreted either literally or metaphorically (think fire, heat, the point where things explode, the moment of change, etc.) and writers are encouraged to think outside the box. Be creative and set fire to your imagination!

Submissions should be of a professional quality, original, and preferably not have been previously published in any media. We will consider reprints, but please indicate where and when the story has previously appeared. Writers may submit up to two stories at once for consideration (if you submit early and your story is rejected, you are encouraged to submit again before the submission period ends). Poetry submissions may consist of up to five (5) poems at a time. Snail mail submissions are acceptable but will not be returned; please send a disposable copy of your manuscript. Do not send your only copy!

The anthology is open to submissions from writers who live in or have a substantial connection to Cape Breton Island. You may, if you wish, explain your connection in a cover letter.

Submission Period
We will be accepting submissions beginning July 1, 2012. Please do not send submissions before that date; they will be deleted and you will have to submit again. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2013. Submissions must be postmarked or emailed by the submission deadline.

What Not to Submit

• We are not interested in stories or poetry written for children.
• We are not interested in fan fiction, pornography, or excessive/gratuitous vulgarity, violence or gore.
• We are not interested in "slice of life" anecdotes. Stories should be character or plot driven and have a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Payment
Payment is a flat rate of $100.00CDN for short stories and $30.00CDN for poetry. Each contributor will also receive one (1) contributor's copy of the anthology.

Format
Please read carefully: formatting is important! (Read here to see why!)

Submissions should be:

• Typed or printed in black ink...
• double-spaced...
• on one side of white 8.5 x 11 paper...
• with one-inch margins on all sides.
• Please use Courier, Times New Roman, or Arial-type fonts.
• Author's name, address and email address, as well as an approximate word count, should appear on the first page, along with the title of the work.
• Do not double-space after periods (you can set your word processor to ignore this if you do it out of long-ingrained habit).
• Do not use so-called "curly quotes" or "smart quotes".
• Set and use tabs for indentation of first lines of paragraphs.
• In general, keep formatting as simple as possible.
• For further guidance and an example of proper manuscript format, please consult William Shunn's excellent articles at http://www.shunn.net/format/story.html. A brief cover letter may be included but is not necessary.

Submissions which do not meet the formatting guidelines may be rejected or returned to the author for re-formatting before they are read by the editors.

Where to Submit
Submissions must be emailed as an .rtf attachment to thirdpersonpress@gmail.com, or mailed with a business-sized SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) for our reply to:
Editors, Third Person Press
c/o P.O. Box 1897
North Sydney, Nova Scotia
B2A 3S9

If possible, please include an email address we may use to contact you.

Any questions about these guidelines may also be emailed to the above address.

We look forward to reading your stories!

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