{"id":7162,"date":"2023-01-30T15:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T15:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greydogtales.com\/blog\/?p=7162"},"modified":"2023-01-30T15:00:13","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T15:00:13","slug":"new-anthologies-of-the-weird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greydogtales.com\/blog\/new-anthologies-of-the-weird\/","title":{"rendered":"NEW ANTHOLOGIES OF THE WEIRD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great excitement in the kennels, as we announce TWO new anthologies of weird fiction opening for submissions this year and due in 2024 from Belanger Books. Both are being edited by John Linwood Grant<\/strong>, whose previous editorial work for Belanger includes four volumes in the popular Sherlock Holmes & the Occult Detectives<\/em> anthology series, and The Book of Carnacki<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The short version is that Alone on the Borderland: Tales of Edwardian Dread<\/em> will open for submissions on 1 February 2023. A Darker Continent: Strange Tales of Europe at War<\/em> will NOT open until 2 April 2023, and earlier submissions are unlikely to be read.<\/strong> Detailed guidelines for both are given in separate sections below. PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY.<\/span><\/strong> They exist to encourage submissions which are already, to some degree or other, a fit with what we\u2019re seeking in the final anthology, and thus to help you. If you follow them, you are FAR more likely to have your story shortlisted. If you don\u2019t follow them, well, we did warn you…<\/p>\n

\"weird\"<\/a><\/p>\n

ALONE ON THE BORDERLAND<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Tales of Edwardian Dread<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

SUBMISSION PERIOD: 1 FEBRUARY 2023 \u2013 30 JUNE 2023 inclusive. GMT.
\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

CORE CONCEPT: <\/b>An anthology of new weird and strange fiction set between 1901 and 1919 \u2013 from the death of Queen Victoria to the immediate aftermath of the Great War and the Spanish Influenza epidemic. Weird fiction is a mode of writing which includes the subversion of many standard tropes, or more imaginative interpretations, and has a strong psychological component, so please bear that in mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are millions and millions and millions\u2026 with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they well be taught it in fire and bloody and anguish.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

An Inspector Calls, J B Priestley (set in 1912)<\/em><\/p>\n

SETTING: <\/b>The broad Edwardian period was a time of huge changes in society, including developments in science, religion, psychiatry, suffrage, class roles, labour, and the nature of warfare. Consider desperate attempts to cling to outdated \u2018Victorian\u2019 values, or a blind rejection of change \u2014 even an eager embrace of new concepts, with worrying results. Consider the worm inside this last \u2018summer\u2019 apple of grand houses and disenfranchised masses in Britain; remember the industrialisation of Japan and the growing revolutions in Russia. Hint at war to come, if you wish, or explore the weird through a war which changed many societies forever (please note, though, this is NOT a book of war stories, just that the setting may be relevant for a few.) Stories may occur anywhere in the world as long as the events fall within this period \u2014 do not feel confined to Western Europe.<\/p>\n

You might also find this short piece by Lucy Burgess relevant in terms of broad background:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.historic-uk.com\/CultureUK\/Edwardian-Literature\/<\/a><\/p>\n

APPROACH:<\/b> In specifying \u2018weird and strange fiction\u2019, we are seeking stories which are disquieting and disturbing \u2014 tales of troubled minds and disjointed or illogical events. The psychological, the ab-natural, and even outright horror, but not blunt gore or shock horror. We are certainly interested in Cosmic Horror \u2014 the realisation that we are potentially insignificant in the cosmos, that our understanding of the world around us may be at best partially, and even entirely, wrong. Some aspects of Folk Horror \u2014 the insidious blend of landscape and isolation \u2014 may also work. Try to be original in your voice where possible, rather than employing simply pastiche.<\/p>\n

As H P Lovecraft\u2019s themes and the subsequently developed \u2018Cthulhu Mythos\u2019 are obviously a major element of weird fiction and Cosmic Horror in literary history, Mythos-adjacent stories are welcome, but we do NOT want stories simply of Mythos monsters raging around. References to or derivations from the Mythos, if used, should be subtle \u2014 go for mood and philosophic dread. Think more \u2018The King in Yellow\u2019, \u2018The House on the Borderland\u2019 and \u2018The Yellow Wallpaper\u2019 than \u2018Call of Cthulhu\u2019, more Algernon Blackwood in weird ‘tone’ than August Derleth.<\/p>\n

Subtle and insidious would be good watch-words. If you\u2019re interested in matters Hodgsonian, which are relevant to the background of this anthology and to the roots of weird fiction, there\u2019s a partial index of articles and snippets we\u2019ve published here:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/greydogtales.com\/blog\/william-hope-hodgson-the-secret-index\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

WHAT WE <\/b>DON\u2019T<\/b><\/u> WANT: <\/b>We do NOT want the usual vampires, zombies, werewolves, or tentacles and mad cultists, nor do we want simplistic period ghost stories. NO glorifications of war; no espousing Imperialism or colonialism. No steampunk, or alternative histories \u2014 twist the existing historical world to disturb us. Time travel will be a hard sell. No Sherlock Holmes or Thomas Carnacki for this particular volume, please. And absolutely NO Jack the Ripper sequels.<\/p>\n

Sexual violence, violence against children and so on are out, unless you have an excellent contextual reason for alluding to them.<\/p>\n

Personal Note: The editor has taken in rescue dogs for many years, and is unlikely to accept anything which includes serious on-stage harm occurring to dogs.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

INCLUSIVITY: We actively encourage contributors from traditionally less-published backgrounds of any nature. <\/b>Non-white characters and settings are very welcome, as are stories with LGBTQ+ characters, and those with differing levels of physical ability. If you are writing about Britain, for example, there were plenty of Black and other non-white people in the country during this period, working or studying, especially in the larger cities. And despite draconian official laws, there were plenty of people who were LGBTQ+. Whilst limited situational discrimination may occasionally be relevant in the context of the period \u2013 in order to reflect characters\u2019 life histories and the prevailing social standards \u2013 sexism, homophobia, racism etc. in general will result in immediate rejection.<\/p>\n

TECHNICAL STUFF: <\/b>Stories should be between 5,000 and 10,000 words. These are FIRM LENGTHS. Use any standard 12 point font. Indents by style, NOT Tab or Space-bar. Submit in .doc or .odt format, attached<\/b> to your email, not pasted in it. NO .pdfs, Google Docs links or anything like that. Brief cover note only \u2014 no need for bios or achievements – open with ‘Hi’ or ‘John’.<\/p>\n

Submissions must<\/b> have the subject line Borderland-Story title-Author\u2019s name<\/i>. You can trim your story title down if it\u2019s rather long.<\/p>\n

NO REPRINTS; simultaneous submissions aren\u2019t ideal, but are acceptable if you must. Please inform us immediately if your story sells elsewhere.<\/p>\n

ALL SUBMISSIONS TO: linwoodweird@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

If you do not think your submission got through, query the same email address. If you have had no response within a week, please contact John Linwood Grant<\/strong> on Messenger. Do NOT send stories to Belanger Books, as they would have to be re-routed, and may go astray.<\/p>\n

PAYMENT:<\/b> Authors shall receive a percentage of the Kickstarter net profits, a percentage of first year royalties (percentage determined by number of contributing authors), and a paperback copy of the anthology. Belanger Books have an excellent long-term track record with Kickstarters, and with decent remuneration for their writers. Publication of the final book is expected Spring 2024.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

A DARKER CONTINENT: Strange Tales of Europe at War<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

SUBMISSION PERIOD: <\/b>2 APRIL<\/b> 2023 \u2013 3<\/b>1<\/b> <\/b>AUGUST<\/b> 2023 <\/b>inclusive. GMT.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\"weird\"<\/a><\/p>\n

CORE CONCEPT: <\/b>An anthology of new, original weird and strange fiction set between 1938 and 1946 \u2013 from (and including) the Spanish Civil War to the immediate winding down of conflicts after World War Two. Weird fiction is a mode of writing which includes the subversion of many standard tropes, or more imaginative interpretations, and has a strong psychological component, so please bear that in mind.<\/p>\n

SETTING: <\/b>Geographically, stories should fall in the zone from Ireland to Russia, the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean shores. Stories can be set during direct military conflicts or far from battle, where distant wars have local repercussions for society or individuals. We\u2019re not looking for \u2018war stories\u2019 so much as stories set DURING the war across Europe and showing some awareness of its impact. This was a bleak time for most. Go inventive with this one, such as (a few throwaway illustrations):<\/p>\n