The Temporal Element: Complete Submission Guidelines

With just over a week to go before open submissions for The Temporal Element, here is the complete and unabridged list of submission guidelines:

The Temporal Element:

Time-Travel Adventures,

Past, Present, & Future!

Since the dawn of the modern era, mankind has dreamed about the possibility of traversing the bounds of linear time, to explore the dark mysteries of pre-history or seek out the wild possibilities of the far future in person.  This collection of stories does the next best thing, allowing readers to dream of the possibilities of such a theoretical trip.

The anthology will contain stories all about traveling through time, and not in the natural way.  From spell-casting wizards, to mad scientists, and government-sanctioned time agencies, The Temporal Element will feature the best stories of people traveling beyond their native time.  Explore ancient history, the distant future, or anywhere in between.

If you have a story that fits this theme, consider submitting it, but please adhere to the instructions below:

1:  Font:  Stories must be formatted in either Times New Roman or Courier New, single-spaced.  Do not add an extra space between paragraphs.  A lot of writers separate their paragraphs into blocks these days, like they're writing a blog post.  It's something I'd just have to undo, so please don't submit it that way.

2: Keep your stories PG-13 or softer in nature.  While I'm putting together a collection for adults, I'm also seeking to assemble something that would be appropriate for high school students.  If you write the best piece of Erotica about a time traveling gigolo, more power to you, but it's not going to fit this market.

3:  Format stories as either a .doc or .rtf file format.  No .docx files!  I still use Windows XP, so if you send me a .docx file, I will not be able to read it.  Please, no argument about how "there's a patch for that."  I don't want .docx files, period, so make sure your file is in one of the aforementioned, acceptable formats.

4:  Word Length:  2,000-6,000 words preferred.  If a story is longer but of exceptional quality, it may gain acceptance, as well.  Likewise, a story under 2k may be accepted if it is really good, but generally I'm looking for stories within the word range.

5:  No Simultaneous Submissions.  I don't want to read the greatest story and accept it, only to find out that some other editor has bought the rights out from under me.  If you submit to this anthology, please have the courtesy to wait for a response before marketing it elsewhere.

6:  One Story At A Time:  If you have multiple stories you'd like to submit to the anthology, please send only one, to start.  I'll have a lot of stories to read through, and prefer to see single story submissions.  After you get a response about your first story, you're free to submit another story, but editors only handle one at a time, generally.

7:  No Fan Fiction.  Though it may be tempting to write stories about your favorite tv show characters, there are copyrights and trademarks involved.  Even the best piece of fan fiction cannot be accepted.

8:  The submission period will be open October 1, 2012 and stay open until January 31, 2013.  During this time period, you may submit your stories to mtiediting (at) inbox.com as an email attachment.  Please put "Submission: (Your Story Name Here) in the subject line.

9: Response Time will vary, depending on the number of submissions.  There is only one of me, and I have several other things to contend with at the moment, so it may take some time to wade through the slush.  I'll say four to six weeks just to be safe, but it may be much sooner than that.

10:  Payment.  While Publication is the major form of pay, the editor would like to personally thank each accepted writer with the munificent sum of 15 cents.  Yes, a nickel and a dime, but it's no ordinary pocket change.  Each accepted writer will receive a silver Winged Liberty (aka Mercury) Dime, and a Buffalo Nickel.  Why?  Because it's something different, and it'll be memorable. 

*Due to the rising cost of international postage, writers from outside the USA will be offered a paypal payment of $5 instead of the antique coins.

11: Genre:  Since this is an anthology about time travel, most of our stories will be either Science Fiction or Fantasy, though there is no specific genre limitation.

12:  Publishing details.  This anthology will be released by Martinus Publishing.  Tentative release date is spring 2013.  It will be a print anthology, with an ebook release for Kindle.  A few free samples will also be displayed on the forthcoming Martinus Publishing website for promotional purposes, as well.

That is everything I have for you at the moment.  Get ready to submit on October 1st!