Call for Submissions
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to support the American Indian College Fund
- Return to the Rez: Life on the Rez, Volume II
This is the second anthology of speculative fiction inspired by life on America's Indian Reservations. Our view is that life on these reservations embodies two of the major themes of Speculative Fiction, namely exploration of the concept of The Other and grappling with the idea of what it means to Be Human. Many people in the outside world are only barely aware of the existence of such places as reservations or reserves, and even those who interact with the people here have a limited understanding of what the realities are within these borders. To paraphrase Neil Gaiman, these are the stories that only we can tell, the fictions that are lies that tell the truths about life on the Rez.
What we're looking for.
Short speculative fiction-- Fantasy, Science Fiction or Horror-- inspired by your life in or on an American Indian Reservation or Reserve, Indian Colony, Designated Homeland or similar area, region, land or space. If it is a physical area that has been set aside or designated as a specific space for an indigenous people--in the United States of America or in any other country--that qualifies it to fit our theme. Although we expect the overwhelming majority of our content to be Native-written, we also accept pieces by non-Natives who live or have lived on a Reservation (or a similar area) ... this anthology is about the EXPERIENCE of life on the Rez. - NEW to this anthology! Also seeking Speculative Poetry! Same requirements as above.
- NEW to this anthology! Also accepting previously published material! Same requirements as above.
The anthology is open to Native and non-Native authors who can write from this perspective. We prefer stories of under 5,000 words, but will consider submissions with word counts of up to 7,500.
Remember, the key term here is INSPIRED. Your story doesn't have to take place on a Reservation. Your setting could be a fairyland at the core of the Earth, or a spaceship in orbit around Neptune, or in a New York office building. Get creative! All we ask is that your story is inspired by your experience on the Rez (and that you be able to articulate that inspiration), and beyond that, not even the sky is the limit.
Points to keep in mind:
- This is genre fiction/poetry. If there is no fantastical element to the story, it's not a fit for this anthology.
- The term 'speculative fiction' is not a license to 'speculate' about life on the Rez. If you do not have a personal connection to an American Indian Reservation or some similar geopolitically designated land or area, your story is not a fit for this anthology.
- This anthology is not limited by race or ethnicity. If you are not Native or Indigenous, but have lived on or have a personal connection to an American Indian Reservation or similar geopolitically designated land or area, your story is eligible for consideration.
What we're paying. - Original short stories: $10 upon acceptance + 1 physical contributor copy
- Reprinted short stories: $5 upon acceptance + 1 physical contributor copy
- Original poems: $5 upon acceptance + 1 physical contributor copy
- Reprinted poems: $2 upon acceptance + 1 physical contributor copy
- Payment is made via PayPal only.
How to submit.
We prefer for your story to be submitted in standard document format (https://www.shunn.net/format/).
However-- don't stress too much about the formatting. 12 pt. Times New Roman double-spaced is best, but if your submission is legible, we'll read it and judge it on the merits of the piece. - Multiple submissions are fine, just use common sense and don't flood us with material.
- Simultaneous submissions are fine, just please, please inform us if the piece is accepted elsewhere.
We also ask for the following information, to be included in your document or in a cover letter:
- WHO: A little bit of info about who you are and what you've done, such as previous writing credits (if any), background, etc., in 50 words or so.
- WHY: Let us know what your life experience is that qualifies you for this anthology. For example, whether you are Native or non-Native, whether you grew up on a Reservation or spent time there as an adult, in 50 words or so.
- WHAT: Please let us know if the submission is an original or a reprint, and if a reprint, where it first appeared (this includes paying and nonpaying markets, social media, personal blogs, etc... if you have ever released this work out into the wild, that means it's previously published.)
We accept electronic submissions ONLY. Please save your submission (story and supplemental info) all together as a Word document (.doc or .docx) and e-mail it as an attachment to TreeLionPress@gmail.com, and please include the words 'Rez Submission' in the Subject line.
In a nutshell: - Speculative Fiction (Fantasy, Science Fiction, Supernatural Horror)
- Must be written from personal experience of life on the Rez
- Submissions welcomed from Native and non-Native writers
- Short (5k words or less) fiction, Poetry
- Payment upon acceptance + one hard copy upon publication
- Submit Word (.doc or .docx) file of story + 3 items of supplemental info
- Publication = Physical and digital
- Electronic submissions only... 'Rez Submission' subject line... e-mail TreeLionPress@gmail.com
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to support the American Indian College Fund