Space Westerns
First and foremost, we’re looking for Space Westerns: works with themes from the Western genre set in Outer-space, or having some element of extra-terrestrial travel (i.e. Space Opera with Western-genre themes). This is the majority of the fiction that we publish. Our preference is to publish works that contain, in part, some form of off-earth travel. We recommend that you read The Emancipation of Bat Durston by our editor, N.E. Lilly.
For our purposes we consider the following to be examples of works with strong Space Western themes (inter-planetary fiction containing Western genre themes): Flash Gordon (comic, movie serial, and 1978 animated serial), Buck Rogers, Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica (both series), Firefly, Serenity, Mike Resnick’s Santiago, Ande Norton’s Beastmaster series, Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers, Bravestarr, Silverhawks, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Coyote Ragtime Show, and Trigun.
Steampunk
We’d like to see Steampunk (after all, the era is right) with some Western elements (themes, setting, characters, etc.). Space travel is a plus, in fact getting off of terra firma is highly recommended, but not strictly necessary.
Weird West
We’re using the term Weird Western here to denote Western/Fantasy/Horror genre blending. We are least likely to publish a Weird Western unless it also includes Space Western elements.
Feminist & Minority Themes
Send us stories from a non-WASP point-of-view: fiction about Chinese, Native American, Mexican/Spanish, African/African-American and/or even the “New Immigrants” — (German, Irish/Gaelic, Italian, Russian) peoples influences on the Western themes. Send us stories with strong women, weak women, but most of all stories with real women.
What we aren’t looking for:
Unfortunately, because we’re lowly cowards, we aren’t considering publishing fan-fiction at this time, so unless you’ve received express written permission from the original rights-holders, please don’t submit it here.
We have no problem with thinly-veiled, dressed-up, used-furniture — the Space Western genre capitalizes on it — let’s just say we’d like to avoid any imperial entanglements.
Rights & Rates
Reprints
We’d like “Nonexclusive Internet Reprint Rights”. If you’ve written a previously published work, either in print or for an online market that’s now closed, we’d like to see it. When you submit please include the publication history of the story. Current rates for unsolicited manuscripts are 2¢/word, paid upon publication.
Fiction
We’d like to reserve “First Internet Publication Rights”. We are looking for short stories of about 5,000 words in length, but no more than 7,500 words and no less than 2,500 words. Serials are welcome (in which case the maximum word count and payment is per installment), but single stand-alone stories are preferred. Current rates for unsolicited manuscripts are 2¢/word to a maximum of $100, paid upon publication.
Non-fiction
We are looking for original critical and academic essays on topics related to Space Westerns, history of the genre, and/or of Western themes of specific works in the Space Western genre of no more than 7,500 words in length and no less than 2,500 words. Current rates for unsolicited manuscripts are 2¢/word to a maximum of $100, paid upon publication.
Reviews
500-750 words reviews of books, graphic novels, art exhibitions, music, movies, DVDs, games, websites, and software. Reviews by actual creators of given works are welcome. Reviews are unpaid. If you have a product you’d like to see featured, we’d be happy to review it for inclusion.
Artwork & Illustrations
To be considered for an assignment provide a link to your online portfolio. Payment is $50 for interior (article) illustrations on publication. We prefer to assign artwork if possible, so please let us know if you are willing to do illustration on-demand.
Illustrated Adventures & Comics
We are seeking web comics to feature on the site. Serials welcome.
Single panel comics: $20
Three panel strips: $50
Three page episodes: $50
For serial works your total submission package should include: A brief outline of the overall nature of your comic; A character sheet that shows your major characters (if any) along with their names and a paragraph description of each; 1 sample strip.
Ballads, Radio-plays, & Readers Theater
We are currently seeking ½-5½ minute recordings (longer recordings are considered). Serials welcome. Payment is $50/episode
For incomplete serial works your total submission package should include: A brief outline of the overall nature of your recording; A character sheet that describes your major characters (if any) along with their names and a paragraph description of each; 1 sample recording.
Moving Pictures
We are currently seeking ½-5½ minute pictures (longer recordings are considered). Live-action and animation considered. Serials welcome.
For serial works your total submission package should include: A brief outline of the overall nature of your video; A character sheet that shows your major characters (if any) along with their names and a paragraph description of each; 1 sample video.
More information and submission link here.
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