Additionally, we have set up a crowdfundr campaign in order to offer additional preorder options and ongoing updates. It is important to note that this anthology will be released regardless of funding, so there is no risk to supporters. We simply set it up this way in order to offer more options than our usual preorder package. (Additional exclusive options and updates coming soon!)
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR BE THE BEAR FEMALE RAGE ANTHOLOGY
Not too warm. Not too cold. Just Dead. Just Right.
BE THE BEAR Female Rage Anthology, edited by MJ Sydney and Lee Murray
Submissions are open now through December 1* or until full. Please read all guidelines before submitting!
While we appreciate that there are many men who support and advocate for women and can effectively write female characters, this anthology is open to female** authors only! (See below how men can help support this anthology.)
This is a non-profit charity anthology to benefit organizations directly helping rape and sexual assault victims. (Specific organizations will be announced prior to publication).
As the title and cover image suggests, we want stories of women BEING rather CHOOSING the bear. We are looking for horror and speculative women's rage stories. Other than that, we’re leaving it open to allow women to express how and what that means, in a way that best reflects their experiences, who they are and their writing styles. The best female rage stories will be crafted with sensitivity and offer insight into our reactions to the real-world threats facing women and girls in a way that opens dialogue. (Stories based on real people and/or events should be depicted as fictional with names changed.)
Don't hold back. Be loud. Show us your wild woman. Be feral. Show us your rage. Don't choose the bear. Be the bear! Give us your best female rage stories in 1500 and 7500 words (with the sweet spot being around 3500). A limited number of poetry submissions will be considered as well and you may include up to three poems per submission. (Artists*** wishing to submit original artwork should contact Lycan Valley directly.)
Due to the nature of this anthology, we are not limiting relevant graphic descriptions other than to the point they are unnecessary for the story. Do not make your story more graphic in terms of sexual abuse, violence or gore than it needs to be. We will leave it up to you to determine what that level is based on your story’s needs.
ABSOLUTELY NO AI. No reprints unless requested by our editors.
As this is a non-profit, charity anthology, we are asking for stories to be donated for the cause. All sales profits will go directly to support and advocacy for rape victims. Authors will receive a free ebook and audiobook download plus 5 discounted codes to give away and may request a printed copy of the anthology as well (with shipping included in the US, UK and Australia, outside these areas will incur a shipping fee). Authors may also purchase up to 10 copies of the anthology at print cost plus shipping (shipping direct from the printer).
Send all submissions through our submission portal.
With the subject line: STORY/POEM — TITLE — ### WORDS/LINES
Please include a 50-75 word third person author bio as well. Authors wishing to remain anonymous for personal or safety reasons, please let us know in the cover letter section of the submission portal and we will ensure your byline reads "by Anonymous" with no bio included.
Submissions should be formatted to SHUNN manuscript formatting guidelines (or close to it) and be saved as an .rtf or .pages file. Poetry submissions may include up to three separate poems in one document.
Inspiration from the cover artwork can be found here.
*In the event we close submissions early, advance notification will be made on our website and social media. Additionally, we may extend the deadline as needed. If necessary, we may expand this anthology to two volumes.
**This anthology is open to women only. This includes all women, regardless of sex assigned at birth. Men are encouraged to support this anthology by sharing, preordering, and reading women’s stories, by listening to women when they say no or are uncomfortable with men’s behavior and by refusing to stand by and stay silent when their male friends are sexually inappropriate towards women.
***Female artists interested in donating original interior artwork should contact Lycan Valley directly at submissions.LVP@outlook.com with the subject line BEAR ART. To be considered, art must be the artists own original artwork, no AI or computer graphics. High resolution jpg or png images will be required upon acceptance. Non-art submissions to this email will be deleted unread.
