A Couple of Fun Anthology Markets

I found these via my subscription to Gila Queen's Guide to Markets. They pay well, for once, and I thought people might be interested in seeing them:

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Warrior Wisewoman—see E-mail address. Editor: Roby James. "Warrior Wisewoman is a new annual anthology series of science fiction featuring powerful and remarkable women, to be published by Norilana Books starting in 2008. The anthology is intended as a sister volume to the Sword and Sorceress fantasy series, with the main difference being that the story themes will involve science fiction instead of fantasy. They will be intended for a more mature audience, allowing a mixture of serious contemporary issues and reasonable sexual content (but no erotica) in addition to action and adventure. The stories will have a stronger focus on the interface between scientific exploration and our sense of wonder."

"I am looking for stories that shed light on the truth of what it means to be female, that illuminate the wisdom and the strength of a woman, but not in cliché 'goddess' stories. I love action and adventure, grand space opera, thrilling discovery, and intelligent protagonists. Make the story thoughtful, wise, and surprising, not merely the same old metal spaceship hull filled with cardboard military uniforms with female names 'barking' orders and firing at aliens. In addition, the stories in the anthology should appeal to genuine emotions, suspense, fear, sorrow, delight, wonder. The science can be part of the background and the characters foremost, or the science can be central to the story, as long as the characters are realistic and appealing."

"This is science fiction, but I also welcome stories of spiritual exploration, looking at the bond between the scientific and the divine. I want to see how a woman survives tragedy and disaster, overcomes impossible odds, achieves her true potential, or goes on to thrive in a marvelous universe of so many possibilities, using what is inside her, as well as what she finds in the laboratory, the alien planet, or space itself."

"The stories should contain the question of 'what if' on some level. And they should have a woman answer it."

To 10,000 words, "with longer stories having to be exceptional"; pays 2¢/word + pro rata share of royalties + copy; on acceptance, for "First English Language Rights and non-exclusive electronic rights. The anthology will be published by Norilana Books in a trade paperback edition in June 2008, to be followed by an electronic edition to be produced later."

How to Submit: "Submissions are electronic only. Please submit your story as a Word (.DOC or .RTF) attachment to your E-mail. The subject line of your E-mail should say ‘Submission: Story Title, last name of author.’ Also, include a brief cover letter. It should have your full name, address, E-mail address, title of story, number of words, and brief biographical information in case we don't know you, with most recent publishing credits, if applicable. We are open to new writers and seasoned veterans alike."

[E-mail: roby.james@comcast.net]. Deadline: January 31, 2008.

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Unspeakable Horror: from the Shadows of the Closet—Dark Scribe Press; See Web site. Editors: Vince A. Liaguno and Chad Helder. "Format: Trade paperback, possible hard cover limited-edition."

"Dark Scribe Press is seeking short story submissions for an anthology of queer horror tales. We are looking for edgy, provocative dark genre fiction—horror and dark psychological suspense only. We are not interested in science fiction/fantasy or mystery for this anthology. We're looking for stories about those terrors that populate the closets of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Terrors can be of any shape, size, and theme—supernatural, psychopaths and slashers, vampires, werewolves, zombies, urban legends, ghosts, witchcraft, demons, and original horrors of any kind."

"At the heart of all submissions must be a distinct queer theme running through the fabric of the story—stories that represent the harmful effects of repression, the manifestation of homophobia (both internal and external), childhood anxieties that run parallel to sexual orientation and the coming out process, and any other well-conceived and executed queer theme."

"At Dark Scribe Press, we believe that horror is meant to unnerve, disquiet, and strike deeply at the darkest places in readers' hearts. We believe that writers should never be restricted within the established genre limitations and should feel comfortable offering up their darkest tales. As the publisher, if we don't like it or it's not a right fit for a particular anthology, we'll simply politely pass on the submission. Taboo and edgy subject matters are welcome if handled in a literary manner—nothing is off limits if well executed and compelling. Stories may include explicit sex and erotic elements if well-integrated into the tale itself—we are not looking for a subtle ghost story with a raunchy sex scene inserted into the middle of it. Please avoid clichés—unless you have a fresh queer twist or perspective to offer."

"E-mail queries only. Please note some helpful E-mail query guidelines here. As with all Dark Scribe Press calls for submissions, your query represents our first impression of you and your story. Avoid rattling off an abstract to us in an informal E-mail—chances are we'll pass. We're looking to see that writers have given thought to their story and have the ability to articulate those thoughts."

"Queries can be E-mailed to [E-mail address below]. Once a query receives the green light, the deadline for actual submissions is June 30, 2008. Please put Query/Anthology in the subject line of all E-mails to help us efficiently route your E-mail. Kindly note that queries with attachments will be deleted; do not send your story until you have queried us first."

"Format guidelines will be E-mailed upon our response to your initial query."

1000–7500 words; pays 5¢/word, on acceptance for FNASR. "Anthology is slated for fourth quarter 2008 publication—subject to change."

"No simultaneous submissions and no reprints." [E-mail: Queries until May 15, 2008: publisher@darkscribepress.com; http://www.DarkScribePress.com]. RT—30–60 days on queries and submissions.