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Have you ever wished you could write science fiction stories set in your favorite novels series, tv show or movie universe? Are you an aspiring writer who has composed fan-fiction, crossovers, or other stories that take place in an established universe? Do you ever wish you could submit to Pocket Books or Lucasfilm but don't have an agent?
Well now is your chance to write your own stories set in a new wide-open universe built on the popular themes and archetypes of the science fiction genre. Port Nova Media in conjunction with Comstar Media is holding an open call for story submissions set in the new ASTRAL EMPIRES universe. Here is your chance to be published, earn a little money and recognition and contribute to the "canon" background of a new and exciting science fiction property.
Here are the basic assumptions potential writers will be working under:
#1. The ASTRAL EMPIRES universe is an effort built upon creating a massive and expansive science fiction milleau based on the popular themes and archetypes of the genre, but with new and original ideas mixed in to create a fresh approach to speculative fiction.
#2. ASTRAL EMPIRES offers multiple future time periods and settings to explore, meaning if you have a favorite type of fiction you enjoy writing (hard sci-fi, space opera, cyberpunk, media tie-in, etc.) you may well find a home for it.
#3. Each ASTRAL EMPIRES Anthology will contain roughly ten stories per era. Authors may choose to submit up to three stories for each "Era Anthology". The top ten stories selected per "Era" will appear in both print and .PDF/Kindle editions. There will be a $20 stipend paid to winning authors along with the chance to see your writing in print.
#4. Stories must be based on the background assumptions of the ASTRAL EMPIRES universe, but other than that authors are wide open in what they can write.
#5. All works are consider "work for hire", but authors may use their writing for their portfolio if so desired.
#6. All stories must be "family-safe", meaning no casual swearing or overt sexual innuendo. That does not mean stories can not deal with adult themes such as war, romance, or other common literary tropes, just that the stories must be geared towards an audience that may include juvenile readers.
#7. Background overviews of each "Era" will be posted in order to allow potential writers to choose which Anthology to submit for.
#8. Originality within the popular themes of the science fiction genre will be one element of how submission are judged and how each story fits within the ASTRAL EMPIRES universe will be a second. Obviously, the merits of the writing itself will be a factor as well.
#9. All submissions must be made via email to astralempires@gmail.com with the Subject line: CONTEST and the ERA the story takes place in parenthesis.
#10. All payments will be made through PayPal unless other arrangements are made by the publisher and author.
