Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

Submissions

Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from many authors wanting to know how to get a submission read by an editor at Samhain right now. As it states on the submissions page of our website, Samhain is temporarily closed to submissions.

I know the words “temporarily closed” aren’t what interested authors want to hear, but while you’re waiting for submissions to open up again, I highly encourage interested authors to consider submitting to one of the themed story collections. This is a great way for authors to get their foot in the door, so to speak.

I’ve heard from some authors that they don’t submit to these special submission calls because they don’t believe the odds are in their favor, or that the chances of a newbie getting chosen—whether first-time author, or just a new author to Samhain—is slim-to-none. While I can’t speak to odds, since odds are determined by the number of submissions we receive versus the number of slots available in an anthology, both of which varies per project, I can speak from experience in making selections on previous projects. Every submission is considered equally. I read each and every submission with an open mind, and if the book pulls me in and I don’t want to put it down, if the characters jump off the page, and if I heave a contented sigh when I turn the last page, the publishing history of the author doesn’t mean a thing.

For example, in the Midsummer Night’s Steam project, five of the stories are from first-time authors and six of the authors are previously published but new to Samhain, which means just under half of the Steam releases are from new-to-Samhain authors.

Right now we are accepting submissions for two separate Valentine’s Day anthologies, releasing simultaneously in digital and print in January 2008. You can read the submission requirements and guidelines on the submissions page of the website. And make your editor happy by creating a good first impression—follow the submission guidelines. :)

So, while you’re polishing your manuscript to perfection waiting for our open-call submissions to reopen, try your hand at a Valentine’s Day story. And keep your eye on the Samhain submissions page, we’ll have more special themed story opportunities coming soon.

Sasha Knight, Editor
Samhain Publishing