Call for Submissions: Imps & Minions

Open Call

We are seeking high-quality speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and speculative horror) on the theme of "imps & minions". Stories should feature an imp or a minion. Henchmen are okay, too.

The completed anthology will be published by tdotSpec and made available as eBook and paperback.

Kickstarter

Please consider supporting Imps & Minions by pre-ordering an eBook or paperback through our Kickstarter page.

Editorial Vision

For Imps & Minions we are seeking high-quality science fiction and fantasy stories featuring protagonists that exist on the periphery. We want to unravel a common trope--the faceless minion who serves as a brief roadblock for the hero--and turn it on its head. Our focus is the little guy, the villain’s sidekick who does his dirty work. We are seeking insight into the minds and lives of the minions and imps--where they come from, what they’re up to, and why they do what they do. Be it humorous or serious, we want character-driven page-turners, with a strong hook, gripping narrative momentum, and a satisfying or resounding resolution.

We want stories that make you think or laugh long after you’re done reading; stories you want to share with your friends. We seek tales that demonstrate a unique perspective, style, and understanding of the minion’s and imp’s interworking and nature, stories that explore motives, ambitions, humility, origins, personal fails and triumphs, all presented in the form of a compelling narrative. What happens to the minion who lets his boss down, and what happens to an imp injured on the job? We want to see what makes them tick. Where does the evil lord get them from? Why do they serve so loyally? What are they doing before they’re summoned from hell? What’s their opinion on the moon-based death ray?

These sorts of questions can be handled either dramatically or not. Readers can laugh, cry, bite their nails in fear, or clap with glee at these stories.

What ‘counts’ as an imp or minion is broad. This could be a devil-like sprite, a sci-fi soldier, or a modern-day normal human; generally, the theme includes characters that are usually relegated to a position of servility, insignificance, or inferiority in the ranks of villainy within a fantasy, sci-fi, or horror setting. Ultimately, we want catchy stories set in fantastic worlds with intriguing and imaginative ideas. Above all, we’re looking for good stories, and that can mean a lot of things. We’re open to surprises.

Lastly, we believe diversity is strength, especially in storytelling. We encourage submissions from individuals from marginalized communities or historically disenfranchised groups. We want a diverse range of voices. We want to hear stories from people who can speak on behalf of perspectives that have been underrepresented in the genre, and in society at large. Diversity enriches our stories, and it enriches our lives.

Submission Information

• Length: up to 10k words, but stories in the range of 2k to 5k are more likely to be accepted.
• Pay: CDN.5c/w (for clarity: CDN$.005), to a maximum of CDN $25/story. For published pieces we take print and electronic publishing rights. You retain copyright, and we do not ask for exclusivity, so you are able to immediately sell your work elsewhere. Bear in mind that most publications will not publish pieces that have been published in print, eBook, or on the web, so for all intents and purposes after your work is published by us it can only be marketed as are print, which severely limits the number of markets that will accept it, and drastically reduces the pay rate it can receive. Our rate of CDN.5c/w is considered a token payment by SFWA. It is up to you, the author, to decide if publishing your work in print and eBook formats, and giving up your First Publishing Right for a token payment, is really what you want to do.
• Submission Window: January 1 2018 to March 31st 2019, 11:59PM (EST)
• Reprints: we will accept some reprints, paid at 1/2 the rate of originals.
• Format: standard manuscript format of file type .odt, .rtf, .doc, .docx (do not submit .pdf or .pages)
• Rights purchased: we are seeking non-exclusive world publishing rights for works in print and electronic format. You retain copyright.
• Cover letter: a cover letter is not required. You may include a short (2-3 sentence) bio if you like, written in third person.
• Multiple submissions: yes - we'll take a look at multiple entries, just be reasonable about it and only submit stories you think might be a good fit.
• Simultaneous submissions: yes - this is fine. Just please let us know as soon as possible if your work is accepted elsewhere.
• How to submit: submit your story using our submission form. You are limited to one submission, and you won't be able to modify your submission after it is sent, so make sure you send your best work, and fill in the form properly!
• For questions and queries, our contact email address is: impsandminions@gmail.com