Different Dragons - Pre Call

[dragonlots]

Hi Chris -

Origin off world? Absolutely cool! Can't wait to see it when this antho opens.

DB

[cdeb]

Dana,

I only hope the result isn't an anticlimax
I will only say that the sub-genre will be SF mystery.

I hope to put it through the Anomalous Sandbox so hopefullly the good people there will save my blushes and you get something at least in reasonable form...

Will be in touch!

[dragonlots]

Submission Guidelines - now officially posted
Different Dragons - editor Dana Bell
WolfSingerPublications
Most everyone has the same image of dragons and there are tons of Fantasy anthologies and series on the market
following pretty much the same formula.

For ‘Different Dragons’ however, what is being sought are stories with a twist. While they can be Fantasy, the editor
is also seeking Science Fiction, Paranormal, Horror, Steampunk, Mystery, Romance, Humor, Christian Speculative
and just about any genre as long as it meets the guidelines.

Writers are highly encouraged to research dragon lore and use dracos from other countries. Yes, there will be stories
about the traditional European Dragons, but examples of others are: the Chinese Lung, Korean Yong, Frost Dragon,
Knucker, American and Mexican Amphithere, Lindworm, Wyvern, Marsupial, Tibetan, Dwarf Dragons and Sea
Serpents.

To give the contributor an idea on what types of different ideas the editor is looking for:

1. What if a multi-headed dragon had the abilities of Medusa?
2. Was the dragon the evolutionary step between dinosaurs and birds?
3. How would the outback be different if Marsupial Dragons had evolved instead of Kangaroos?
4. In the Antarctica Scientists stun the world by discovering the still partially skin covered skeleton of a Frost Dragon
and the remains of hatched eggs.
5. Perhaps a piece of jewelry inherited from some eccentric relative contains the spirit of a dragon and is left to a very
surprised and unprepared niece or nephew.
6. What would be the result if a dragon was part lion? Or a shape shifter?
7. Dragon angel anyone?

The ideas are infinite and the above list is just a springboard. Main characters can be the dragon his/herself, a human
going through some misadventure, or even a companion animal. They can be set in modern day, on other planets,
alternate dimensions, in the past, in the future, and even in a painting. The only condition is that a dragon must appear
in some form.

Not wanted are stories with graphic violence, excessive cussing, sex scenes, sorry, if you’re characters go to bed
together it must be behind closed doors and not shared with the reader, erotica, animal cruelty or FanFiction. Rating
for the anthology is PG13. Characters whose faith is an integral part of the plot will be accepted, but please, no
preaching.

All writers of all skill levels, published or not, and even teenagers, are encouraged to submit. Length can be from 1000-
6000 words. Times Roman 12. Standard Manuscript submission form. Attach as a RTF document. Prefer original
stories. Query on reprints.

In the subject line please put: Submission: ‘Different Dragons’: Title of your story: Your name.
In cover email please tell the editor a bit about yourself, the genre of your story and a quick one line synopsis.

ALL writers are encouraged to submit. Doesn’t matter if you’re a pro with years of credits, a beginner just starting
out or a teenager - please feel free to send the editor a story. In your cover email, please tell the editor a bit about
yourself and a quick one line synopsis of the story. Include genre. If experimental, please explain the type or how so
the editor doesn’t edit out the form or reject it out of hand. Thank you.

In the Subject line please put :
Submission : Different Dragons : Title of your story : your name.
Attach as rft document.
Send to: [e-mail]

Payment will be $5.00 initial, plus an equal share of 50% of royalties.

Deadline will be 31 Dec 2012 // Because we are also reading for our 2012 Anthology – please do not submit for this
anthology until July 1st. Stories received before that time, will be filed in the Publisher’s email folder and risk getting
lost with all the other emails – we are hoping to release Spring 2013.

Bios will be requested is your story is accepted and should be written in third person.

WRITERS BE WARNED: Editor is ‘your worst nightmare English teacher’. Expect to be asked to have your story
critiqued, if accepted, and to do rewrites. More polished writers might only be asked to do minor revisions. If
requested to change something and writer makes a valid case why it shouldn’t be – Editor will listen. Excessive
argument could result in rejection. Pet peeves, ‘crutch words’ like that, suddenly, in a moment, or any word used
excessively. Not editing or spell checking your story. Fragments okay if used correctly and for effect. Please, use
world appropriate similes. If unsure how to do this, Editor suggests reading anything by Andre Norton or Anne
McCaffrey – both writers are excellent examples on how to do this correctly.

[dragonlots]

I'm getting a number of queries on this one so it will be very competitive to be accepted. Please, don't expect to hear back immediately after I receive your story. I'm not planning on getting back to anyone until AFTER submissions close Dec. 31st.

Thank you!

[dragonlots]

Less than two weeks before submissions open for Different Dragons.

I hope every writer who is interested submits a story to this one.

Remember, I'm looking for tales about dragons that AREN'T the traditional fantasy with a winged European draco.

Have fun and get really imaginative with your submission!

[dragonlots]

A reminder that I will not be responding to authors about their submissions until after 12-31-12.

I will answer queries about reprints or overly long pieces and pitches.

July 1st is only two and half days away.

[Kessie]

This still sounds like fun. I'll use it as an excuse to write a story, even though it probably won't make it in. It might turn into a whole book. :-)

[dragonlots]

Kessie,

You don't know that. Editors are looking for good stories yes, but they do tend to look more closely at pieces from writers they know, who have pitched to them, or they've worked with before.

One suggestion. If you do submit, get your story work shopped in the Sandbox. Rework it afterward. Let it sit. Put it back in the Sandbox for another critique. Rework it again. Depending on how you feel about it either put it back in the Sandbox for a round 3 or else go ahead and submit at that point.

The more feedback you get, the better your story. Believe me, as the editor, it's going to be well worth your time and mine. Two of the stories I edited needed very little work because I knew they'd both been work shopped. (Although Dave might argue with you with the corrections I asked from him. But compared to others I've had to do - his was a joy!)

[metalikhan]

I'm curious about how many stories are usually selected for these anthologies. Does it vary depending on the lengths of the ones submitted to you?

Hmmm -- I'm about 1200 words into a dragon story right now. An offshoot of the oriental dragons.

Hmmmmmmm-- [glow=red,2,300]splat!!![/glow]

(brain hitting 2:00 a.m. wall -- time to shut the techno-beast down)

[dragonlots]

metalikhan,

My publisher wants between 85-100K for DD. Depending on length that can be about 15-17stories.

TTC will have around 12 ? Depending on my second look at some not so good stories I received.

[dragonlots]

For those curious - here's how I pick stories.

I read everything. My first impression and where it's placed for consideration comes from this.


1. Gotta have

These stories come from authors I know, who pitched an idea, or are very well written.

2. Short list

Well written, I like, also can be from authors I know/ well written / also could have been pitched

3. Possible

Good ideas. Fall backs if I don't get enough for the antho or stories get pulled.

4. Iffy

Sort of on track for the guidelines but not so much. Weak stories. Poorly written

5. Request new story or rewrite

Original story may be rejected but I ask author to send another because I either liked a portion of what they'd written, their style, they show promise or ask for a total rewrite/revision because editor likes what they see, but it needs some polish.

***Editors rarely do this. If you have one who does - move heaven and earth to get the rewrite or new story to them.

6. Rejected

This can happen for a number of reasons. I received a better story using the same theme. Completely off guidelines, very poorly written, even sending back up emails to find out status of story constantly. Sending a story in after the deadline without prior written permission.

7. Final rejection -

If your story is on the short list but gets rejected anyway, don't despair. It means it's a good piece. Turn it around and send it elsewhere, particularly if you get good feedback from an editor. It may not have made that antho or magazine but it doesn't mean another editor won't snap it up. (I've had this happen many times. One of them was a poem rejected for an antho, it was accepted for a magazine and now is Rhysling nominee.)

[dragonlots]

Different Dragons now open for submissions.

[newburydave]

Hey Dana;

I'm going to submit one of my short stories from my Dirax chronicles, which are part of the prime storyline in my Curatorium What-if-Creation story universe. These are shorts that I wrote to establish the origins and timeline of the Star system Dirax and it's principal planet, Dirax III.

The main draconic race on Dirax three are tiny (one meter long) dragons who, as elemental spirits for God, are the embodiment of healing. They fly, communicate only through line of sight telepathy and are surrounded by a blue skin-fire/aura which is part of their means of contact to administer healing.

They don't spit fire per-se but have an analog in that when sufficiently provoked they channel a form of ball lightning generated from their blue healing skin-fire. (a very critical capability in their ultimate battle with the forces of the Abyss)

The story I'm considering is the first I wrote in this world's storyline (not chronologically first but the first I wrote) it is the record of first contact between the new human colonists and the Blueys when they save a family from certain death after an air car crash in the rainforests of the the outback of Dirax III. The family are Zenobiologists traveling in from their outstation for supplies.

I rather stand the whole UN, Star Trek first contact doctrine on it's head in that the human colonists (mostly Native American, UK Celtic and X'hosa refugees) are looking for sentient natives with which to join forces. The humans are fleeing from the war torn ruins of earth and the persecution of their ethnic groups by the post war "masters" who are trying to create a uniform world wide society to avoid another world war.

The Blueys are an enigmatic race, very much in touch with God and His interest in maintaining the entire biosphere of Dirax III in as much health as the curse of Adam's fall can allow. They particularly take to the X'hosa "pseudo-uncle" of the Scots/Irish zenobiologist couple's children. He, the X'hosa man, is a spirit filled, primitive Methodist preacher/seer.

I probably won't submit until this fall, after "Island" and some other projects are finalized.

SGD
dave

[dragonlots]

Dave,

I look forward to seeing it.

With a six month window, when you submit isn't critical. As long as it's in by 12-31-2012, you're fine.

Dana

[Bethany J.]

I had an idea once for a short story where dragons lived in icy climates - their fire-breathing abilities were essential to their survival because they needed enough body heat to keep warm in the snow. The story was about a young boy going on his first dragon hunt with his father. Would this be too "standard" of a dragon story, or would it be considered?