Today is the the six month anniversary of #fridayflash. To celebrate I am opening up submissions for the Best of 2009 #fridayflash Anthology. We have discussed this anthology in previous posts, and from all the discussion I have become convinced it is something we can not only pull off, but pull off in style.
The reason I have confidence in the project is the amazing response I got from the #fridayflash community. I asked for people to contact me if they were willing to do some of the work involved on a volunteer basis. I’ve had no less than a dozen people volunteer so far. We have three people working up proposals for cover art while three professional editors have offered their services. With teamwork like that we can’t lose. If you would like to volunteer please read this post and then contact me via email. If you have practical editing experience I am particularly interested in hearing from you.
Submissions
- The anthology is open to all stories posted under the #fridayflash hashtag since its inception right up through Friday, December 25th.
- The submissions period begins today, this very instant, and runs through Thursday, December 31st.
- All stories must be 1,000 words or less, not counting the title.
- Stories can be edited and revised prior to submission.
- Authors may self nominate up to three of their own stories. The reason for the limit is so the author gives serious consideration as to which of their stories are their very best. This will act as the first filter.
- All stories should be flash fiction, that is, a story that stands on its own merits, not one of a series which requires prior episodes to be understood by the reader. Most of the stories I’ve read as #fridayflash qualify, even those that are part of a larger stage. Don’t let this requirement dissuade you from submitting, rather have it guide you as to which stories to choose.
- The author grants non-exclusive print and digital rights. This means you are free to do whatever you like with your stories provided they still fall under the rules of submission for other venues.
- You cannot nominate a story written by someone else, but feel free to contact them and strongly encourage them to submit it. In fact, I strongly encourage you to do so.
How To Submit
- All submissions will be handled via email. Send them to madutopia@gmail.com.
- Email each story separately. Use Best of 2009 as the subject of the email.
- The story must be in the body of the email, not an attachment.
- Make the first line of the email the Title, followed by the genre. (Genre request is new, don’t sweat it if you already submitted without genre. The genre request will be made clear in Monday’s post.)
- Make the second line of the email your name as you would like it to appear in the anthology. I strongly recommend you use your real name, or your standard pen name, and not your Twitter user name.
- Paste the story as plain text as the rest of the email.
A Word About Judging
- First Round Judging will be done by volunteers using a score sheet in an effort to assure consistency.
- Judges will not judge their own work.
- Names will be removed from manuscripts prior to distribution to judges.
- Second Round Judging will be conducted by a panel selected by me.
I will post more details on how judging and editing will be conducted at a later date, possibly as early as Sunday (but don’t hold me to that). I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who has participated in #fridayflash to date, and a warm welcome to anyone who joins us in the weeks to come. Let’s create a killer anthology together.
~jon
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This is an absolutely incredible idea Jon. I am sure that every body who reads about it will be excited too. Will definitely be a killer anthology if any of the current #fridayflash stories are anything to go by. It is really great that you have left the deadline open until December, it gives us an opportunity to up our game somewhat.
That was sort of my thinking. Plus people can buff some of their older stories to get them in tip top shape.
~jon
Awesome. Looking forward to the end of NaNoWriMo so I can get back to FridayFlash-ing
I’ve noticed a little dip in participation with the advent of NaNo, but I figured it would pick up again in December. I look forward to your return.
~jon
Decisions, decisions…
Awesome job you’ve done with pulling this all together!
I know. It will be hard for people to pick their best three stories. Probably best to hold off on #3 until late in December, in case one would write a killer towards the deadline.
~jon
Yay Jon! Great strategy.
Simple and straightforward. Love it when a plan comes together.
This will be so much fun!
Karen :0)
I think it will be a blast, and highly educational for all of us.
~jon
Thanks, Jon. This is a great idea, and you really seem to have it all well organized. I guess I’d better get reading though my old stories, and contact a few people with suggestions for theirs.
Cheers!
Yeah, picking your top three will be the hard part. So many people have written many more than three great stories. And yes, please do contact others. We are not so much competing with one another here, as we are complimenting one another.
~jon
Thanks Jon! What a wonderful idea! I’m happy to help in any way.
Thanks, Deb. I’ll add you to my list-o-helpers.
~jon
Great stuff. I’m an infrequent Friday Flasher but I’m really pleased you’re going ahead with this. I’ll definitely submit.
Great, Alan. I am very glad it interests you. I think we’ll have tremendous turn out. Best of luck.
~jon
A round of applause Jon. I agree at every turn. Looking forward to it!
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Lily. It should be great.
~jon
I’m so excited! Thank you so much Jon for all your hard work towards the anthology.
Although I have two favorites in mind I’m hoping to be able to produce at least a couple more worth considering before the deadline – thanks for allowing so much time! Since it is difficult to decide on our own favorites though I believe I’ll post a vote on my site to get the readers’ opinions. Has anyone else considered doing something similar?
Thanks again Jon for all you do for us!
Not a bad idea, Deanna. The side benny is, it will garner more interest in the Anthology overall.
~jon
[...] JM Strother, our fine #fridayflash host at Mad Utopia, is heading up the effort to create an anthology in celebration of the 6 month anniversary of #fridayflash. I’m sure I speak for all #fridayflash [...]
Hey Jon,
Catching up on stuff here…
Quick questions – rights? Are all rights to the author?
And
Simultaneous submissions?
And
Previously published?
A few of us were kicking these questions around last week vis a vis what can be submitted?
Peace, Linda
Jon,
I’ve been meaning to comment here for a while, but you know how it is…what with Christmas an’ all. Anyway, thanks so much for the wonderfully warm welcome to #fridayflash you gave me, and for the opportunity to submit a couple of my stories for consideration for the anthology.
Thank you, thank you for all that you do for us #fridayflash writers, I know I really appreciate it.
[...] JM Strothers (jmstro)- The man who started it all. It was his brilliant idea to start #fridayflash on Twitter, where authors could link to their short flash stories every Friday and boost visits to their blogs. In addition to posting a weekly ‘#fridayflash report’ on his Mad Utopia blog, he also writes professionally and manages to post his own engaging, amusing stories. Some have a twist, some are humorous, but all leave you with a smile. [...]
[...] honored and excited to announce that my story, A Hell of a Job, has been selected to be included in The Best of 2009 #fridayflash Anthology! This will be the first time any of my flash has been published outside my blog. I am waiting to [...]
[...] more of my short fiction for publication. I’m very excited about being published in The Best of 2009 #FridayFlash Anthology, and I want to start submitting more of my work. I’ve been nervous about it (terrified [...]