Potter's Field 4
An anthology of tales of unmarked graves
Writers and Artists Guidelines
Sam's Dot Publishing is looking for stories and illustrations for Potter's Field 4, a print anthology of tales from the graveyard.
This volume will be the fourth in the Potter's Field series. This anthology will be published on 1 May 2011 in trade paperback format with a color cover, and black and white interior illustrations. Potter's Field 4 is edited by Gregory Miller and Katie Hartlove.
Potter's Field 4 is not open to poetry.
Please note that horror fiction written in the third person stands the best chance for acceptance.
Send us a story that's never been told before, one that's atmospheric and highly entertaining, has fascinating characters, one that takes place in a unique location or time period.
Potter's Field is the burial place for the indigent and the unidentified. Just about every city has one. There's a Potter's Field in the Michael Douglas movie, Don't Say A Word. Obviously, we're looking for works that are themed to graveyards in some way. However, it does not have to be a conventional graveyard. Let me give you one example: back during the days of the Black Death, bodies were crammed--yes, literally crammed--into mass graves underneath churches. Even today, in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, you can take a walking tour deep under the church and see walls of skeletons and dirt. Such a place would also qualify as a graveyard for the indigent.
We do not want gore, blood, splatter, slice-and-dice. Sure, it might be good fun to make balloon animals out of someone's intestines, or find out how long the heart will continue to beat after it has been ripped from the body with a spatula. But that's not what we want. We want stories that will scare readers, not stories that will make them gag. This is not to say that someone in your story cannot bleed, or die. Just put a lid on the icky stuff. Think spooky, not spewing.
A word about sex and extreme language. We don't mind it, necessarily, but the sex and/or colorful language must have a purpose.
Stories for Potter's Field 4 must be written in English. You may use King's English or American English [but don't mix them, please]. The word count of your story should be between 2000 and 8000 words. We will be somewhat flexible on the 8000, but the 2000 is pretty firm. Of course, story quality usually overrides word count limitations. Usually.
Other useful hints:
1. Do not underline. If you want italics, use italics.
2. Put quotation marks around your dialogue, so that we know it's dialogue.
3. Do not repeat not use headers or footers.
4. Your bio should include your thoughts about your writing style and what drives your stories. Of lesser interest is your favorite color of pizza. And do no include your publishing credits, please.
Now, then:
We are looking primarily for original stories. However, we will consider reprints. If your story is a reprint, be sure to let us know when you submit it. We will want to know the name of the publication [online or in print] in which the story first appeared, and when it first appeared. Also, you must currently own the rights to the story. We likely won't accept more than two reprints for Potter's Field 4 and unpublished stories stand the best chance for acceptance.
Submit your story as a Word or rtf attachment to pottersfieldfour@yahoo.com. Be sure to put Story Submission and the title of your story in the subject line of the e-mail. Be sure to include the following information in your e-mail: your name; your snail mail address; your story's word count; your story's title; a statement about which rights are offered; and a brief bio written in the third person [50-100 words, more about YOU, less about where you've been published].
Writers and Artists, please note: If you move, tell us. If you change e-mail addresses, tell us. It is your responsibility to let us know where you are so that we can communicate, as well as send your payment and contributor's copy.
Art submissions:
Interior art should be thematic, not necessarily applicable to any particular story.
Submit one black and white illustration at a time as a jpeg of less than 50K in the body of an e-mail to pottersfieldfour@yahoo.com. Be sure to put Art Submission and the title of your illustration in the subject line of the e-mail. Be sure to include the following information in your e-mail: your name; your snail mail address; the title of your illustration; a brief bio [50-100 words, more about YOU, less about where you've been published].
Please Note: If you move, tell us. If you change e-mail addresses, tell us. Please. It is your responsibility to let us know where you are, so that we can properly pay you.
Your submission will most likely be responded to in less than two weeks. If you haven't received a response within two weeks, please send an email to pottersfieldfour@yahoo.com with a note that includes the date and title of your submission. We will remain open to submissions until the anthology is filled. We have no way of knowing how long that will take.
Payment:
In return for your accepted story or illustration, you will receive payment and one contributor's copy of Potter's Field 4, upon publication, to be mailed in May 2011.
Pay rates for original stories: $12.00
Pay rate for reprinted stories: $6.00.
Payment for cover illustration: $20.00.
Pay rate for original illustrations: $6.00 per illustration.
Contributors who live in the U.S.A. will receive checks. Contributors who live outside the U.S.A. have two payment options. One, they can receive cash in American dollars. Two, they can receive payment via PayPal. And yes, if they have a third option, we'll listen to it.
Contributors are also eligible to buy additional copies of Potter's Field 4 at 30% off the cover price, plus S&H at cost.
If you have questions about this anthology or these guidelines, please contact Editors Gregory Miller or Katie Hartlove at pottersfieldfour@yahoo.com.
We look forward to working with you.
~Gregory Miller & Catherine Hartlove