Fiction Submissions

We are seeking short stories for an anthology based on the theme of "Where Connections Lead." This theme invites writers to explore the connections between things, computers, people, events, ideas, or places, and the paths they create—whether they bring people together, reveal hidden truths, or lead down unexpected or even dangerous paths. This broad theme allows for both individual stories (e.g., a character seeking answers through the connections they make) and collective stories (how groups or communities bond, interact, or misunderstand each other). Stories can be any genre—mystery, dystopia, sci-fi, fantasy, literary fiction, horror, and beyond—such as a person piecing together clues, an exploration of connections in a futuristic society, or even unexpected interactions between ideas or technology. This is a broad umbrella meant to capture most stories. Take us on your journey. Send us your story if in doubt. 

Guidelines: Word Count: 1,000 to 10,000 words (slightly longer considered)

Ellgibile to all members of Second Life

Not interested in stories written by generative AI. This project is to support community of writer development. We want to develop your creativity and writing, not that of AI.

Content: Safe for work. No explicit sex or graphic violence (if horror, graphic content should happen off-screen).

 Compensation: $25 per story following a successful Kickstarter. 50% of proceeds will support Second Life writing SIMs. 

Support for Emerging Writers: We offer editorial help to bring accepted stories up to publication standard. 

Submission Format: Submit via in-world or Discord. Use standard manuscript format (e.g., Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced) in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Note: in-world note cards don’t retain text formatting. Include a short bio with social media or website links. Remember: sooner you send me a story and links for current books, past interviews, videos of you talking about your writing, sooner I can promote you as a participant on social media. Please clarify and include: what name you wish to publish under, SL name, and email connected to Paypal account.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, with the understanding that if you are happy with our agreement when accepted, it should be withdrawn elsewhere. Support and circulation of upcoming kickstarter campaign are appreciated to do my best to pay contributors and have money for marketing to drive up sales revenues - and support for SL SIMs. In addition, I would like to offer signed digital and print copies by writers for kickstarter backers. It will be helpful prior to publication, to create a digital signature file (autograph under your author and/ or SL name) to send me, so I can create these special files for backer distribution.

Deadline: Feb. 29, 2025. Send stories to swoodham.resident in-world or Sylvia on Discord.

Copyright Notice for "Where Connections Lead" Anthology: By submitting to this anthology, authors acknowledge that, if their submission is accepted for publication, they grant the anthology world English rights for first publication in both ebook and print formats. These rights apply exclusively from the anthology's release date for a period of one year. After this exclusivity period, authors are free to publish or reprint their stories elsewhere, while the anthology retains non-exclusive rights to continue distributing the story in the original anthology format.

Exceptions may be made for calls specifically requesting reprints of stories first published in 2025; please contact us if such an opportunity arises within the exclusivity period.

Submissions Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0UpL3JxM1o