The Storyletter Anthology (Volume One)
Establishing our new submission window for short fiction and poetry
Opening the Window
Storyletter XPress Publishing is opening its first submission window for short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. The mission is to purchase notable works from talented, independent authors and publish the collection as a physical book and a digital eBook.
We will be accepting submissions from now (August 2) until October 11, 2023. The paid submission form will be closed then, and a public form will be opened from October 15 - November 1, 2023. With limited slots for the anthology, the public submission window will be much more competitive.
Submissions are only open to paying subscribers at this time. Whether it’s a one-month subscription or annual, you are eligible to submit. SXP is eager to work with writers of all levels, and we can’t wait to read your incredible stories!
Continue reading for more details.
Publishing Overview
If you’re unfamiliar with the approach for Storyletter XPress Publishing, let me explain:
We accept speculative short fiction and poetry. Once accepted, your work will be published to our audience as long as it meets the guidelines and is of publishable quality (meaning it’s been edited by you or someone else). We pay .01 cents per word for short fiction up to 6500 words (or $65) and a flat rate of $10 for works under 1000 words, including poetry.
During submission, writers must sign the SXP Contract, allowing us to share your work online, market it, and use it in an upcoming anthology (digitally and physically). All rights to the story remain with the author, and we do not own the rights to your work (other than what is in the contract). However, we request a 6-month exclusivity period from the conclusion of the final submission window to publish your work before publication elsewhere. Earnings by anthology book sales or subscriptions are not shared at this time.
XPress memberships help keep the payment model for indie writers possible. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to gain access to paid-only posts, private Discord, and digital copies of all of our books as they become available. Writers can access the submission portal, interview priority status, and other benefits.
What We’re Looking For
As a family-friendly publisher, we only consider submissions that follow our clean content guidelines. This includes no excessive profanity, overtly sexual content, or graphic violence for the sake of violence. Submissions containing such content will not be considered unless the writer agrees to a clean revision process. For references, please check out what we’ve previously published on Substack, or read the FAQ section below for exact guidelines.
Submissions should be aimed at ages 13+.
Fiction must be completed before submission.
Volume One - Theme and Specifics
There is no specific theme for our inaugural anthology. However, to accommodate last year’s S6 Contest (themed as ‘Summer Retreat’), we will be more susceptible to accepting stories featuring the following:
Travel (local or abroad)
Transformation/Transcendence
Vacation/Holiday
Escape
Exploration
Unexpected Outcomes
We have accepted 10 original short fiction pieces so far, leaving 20 openings to be filled. Once 20 additional stories have been selected, we will close the submission windows and proceed with the editing and revising. The book is expected to be published in mid-2024.
This is the perfect opportunity if you’re seeking print publication and want to get paid for your work. We aim to honor independent authors by producing high-quality books worthy of bookstores and bookshelves. Thank you for considering us worthy of your time and efforts. We look forward to reading your stories!
Guidelines and FAQs
How do I submit my story?
Please read the complete submission guidelines and the frequently asked questions before submitting your story. You can begin the process once you’ve read the guidelines and believe your story fits the anthology well.
After becoming a paid subscriber, you’ll receive a Welcome email containing the submission form. You’ll then follow the instructions presented on the form.
If you’re not a paid subscriber, consider remaining a free subscriber to receive updates on when the public submission form will be available.
Why do writers join as paying subscribers?
Joining as an XPress member is helpful for both Storyletter XPress Publishing and you as a reader/writer. It benefits us (the publisher) because it lets us know you’re serious about your work and want to support independent writers. It also pays for overhead costs such as editorial time, marketing, writer payouts, artwork commissions, website fees, etc. All the money from paying members will be returned to the community somehow.
What do you mean by family-friendly?
We have somewhat strict content guidelines. We understand that some stories require specific content to accomplish the story’s purposes, but Storyletter XPress Publishing LLC does not publish those stories.
For guidelines, see below:
Swearing: Light swearing is acceptable. This includes swearing in English and other natural languages, but not swear words in fantasy or alien tongues.Â
Violence: While we enjoy action, violence should not be glorified. Deaths may occur, but there should be minimal blood and gore. Physical torture is unacceptable. If descriptions of death are unavoidable, please consider taking an artistic approach.
Sexual content: No sex scenes. Absolutely no rape. No descriptions of nudity. Innuendo and crude humor may be tolerated depending on the subject matter.Â
Controversial topics: Storyletter XPress Publishing LLC does not publish stories that delve into controversial political or religious issues, such as gun control, abortion, or real-life political parties/candidates. This doesn’t mean you can’t use allegory or metaphor, but it should be nuanced and subtly implied.
Additional rules may apply to your story not listed here.Â
If you are uncertain about your content, you can email storyletter@protonmail.com with a description or example of the content. Do not send pitches, as they will not be considered.
Can I submit previously published or self-published manuscripts?
Yes. All previous e-book publications must be discontinued from sale on any digital retailer. Previous print publications must be out of print and removed from on-demand printing. The author must have all the rights. Please include information about the previous publication and sales of the story/series in our submission form. Our submission file format guidelines still apply to previously published titles. Do not send print-ready PDFs. If accepted, we will edit, design, and publish previously published titles through our normal publishing process.
Should I submit my book to you? It’s about…
Storyletter XPress Publishing LLC ONLY reviews submissions sent through our form and the accompanying synopsis and manuscript delivery instructions. We do not review emailed queries, sample chapters, or partial manuscripts. We are happy to answer questions about our submission process or preferred genres over email. Still, we will not review author bios, outlines, queries, pitches, or other submission materials that have not been sent through our form.
Do you accept translations of books in other languages?
As long as the author or translator can work with our editors in English, we are happy to consider translated titles. To be considered, the manuscript must read naturally to native speakers or be able to read naturally with minor editing. The author’s and character’s voices must still be strong despite being translated. We will put all manuscripts through our normal editing processes, even if they are already published in another language. This includes any necessary plot edits.Â
Do you accept submissions from authors outside the United States?
We accept submissions from anywhere worldwide but only publish stories in English.
Will you translate my book into English?
Storyletter XPress Publishing LLC does not currently translate stories. We only accept stories that have already been translated into good English.
When should I submit?
Submissions are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Storyletter XPress Publishing LLC reserves the right to close submissions at any time.
Can I include artwork in my submission?
No, submissions should be text only. At this time, Storyletter XPress Publishing LLC is not accepting picture book submissions or color illustrations. Do not include cover art. If you have a cover design or illustration that pairs with your submission, let us know in the submission form.
Do you make exceptions to your word count requirements?
Submissions below 50 or over 10k words will not be eligible for short fiction/poetry entry. Suppose your story is intended for serial format. In that case, submissions over 10k words may be considered if qualifying information is appropriately filled out within the submission form section regarding novelettes and novellas.
Can I submit multiple titles for your consideration?
Yes, but try to limit one entry per submission category (poetry, short story, novella, etc.) to give our editors time to review each submission.
Need Help?
Have questions not answered here? Use our contact form to ask for more information, or email your question to storyletter@protonmail.com.
Submission queries sent through the contact form will not be considered. Do not send outlines, summaries, or query letters.Â
For more info, head on over to the About page. In the meantime, tell your friends!
