Anthologies for Dog Lovers, Cat Lovers and Horse Lovers

Ultimate Dog Lover, Ultimate Cat Lover, and Ultimate Horse Lover, all to be published by HCI Books, seek non-fiction, first-person, 500-1800 words, typed in Times New Roman, 12 point, 1.5 line spacing using no pre-defined styles in a standard word-processing file format ( .doc, .wps, .wpd, .txt)and submitted through their websites (see below).

Submissions will be accepted through March 15, 2008.

Previously published material is welcome as long as you retained all rights to the material. Multiple submissions are accepted.

Compensation: $200 per story and/or photo published, payable upon publication. Publication date: October 2008

For more information, go to www.theultimatedoglover.com, www.theultimatecatlover.com, or www.theultimatehorselover.com

It Came from Planet Mars Anthology

IT CAME FROM PLANET MARS ANTHOLOGY Editor: Doyle Eldon Wilmoth, Jr E-subs: Submission@specficworld.com

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Needs: Looking for dark science fiction in all styles, mixes, and viewpoints. Please pay attention to the title of the anthology -- it should be obvious what kind of stories we're looking for with this project.
• Tip: Send only your best. The darker the better.
• Length: 1k-12k/wds.
• Payment: We will pay a token payment of $5 + copy in PDF Format and 1 year subscription to our Market & Literary Agent Database ($12.97 value).
• How you will be paid: Payment will be made through PayPal paid on publication July 15, 2008.
• Rights: We are buying World-Wide electronic rights. All rights revert back to the author after publication, but we retain the right to archive your story on our site up to a period of five years after the date of publication.
• Distribution: The anthology will be exclusively offered as a free download from the SpecFicWorld.com site.
• Reprints: No.
• Deadline: April 15, 2008.
• How to submit: Submissions should be sent to the above e-mail address. No need for a cover letter; but make sure to include a short bio (written in third-person for publication purposes) embedded in the body of the e-mail and your manuscript. Subject line: MARS SUBMISSION. Please NO multiple or simultaneous submissions.
• Format: RTF, WORD, (RTF preferred) file sent as an attachment. Make sure to color all italicized text in red or underline. And make sure to mark all breaks in the text with three *** asterisks.
• Response time: 1 month after deadline.
• Publishing date: July 15, 2008.

Winter Wonders

Available now in print and e-book versions at By Grace Publishing.

Winter Wonders, an anthology of short Winter stories:

If you are suffering burnout from the plethora of bad news, holiday let down, or just stress, pick this up. These four darling stories will refresh your soul.

~ Amanda Huntress reviews

SNOW KISSED by Cindy K. Green

Today is one of those days Logan Reilly wished he’d stayed in bed. Not only does he have to deal with the annoying Winter Wonderland Carnival but his close friend, that whimsical lover of snow, Holly Armstrong, was leaving town forever. The question is why didn’t she tell him and why today of all days does he realize he loves her? Can he change her mind and make her stay?

Excerpt from Snow Kissed:

“So,” asked Logan , lifting his chin, a real smile moving onto his face now, “what are you up to this afternoon?”

She smiled back. “I’m off for a snow walk.”

“That’s what so stupid about this…this whole Winter Wonderland Carnival. There is no snow!” He raised both his hands in frustration.

“There will be,” she replied with complete confidence.

“How do you know? There’s no snow expected. Cold, but no snow.”

“There’ll be snow tonight.” She stepped close to him, laying her hand in the crook of his arm while a swirl of pleasure moved around inside her stomach at the contact. “Just breathe,” she whispered to him slowly as she took in a deep whiff. “You smell that?”

He shook his head. “What? Burgers from down the street?”

“No,” she laughed. He could be so dense sometimes. “It’s the first snowfall.” She inhaled another intoxicating aroma of winter air. “It’s coming.”

“And what’s so good about snow? It’s just annoying and inconvenient.” He pulled his arm away and folded them across his lean frame.

“Snow is beautiful, magical.” Her voice came out breathy, the idea of snow making her feel all tingly.

“It’s cold, wet stuff that falls from the sky.”

“Then there are the wonderful clothes: hats, scarves, gloves…”

“…galoshes, wool socks,” he countered.

She continued, not to be undone by his cynicism. “Fresh baked cookies, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, hot toddies…what is a hot toddy?”

He nearly laughed at her, a cute smile building in the corner of his mouth as he shook his head. “A hot alcoholic drink. You want to come in for some coffee? I just made a pot.”

She shook her head and took in a deep breath before releasing it. “No, remember I’m off to take my snow walk through Meriden .” She tilted her head up at him. “I’ll be at the carnival tonight though, not that you would dare show your face there.”

Pausing, she make a concerted effort to memorize his face, including his subtly uneven eyebrows. This might possibly be their final farewell. A breath hitched in her throat at the thought of never seeing Logan again. They’d shared so many memories over the years: spring picnics at the lake, midnight movies, and disastrous cooking adventures. Life wouldn’t be the same without him.

She should tell him she was leaving town for good. This was the perfect moment. Maybe he would respond by telling her she should stay—stay because he loved her too much to let her go. In my dreams. “Goodbye, Logan ,” was all she could bring herself to say. It was easier than being disappointed.

“Bye Holly.” He said the words as he always did—with genuine warmth, when no one else was paying attention, that is. He released a small smile and Holly was caught in his gaze, a little thrill pulsing in her heart.

Logan was rugged from the clothes he wore to the tough and edgy persona he showed to the world. But his eyes, yes, his eyes betrayed his softer side. You would have expected him to have black, beady eyes by the way he barked at everyone, but instead he had these deep, soulful eyes in the most brilliant indigo Holly had ever seen on any person, man or woman. She would miss those eyes and these stimulating conversations. Well, everything that is Logan Riley.

Blurbs from the other stories:

SMUGGLER OF THE HEART by JoAnn Carter

Disheartened and tired, Samantha Warren returns to Vermont during the winter break. Her passion for history rekindles after finding an old smuggler’s chest hidden in her grandparents' attic. Will she be able to return to New Jersey without her heart being smuggled like the chest once was? Or is it already too late?

GWEN’S RESOLUTION by Meg Allison

For Gwen Josephs, the New Year held no more nights reading novel after novel. Even if she had to go it alone...or would she?

Enter Tad Smith, a man in the right place with the right plans. Just another coincidence in a string?

Maybe. Or maybe it’s fate.

MAYBE FOREVER by Muncy G. Chapman

When Margy Mayfield gives shelter to a near-frozen man during the worst blizzard of the season, her tender heart rules over her sensible head. But what if this stranger turns out to be the escaped prisoner reported loose in her area?

Cindy K. Green

Bringing Sweet Romance to the Heart

Cinnamon Press - Poetry Anthology

Poetry that tells a story in a fresh way. Submit up to 4 previously
unpublished poems, each a maximum of 50 lines, to BOTH
gailashton@btintern et.com AND suerichardson@ scredwrites. freeserve. co.uk
by 3/31/08.

Samhain Publishing - Tickle My Fantasy Anthology

Call for submissions: Samhain Publishing Tickle My Fantasy Anthology

Demons, vamps, werewolves, ghosties, ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. We love to love them, but can they make laugh, too?

I’m very pleased to announce an open call for submissions for a new anthology. I’m looking for contemporary paranormal romances with a strong humorous voice. I’m open to any paranormal creature, but it has to be funny, and it has to be romantic.

The anthology will include novellas from 18,000 to 20,000 words in length and will be released individually as ebooks in February 2009 and packaged for a print release the following year.

Submissions are open to all authors, published with Samhain or aspiring to be published with Samhain. All submissions must be new material, previously published submissions will not be considered. Additionally, manuscripts previously submitted, whether individually or for past anthologies, will not be considered either. Please be aware that manuscripts submitted to this anthology cannot be
resubmitted at a later date unless by invitation from an editor.

To submit, please include the full manuscript of 18,000 to 20,000 words with a detailed 2 – 4 page synopsis as a separate attachment and a cover letter that tells me a bit about you and your background.

Submissions are open until May 31, 2008. The final decision will be made by June 16, 2008. Please send your submission to editor@samhainpublishing.com and include Tickle My Fantasy Anthology in the subject line.

I’m happy to answer questions about this anthology either on the Samhain Author loop, the Samhain Café, on the Romance Divas forum, or by private email.

*permission to forward granted

Laurie M. Rauch, Editor
laurie@samhainpublishing.com

Call for Submissions - Honey Locust Press

Honey Locust Press has just established a call for submissions for a Christian Spec Fic anthology. You can see details about this at

http://www.honeylocustpress.com/anthology_callout.htm

Please tell anyone else you think might be interested about this anthology.

Journeys of a Lifetime

Journeys of a Lifetime

Anthology

from the Readers' Station

Contributions by Elena Dorothy Bowman, Bryn Colvin, Nikki Leigh, Dorice Nelson, Nora Peterson, Ginger Simpson, Donna Sundblad, Angela Verdenius, and Anne Whitfield

Review by Nadene Carter

I read with delight this collection of stories and poems that speaks to the heart of each author’s journey through life. Each person views life through the eyes of her own experience and from that perspective creates fiction that brings the human experience into focus, providing insight that can be gained no other way.

Below I provide a quick peek into each piece.

Review: Journeys of a Lifetime

One Summer’s Day, by Elena Dorothy Bowman

This is a delightful snapshot of life lived in a less complicated time (and I quote) “…when times were hard and … the poor didn’t know they were poor…”

Model Number 1007, by Elena Dorothy Bowman

All humans’ carry with them deep-seated fears that surface in dreams, especially as children. A computer intent upon doing away with humans has to be high on the list of scary things.

The Waiting Room Princess, by Bryn Colvin

This author has a unique way with words and touches a deep need in all of us—to be seen and understood for who we really are.

Bread Making, by Bryn Colvin

I found this piece fascinating. This author has collected bits and pieces of folklore about the making and eating of bread over the centuries, and the significance people have attached to it.

Networking - It Can Help Your Promotional Work, by Shri Henkel

This short piece is packed with ideas on promoting oneself as well as one’s work. Networking with other people is the key to working smarter instead of harder.

Acceptance, by Nikki Leigh

The age-old struggle between generations plays out on the pages of this story. All of us want acceptance and to know that those we love recognize and appreciate us for the individuals that we are.

Nearing Noon, by Nikki Leigh

This short story written around the unpredictability of weather on the ocean delivers a nice twist at the end. You’ll enjoy this one.

Behavior Most Unlawful, by Dorice Nelson

The first piece in this grouping provides the reader with an insightful glimpse of the character, Bruic, and his return to his homeland on the Island of Gael, from which he was kidnapped many years earlier. The next piece leads the reader into chapter one of Lost Son of Ireland, where Bruic is now a trusted companion to warrior king Olaf the White.

Shank’s Mare, by Dorice Nelson

This story takes place between the prologue and chapter one of Saratoga Summer 1863. The cast of characters includes the five O’Malley brothers who have returned from brawling in the village. The two elder brothers reap the worst of their father’s wrath for their shenanigans and suffer the worst punishment.

Flying Lessons, by Nora Peterson

This nonfiction piece presents sound advice about learning to invest in the stock market. Her admonition to learn the lingo and go through pre-flight training before heading for the skies is good information for planning one’s financial future.

Tooth-Fairy Wisdom, by Ginger Simpson

This whimsical tale depicts how a tooth fairy earns her wings. Delightful!

Two Screwdrivers, by Donna Sundblad

This artfully crafted tale is set in the past. A child makes a simple request for two screwdrivers, which becomes the bridge that connects a son and a father upon his return home from the war.

Zombie Hospital, by Angela Verdenius

Read this story, with a twist of irony at the end, and you will never again view hospitals quite the same as you used to. This tale gives the reader a view of a perfectly normal person in a perfectly normal setting, then it takes you deep into the scariest recesses of the mind.

Perceptions, by Angela Verdenius

A preconceived notion can manifest itself in many ways. We of form a quick opinion about a person, which can prove to be in error if we take the time to really understand that person. This delightful story gives much food for thought.

Fire, by Angela Vedenius

One only understands fire and what it can steal away after looking the monster in the eye. The message of this piece is “preparedness.”

India Dreaming, by Anne Whitfield

The purpose for which the Taj Mahal was built is reflected in this beautiful story of one man’s adoring of the woman he loves, and declaring that love in the shadow of that magnificent building.