Project 42 Stories Anthology Guidelines

 

The theme of this anthology is to have 1,764 stories by 1,764 writers of different names, which is 42 x 42 by 42 x 42 writers. Multi-subs are okay as long as you use a pen name for each story (max of 4 stories per writer). If you have to ask why the need of a pen name, kindly reread the first sentence again.

 

Story rules:

Each story needs a title with approximately 42 characters (between 40 and 44).

All stories need to be exactly 42 words.

All bios are in 3^rd person and exactly 42 words long.

Use this site: https://convertcase.net/

Note: Hyphens count as a word as do ellipsis so be careful.

 

The subject line of an email should include 42subs, the category, and your initials. Examples:

42subs_mystery_bam

42SUB_mys_BM

Your middle initial will help differentiate you from others. There are 42 categories, and the subject line helps us know which category’s readers to send your work to, so please remember this part.

 

Each chapter has a cover. All of the covers have been selected except for the Crime, Fight, and

book cover. If you are interested in drawing one, email me: 42anthologysubs@gmail.com

 

The publication date is TBA, but once published, a token amount will be donated to United Through Reading. Also, the 42 chapters have a Story of Excellence Award. Award winners receive:

 

$0.42, which can be added to the anthology charity.

Story podcasts and read on YouTube by the author or possibly an actor

A 42 Anthology Story of Excellence certificate

Writing the introduction to their chapter

Possibly more

 

We need about 300 stories to reach our goal. Please send us something for consideration. Keep the guidelines in mind.

 

Pay: This anthology will come out in all possible formats. Unfortunately, payment for all authors cannot be guaranteed. At this time, we have no plan to pay authors aside from award winners mentioned and authors of the Craft of Writing category. We will, however, consider paying authors if it is possible.

 

When you send us a story, you agree to the terms of the anthology and to your work being published in the Project 42 Stories Anthology. The terms and submission link are here:

https://bamwrites.blogspot.com/2018/07/42-stories-anthology.html

Or just go through Submittable:

https://42storiessubs.submittable.com/submit/202427/400-stories-of-42-words-each-needed-for-anthology

42 Stories Anthology: Craft of Writing

You cannot have a story in the anthology and enter this chapter.

What is your answer to this question? "If you could inspire and encourage thousands of other writers and readers with 42 words, what would you write?"

Include a 42-word 3rd person bio (highlighting why you were selected for this category)

Email: 42anthologysubs@gmail.com with the subject:

Craft of Writing and your last name (this doesn't have to be exact).

Rules
No stories currently accepted in the 42 Stories Anthology (unless you withdraw them)
You have won a writing contest or award, such as:
The Bridport Prize
Bristol Short Story Prize
Pushcart Prize
National Poetry Competition
The First Novel Prize
Flash 500 prize
Bath Novel Writing Prize
Emily Dickinson First Book Award
PEN/Faulkner Award For Fiction
Writers of the Future Contest
Or a related prize

Almost any writing award is okay. Or your story was a bestseller anywhere excluding Amazon.

What do you get?
- Special guest judge for one of the other 41 categories. The guest judge reads 42 stories of 42 words and selecting award-winning stories (roughly 10 pages).
- Highlighted as a special guest writer in the anthology.
- Your interview answer in the Craft of Writing chapter.
- If it fits, your name will be on the back cover of the book.
- Payment of $42 USD

In the email:
CL should mention what contest you won and a link to your story (so we can become your newest fan).
The answer to the prompt.

Your 42-word 3rd person bio highlighting your achievements. This way, you can inspire others through your successes.

Another submission method:
https://42storiessubs.submittable.com/submit/202426/42-stories-anthology-craft-of-writing

Q&A

For writers: What would you classify as a "prestigious award in writing"? Would the award be limited to stories, or would awards for plays be acceptable? 

Answer: It's fine to send a submission and see if we accept it for the Craft of Writing, but the list we use of "prestigious award in writing" is above. However, we realize that "prestigious writing" is subjective, and this part is flexible to us.

 

For editors: Would editors who work for publications that do not pay pro rates be acceptable?

Answer: It's fine to send something and see if we decide to use the submission for the Craft of Writing, but for editors we're looking for people you can search online and see a Wikipedia page on such as David Remnick, and if Mr. Remnick is reading this, we hope you'll send something. The chapter is to inspire authors, and who better to do that than editors (and agents) writers have heard of.

 

For publishers: Would publishers who are involved in vanity press and/or press that does not play pro rates be acceptable?

Answer: We are looking for publishers who actively help writers and will highlight that in their 42-word bio. This isn't just including publishers, but writers as well who will highlight how they help other authors in their 42-word bios.