Monday, August 1, 2016

The Launching of "Shatterd Space" Anthology


Tacitus Publishing is now open to submissions for its latest anthology project - Shattered Space.  This third release has a much broader topic, tales of horror in space.  The excitement is palpable but I know this is just the beginning of the roller coaster ride.

From where I sit, meaning a small publishing house, anthologies bring a mixed bag of emotions.  At the start, launching one takes a little courage.  There is a sense of obligation involved.  I first have to consider the writers who contribute and then myself.  There has to be a high standard applied to the process, while trying to keep an open mind for those newer writers trying to catch a break.  I must have faith that the call will receive enough quality material, promising the readers they are not going to be disappointed.  So there is a pledge given to all, an implied responsibility to the project, something unspoken, no matter the potential for psychological damage while experiencing the proverbial bumps.


Just opening the submission window for an anthology can be a frightful thing.  There is no telling what will come through the 'virtual' door.  I have received stories that are on point with a project while also receiving ones that totally miss the mark.  I sometimes believe that the writer is either sending it hoping the story can slip in as one of the possible 'outliers' that get accepted or they just do not understand what the project is asking for in terms of material.  I read all the submission on a personal level before considering this a slush pile to be worked through.

And that brings up the internal struggle and exposure to a plethora of emotions because of a singular decision, the one you must live with through the months of reading and editing.  What theme will entice writers to be inspired and submit?  The previous two anthologies, It's a Grimm Life and Haunted by the Past, seemed an easy enough process.  It's a Grimm Life embraced the current trend of Grimm fairy tales hitting the box office and TV shows.  And for my personal agenda, Haunted by the Past was a tribute to all the writers who were my imaginary caretakers when I was a child and young adult.  Yes, I had some of the older, more prolific horror writers in my life help mold this psyche - M. R. James, Algernon Blackwood, Le Fanu, Clark Ashton Smith, Ambrose Bierce.  The nurturing of my dark side, you could say.

Do not forget the potential for confusion and uncertainty.  This year offered a new option, I could do a continuing collection rather than start anew.  As it turned out, the natural course prevailed.  With fantasy and old school horror touched on, science fiction had to be the next theme.  I will say that the core ingredient still remains true when deciding on which stories will make the cut - the human element has to be the driving force in the plot. This point should help writers to avoid their struggle with emotions as they wait for a response from our end, have faith that their writing was highly polished and the elements of a good story were applied.

Shattered Space will prove to be another step towards filling out Tacitus Publishing's resume with crossing another genre and gifting that eventual relief of completing an incredible product thanks in part to those involved.  It is this relief that makes all the emotional buffeting and sleepless nights worth the journey. 

The last opportunity to send a story in will be on October 31st, 2016.