New call for submissions - "Haunted by the Past"

Tacitus Publishing's 2015 anthology project is - HAUNTED BY THE PAST.  We are looking for short fiction (1,500 to 5,000 words) that pays tribute to some of the past greats - M. R. James, Algernon Blackwood, Sheridan Le Fanu.  The story should be a ghost story that carries the tone, stylistic language, and/or classic story structure.  We are not interested in overwhelming gore or mature content. This should be an original piece of work.

Submission process:

There are two options, either using the submission form on the website or sending an email. For either choice, we ask that you attach the story as an rtf (rich text format) file. 

email:  submission(at)tacituspublishing.com

subject line should read: Haunted Anthology

(This maybe pushing it based on the possibility of being overwhelmed, but we may offer quick critiques or suggestions to submitters in our responses.  Tacitus Publishing wants to continue with its writer-friendly approach by offering any small amount of assistance we can.)

Cover letter and quick biography:

Please put the cover letter in the body of the form or email.  The structuring of the letter should include -

• your name
• contact info - address, phone, email
• title of the story
• a one sentence summary of your story
• word count
• brief bio and quick list of published work

Submission format:

We are not concerned with the overall format of the body of your work but do ask for some page formatting to assist our reviewing process.  Please add to each page -

• top left - author's name
• top right - title
• bottom - page number

Simultaneous and multiple submissions:

We will not accept simultaneous submissions. We will accept multiple submissions if you have received a rejection notice concerning your first submission and the call has not closed, but request that you submit no more than two stories.

Timetable:

Open for submissions - May 1st, 2015

Closed for submissions - August 31st, 2015

Projected completion and published: 1st Quarter 2016

Payment:

We pay 1 cent USD per word. We also provide a complimentary electronic version of the book to each contributor.

Production:

In the interest of the story building and the publishing process, there is the possibility of minor editorial changes to accepted stories. Understand though, the submission is expected to be a polished and proofread product. 

Rights:

Tacitus Publishing asks for First Exclusive Worldwide publishing rights for the term of one year as well as non-exclusive reprint rights thereafter.

It's a Grimm Life - "A Grimm Cover"

Designing a cover for It's a Grimm Life was a great treat and a new challenge.  The first step was finding the right concept.  I wanted something that exemplified the project's theme - it needed to show the Grimm tales brought into modern times.

It took about a month for the seed to germinate.  I wanted to avoid using an overused icon to represent the Grimm idea but, in the end, I relinquished.  The thought of Red transforming into a business woman, walking out of the woods and into a city, made for great symbolism.  

The wolf was an easy decision, changing into a werewolf - and who wouldn't want a werewolf.  I noticed long ago I, for whatever reason, am very critical of the various werewolf body styles.  I think it started with my seeing THE HOWLING.  Seeing that first full transformation just amazed my teenage mind.  Either that or I was horribly traumatized...  So this piece had to honor my idea of what a werewolf should look like.
 

As my first book cover, I had to start off with a traditional piece - acrylic on canvas.  I did consider digital but my odd desire for 'self-love' required that I had something tangible when finished.  No regrets.

I found the unintentional line moment made the centerpiece stand out even more.  The trees seem to push you into the street, then the one point perspective would not let you escape the center.  Using read for highlighting made me feel very M. Night Shyamalan.

Seeing the final product was very satisfying.  The painting took about 20 hours, matching the time it took to do all the interior illustrations.  As a side note, the hardest part is getting a good picture for digital format. 

IT'S A GRIMM LIFE - “Grimm Beginnings”

- James S. Austin

As a small publisher looking for the proper start, I felt the need to launch a project that embodies Tacitus Publishing's desire to promote writing and writers.  Anthologies are one of the best opportunities for writers, both practiced and new, to get a piece published.  They give a writer the chance to explore new concepts and experiment with a different voice while not having to feel the pressure of writing a story that must appeal to a broad audience.

I have always been fascinated by the assorted stories from past cultures, to include the Grimms’ collection of fairy tales.  It was during my college studies in anthropology, which included an examination of folklore and oral traditions, when I came to appreciate their influence on the literary world.  Their simple but moralistic plot-threads are still alive in popular film and television today.  It’s a Grimm Life offers the reader a chance to once again enter these past fables but through a new perspective and in a modern setting.

The release of - IT'S A GRIMM LIFE

Tacitus Publishing has released its first publication - IT'S A GRIMM LIFE.  We are thankful for the authors and everyone who made this possible.  You can find the book on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

It's a Grimm Life - Illustration Preview #2

Here is another preview of an illustration (with colored added) for "It's a Grimm Life" anthology. 

"Waxwing"   - by Adrean Messmer

art by James S. Austin

It's a Grimm Life - Illustration Preview #1

A little preview of an illustration (with colored added) for "It's a Grimm Life" anthology.  Due out March 1st through Amazon as an e-book.

"The Wicked Stepmother"   - by Jessamy Corob Cook

art by James S. Austin

With the Window Closed, Comes a New Dream...

The submission window has closed and I am pleased with the response.  I want to personally thank the writers who took the time to make this possible.  I would also say thanks to those who may have been inspired and dared to dream that they too may have completed something to share, for one day they will hopefully contribute to another project.

As the process continues, I will continue to update everyone here.  I look forward to finding those gems that will introduce a new set of fables to the world.  Also, as a side note, the cover art will be inspired by one of these tales.

-  James