Submission Guidelines

Michael · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:16 am Post subject: Submission Guidelines

Submission Guidelines

Last edited September 8, 2009

NOTICE: ToL IS CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS UNTIL JANUARY 2, 2010

ToL now has reading periods. You may submit your work as early as a month before each period, and I will still aim to acknowledge receipt as quickly as possible. Afterward, please allow 6 to 12 weeks for a decision (from the beginning of the reading period or receipt of acknowledgement, whichever comes last).

The reading periods are as follows:

January 1 through March 31
July 1 through August 31

Tower of Light is now seeking fantasy artwork! Please send in your artwork. TOL is not closed to art submissions!

If you are a fantasy writer or artist and would like to write or draw for Tower of Light Fantasy please read the following submission guidelines first:

1. Fiction

Tower of Light is a free online fantasy magazine. I prefer short stories of 500 - 4,000 words. This word count is firm. I will publish almost any kind of fantasy - especially stories that blend genres, such as dark fantasy, science fantasy, and superhero fantasy. Sword and sorcery and traditional fantasy are fine as long as they have fairly original plots and - more importantly - deeply interesting characters. I might also consider stories that are closer to science fiction as long as they have a mystical or spiritual element.

I will add here that "erotic fantasy" doesn't fit with the image I'm trying to create for Tower of Light, so please don't submit anything like this.

I'm not looking to serialize stories at this time.

Also, I want character-driven stories. Yes, all stories are about characters, but there are differences between plot-driven and character-driven stories. For a story to be character-driven, the character must be more important than the plot. I want to explore the events and ideas of the plot-line through the eyes and feelings of the character. For more information about "character-driven stories," please read Character Driven Conflict by Jean Lorrah.

Also, there are a lot of story ideas that get used often lately. This doesn't mean they're bad, but it does mean we could probably use a break from them for a while. For an idea of what ideas have a higher likelihood of being rejected, study the Stories We've Seen Too Often list that is part of the guidelines for Strange Horizons magazine.

Since Tower of Light is a free online publication, the current pay rate for stories is $5.00 for 500-4000 words - paid on publication. I hope to pay more in the future as the site grows. Also, ALL payments will be made through PayPal; there will be NO exceptions.

Tower of Light will consider stories from any author. I would very much like to publish stories from both established authors and first-time writers. Reprints are also acceptable. For simultaneous submissions, please query. I might also consider up to two submissions from a single author, but please query first if you intend to submit a second story.

PLEASE NOTE: I would very much like to see more work from previously unpublished writers! Most of what I've accepted so far comes from writers who have published some of their work.

The rate of publication of the magazine will depend on the level of interest and the volume of high quality stories we receive. In general, when we publish a story it will remain on the site in its archive forever, but this is negotiable.

Tower of Light will get one time electronic and (negotiable) archival rights only. Specifically, we buy the right to publish your story one time in Tower of Light magazine, and to add your story to the archives with your permission. Any story you publish in this magazine is yours.

Please submit your story by email in the body of your email. I honestly prefer the proper manuscript format but, unfortunately, that is no longer viable.

Please take note of the format I'd like you use. This is important:

A. Anything you want in italics should be in italics, since this makes it easier for me.

B. There must be two spaces at the beginning of every sentence!

C. Please include your name, email address (or snail-mail address) on the manuscript itself. Please also indicate the name you want the story to be published under, if different from your real name.

NOTE: From now on, any manuscripts that do not include an email address at the top will be deleted unread!

D. Please include an approximate word count and the title of the story in the email. If you want a biography to be included with your story, please include a short paragraph in the body of your email and clearly mark it "Biography."

Although it's no longer necessary for TOL, it's always good to know the proper format. You can find a great example at William Shunn's Short Story Format Page.

Stories should be emailed to tol@tolfantasy.com . The subject line should say "Submission." As an example, it should look something like this: "Submission: Your Story Title." Synopses are not necessary; let your story sell itself. I will acknowledge receipt of your email as quickly as possible, and will aim to give you a decision on the story within 6 to 12 weeks of receipt. Lately, I have been very slow to send the final decisions, so if you do not receive one from me within the 12 weeks, please feel free to query (I will probably need it).

2. Artwork

I prefer fantasy artwork only, although the artwork can blend the genres the way I'd like the stories to as well. Otherwise, please, no science fiction or horror, and no erotica at all.

When I use artwork, I will buy only the right to use it one time for one particular issue and, like the fiction, (negotiable) archive rights (with permision from the artist). All rights belong to the artist.

At this time I'm paying $5.00 for each piece of artwork upon publication of the issue in which it appears. I will only accept one piece per issue.

Please send artwork as JPEG or GIF files by email to tol@tolfantasy.com . The subject line should say "Art Sub." I will acknowledge receipt of your email as quickly as possible, and will aim to give you a decision within 6 to 12 weeks of receipt.

Well, I don't know any other way to receive artwork, so the submissions will still be done this way and I'll just have to scan the attachments before opening them.

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