Update! New Deadline!
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In Vikings’ Arms (tentative title)
Editor: Delilah Devlin
Publisher: Cleis Press
Deadline: July 15, 2014 August 10, 2014
For publication in 2015.
IN VIKINGS’ ARMS is open to all authors.
Editor/Author Delilah Devlin is looking for historically-themed stories—centered around the Northmen—for a romantic erotica anthology tentatively entitled IN VIKINGS’ ARMS: Erotic Romance for Women.
Let your fantasies run wild to a time when men wearing bear shirts and conical helms captured fierce maiden’s hearts! Don’t feel you have to restrict your imaginings to any particular era or region—dream about the Rus who served in the Byzantine Varangian Guard; the Northmen bent on plunder for wealth and slaves; Vikings who traded with civilizations as far-flung as Persia; and those intrepid men who settled northern Europe (remember, they founded the city of Dublin!), Iceland, Greenland, and even North America. A few time-travel stories may be considered. And light paranormal is also acceptable.
Delilah will be looking for stories rich in sensory detail that explore women’s forbidden desires. For example, a Viking enters a British keep seeking gold and a comely slave. The lady’s journey might lead her on a rough sea voyage in a longboat to a cold foreign land. He’s expecting a servant; she’s determined to make the best of her plight, and despite his fierce appearance and rough ways, she seduces him… Imagine what happens next…
IN VIKINGS’ ARMS will seek stories to satisfy the reader who craves the romantic idea of that hard but questing man while exploring stories set in the Dark Ages. Traditional themes/tropes can be used, but writers are encouraged to create tales that surprise. Delilah seeks unique stories from authors with strong voices, and above all, she’s looking to be seduced by tales filled with vivid imagery and passion.
Published authors with an established historical world may use that setting for their original short story.
Keeping in mind that this volume is targeted at women, the editor seeks mainly hetero stories, but will consider bisexual or lesbian encounters and polyamorous relationships. This is erotic romance, so don’t hold back on the heat. Stories can be vanilla or filled with kink, but don’t miss describing the connection between strong-willed individuals learning to trust and love one another. Keep in mind there must be a romantic element with a happy-for-now or happy-ever-after ending. Strong plots, engaging characters, and unique twists are the ultimate goal. Please no reprints. These must be original stories.
How to submit: Prepare your 2,500 to 5,000 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.
In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym, if applicable), mailing address, and 50 words or less bio in the third person, and send to invikingsarms@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories. Delilah hopes to respond with decisions in November 2014. The publisher has final approval over the stories included in the manuscript.
Payment will be $50.00 USD and two copies of the published book upon publication. Contributors retain the rights to their work, although the editor requests the courtesy of authors not republishing their work until at least 6 months after the publication of this anthology.
Ms. Devlin has published over a hundred twenty stories in multiple sub-genres and lengths with Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Grand Central, Kensington, Kindle, Montlake Romance, Running Press, and Samhain Publishing. In Fall 2011, she debuted her first anthology with Cleis Press, GIRLS WHO BITE. Since then, she published SHE SHIFTERS, COWBOY LUST, SMOKIN’ HOT FIREFIGHTERS, HIGH OCTANE HEROES, and COWBOY HEAT. HOT HIGHLANDERS AND WILD KNIGHTS releases in Fall 2014.
Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at invikingsarms@gmail.com.
