Anthology Submission Guidelines
This anthology is now CLOSED
to submissions.
The book is now published.
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Two tablets, ten commandments. They've all been broken. Let's break them again...
Thou Shalt Not is an anthology for stories of horror and dark crime in which someone breaks one of the Ten Commandments with dire, deadly, or disastrous results. We're not looking for stories set in Bible times or stories necessarily of a religious bent. We want contemporary stories with unique treatments of ancient premises set in stone. And please, no stories with a priest as the main character.
Tales of murder, adultery, and covetousness are dime a dozen, so we're going to be very choosy concerning stories about the "easy" commandments. Your chances for acceptance are better if you submit a story for the "hard" commandments... What happens when someone discovers a new god and decides to worship it? When someone becomes enamored with a graven image? What could possibly transpire by working--or forcing someone else to work--on a day set aside for rest? Send us your best work.
UPDATE, 5/28/05:
Editor's Observations on Submissions So Far...
- I've started to accept some stories. See the table at the end of this page for remaining story needs. I reject stories fairly quickly. If you've submitted and haven't received a response within 2-3 weeks, your story may be pending.
IMPORTANT UPDATE, 4/24/05:
Editor's Observations on Submissions So Far...
- Your story must be for a specific commandment. The anthology will be divided into ten sections, one for each commandment. If I can't categorize your story, I won't accept it. I'm getting too many submissions that apply to more than one commandment. Many commandments may be broken in a single story, but the subject matter of the story must center on a single issue (see next point).
- Your story must be about the sin/crime in the commandment. Some writers are sending in stories that have little or nothing to do with the sin/crime in question. If you want to study the commandment in multiple versions of the Bible and write a new story that has to do with a single commandment, please do so; I'd love to see it. Don't send me something from your story drawer that only has a passing reference to the sin/crime in question.
- Your story doesn't necessarily have to mention the commandment being broken, but the sin/crime must be the subject of the story. I'm not looking for religious stories, per se.
- The editor dislikes any font but Courier 12. See the format guidelines below, and follow them religiously.
- "Misusing God's name" isn't simply using swear words. It's using God's name to promote ideas or activities that never came from God. Study the Bible text in various versions to see what it says. Don't rely on Sunday School teachings or religious knowledge.
The following is the text from Exodus 20:3-17 in the New International Version. For further insight on the Decalogue, check other versions of this passage on the Bible Gateway.
PRINCIPLE
BIBLE TEXT
1. Worshiping false gods
“You shall have no other gods besides me.”
2. Engaging in idolatry
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
3. Misusing God’s name
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
4. Violating the day of rest
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do.”
5. Dishonoring parents
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
6. Murdering
“You shall not murder.”
7. Committing adultery
“You shall not commit adultery.”
8. Stealing
“You shall not steal.”
9. Bearing false testimony
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
10. Coveting what belongs to your neighbor
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Guidelines
The anthology will contain 100,000+ words of original horror and dark crime stories of up to 5000 words each (2500-3500 preferred).
- No previously published works.
- No multiple submissions.
- No electronic submissions (see below for postal address).
- You must include SASE for reply. Submitters outside the U.S. should use U.S. return postage, which can be purchased from http://www.usps.com.
- In your cover letter, briefly introduce yourself and mention the commandment your story is about.
Limit one longer story per author, but up to two flash pieces (under 1000 words).
Format: Your manuscript must follow the format guidelines listed under Manuscript Format on the DCP Submissions page. And you must adhere to our content standards...
Content StandardsTo download the Microsoft Word Short Story Template, right-click on the link and select Save Target As.) Click the following link for instructions on how to use the template.
DCP's books entertain readers with meaningful and decent dark fiction-spellbinding stories without adult language and erotica. DCP books give readers an entertaining, thrilling, scary, imaginative read, leaving them with something of moral value to ponder.
If you want your story to be considered, you must follow the Content Standards discussed on the DCP Submissions page.
Submission PeriodApril 1, 2005 to July 31, 2005. Rejections may come sooner, but acceptance responses will be mailed in August 2005.
Publication is slated for Spring/Summer 2006.
Rights PurchasedFirst World Publication Rights in the English language for a term of five years.
PaymentFive cents a word for stories 1000-5000 words (determined by word processor count). Six cents a word for flash stories under 1000 words (determined by word processor count).
Payment will be made on acceptance of final draft of story (the editorial process begins in August). Payment is an advance on a pro rata (based on final published page count) share of 30% of net revenue.
Submission AddressNO electronic submissions! Mail your story with SASE for reply the old fashioned way to:
Lee A. Howard, Editor
TSN Anthology
Dark Cloud Press
P.O. Box 219
Monroeville, PA 15146-0219
USAQuestions? Contact the editor at the above address with SASE.
Write well!
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Commandments FilledThe following table is updated periodically and shows the number of words filled (stories bought) for each commandment, and the number of words yet needed. There will be approximately 10,000 words per commandment.
Last updated: 2/22/06
Commandment
Number of Words Filled
Number of Words Needed
1. Worshiping false gods
10,000
0
2. Engaging in idolatry
10,000
0
3. Misusing God’s name
10,000
0
4. Violating the day of rest
10,000
0
5. Dishonoring parents
10,000
0
6. Murdering
10,000
0
7. Committing adultery
10,000
0
8. Stealing
10,000
0
9. Bearing false testimony
10,000
0
10. Coveting what belongs to your neighbor
10,000
0
TOTAL
100,000
0