Interfictions, edited by Delia Sherman & Theodora Goss, was a provocative anthology of interstitial fiction published last year by Small Beer Press under the auspices of the Interstitial Arts Foundation. Containing terrific fiction by Christopher Barzak, Catherynne M. Valente, Veronica Schanoes, K. Tempest Bradford, Matthew Cheney, Anna Tambour, and others, with a critical essay on interstitiality by Heinz Insu Fenkl, and cover art by Connie Toebe, the book created quite a buzz.
Now the I.A.F. is getting to work on a second anthology of interstitial fiction, to be edited by Delia Sherman and Chris Barzak this time, and published by Small Beer Press in 2009. The editors would like all interested writers to know that the book will be open for submissions later this year. The submission guidelines are below.
To learn more about interstitial fiction, visit the Interfictions blog, the IAF website, and the IAF discussion board.
"From these airborne stories stream contrails of traditional realism, philosophical fable, literary fantasy, existential horror, transmogrified myth, off-center science fiction and unabashed slapstick. . . . [Interfictions] belongs on the nightstand of anyone interested in the development of contemporary short fiction." -- Michael Bishop on Interfictions in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Interfictions II submission guidelines
from Delia Sherman & Christopher Barzak, editors:
What We’re Looking For
Interstitial Fiction is all about breaking rules, ignoring boundaries, cross-pollinating the fields of literature. It’s about working between, across, through, and at the edges and borders of literary genres, including fiction and non-fiction. It falls between the cracks of other movements, terms, and definitions. If you have a story idea that’s impossible to describe in a couple of sentences, it may be interstitial.
We’re looking for previously unpublished stories that engage us and make us think about literature in new ways. Rather than defining “interstitial” for you, we’d like you to show us what genre-bending fiction looks like. Surprise us; make us see that literature holds possibilities we haven't yet imagined.
We are also open to graphic stories of about 10 pages.
Who We Are Looking For
Writers in all genres of fiction (contemporary realism, mystery, historical, fantasy, whatever) who have an idea that challenges generic tropes and expectations. If you're not sure whether a story is interstitial, send it along anyway.
Practical Matters
Our submission period will be from October 1, 2008 to December 2, 2008. Please submit electronically only. Send your stories to: interfictions [at] interstitialarts.org. You will hear from us after January, 2009.
Overseas submissions are welcome. Stories previously published in other languages may be submitted in English translation for first English language publication.
Please follow standard manuscript formatting and submission conventions: ie, double-spaced, with 1” margins, and the name of the story on each page. No simultaneous or multiple submissions. Word count is open, but the ideal range is 4,000-10,000 words. Payment will be 5 cents a word for non-exclusive world anthology rights, on publication, along with 2 author’s copies.
Any questions? Write us at interfictions [at] interstitialarts.org.
Comments