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Upcoming premises (target themes) and deadlines for submission [postmarked]:
- The Magic of Light and Shadow (July 1, 2023)
- The Missing Piece of the Puzzle (November 1, 2023)
The premise must be an integral part of the plot, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental. NOTE: Fewer than 20 double-spaced typewritten pages preferred. Indicate target theme in cover letter or on first page of manuscript. Include self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with each submission. Rejected manuscripts unaccompanied by an SASE will not be returned. Response time: 3 months after premise deadline. Note: No handwritten manuscripts will be considered.
PAYMENT: short story, $25; short-short piece (under 1000 words), $10; poem, $10; artwork, $10. Copyright reverts to author after publication.
SHORT STORIES: All types welcome—both traditional and experimental. Send to: Virginia Howard, editor, Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747 Be sure to indicate premise and include SASE. 2B
What we like: a carefully constructed plot; good character delineation; clever plot twists
What we don’t like: bedroom/bathroom profanity unless necessary.
Why we object to bedroom/bathroom profanity:
- It’s boring! Writers should be more creative than to depend on the same tired and dubious language crutches to express surprise, disdain, shock, bemusement, anger, sadness, and other emotions.
- Such profanity, used in excess, often serves as a camouflage for a weak plot. If the plot is good, the story can be told much more effectively in nonscatologic language even though a character in the story may be sleazy.
- Stories of lasting quality rarely need it.
POETRY: All types of poetic form welcome. Submit no more than three poems per theme, please.
Send to: Gail Howard, poetry editor, Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747. Include SASE and indicate premise. (Please include a separate SASE for each premise.)
What we like: poems that are thoughtfully constructed and carefully distilled.
What we don’t like: sexually explicit wording. Subtlety is more creative.
Sample copies of THEMA are available in the US at $15.00 per copy ($25 outside the US). Subscription rate: $30.00 per year for three issues ($40.00, outside the US). Make check payable to “THEMA Literary Society” and mail to THEMA, Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011 8747.
Read the full submission guidelines here.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Submissions: Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747 (US), thema@cox.net (outside the US)
Submissions: Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747 (US), thema@cox.net (outside the US)
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