This Submittable coordinates submissions for both the Parsec Short Story Contest and the Parsec Ink Triangulation anthology. Please make sure you correctly choose the entity you are submitting your story to. Theme, word count, and deadlines are different for each entity.
The Parsec Short Story Contest is sponsored by Parsec Inc., the 501(c)(3) parent organization.
Triangulation is curated by Parsec Ink, a standing committee of Parsec Inc.
Theme for 22nd annual Triangulation: Dark Hearts
Editor: Jessica Carver
Dark Hearts is a women-centered theme for which anyone can submit stories.
The anthology will feature speculative stories and poems about women who are anti-heroes. Send us your stories about shady ladies: women and female-presenting characters breaking the rules, defying social norms, and getting up to no good!
Genre: We accept science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and enjoy intelligent blends of the three. Stories and poetry outside these main genres will not be considered.
Editor loves: supportive female friendships. Women with a mastery of weapons or powers. Women in STEM or in disguise. Cyborgs. Hackers. Heists. Underdogs. Romance!
Sex, violence and swearing are fine, but execute thoughtfully.
We love creative interpretations of our themes, but require stories and poems to be a solid fit.
Eligibility: All writers; including those who are known or related to the editorial staff, may submit to Triangulation. New as well as established authors are welcome to submit.
AI Policy: Parsec Ink does not accept AI or AI-assisted stories, poems, or artwork.
Submission Requirements
Submissions Open: November 1st, 2024
Submissions Close: January 31st, 2025
Short Story Guidelines
Word Count: We will consider fiction up to 5,000 words, but the sweet spot is 3,000. There is no minimum. Stories over 5000 words will be rejected unread.
Reprints: no
Multiple submissions: no
Simultaneous submissions: yes
Poetry Guidelines
Word Count: No max or min length, but our preference is for poems under 100 lines.
Reprints: no
Multiple submissions: yes, up to 5 pages of poetry
Simultaneous submissions: yes
Manuscript Format
We accept manuscripts in the following formats: .doc or .docx (MS Word) .rtf (Rich Text Format).
For short stories, please use the Shunn Modern industry-standard manuscript format. No phone or address is necessary, but please include your email.
For poetry, please use the Shunn sample poetry MS format. No phone or address is necessary, but please include your email.
Include a short, third-person bio at the end of your story or poetry submission.
We reserve the right to reject a story if it does not adhere to our formatting guidelines.
Response Times
Final decisions are made by March 30.
We aim to read submissions as they are received. If a story doesn’t work for us, we will reject it. If we think the story has great potential but isn’t quite there yet, we may request a rewrite. The stories we love the most, we hold on to for further consideration and until we have our final lineup, at which time final acceptances are sent out.
Once a story is accepted, we may suggest some minor changes.
If Your Story Is Accepted
Prose Compensation: 3 cents per word. ($5.50 minimum payout)
Poetry Compensation: 25 cents per line. ($5.50 minimum payout)
Payments are made via PayPal or check.
Rights: We purchase first North American serial rights, Spanish language rights, audio and electronic rights for the downloadable version(s). All subsidiary rights are released upon publication.