Dark Dreams looking for Submissions

DARK DREAMS III:
A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers
Edited by Brandon Massey
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

DARK DREAMS: A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers, was a groundbreaking collection of short stories, showcasing the previously unseen talents of black writers in the horror/suspense genre. Featuring the works of authors such as Zane, Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, L.A. Banks, and many others, the anthology was a critical and commercial success.

VOICES FROM THE OTHER SIDE: DARK DREAMS II, scheduled for an April 2006 publication by Dafina/Kensington, continues in the innovative footsteps of the original. In this volume, perennial New York Times Bestselling Author Eric Jerome Dickey joins a cast of writers, both established and new, who lend their talents to the exploration of this exciting genre.

In DARK DREAMS III, the projected final volume in this series, we are aiming to end on a powerful note. All writers are encouraged to submit work.

CONTENT: Explore your creativity. Stories must fall within the horror/suspense genre, but this allows for an amazing diversity of storytelling. Stories may be erotic, humorous, gruesome, terrifying, political, and so forth--but must have an underlying tension that readers of this genre expect.

I am not adverse to you tapping into common supernatural/horror conventions—vampires, ghosts, werewolves, serial killers, etc..—but you MUST present a fresh angle or twist to such stories. Avoid the clichéd!

LENGTH: I suggest 3,000-8,000 words. But strong work will not be returned simply because it exceeds or falls below this guideline. Do what you must to tell your story well.

FORMAT: Submit your story via email to story@brandonmassey.com. Submissions must be double-spaced, with standard 1" margins. I prefer to receive stories as Microsoft Word documents.

Please include a bio and a photo of yourself.
Multiple submissions are accepted. Incomplete submissions will be returned.

Submission guidelines are also posted at:
http://www.brandonmassey.com/dd3call.htm

DON'T: Send previously published work or poetry.

DO: Send your best work(s).

DEADLINE: December 16, 2005.

Dafina/Kensington will publish the anthology in Spring 2007. I recommend that you submit your work early, rather than later, when most of the slots are filled and there is less time to work with you on revisions.

TERMS: The fees to contributors begin at $250.

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Brandon Massey is the award-winning author of the thriller novels, THUNDERLAND, DARK CORNER, and WITHIN THE SHADOWS, as well as the editor of DARK DREAMS, and the forthcoming DARK DREAMS II (Spring 2006).

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN DARK DREAMS III!
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Brandon Massey
P.O. Box 1416
Fairburn, GA 30213-1416
Email Address: story@brandonmassey.com
www.brandonmassey.com