The Kiss of Lily

The Kiss of Lily edited by Donna Maree Hanson, and Nicole R Murphy. (ASF). Expected publishing date early to mid 2008.

The Kiss of the Lily is an anthology of speculative fiction romance stories. The focus of the stories should be on what one sacrifices for love. The editors want to combine their favourite elements of romance and speculative fiction, eg world-building, fantastical concepts and the strong relationship between the characters. Ideal word length is up to 5000 words but longer works up 10 000 words are acceptable.

What the editors are looking for:

Strong romantic stories that involve sacrifice for love. For example, the risk of, or the actual giving up of, one's humanity, life, soul and way of life for love or for a sexual encounter. Sexual content is allowable as long as it is integral to the story. The story does not have to have a happy ending. We are looking for passion and love that transcends one's sense of self. It can also be about jealously, which is the negative side of love, and how it can seize hold of the mind and soul. For example, Shakespeare's Othello.

We have no problem with same sex relationships (human to human relationships) provided there is a speculative element. Human to alien or magical beast* relationships preferred. Stories should be logical ie forty ton dragons cannot physically mate with a 16 year old virgin (unless he can transform into a human like form or it is the ultimate sacrifice for love).

The stories must be original characters and settings - no use of franchised worlds or characters.

Submission opening 1 October 2007 through to end of January 2008.

We accept email submissions only. Stories should be double spaced 12 point courier new or times new roman font with one inch margins or similar. Story should be sent as an attachment to an email in a RFT or word format.

Submissions should not contain personal details in the story as we are reading blind (that includes the header and footer) but we require name, address and phone number in the body of the email for contact.

Email submissions to Donna Hanson ,and subject line should be "Submission - Story title".

Eligible submissions from Australians and Australian residents only. Original stories only (no reprints). Payment is one cent a word, which equates to $50 for a 5000 word story.

Acceptance of story is subject to editing.