Submissions close August 23, 2021.
For this special issue, we’re seeking short stories from 500-2000 words, and flash fiction of less than 500 words.We are using “Speculative Fiction” in a broad sense, to describe stories from a range of genres where the story turns on elements that are not observably true of the world we live in: science fiction, fantasy, and alternate history, as well as horror and romance stories with fantastic or science fictional elements. Speculative fiction asks, “how would the world and the way we live in it be different if X were true?” and examines that question using fiction as a lens.Quaker Speculative Fiction asks, “how would the world and the way Quakers live in it be different if X were true?”Submission close August 23, 2021.For this special issue, we’re seeking short stories from 500-2000 words, and flash fiction of less than 500 words.We are using “Speculative Fiction” in a broad sense, to describe stories from a range of genres where the story turns on elements that are not observably true of the world we live in: science fiction, fantasy, and alternate history, as well as horror and romance stories with fantastic or science fictional elements. Speculative fiction asks, “how would the world and the way we live in it be different if X were true?” and examines that question using fiction as a lens.Quaker Speculative Fiction asks, “how would the world and the way Quakers live in it be different if X were true?”
A note on religious elements:
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is a diverse community with a wide range of beliefs. For the purposes of this special issue, we do not consider stories about people experiencing God or the Divine to be speculative. We do consider stories with religious elements to be speculative, however, if they are set in a world where the divine element is observably real and not considered a matter of belief.A person having a prayer answered or giving an accurate tarot reading would not be speculative fiction for our purposes. If, however, the story involves a person encountering a corporeal angel while standing in line for coffee, that would qualify. Bonus points if it’s one of the terrifying angels from Ezekiel and the barista has written the wrong name on their cup.
What are we looking for?
We’re seeking stories of Quakers and their experiences outside of what is true of the world we inhabit today. Quakers on interstellar voyages. Quakers in neon-lit dystopic (or utopic!) futures. Quakers in worlds with magicians, wizards, werewolves, and things that go bump in the night. Quakers in cities with superheroes and villains. Quakers in a past that never was.We welcome submissions from Friends and non-Friends alike.While we’re casting a wide net with “Quaker Speculative Fiction,” we’re not the right market for erotica or extreme horror. We are also not a market for fanfiction or other works that use other folks’ intellectual property.We are a queer-affirming publication and will not be accepting any work based in homophobia, transphobia, or general racism, sexism, bigotry, or fascism.
Fast Facts
- Submission length: 500-2000 words (General information)
- Submission close August 23, 2021.
- We are using an anonymous review process. You should ensure your manuscripts are prepared in a way that does not reveal your identity. Please remove author names and contact information from the manuscript and filename.
- For the November issue we’re using a slightly modified version of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) Model Magazine Contract, Version 3.1.
- Pay: $0.08/word (SFWA pro)
- Questions? Email martink@friendsjournal.org
Submit: Quaker Sci-Fi/Speculative Fiction
Other upcoming issues:
- Language of Faith (Dec. 2021, due Sep. 20, 2021)
- Quaker Heros (Jan. 2022, due Oct. 18, 2021)
- Unthemed (Feb. 2022, due Nov. 15, 2021)
Learn more general information at Friendsjournal.org/submissions.
