Submissions are now open for Future States of Stars!
Coming Fall 2025, Future States of Stars will be OwlCrate's second published anthology in the Darkset Chronicles anthology series.
About Future States of Stars
Future States of Stars is set to be a captivating sci-fi/dystopian fiction anthology tailored for the Upper YA (18+), New Adult, and Adult audiences. Following the success of our previous and soon-to-be-published anthology, Monsters In Masquerade, which featured the works of three New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, along with a blend of established voices and fresh talent, we are thrilled to continue with the second installment of The Darkset Chronicles.
With our dedicated in-house team of creatives, including some of the best editors and content awareness readers in the business, as well as talented graphic designers and readers, we are crafting a collection that will bring you thrilling new stories from the most beloved subgenres of science fiction.
We are excited to once again offer YOU, our incredible community members, the chance to have your work featured alongside acclaimed bestselling authors in this eagerly anticipated anthology!
photo by : @theproseandcons
Requirements and Theme Suggestions
Submissions for Future States should be complete at 8.5k words or less and fall within the New Adult to Adult age range.
We are specifically seeking stories in the dystopian sci-fi genre with a Black Mirror or Twilight Zone vibe. Authors are encouraged to explore themes of the near-to-far future of states, whether set here on Earth, in space, or in other dimensions.
Consider exploring dystopian themes such as authoritarian regimes, environmental collapse, surveillance societies, loss of individual freedoms, or the impact of advanced technology on humanity.
Writers must be the age of majority in their country to submit, and we welcome submissions from authors globally.
How To Submit
If you would like to be a part of this newest anthology, you can find our submission form here or on The Nest, our free app designed by readers, for readers.
Please ensure you carefully fill out all required information. Some details, such as genre, inclusions, and word count, are not included in this post, so be sure to review the form thoroughly!
Submissions will be open from September 6 to November 30 at midnight EST!
Don't miss this opportunity to have your work featured in Future States of Stars!
We Hope You Take This Journey With us
Help us continue our journey to highlight marginalized voices, discover emerging talents, and provide our readers with the best books we can curate.
Future States of Stars will continue our epic adventure in creating stories WITH YOU!
Future States of Stars FAQ
How Will Stories Be Chosen?
Authors and stories will be chosen by OwlCrate Press, including our dedicated editorial team and input from our community on The Nest.
With this open submission period, we aim to uplift new and emerging voices to be published alongside the bestselling authors already involved in this project.
Potential contributors should limit themselves to one submission per author for this anthology.
What Will The Review Process Be Like?
The review process will involve our dedicated editorial team, supported by a highly accomplished editor with over ten years of experience in the industry. OwlCrate Press, along with experienced and trusted beta readers, will carefully review the stories submitted throughout early December. Authors of the chosen stories will be contacted in January 2025.
Will Writers Be Compensated?
ABSOLUTELY.
As with all of OwlCrate's projects, all authors or writers chosen to be part of our anthology, Future States of Stars, as well as future anthologies, will be compensated fairly and generously under contract.
We will be paying all contributing authors, both solicited and unsolicited, at a better-than-minimum industry rate (10 cents per word) as per SFWA guidelines. In addition, all authors will take part in a profit share that will further compensate our authors generously.
Should you have questions regarding compensation, please reach out to submissions@owlcrate.com with any inquiries you may have.
How Are You Tackling Diversity & Inclusivity?
As part of the submissions process, we have highlighted an opportunity where writers from marginalized communities are able to talk about themselves, should they feel comfortable.
Across our anthology series, OwlCrate is prioritizing publishing stories from (but not limited to) BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergent, and diverse authors.
If you are otherwise marginalized and wish to disclose privately, please indicate that on the form or email submissions@owlcrate.com and we will ensure you have any accommodations you may need.
Use Of AI In Submissions
No AI may be used for any part of the submissions process, and OwlCrate will be using the most current technology available to ensure that no AI is used in stories that are submitted.
At OwlCrate, we firmly believe in the power of human creativity and originality. In support of this, we have a strict NO AI policy in place across our company.
We are committed to fostering an environment that celebrates the unique voices of authors and artists, free from the influence of artificial intelligence.
Our commitment to this policy ensures that every submission we receive is a true reflection of a writer, ensuring that our future catalog remains a testament to the diversity and depth of human storytelling.
Reprints And Rights To Works
At this time we are not accepting reprints.
Additionally, we will be adding more in regards to rights information soon.
If you have any inquiries or questions regarding rights for Future States of Stars please email submissions@owlcrate.com.
Want To Hang With Writers Just Like You?
YOU'LL HAVE TO JOIN THE NEST!
Did you know The Nest is an app powered by OwlCrate, and the app is 100% free? It is the perfect place to gather with fellow book owls - this app is not just for OwlCrate subscribers!
Featuring official OwlCrate readalongs, live chats with your favorite YA and Adult NYT Bestselling authors, the most comprehensive list of new book releases online and a curated annual AND monthly reading challenges - you'll find no better book club online.
The Nest is also a welcoming community of diverse friends so come hang out with us and discover the joys of being a bookworm with the best folks around!
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IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN A BOX!
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