SF Anthology Looking For Submissions

Infinite Space, Infinite God, an anthology of thought-provoking science fiction with a Catholic twist, has been showing that well-written religious genre fiction can make it in today's markets. As an e-book, it won the 2007 EPPIE award for best science fiction. Now that it's in print, it's making steady sales in the Catholic and science fiction markets and got terrific reviews in both the Catholic magazine St. Anthony Maessenger and the sci-fi e-zine SFRevu. An even nicer sign of success is when your secular publisher says, "Sure, let's do another!"

So, in anticipation of its success in sales, Karina and Robert Fabian, in conjunction with Twilight Times Books, are taking a leap of faith by compiling Infinite Space, Infinite God II--and we want your stories!

ISIG II will again feature the best of science fiction with a Catholic world view. The guidelines are similar to ISIG I.

1. Stories should be 3,000-10,000 words. We'd like 12-15 stories, plus introductions, so we're looking for variety of lengths.

2. Science Fiction stories only. We're not looking for fantasy. While we're glad to look at the usual plot conventions of SF--time travel, faster-than-light travel, etc.--we do not want Star Trek-type technobabble where real science is available. In all cases, the science should be believable within the story's universe; projections of current science are encouraged. Do not break the laws of physics without a reasonable explanation, or we'll have to call the logic police.

3. Catholic stories only. You don’t need to be Catholic, but your stories do! Characters and/or settings must be genuinely Catholic. Catholic theology and practices must conform to the Magesterium--or have an incredibly good reason to veer! (We'll be tougher about it this time.) This is especially true for any doctrine that is ex cathedra. This does not mean all your characters need to be saints or even Catholic, but that the Church itself is portrayed with the same steadfast morals and doctrine that it has maintained throughout history. Please research any questions: check with a reputable Catholic site online, the Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic priest or deacon. Don't rely on what you remember the nuns telling you in grade school back in 1972.

4. No re-runs. Please read Infinite Space, Infinite God to avoid repeating a story idea/treatment. (You can purchase ISIG at www.twilighttimesbooks.com, www.amazon.com, or from your favorite bookstore; ask your library to order it (Baker and Taylor and Ingrams distribute it), or at least read the synopsis of stories at http://isigsf.com.)

5. Tell a good story. Write well. 'Nuff said.

Here are some of the things we rejected for ISIG I or are wary of for ISIG II:

--Lectures disguised as stories. Purpose Number One of ISIG is to entertain.
--Long sermon/discussion sandwiched between a plot. This includes political as well as religious diatribes. We want to reach a wide audience and while we hope some folks will be touched by the stories, we're not out to evangelize with them.
--Jesus is cloned. Not against it per se, but no one yet has made it work, story-wise.
--Generic Christian with a crucifix. No nuns praying someone will "accept Jesus as his personal savior."
--Telling, not showing. This goes for faith characteristics as well as plot.
--Deus ex machina or Deus ex Deum. If you're going to use a miracle of technology or a regular miracle to resolve your plot complications (as opposed to being part of your plot complications…), you'd better write a really compelling story!
--Black-and-white absolutes. Catholics are good; others are bad. The world has gone to hell--except for the Church. Evil scientists versus good believers. We're trying to break those stereotypes.
--Apocalyptic fiction. Please make sure you know the Catholic understanding of Revelations.

5. No reprints.

6. You may submit more than one story.

How to submit: Send stories to Karina at karina(at)fabianspace.com. Send it as a Word or .rtf attachment. Type ISIG II in the subject line.