SUBMIT
SHARED WORLD SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES FAQ
We invite you to write a story set in our Shared World! Before doing so, please read this FAQ carefully. Additional questions (and story submissions!) can be sent to editors@sharedworld.ca
What is Shared World?
We (Jonathan Ball, GMB Chomichuk, James Gillespie, and Chadwick Ginther) have co-created a fantasy-horror, sword-and-sorcery world called Shared World. Think Conan meets Cthulhu!
Why are you allowing other people to write stories set in your Shared World?
As the Shared World’s map unfurls, its unexplored regions invite ideas larger than our own! Inspired by the creators of pulp’s golden age, who often collaborated and borrowed ideas from one another, we want YOU to join us in expanding this fantasy realm.
Who exactly can write a Shared World story?
Anybody can write in our world. Yes, we are middle-aged white guys, but we would love to publish people who are not (and already have plans to invite authors who are not). Yes, the history of pulp fiction and sword-and-sorcery that inspires us has not been historically inclusive, but we would love to change that… so please submit to Shared World!
If I write a story set in your Shared World, do you own it?
No, we do not claim copyright over your story. Even if we publish your story, you will retain its copyright. At the same time, please remember that if you add elements to Shared World, they will be there for other authors to use.
How long should my story be?
Your story may be any length, from flash fiction to magazine length to novella length to novel length. We will only accept a story when we need a story, and how long the story we need at the time will depend on the project. In fact, we may create a project depending on story length (for example, if a lot of people submit great flash fiction, maybe we’ll do a special Shared World flash fiction project).
Do you pay authors?
Yes, if we accept your story for publication, we will pay you a professional rate. At the current time, a professional fiction rate in Canada is around 10 cents per word. The exact rate we offer you may differ depending on the length of your story, our project needs, and the budget at the time, but that’s a good guideline to think about.
What happens if you don’t accept my story?
If we don’t accept your story for publication, then you are free to publish it elsewhere. In fact, even if we DO accept your story for publication, you are free to publish it elsewhere! You simply cannot call it a “Shared World” story if we do not accept it for publication. But again, in all scenarios, this story belongs to you, not us. So, you can do what you want with it, fundamentally.
Can I submit my story elsewhere?
Yes — please submit your story elsewhere! You simply cannot call it a “Shared World” story if you have not had it accepted for publication by the Shared World Editorial Board. But we otherwise encourage you to publish your story somewhere else. If you publish it somewhere else, that has no bearing on whether we will accept it for republication later.
How long will it take before I know if you are accepting my story?
We only accept stories for publication when we need a story for publication. Although we will read every story you submit, we will only accept stories when preparing Shared World publications. So, please don’t wait for us to get back to you. Feel free to send your story somewhere else. (Again, just don’t say it’s a “Shared World” story if you publish it elsewhere.)
Can I use locations that I’ve read about in your Shared World stories?
Yes! After all, the point of this is to share the world. Please feel free to look at our map, or read the existing Shared World stories, and set your stories in our locations! One caveat here is that, if we were to accept your story for publication, we might ask you to change something you wrote if it conflicts with something we have already written (or planned) for the location. Otherwise, your lore becomes part of the Shared World.
Do I have to use locations that are already established in Shared World?
No, you can feel free to add new locations to blank areas on the map or beyond the borders of the map.
Can I use characters that I’ve read about in your Shared World stories?
Places, not people! We have plans for our characters, so please don’t make use of them. The exception is if your characters are simply talking about what our characters have done in our stories and summarizing their actions rather than creating new character history.
What else is not allowed?
We have a few simple rules:
- Do not use our characters (as noted above).
- Do not destroy locations.
- No magical races (e.g., dwarves, elves, trolls).
What if my story conflicts with another Shared World story?
The only conflicts that we’re worried about are conflicts between creators. In a worst-case scenario, if we need you to change something in your story for us to publish it, we will ask you to do so. Outside of that particular scenario, you don’t need to worry about such things.
Do I need to read all the Shared World stories before I write mine?
We would love that, but no. It’s probably sufficient to read a few. Of course, the best place to start is with the book SHARED WORLD.
I would love to write a Shared World story, but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any advice?
Please visit the RESOURCES page for helpful writing prompts and writing advice!
How do I submit my stories?
Please send a Word document in standard manuscript format as an email attachment to editors@sharedworld.ca