Eric T. Reynolds is reading for a new anthology, Desolate Places, now through 31 October 2007. As with his previous anthology announcement, this book, too, will be published by Hadley Rille Books, either late this year or early next year.
He describes Desolate Places thus: “One of the first things Buzz Aldrin said after setting foot on the Moon was ‘Magnificent desolation.’ Desolation stirs the imagination. The land stretches almost to infinity, unspoiled by humanity. But does nothing happen there? Does a place require human occupation to exhibit wonder? What about an Earth that no longer has a human presence? What happens to what we’ve done to the land, air, and seas?” The proposed cover (to the right) “shows a desolate place, but as you can see something fascinating occurs there (note the rock and the trail it has left).”
He’s looking for science fiction stories that are set in desolate places, preferring physical over abstract places. Anywhere in the universe is fine, but he’s interested in the eeriness and wonder of a desolate place. For more details, see the guidelines on this page. Stories should be 1,000-7,000 words (preference: 2,000-6,000). Payment is $25 or $30 per story, plus the potential for royalties.