Editor Deborah J. Ross will soon be reading for Lace and Blade 2. She’ll be looking for “your most delicious stories.” The second volume of the original fantasy anthology series will be released by Norilana Books on Valentine’s Day 2009.
Ross writes: “This is the second volume of elegant, sensual, romantic fantasy, emphasizing sharp verbal repartee as much as sharp pointed weapons, rapier rather than broadsword. Lace at the wrists, perfume, and poetry; characters—both men and women—with vibrant personalities, complex, dashing, and very sexy. I’m particularly interested in stories that have magic and action, but in which conflict is resolved not by violence but by insight, creativity, and compassion. I’d love to see ‘win-win’ endings, sense-of-wonder, plot twists, and turnabout. Alternate sexuality is welcome; eroticism a definite plus; exotic, non-Western European settings also encouraged. Please read the first volume to see what I’m looking for.”
Submission deadline is 1 August 2008. She has no maximum limit, “although longer stories must be extraordinary.” Payment will be two cents per word against a pro rata share of royalties.
Ross will accept submissions as .rtf files at deborahjross at gmail dot com.