CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS [CLOSED]
Common Bonds returns for another anthology of aromantic science fiction and fantasy!
At the heart of this collection are the bonds that impact our lives from beginning to end: platonic relationships. Whether with family, mentors, friends, colleagues, or found family, these links pepper our lives and their importance is often overlooked. We seek to explore the powerful impact of these bonds on aromantic people through the lens of science-fiction and fantasy.
We dream of sisters on a roadtrip through space, of queerplatonic partners hunting dragons, of an alchemy teacher changing the course of their student’s life, of neighbours supporting each other through the apocalypse.
The heart of the anthology
Common Bonds 2 is open to short story and poetry submissions with these three elements at their core:
Belongs in the fantasy or science fiction genre
Has a clear aromantic MC (including of all the aromantic spectrum)
Centers a non-romantic relationship
“Aromantic” is a queer identity. Aromantic people experience no or very little romantic attraction to others. Our anthology aims to centre their perspective. Do not send us stories without an aromantic MC.
We aim to build an anthology vibrant with marginalized voices, and authors from all underrepresented backgrounds and marginalized communities are encouraged to submit. We are especially interested in hearing from aromantic authors whose identity intersects with other marginalizations.
For Common Bonds 2, we are particularly interested in stories featuring these elements:
– Stories bold in their aromanticism and unafraid to explore its many facets
– Horror with strong SFF elements/settings (as opposed to horror set in modern world with a supernatural
source)
– Allosexual aromantic characters, and/or the exploration of platonic fuck buddies and other
forms of non-romantic sexual partners
– Worldbuilding that decentres romantic pairings as the highest form of attachment or a central
structural unit of a society, especially inspired by authentic cultural and historical norms
Submission Details
We are seeking original submissions only; no reprints.
Word Count: Short stories of up to 7500 words; poems of up to 100 lines.
Rates: We will pay 0.08 USD/word or a flat $60 for poems.
Submission period: Submissions will be open until August 15th. We aim to respond in a timely manner but delays will depend on submission volume.
Format: Please submit your stories as a .doc or .docx file, and include your pen name, email, wordcount, and title at the start. We prefer a Modern Manuscript format but won’t hold you to it.
Simultaneous submissions: Yes, absolutely, but please withdraw immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.
Multiple submissions: Short story writers: No. You may submit another story if your first is rejected before deadline. However, we make no guarantees about how quickly we’ll reply to submissions. Poetry writers: you may submit up to two poems at any given time.
Previous contributors: Previous Common Bonds contributors are welcome to submit again.
We do not accept stories generated through genAI, whether in part or in whole.
How to submit
DO NOT SUBMIT. Submissions are closed, thank you!
Please send all submissions to commonbondsantho@gmail.com with your email titled “[Submission] Story Title” and your story attached. You do not need to include anything else in your cover letter, but we welcome a short bio and content warnings.
When your submission is recorded, we will send a short confirmation back to you. If you do not receive this within 10 days of submitting (or by submission deadline if you submit after August 5), please get in touch with us!