Rule #1:

Please, only submit during open periods. Submitting outside of open periods will result in your submission going to the great bit bucket in the sky. You will not receive a reply.

Rules 2 & Up:

Most of this is standard verbiage for current pro or semi-pro authors.

• Use standard manuscript formatting, Times New Roman, 12pt, double-spaced.
• Single space after punctuation.
• Edit your work before submitting it. We will also edit, but a shoddy submission will most likely get rejected.
• We use Submittable for manuscripts. You will need an account there (submittable.com). Some folks may have a problem getting an account. You can directly contact the appropriate editor for an anthology or send an email to editor (at) this website.
• Royalties are calculated in June and December.
• Payment can be via PayPal or check, your choice, in US funds.
• Payment rates, general (Note that specific information for an anthology open call overrules these rates):
  • Poetry: 5 cents/word, up to $20.
  • Flash Fiction: 5 cents/word, up to $20.
  • 10-Pack Flash Fiction: For some 100-word anthologies, ten accepted flash fiction stories will be considered one complete short story and paid $60 (6 cents/word rate).
  • Short Stories: 6 cents/word, up to $180.
  • Novels: $2000 advance against royalties.
  • Graphic Novels: Negotiated individually.
  • Reprints: Generally paid at 1 cent/word.
  • Artwork: Negotiated individually.
• Rights:
  • Poetry: First World Rights, exclusive for 2 years.
  • Short Stories: First World Rights, exclusive for 2 years, may be used in a personal collection after one year if self-published.
  • Novels: First World Rights, exclusive for 6 years.
• Royalties:
  • Poetry and short fiction are flat rates or as negotiated.
  • Novels and graphic novels are paid royalties as negotiated.
• Author Copies
  • All authors will receive a personal copy (usually digital).
  • Authors will be able to purchase discounted copies of print anthologies (exact printing cost + exact shipping + $1).
  • All sales to authors or promotional copies do not count towards royalties.
• If a manuscript is not accepted, you will receive a form email. Please add VillainousPress.com to your approved email list.
• Accepted manuscripts require a personally-signed contract. Using a handwriting font is not acceptable. Digitally signed PDFs are acceptable.