2023 Year-Long Submission Call

The Quire: An Omnibus of Story

Submission Deadline: December 31, 2023.

Quire: 
1.  A set of 24 uniform sheets of paper.
2.  Bookbinding. a section of printed leaves in proper sequence after folding; gathering.

We are constantly seeking out innovative ways to allow writers to study their craft, stretch their creative muscles, and build their publishing platform.  We are also devoted to serving our community.  With this Omnibus edition, we can do it all.  This edition is unique because rather than having a tight deadline, or a specific prompt, we're giving writers the chance to drive their own writing practice.   And, since we know that bribery and bragging rights are tremendously motivating incentives, two stories will be chosen from each target month to compete in a Cavalcade of Stories in January 2024.  Twenty-four writers chosen from the monthly submissions will receive very impressive medals, and the grand prize-winning writer will receive a snazzy trophy suitable for showcasing on their bookshelves.

How The Program Works:
We have assigned two specific genre definitions to each month of the year.  Writers will craft a short story to fit inside the genres.  Writers can create any plot, subplots, and cast of characters that they like, but the main plot of their stories must follow the specific requirements of the genres as we post them.  Writers are invited to be as creative as possible.  The two stories that we find most compelling for each month will be entered into a contest.  In January, the top twenty-four stories will compete for a special grand prize trophy.  All decisions regarding awards and  publication made by the Pages Promotions, LLC editorial staff are final and non-negotiable.  

​Submission Guidelines:

• There is no "read fee" associated with this program.  It is FREE for writers to submit as many stories as they like.
• Writers from every continent on Earth are invited to submit.  
• Writers must be 18 years old, or have permission from a parent or guardian to submit.
• All stories must be submitted in English.  Foreign language submissions will be rejected.
• Although genre prompts are assigned a target month, writers may submit prompts out of calendar order, if they choose.  
• The final submission deadline is December 31, 2023.
• All stories must be submitted by Midnight, Eastern US Time.
•  Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Stories that do not fit within the stated genre prompts will not be accepted.
• ​All stories must be submitted through the form on the Pages Promotions website, in MS Word, RTF, or open office equivalent. 
• Stories submitted in PDF and other formats will be rejected.  
• ​Each story must be submitted separately.  Multiple stories in a single submission will reject all of the files in that submission.   No exceptions.
• Stories submitted through email, social media, postal, or currier delivery will not be accepted.
• All submissions must be no fewer than 200 words, and no more than 10,000 words.
• Reprints are permitted, and authors are required to supply proof of ownership, upon request.  If ownership cannot be validated, the submission will be rejected.
• Multiple submissions for each target month are permitted, and there is no limit to how many stories an author may submit throughout the year.
• All submissions must include a Content Rating, as described at the Book Cave Website.  Click HERE to find the rating guidelines.  ***If we receive stories that have mature content Ratings of "MO+" or above, we will add a warning notice on the front cover of the book to keep potential readers well informed.  
• The book will be edited and published at the end of the 2023 year and will be made available for sale at the beginning of 2024.  Proceeds from sales will benefit The Haley Sue Foundation. 
• High School Students who submit a minimum of six stories will earn a certificate for two hours of community service toward their high school graduation requirements.  Students who live anywhere in the United States are eligible for this award.
• All writers retain ownership rights to their work, and grant Pages Promotions, LLC publication and distribution rights to this title, only, in perpetuity.

The Quire:  ​2023 Monthly Genre Prompts
Choose just one... or write for them all!

January 31, 2023

• Adventure Fiction: stories in which characters are involved in dangerous and/or exhilarating exploits.
• Allegory: a story using symbolism to express truths about the human condition.

​February 28, 2023

• Bildungsroman: a story detailing the emotional and moral growth of a character.
• Dystopian: a story that relates an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.

March 31, 2023

• Comedy: a story with elements and situations intended to amuse.
• Epistolary Fiction: stories constructed as a series of letters exchanged between characters.

​
April 30, 2023

• Farce: a story involving energetic action revolving around humorous predicaments and coincidences.
• Crime Fiction: stories based on the commission and/or investigation of wrongdoing.

​​
May 31, 2023

• Detective Fiction: stories in which the protagonist investigates a crime.
• Fantasy Fiction: stories involving imaginary beings in the real world or in an alternate reality and assuming suspension of disbelief about magic and/or supernatural powers.

June 30, 2023

• Fictional Autobiography: a story purporting to be a first-person account of someone’s life.
• Gothic Fiction: stories often taking place in an isolated setting and involving strange and/or perilous happenings.

​July 31, 2023

• Horror Fiction: stories incorporating supernatural and/or inexplicable elements and intended to arouse fear and dread.
• Mystery Fiction: stories that detail the solution of a crime or other wrongdoing.

​
August 31, 2023

• Picaresque: an episodically structured story featuring a rogue or an antihero as the protagonist.
• ​Romp: a boisterously comical tale.

September 30, 2023

• Romance: a love story.
• Satire: a story that pokes fun at human shortcomings such as arrogance, greed, and vanity.

​
October 31, 2023

• Science Fiction: stories focusing on how science and technology affect individuals and civilizations.
• Swashbuckler: an adventure story in which the hero accomplishes great feats to aid a noble cause.

November 31, 2023

• Thriller: a dramatic story punctuated with action, adventure, and suspense.
• Tragedy: a story with a catastrophic and/or unfortunate outcome.

December 31, 2023

• Travelogue: a story with a plot centering on a significant amount of travel.
• Fairy Tale: a story which takes place in a magical land, with fantastical creatures who perform wondrous tasks.