LAST OUTPOST: Anthology in Far Orbit Series to open to Military Sci-Fi Submissions

As we were wrapping up selection of stories for Far Orbit Apogee this year, Bascomb James explained his selection process. He'd worked to include a range of stories -- a school/juvenile story, shoot-em-up spaceship battles, thieves, space dragons, engineers, parole officers, a detective story, romance -- all sharing a deep space (or near-space) setting. While there was some hard science, he said he'd chosen to focus on character over concept, and the result had been more soft science stories. "But you know," Bascomb James told us, "if I'd wanted to go a different direction, there were probably enough submissions to make an entire military-only anthology."

The final selection of Apogee stories brushes up against the military aspect of life beyond out blue marble -- Anna Salonen's "To Defend and Keep from Harm" features a group of ex-military mercs -- nothing directly so. 

The Far Orbit anthology series collects fiction from a diverse new generation of writers whose stories hearken back to the Grand Tradition of mid-century space-based pulp adventure SF -- science fiction that doesn't take itself too seriously, that doesn't have to be political or deal only in weighty matters and grim futures. Fun, adventure stories where the characters use their wits and science to save the day. Space opera, as some would call it. But to others, the term space opera means exclusively space-based military stories.

With Last Outpost, we're looking to create a volume in the Far Orbit series that is exclusively focused on military science fiction adventure stories, both space-based and Earth settings. We seek a range of story settings and concepts, and encourage diverse characters.

Last Outpost will be open from September 15 - December 15, 2015 (details below). And if you've had your eye on submitting to Far Orbit Perigee, fear not, Perigee will still open to submissions on January 1, 2016, as volume four of the series, and will seek the kind of stories we saw in Far Orbit and Far Orbit Apogee.

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Last Outpost
Submission Period: September 15 - December 15, 2015 
Anthologist: Bascomb James

Third volume in the Far Orbit anthology series edited by Bascomb James. Series includes Far Orbit (volume one) and Far Orbit Apogee (volume two); Far Orbit Perigee (planned volume four).

To protect from all enemies… World Weaver Press is expanding the Far Orbit anthology series with a new a new military science fiction anthology, Last Outpost. Last Outpost will be published in 2016. As the name implies, we’re looking for military adventure stories, page-turners that keep us on the edge of our seats. We’re not looking for mindless mayhem; we want compelling science fiction stories with a military theme. 

Send us stories about grunts, space fleets, espionage, alien invasion (even if we are the aliens), hostage recovery, battle bots, drones and droids, cyber wars, special ops, inciting rebellions, or quelling them. Anything in the military action adventure genera is fair game. We’ll entertain biopunk, cyberpunk, solarpunk, and other punkish motifs, but no matter what, the story has to be a rip-roaring adventure. Please stay away from fantasy elements (wizards, magic, gods, etc.). Fan fiction is a definite no-no. Fantasy-like adventures (John Carter of Mars) have to be really special to be included in the anthology. Gore is OK but it has to advance the plot. 

Please remember that this is a science fiction anthology. The action can take place on far off worlds or on Earth, in the far future or the day after tomorrow, so long as it’s a military themed science fiction adventure. If you can write a military space opera in under 10,000 words, go for it. We’ll be happy to read it.

Here are some submission tips from Bascomb James, the series anthologist:

• I’m not a fan of the “everyone dies horribly” ending unless you can really move me.
• I’m looking for subject diversity in the anthology. If you’ve written something different in this genera, I want to read it. 
• I love escapist adventures, mind candy, and thoughtful integration of technologies and aliens. 
• Read Far Orbit or Apogee to see my definitions of these concepts in action.
• [New] Interview with Bascomb James on his inspiration for starting the Far Orbit series

Previously published stories are acceptable but we will not publish stories that have been previously anthologized.

Rights and compensation: Payment: $0.01/word. All contributors will receive a paperback copy of the anthology. For previously unpublished works: Seeking first world rights in English and exclusive rights to publish in print and electronic format for twelve months after publication date after which publisher retains nonexclusive right to continue to publish for a term. For reprints: Seeking non-exclusive right to publish in print and electronic formats for a term. Previously unpublished stories preferred; reprints will be considered. No previously anthologized stories.

Open submission period: September 15 – December 15, 2015.

Length: Under 10,000 words

Submission method: Paste the story into the body of the e-mail message. Include the approximate word count. Subject line: Outpost – [Story Title]. Send submission to:  farorbit[at]worldweaverpress[dot]com. 

Simultaneous submissions = okay. Sending us many submissions at once = no. 

Most submissions receive an initial reply (decline or shortlist) within a week. Final decisions in 2016. Anthology publication planned for summer 2016.

[This information and information on other WWP anthologies is listed on the WWP Anthology Submission page.]