by Jaeel | Apr 2, 2025 | Halloween, horror, Romance, romance anthologiesm romance eBooks, Romantic, Submissions, submissons, Uncategorized
The nights are longer… the air has a chill to it… everything is a little scarier in the fall, especially with Halloween and all that is spooky at the heart of it! Join DCL Publications and our Call for Submissions for the 2025 Halloween anthology ‘Toil and Trouble!’
The task is simple – weave a spooky theme with a believable romance into a well-written and plot-driven short story. Choose your favorite aspects of spookiness, whether they be classic creatures, magic potions, a bit of magic or voodoo, zombies, witches, creepies and crawlies… The possibilities are endless.
The romance should also be prominent… evident. Don’t rush it. Let it happen. Look at it as a ‘one shot’ – a stand-alone story that you can end in any way you like. Your ending can be shocking, a happily-ever-after, one that leaves the reader with a sense of wonder or even doom… perhaps you want to leave the reader with a cliffhanger that – if intended – will allude to an actual ending but never actually deliver one.
There are a few standard ‘don’t’ things to steer away from.
- No beastiality.
- No necrophilia.
- No incest.
- No rape.
- Keep the use of profanity to only moments of necessity.
- Sex is allowed, but it must serve a purpose and remember it is okay to leave some things up to the imagination. Your wording is your power in writing.
- No copyrighted creatures, monsters, killers, or fan fiction.
These are a few ‘do’s’ to keep in mind.
- Must be set in the Fall season
- Can be set in any period of time – past, present, or future.
- Must involve a protagonist who is human and alive.
- Must take place on the planet Earth.
- Must have a continuous strong spooky theme and romantic theme
- Must be longer that 7500 words and less than 15000
- Must be a fully developed short-story
- Usage of popular creatures – witches, vampires, mummies, etc. – should be given a fresh spin
- Usage of science fiction or dystopian themes should have a ‘Twilight Zone’ feel to keep with the spooky theme
- Must be a finished work – not a draft
- Must be thoroughly read through and checked for errors before being submitted
Each author may submit up to two stories for ‘Toil and Trouble.’ If submitting two stories, your stories should be different from one another, focusing on different characters and plot. Locations can be the same if you tend to write in specific locations.
‘Toil and Trouble’ will be released in eBook. Consideration to release in print is available, once the book has sold 100 electronic books (ebooks). Authors will be paid royalty-share quarterly, with royalties split between the different authors included in the published anthology. Royalties are dependent on sales, and DCL Publications will help promote. Authors included in the anthology are also encouraged to promote the book upon release and leading up to Halloween – the period of its best selling window. Authors included in ‘Toil and Trouble’ will receive several promotional graphics to share on their social accounts.
So, go ahead. Scare us. Send us your best and join us as we stir up a little mischief in ‘Toil and Trouble.’
Send submissions to anthology editor Jae El at: jaeelbooks @ gmail.com with the subject Toil and Trouble.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 16.
Release Date will be Monday, Sept. 22 – Fall Equinox
Current and Alum DCL authors may reserve their space in the anthology by submitting a well-rounded blurb for their story. The deadline for the full story remains Friday, May 16.
by admin | Aug 23, 2024 | Uncategorized
Like books? No matter the genre, we have a great place for you to find your next favorite read!
Long and Short Reviews is celebrating their 17th (wow!) anniversary, but you get the gifts. They’re featuring more than 50 books in all genres from romance to science fiction, young adult to poetry… no matter your reading preferences, you can find something to enjoy!
What could possibly be better than that?
How about a chance to win one of two $100 Amazon GCs, of course! Think of how many books you could buy…
Once you’re arrived at the Long and Short Reviews site, simply read through the book posts each day and answer a simple question (or follow authors on their social media accounts) and you’re entered to win. New chances to enter every day!
So, go visit and enter and don’t forget to tell a friend or two. Good luck!
Contest runs from August 19-23, 2024.
by admin | Mar 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I want to be able to publish as many books as I can. Writing has always been a passion of mine.
Which writers inspire you?
There are so many authors that inspire me. Many of my friends inspire me, Miriam, Kate, Rebecca, Cassandra. I have many favorite authors such as Lori Foster, Bella Andre, Melody Grace, Diana Gabaldon, Cassandra Claire, Donna Grant, Lori Ryan, Jessica Shirvington, Maggie Stievenger .
So, what have you written?
(*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)
I’ve written 3 short stories. Two have won awards.
Fireworks – Foruth of July Anthology.
Winner for the Short Romance Category in the 2013 Sneak Peek Contest.
Finalist for the Short Romance Category in the 2013 Sneak Peek Contest.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Fourth-of-July-ebook/dp/B00DDUC5KC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371255205&sr=8-2&keywords=denise+alicea
Consoling Angel –
2013 Best in Category & Best in Paranormal Short Stories – Wise Bear Digital Book Awards
2013 Sneak Peek Contest Short Romance Category, Honorable Mention
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Consoling-Angel-ebook/dp/B00EZ6WDHS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378351053&sr=8-2&keywords=denise+alicea
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
The main character for Lucky Valentine is Marcus, a war torn solider whose falling in love with Ana. Although he’s seen so much death from friends and family, yet he can’t help to see the things in front of him.
What are you working on at the minute?
Looking into doing a poetry chapbook and some other short stories (time travel romance), The Lucky Valentine, and some novels.
Here’s the blurb for Lucky Valentine: Ana was on an internship in London, England. One day on browsing in a tiny bookshop she finds an old valentine stuck into a book . Before she knows it she finds herself in a London under siege, the blitz of WW2. Rescued by a haunted soldier, Ana is plagued by emotions. Will Ana be able to go back home? Will she want to?
Where can readers contact you?
Through my websites and on twitter.
Denisealicea.com | The Pen & Muse | MSSD Designs
@denisealicea
by Pam | Apr 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
Purchase on Amazon
Amadeo, Conte di Sant’Angelo, has met Heidelinde Müller, an advertising designer, on a ski trip. He wants to know this fascinating woman better. Their friendship grows, despite interference from their mothers and persistent old flames.
When a trip to his villa ends badly, he whisks her to the warm sands of Ocean Breeze, Florida.
Pushed to the limit, they enter a sham engagement.
Can he persuade her that he wants the engagement to be ‘real’? Will they be able to overcome the obstacles that are being thrown in their path to happiness?
