call for submissions: tomo: japan stories to help and heal

Tomo: Japan Stories to Help and Heal, edited by Holly Thompson and published by Stone Bridge Press, is a forthcoming English-language benefit anthology of short fiction set in or related to Japan for readers ages 12 and up.

The publication of Tomo will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and proceeds from the sales will go to organizations supporting teens in affected areas of Japan.

Stone Bridge Press is currently seeking short fiction submissions set in or strongly related to Japan for readers age 12 and up, by authors connected to Japan by heritage or experience. Here are some more details on what they're looking for:

Submissions Invited

Tomo: Japan Stories to Help and Heal seeks short fiction up to 5,000 words (up to 3,000 words preferred) set in or strongly related to Japan for readers age 12 and up, by authors connected to Japan by heritage or experience. In addition to standard prose fiction, submissions of fiction in verse, flash fiction, and comics (black and white) will also be considered.

Submit by August 15, 2011

Submission Guidelines

1. Stories submitted must be short fiction set in Japan or strongly related to Japan written by authors connected to Japan by experience or heritage.
2. Stories must be original stories in English or stories translated from Japanese into English. No translations will be accepted without written permission from the original author or rights holder.
3. Stories of 3,000 words or less are preferred. Longer submissions, up to 5,000 words, will also be considered. Excerpts will be considered only if they work as stand-alone stories.
4. Stories must be young adult (YA) fiction with a protagonist aged 13 to 17.
5. Stories that reflect contemporary Japan are preferred. Stories in in any style or genre (historical, fantasy, paranormal, manga, experimental, etc.) will be considered.
6. Like the best YA stories, submissions should have a unique and powerful voice; be an emotional/funny/surprising/moving read; be fast paced, not be bogged down with description; and be exquisitely crafted.
7. Contributors will not be paid. Each contributor will receive two copies of Tomo.

The submission deadline is August 15. For more detailed information on permissions, submission instructions, and further information, please visit the Tomo Blog. You can also email queries to editor Holly Thompson at tomoanthology (at) gmail (dot) com (please include "Query" in the subject heading).