Variations on a Theme

Happy Holidays, [Other Author]. I am publishing an anthology of flash fiction centered on "Austin 2078" and paying 25 cents a word for an absolute limit of 1000 words. If you would like to submit a story, the deadline is February 2, 2026.

If you want to write for this collection, just say so and it’s pretty much a done deal. I will pay on acceptance. And I do not expect a rejection because I came to you. The money has been set aside. I just have to write the checks. 

I am looking for ten stories. So far, I have four published authors and a book designer with more talent than my own for typography, etc. This will launch as an ebook in mid-2026. Print-on-demand and a craft printed chapbook are still under discussion.  

You are selling first publication rights for publication on the blogspot site Austin2078 (austin2078.blogspot.com). The site will be free to anyone to read as long as Blogspot continues. Comments will be closed. 

Each work will be copyrighted to the author. 

Each author will receive five copies of the printed book. I get five copies. The book designer gets five copies. 

Publication on Blogspot will be done by June 1. You can pick up your books at ArmadilloCon 48 this coming September 11-13.

Although I am a member of FACT and have served on the Board, this has no formal relationship with FACT or ArmadilloCon.

That said, ArmadilloCon was launched in 1978. The 50th anniversary will be in 2028; this anthology is my gift to the convention and to FACT. 

"...  all I meant by sociology was what we usually call "world-building" but in this case, much of the world has already been built. So, you are working with "If this goes on..."; "If this does not change...."; "If this changes...." You are at liberty to take any direction you want, but the farther you get away from the known and knowable, the harder it is, especially being limited to 1000 words. But it's all up to you." 

Happy Holidays,
Mike M.
Michael E. Marotta
Blogging at NecessaryFacts.blogspot.com