Update on Anthologies

A poem I wrote many moons ago - just recently found this in my “archives”

Today I'm talking anthologies... Specifically, anthologies planned by Micromance...

The One Year Anniversary Anthology

Submissions for this anthology opened January 1 and close in about 3 weeks.... I "advertised" the call in a couple Micromance newsletters, on X, and multiple times in several different FB "sub call" groups... And I gotta admit, I'm a bit disappointed that I only received 7 submissions thus far, and I already know more than half do not properly meet the theme... I had planned on publishing a minimum of 10 stories, with upward of 15+ not out of the question.... But I cannot publish a print anthology with 3 stories each under 1200 words. I do know there were a couple others planning to submit but, even with their pieces, a print anthology is out of the question.

If anyone has any stories for the one year anthology, I encourage you to still submit them. The plan is to feature these stories the weekend of July 18/19/20, in honor of the one year anniversary of MMs first published piece.

But as of now the print edition is cancelled. And all future anthologies and special projects have also been scrapped.

Micromance Magazine is perfect the way it is.... You all tell me so! And so I will do my best to stick to the original vision of MM and that is to be the loudest voice in the writing community for flash romance and its writers.

KissMet Quarterly

KQ is still scheduled for a print edition. But I'm unsure if I'll do any others.... That was another sub call with low response - about 25 pieces, most of which were perfect for Micromance (and are in line to be put on the MM calendar), but did not fit the theme/vibe of the anthology.

Naked Taunts: the poetry anthology and The Cupid Prize Anthology

Are still in the works. These were original ideas that came with the start of Micromance... To have "best of" collections... And so they are still a go... But because of my issues with my design app, may be delayed... I'll keep you updated!

All other special projects

Are cancelled. I had plans for some drabble contests and a collaborative holiday novella-in-flash, and some other, what I thought, were fun things, but with my personal schedule and the demands that Micromance itself requires of me, I don't have the time to spare to adequately "advertise" these special projects, especially if there will be little to no response. Or if the response I receive doesn't meet the requirements (theme, length, etc)...

Maybe eventually I can give all of these another try, but for now, I'd rather not be disappointed... And I'd much rather put all of my focus on what matters most - YOU! And continue to concentrate in making Micromance THE platform for romance and love stories.... Featuring the greatest writers and poets on the planet!!

I may still do something special for the holidays, like last year.... And the Cupid Prize will continue - though that will change a bit, too... It will be what it was originally meant to be and that's an internal award for the Micromance Magazine community... However, I am thinking of extending it to romance books and anthologies/collections as a way of recognizing ALL flash romance writers, still keeping it within the indie romance world, and not the writing community, in general, which, honestly, has no interest in what the Cupid Prize represents... More details will be forthcoming...

I can never thank all of you enough for your support. I know I sound like a broken record in the close of every newsletter, but my appreciation for you all goes beyond words... And my promise is to, above all, insure there will always be a Micromance to spread that daily dose of love so many enjoy so much....

Thank you,

Gail Lynn, EIC 🥰