Better Fiction

Thought this might be of interest to members thinking of serialize submissions. Maggie.

Authors & serials wanted
Currently, we are looking for complete novels/novellas (of at least 20,000 words) to serialize through the Virtual Tales website. We will also consider the following:


Short story collections with a strong central theme
Works-in-progress so long as at least 30,000 words of the story have been written and polished.
Reprints of previously published works, including currently or previously published print versions, so long as the author owns the electronic rights to the story
Previously published serials (through defunct sites such as KeepItComing.net)
Accepted works are broken down into installments of about 1,500 to 2,500 words, with two installments emailed to readers per week. The first four (4) are sent to readers as a free trial, with readers being able to purchase all additional installments. As such, we require fourteen (14) installments completed and edited before we can offer a new serialized work for sale.

Virtual Tales pays through PayPal, so authors must have a PayPal account. We pay the author 60% of all sales (after PayPal fees) on a quarterly basis.

We purchase exclusive worldwide electronic rights to each story. All rights revert back to the author should the story be removed from the Virtual Tales web site. Authors may request that a story be removed from the web site by certified mail or other receipted or traceable delivery service, including email where return acknowledgement is received, and we'll remove it within thirty (30) days of the request, but all outstanding subscriptions must still be filled.

To send a story for consideration, send a submission package to submissions@virtualtales.com containing:

In the body of an email:
A 40-word, promotional-style "quick teaser" story blurb for web copy -- sell us with this blurb like you'll sell potential readers with it!
A back cover hype of the story (100-200 words).
A brief excerpt from the story (no more than 300 words).
An outline/overview of the entire story, and either your best guess at how many installments it will run, or, if it's finished, how many installments it breaks up into. (Most serials run 60-90 issues, but we have no set length limit.)
Any previous publication information on the story, including where and when it was published, if applicable.
Whether the story is complete and, if not, how many words have currently been written and polished.
A short author bio (100-250 words).
Include as attachments the first four (4) installments of the serial (1,500-2,500 words each) as Word documents or .rtf files. If proper installments are unavailable, the first four (4) chapters of the novel/novella can be used instead.
Note: Sample installments/chapters must be use the following format:

1 inch margins all sides
Times New Roman Font 12 pt.
Double Spacing
Header with title and author name
Chicago Rules of Style preferred
Single space after punctuation
One line return at the end of a paragraph (not at the end of each line of text)

Took a look at the site. Looks interesting. Thanks.

Wade

Maggie, have you done any work with this company?

Do you know if they're reputable?

Hi Mick,
No haven't done any work for them - they seem to be okay. Perhaps if you go into 'Absolute Write' they are pretty good at sussing out publishers, agents, etc and I think they also have a list of 'untouchables.' I'll also ask around as see what sort of a reputation they have - if any. Maggie

Thanks, Maggie.