Yamada Monogatari: The War God’s Son by Richard Parks

The Abe clan and its allies are in full rebellion. When the Emperor’s greatest military leader, Yoshiie, is targeted for assassination by magic, it is up to the newly sober Lord Yamada and his exorcist associate Kenji to keep the young man alive long enough to put down the uprising before the entire country is consumed by war. Yamada knows how to deal with demons, monsters, and angry ghosts, but the greatest threat of all is one final assassin, hidden in a place where no one—especially Lord Yamada—would ever think to look.

Word Puppets by Mary Robinette Kowal
(With an Introduction by Patrick Rothfuss)

Celebrated as the author of the five acclaimed historical fantasy novels of the Glamourist series, Mary Robinette Kowal is also well known as an award-winning author of short science fiction and fantasy. Her stories encompass a wide range of themes, a covey of indelible characters, and settings that span from Earth’s past to its near and far futures as well as even farther futures beyond. Alternative history, fairy tales, adventure, fables, science fiction (both hard and soft), fantasy (both epic and cozy)—nothing is beyond the reach of her unique talent. WORD PUPPETS—the first comprehensive collection of Kowal’s extraordinary fiction—includes her two Hugo-winning stories, a Hugo nominee, an original story set in the world of “The Lady Astronaut of Mars,” and fourteen other show-stopping tales.

Warrior Women, edited by Paula Guran

From fantastic legends and science fictional futures come compelling tales of powerful women—or those who discover strength they did not know they possessed—who fight because they must, for what they believe in, for those they love, to simply survive, or who glory in battle itself. Fierce or fearful, they are courageous and honorable—occasionally unscrupulous and tainted—but all warriors worthy of the name.

Content (alphabetical by author last name):

• “They Tell Me There Will be No Pain” by Rachel Acks
• “Love Among the Talus” by Elizabeth Bear
• “The Days of the War, as Red as Blood, as Dark as Bile” by Aliette de Bodard
• “Anukazi’s Daughter” by Mary Gentle
• “England Under the White Witch” by Theodora Goss
• “Soul Case” by Nalo Hopkinson
• “Not That Kind of War” by Tanya Huff
• “Wonder Maul Doll” by Kameron Hurley
• “Joenna’s Ax” by Elaine Isaak
• “The Sea Troll’s Daughter” by Caitlín R. Kiernan
• “Eaters” by Nancy Kress
• “Northern Chess” by Tanith Lee
• “The Knight of Chains, The Deuce of Stars” by Yoon Ha Lee
• “In the Loop” by Ken Liu
• “Dying With Her Cheer Pants On” by Seanan McGuire
• “The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr” by George R. R. Martin
• “Naratha’s Shadow” by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
• “Hand to Hand” by Elizabeth Moon
• “And Wash Out by Tides of War” by An Owomoyela
• “Prayer” by Robert Reed
• “The Application of Hope” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
• “Boy Twelve” by Jessica Reisman
• “The Girls From Avenger” by Carrie Vaughn
• “Become a Warrior” by Jane Yolen

Calls for Submission

I. As the editor of the anthology series The Year’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novellas (Prime Books). I am reading for the 2016 edition, which will include material published in 2015.

Although we define “novella” as being 17,500-40,000 words, we may consider works starting at 15,000.

Guidelines: The work must be published during the calendar year of 2015. If serialized, the novella may have begun in the previous year and ended in current. Direct submissions to the editor as well as suggestions are greatly appreciated. PDF, Word doc, or RTF are preferred, ebook if needed to paula@prime-books.com, subject: NOVELLA. If a physical copy is submitted please email for mailing address. Deadline: January 16, 2015, but the earlier the better.

II. As the editor of the anthology series The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror (Prime Books) I am reading for the 2016 edition, which will include material published in 2015.

We define “dark fantasy” and “horror” broadly. Try reading the previous six previous volumes or read: www.prime-books.com/intro-ybdfh2010/

Guidelines: The work must be published during the calendar year of 2015. If serialized, the novella may have begun in the previous year and ended in current. Direct submissions to the editor as well as suggestions are greatly appreciated. PDF, Word doc, or RTF are preferred, ebook if needed to paula@prime-books.com, subject: YBDF&H. If a physical copy is submitted please email for mailing address

Deadline: December 1, 2015. If your work/publication is being published in December, please try to get it to me in some form by that date. Overall: the earlier I get the material the better.

Please post and/or pass this on to others.

—Paula Guran