Short story sale: "The Prince is Right.": seanan

Short story sale: "The Prince is Right."

UPDATE: I will not be appearing in this anthology, and this is why.

I am pleased to announce the sale of "The Prince is Right" to the anthology Wicked Pretty Things [Amazon]|[Mysterious Galaxy], a YA collection of "dark fairy romance" to be published on August 2nd, 2011.

Questions I have been asked already:

Is your story set in the Tobyverse?

No. "The Prince is Right" is set in an entirely new fae-centric world, one that plays around with my fondness for seasonal monarchies and John Hughes movies. Salem Lyons must find the Harvest King and be crowned the new Harvest Queen, or everything she loves will pay the price. But what if she doesn't want the job?

Is your story a dark fairy romance?

It's a fairy romance that takes place almost entirely at night, which makes it dark. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I, um, sort of missed the whole "dark = grim" memo, and wrote a classic 1980s teen romance, complete with Molly Ringwald jokes and buckets of John Hughes references. Also, one of my central characters spends about half her time as a hairless cat. So the grim is not so present in this particular tale.

I am super-excited about this book, where I get to appear alongside authors whose work I respect and admire, like Rachel Caine, Tera Lynn Childs, and Lisa Mantchev. This is the first time Rachel (who is awesome) and I have been in a book together, and that's pretty much cause for celebration right there! Also, the cover is gorgeous.

Yay! Wicked Pretty Things!

jnanacandra

March 22 2011, 18:53:21 UTC 6 years ago

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Have you heard about this, though? http://jessicaverday.blogspot.com/2011/03/being-gay-is-okay.html

I'm not questioning your business decisions and I'm happy for your sale - but I'd hope it's an informed decision, knowing that the publishers are censoring the stories in this anthology.

seanan_mcguire

March 22 2011, 19:06:12 UTC 6 years ago

I had not when I agreed to sell them the story, and actually found the link shortly before making this entry. I was prepared to become EXTREMELY UPSET, until I reached the bottom of the post and saw the comment from the editor, who made the redaction based on her own reaction, and not that of her publishers.

I'm disappointed. I really am. But since it was not the choice of the publishers themselves, I don't want to hurt the rest of the authors in the book by pulling out at this juncture. If I'd known about this sooner, my response might be different. And if the submission guidelines had said "heterosexual couples only," my response would have been lesbian porn followed by a cheery "fuck you."

I am, however, now renewed in my desire to get the January O'Leary/Li Qin Zhou-O'Leary stories finished. In my copious spare time.

mskauri

March 22 2011, 19:25:11 UTC 6 years ago

And if the submission guidelines had said "heterosexual couples only," my response would have been lesbian porn followed by a cheery "fuck you."

Yet one MORE reason (as if I needed any more) I love you!! I couldn't agree more!

March 22 2011, 19:40:44 UTC 6 years ago

I do hate it when crap like this sneaks up on us. By the time this came out, my contract was signed.

ex_kaz_maho

March 24 2011, 19:28:20 UTC 6 years ago

I do hate it when crap like this sneaks up on us. By the time this came out, my contract was signed.

Me too. Hate it when crap like this sneaks up on us, I mean. And, yep - contract signed a looong time ago. I've even done my edits, and I'm assuming things will be at the proof stage very soon.

*grits teeth*

Anyway. Onward...

Cheers,
Kaz

P.S. I must tell you how much I'm loving Toby! I'm only on book 2, but still... :)

March 25 2011, 14:46:59 UTC 6 years ago

Onward and upward. You have no idea how much I want to arrange a specifically non-heteronormative YA antho right now...

Yay for loving Toby! I love her, too. :)

March 25 2011, 18:20:16 UTC 6 years ago

:) That anthology sounds it would be made of awesome.

Also, I'm sure you're super-busy, but please check out the latest on Jessica Verday's blog for an update. As a result, I've re-thought my position (as have a few others). Just giving you a heads up, though you most likey already know about this.

March 28 2011, 20:24:16 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks for making sure I stayed posted; I've withdrawn.

March 28 2011, 20:37:35 UTC 6 years ago

I just saw on Twitter. Offering you a massive hug from across the Atlantic. Awesome post. <3

March 28 2011, 21:01:45 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks.

Tired now.

kshandra

March 26 2011, 19:42:58 UTC 6 years ago

You have no idea how much I want to arrange a specifically non-heteronormative YA antho right now...

Ceilidh from The Sparkle Project is coordinating a free antho on GoodReads; I believe she's got a waiting list for contributors already. ;-)

dormouse_in_tea

March 23 2011, 00:18:49 UTC 6 years ago

I'm glad I read the comments first! Rather than being person number X to bring it up...

I am also glad, because I saw that link before the editor left the comment.

Still going to have to think about whether to purchase this. One the one hand, do not wish to penalize authors and publishers for the editor's bad decision. On the other hand...not happy with the editor. But it looks like rash assumptions rather than rampant homophobia.

So I will probably buy it.

Okay, done thinking out loud in your space! TL;DR -- congratulations on the sale!!!!

March 23 2011, 00:34:59 UTC 6 years ago

Yeah. If I'd seen the link before the editor left the comment, I think this would be a much, much messier entry, accompanied by my editor trying to get me out of my contract. Such is life.

I would say...purchase the book, to show that there is support, and write a letter to the publisher, explaining why you almost didn't.

And thanks!

March 23 2011, 00:58:51 UTC 6 years ago

That's a pretty good idea. I think I will write that letter.

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