Azzurra Nox's Blog
June 10, 2024
CALL TO SUBMISSION FOR WOMEN IN HORROR ANTHOLOGY!
Payment: $15 flat fee per story (author must have a valid PayPal address as that will be used for payment)
Publisher: Twisted Wing Productions
Theme: GOTHIC/FAERYTALE RETELLINGSStories that explore Gothic elements such as: supernatural, romance, omens, isolation, anti-hero, mystery and secrets, burial alive, setting, atmosphere, ghosts, Gothic architecture, faerytale retellings, etc. Stories don’t have to be set in the past as long as it explores one of the above themes found in Gothic literature. Major points for feminist edge or stories that have queer characters. Some examples of Gothic Literature are Dracula, Frankenstein, any Edgar Allan Poe stories, Jane Eyre, or Wuthering Heights, or Grimm Faerytales. The genre is HORROR. Stories MUST have elements of horror in them.
The author submitting MUST IDENTIFY AS FEMALE. The author must retain full rights to the work intended for our consideration and that the work itself is complete and not published anywhere else (including personal websites or social media). Having been previously published isn’t a requirement, if you have a compelling story, send it to us!
Format: Word doc, 12 font, double space Times New Roman.
Not a reprint.
We are asking for exclusive first worldwide electronic and print rights for 18 months and the right to keep the story in print, and nonexclusive right to continue to publish for the life of the anthology. We do not place any limits on what the author does with the story after the exclusivity period.
We are not looking for poetry or screenplays.
Bonus: Characters in stories are own voices, POC, or LGBTQ
Submission method: Please send story as an attachment (.doc or docx. Only) to azzurranox[at]yahoo.com
PLEASE put the following in email subject line: STORY TITLE/GOTHIC ANTHOLOGY
Please include the following with your submission:
Author (Legal Name)
Pen name (if applicable)
Email
Story Title
Word Count
Third person biography
The anthology will be published both in e-book and print formats with an estimated publication date of 2025.
July 5, 2022
CALL TO SUBMISSION FOR WOMEN IN HORROR ANTHOLOGY!
Deadline: SEPTEMBER 12, 2022Payment: $15 flat fee per story (author must have a valid PayPal address as that will be used for payment)
Publisher: Twisted Wing Productions
Novelist Stephen King says writing is like leaving the ordinary world for a world of his own making: “It’s a wonderful, exhilarating experience.”Theme: STEPHEN KING HOMAGE/STORY RETELLINGSEvery (unless you live under a rock) knows Stephen King, the modern-day master of horror novelist. With a career spanning so many years and over eighty books published between novels and short story collections there’s a lot of material to be inspired by! We’re looking for Stephen King retellings/homage of his novels or short stories with a feminist edge. Focus on themes he explores in his own writing (but not limited to this is only to give an idea) such as: Ordinary people dealing with extraordinary/supernatural events/entities, loss of innocence, coming of age, good vs. evil, and much more. The genre is HORROR. Stories MUST have elements of horror in them.
The author submitting MUST IDENTIFY AS FEMALE. The author must retain full rights to the work intended for our consideration and that the work itself is complete and not published anywhere else (including personal websites or social media). Having been previously published isn’t a requirement, if you have a compelling story, send it to us!
Format: Word doc, 12 font, double space Times New Roman.
Not a reprint.
We are asking for exclusive first worldwide electronic and print rights for 18 months and the right to keep the story in print, and nonexclusive right to continue to publish for the life of the anthology. We do not place any limits on what the author does with the story after the exclusivity period.
We are not looking for poetry or screenplays.
Bonus: Characters in stories are own voices, POC, or LGBTQ
Submission method: Please send story as an attachment (.doc or docx. Only) to azzurranox[at]yahoo.com
PLEASE put the following in email subject line: STORY TITLE/KING ANTHOLOGY
Please include the following with your submission:
Author (Legal Name)
Pen name (if applicable)
Email
Story Title
Word Count
Which King Short Story/Novel Inspired your Story
Third person biography
The anthology will be published both in e-book and print formats with an estimated publication date of 2023.
April 1, 2020
Call to Submission for Women in Horror Anthology!
Deadline: June 1, 2020
Payment: $8 flat fee per story (author must have a valid PayPal address as that will be used for payment)
Publisher: Twisted Wing Productions
Theme: Love Gone Wrong
The theme can explore ANY type of love: romantic or platonic, obsessive, mother/daughter/son relationship, father/daughter/son, bestfriends, siblings, unrequited love, loss of love, falling in love with the wrong person, addiction, love/attachment for a specific place, location or building, student/teacher relationship, etc. The genre is HORROR. Stories MUST have elements of horror in them.
Requirements: For this edition of Women in Horror Anthology we’ll be focusing on longer pieces, meaning the word count will be at LEAST 10,000-30,000 words.
The author submitting MUST BE FEMALE (or identify as female). The author must retain full rights to the work intended for our consideration and that the work itself is complete and not published anywhere else (including personal websites or social media). Having been previously published isn’t a requirement, if you have a compelling story, send it to us!
Format: Word doc, 12 font, double space Times New Roman.
Not a reprint.
We are asking for exclusive first worldwide electronic and print rights for 18 months and the right to keep the story in print, and nonexclusive right to continue to publish for the life of the anthology. We do not place any limits on what the author does with the story after the exclusivity period.
We are not looking for poetry or screenplays.
Bonus: Characters in stories are own voices, POC, or LGBTQ
Submission method: Please send story as an attachment (.doc or docx. Only) to azzurranox[at]yahoo.com
Please include the following with your submission:
Author (Legal Name)
Pen name (if applicable)
Email
Story Title
Word Count
Third person biography
The anthology will be published both in e-book and print formats with an estimated publication date of February 2021.
Check out past Women in Horror Anthologies:
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March 25, 2019
Taking Submissions: Strange Girls – Women in Horror Anthology
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Deadline: May 20, 2019
Payment: $5 flat fee per story (author must have a valid PayPal address as that will be used for payment)
We will be creating an anthology titled Strange Girls. It will be a collection of fictional short stories in which the protagonist will either be a girl or the short story will feature a girl. We’re aiming for the horror genre. Short stories should focus on a certain strange trait in a girl, whether the trait is physical (ex. Deformity), mental (ex. Demonic possession, telekinesis), creature-like (ex. Vampire, shapeshifter, mythological creature, mermaid, etc.), or supernatural (ex. Ghosts, banshees, wraith, etc.) or aliens. The author submitting MUST BE FEMALE. The author must retain full rights to the work intended for our consideration and that the work itself is complete and not published anywhere else (including personal websites or social media). Having been previously published isn’t a requirement, if you have a compelling story, send it to us!
Publisher: Twisted Wing Productions
Requirements: Stories must NOT exceed 8,000 words.
Format: Word doc, 12 font, double space Arial or Times New Roman.
Not a reprint.
We are asking for exclusive first worldwide electronic and print rights for 18 months and the right to keep the story in print, and nonexclusive right to continue to publish for the life of the anthology. We do not place any limits on what the author does with the story after the exclusivity period.
We are not looking for poetry or screenplays.
Bonus: Characters in stories are own voices, POC, or LGBTQ
Submission method: Please send story as an attachment (.doc or docx. Only) to azzurranox[at]yahoo.com
Please include the following with your submission:
Author (Legal Name)
Pen name (if applicable)
Email
Story Title
Word Count
Third person biography
Acceptance letters will be sent out by June 1. The anthology will be published both in e-book and print formats with an estimated publication date of January 2020.
Check out our first Women in Horror Anthology – My American Nightmare
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August 13, 2018
Upcoming Books: Betty Bites Back – Horror Stories for Young Feminists
Here’s a little teaser of what my story is about:
GOOD SISTER, BAD SISTER by Azzurra Nox
Puberty comes with many changes, but after being bitten by a mysterious animal in the forest, Dilay finds out that some changes may just give her a certain edge she didn’t have before.
Until then, support me and the amazing authors that are going to be included in this awesome anthology by stopping by the Kickstarter Page for it (even if you can’t contribute monetarily, forward the link on your social media so we can spread the word!).
Let’s get social:
November 13, 2017
My American Nightmare – Giveaway & Book Launch!
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October had me uber busy between Halloween events (I was at a new event every weekend cause I LOVE Halloween) and launching my horror anthology MY AMERICAN NIGHTMARE – WOMEN IN HORROR ANTHOLOGY.
This anthology is a bit of a passion project where I selected short stories from a vast amount of entries to bring readers the very best of horror (and all the nuances of the genre) and incredible new voices that I wish to showcase.
For two weeks now the book has been featured on Amazon’s bestselling list in short stories, and I couldn’t be more proud of these ladies that helped my dream of compiling an anthology come true!
So support women writers by purchasing a copy of the book: HERE (or if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited you can read the book for FREE!).
ALSO: Don’t forget to enter the giveaway I have for my book launch HERE where you have a chance to win a $15 Amazon Giftcard & amazing book themed sway!)
July 12, 2017
Coming Soon! My American Nightmare: Women in Horror Anthology
As a reader, I’ve always been an avid fan of horror anthologies and short story collections, because it has always allowed me to discover new authors without committing to a full-length novel. As a writer, I’ve always wanted to put together an anthology and seeing that I prefer the darker side of life I thought that going with horror short stories would be my best option.
Female representation in the horror genre is still very scarce. The horror literary market is filled with male authors. So with my anthology I decided to showcase the talent of female authors. This is how the concept for MY AMERICAN NIGHTMARE: Women in Horror Anthology was conceived.
The anthology will be available TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2017.
Fans of Joe Hill, American Horror Story, and Stephen King will love these dark and twisted stories!
Excerpt from “The Girl & The Yellow Wallpaper”
The faces in the flowers were more pronounced than usual that night. Big eyes, gaping and expectant, seemed to blink back at her. Lizzie dismissed the idea immediately. Paper did not blink. Nothing could move in the room, except her. But the yellow faces had a more human quality the more she looked. They were women’s faces. Lizzie found something feminine in the shape, warped as it may be. The heads in the wallpaper appeared to tilt to the side, violently, like their necks had been snapped.
*
Excerpt from “Perle”
A muscle flickered in that clean-shaven jaw. “Step out of the vehicle.”
I hesitated. Another bang.
“I said step out of the vehicle.” Singer popped the snap on his holster. “I’m not gonna ask you again.” Dog whimpers urged me to comply.
My shoulders slumped. I released the latch and fought open the stiff door. It protested with a loud, long squeal.
“Now what is in the back of this truck?”
Still I hesitated, puckering my lips in a coy attempt at innocence.
“My stepdad.”
*
Excerpt from “Whatever Happened to Peyton Rose?”
“Jesus,” she whispered, not sure if anyone could hear her. The dolls made her feel unsettled as they stared back at her with vacant eyes. Peering down, a scream escaped her throat when she realized that their plucked eyes were scattered on the bed. She pushed the comforter off of her. The eyes fell down, making a sound similar to marbles crashing to the floor as she ran for the door.
Frantic, she opened the door and stood upon the landing. She looked to and fro, not knowing what direction to run to next.
Don’t panic! She told herself. And yet, her hands were shaking.
*
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The author lineup is the following:
Angela Sylvaine – “Ballad of Sorrow and Lily”
Amelia Kibbie – “We Kill The Skull Man”
Roberta Goli – “Mr. Buttons’ Tea Party”
Jamie Kahn – “The Poison & The Ivy”
Rachel Bolton – “The Girl & The Yellow Wallpaper”
Hillary Lyon – “Boys’ Night Out”
Nicky Peacock – “She Looked Like Krystal Sparkle”
Spinster Eskie- “Angie’s Change”
Sheri Kreitner – “The Pickman Sisters of Salem”
Sierra Ryan – “Volunteer”
Kara Nelson – “The Eye”
E.F. Schraeder – “Night Moves”
Andrea Teare – “39 Days”
Heather Miller – “The Stars”
Marnie Azzarelli – “When Evacuating Pennsylvania”
Erica Ruhe – “Perle”
Phoebe Jane Johnson – “Ruby”
Azzurra Nox – “Whatever Happened to Peyton Rose?”
Kara Dennison – “Billson”
If anyone would be interested in receiving an ARC of the anthology for review purposes, please get in touch with me at: azzurranox[@]yahoo.com or leave a comment below!
March 5, 2017
Taking Submissions: My American Nightmare Anthology
Deadline: May 1, 2017
Payment: $10 flat fee per story
We will be creating an anthology titled My American Nightmare. It will be a collection of fictional short stories in which the protagonist will be between the ages of 13-19 (we’re aiming for the YA horror genre), the setting MUST take place in the United States (hence the title of the anthology), AND the author submitting MUST BE FEMALE. The author must retain full rights to the work intended for our consideration and that the work itself is complete and not published anywhere else (including personal websites or social media). Having been previously published isn’t a requirement, if you have a compelling story, send it to us!
The short stories must also be inspired by horror stories drawn from literature, television, film, or music, to create a unique spin on classic tales of terror (please include the source of inspiration of the short story at the end). Think Slasher Girls and Monster Boys YA anthology to get an idea of what we’re looking for.
Requirements: Stories must NOT exceed 8,000 words.
Format: Word doc, 12 font, double space Arial or Times New Roman.
Not a reprint.
We are asking for exclusive first worldwide electronic and print rights for 18 months and the right to keep the story in print, and nonexclusive right to continue to publish for the life of the anthology. We do not place any limits on what the author does with the story after the exclusivity period.
We are not looking for poetry or screenplays.
Submission method: Please send story as an attachment (.doc or docx. Only) to azzurranox[at]yahoo.com
Please include the following with your submission:
Author (Legal Name)
Pen name (if applicable)
Story Title
Word Count
Source of inspiration behind story (which books, movies, fairy tales, or songs the story was inspired by)
Third person biography
Acceptance letters will be sent out by June 1. Anthology will publish in ebook format ONLY and will be coming out in the Fall of 2017.
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November 16, 2016
Twisted Love Book Blog Tour
Both my books, CUT HERE and Doll Parts: Tales of Twisted Love are going to be featured in a two week Book Blog Tour,starting tomorrow! You can follow the tour here:
Nov 17th – Turning Another Page
Nov 18th – CelticLady’s Reviews
Nov 21st – The Reading Spot
Nov 22nd – VampyreLady’s Lair
Nov 23rd – MJ’s Book Blog and Reviews
Nov 23rd – Hike2Forty and Beyond
Nov 24th – The Author’s Blog
Nov 25th – Book Giveaways
Nov 29th – Mello & June
Nov 30th – Jazzy Book Reviews
Dec 1st – Teatime and Books
Be sure to check them out for an giveaways and awesome sales/freebies: Doll Parts is currently 99 cents on Amazon & CUT Here will be FREE to download on amazon for FIVE days, starting the 17th!
January 11, 2016
“Look up here, I’m in heaven.”
In the spring of 1962, on an idle afternoon, a fifteen year old David Robert Jones was about to learn that his life was about to change in ways he had never thought possible. His only fault at that time was to have fallen for a girl that another bloke, a certain George Underwood had already set his eyes upon.
To try to impress this said girl, the two blokes decided to partake in a fist fight. The winner would win a date. Hit by the ring on George’s finger, David’s left eye will never be the same again. No matter how many numerous operations he will succumb to years later, his peripheral vision is lost, and his pupil will perpetually remain dilated. That day, the young David knew that his physical appearance was destined to continuously change thereafter.
Embodying various personas, and deciding to change his surname from Jones, to Bowie, after Jim Bowie, (notorious for the being in the battle of Fort Alamo and having a knife named after him), David soon put on the guise of David Bowie. Being a true chameleon he was never one to remain static. His transformations over the years have reflected various eras of his musical journey and emotional growth.
Like the young David, who knew that his physical appearance would be fated to modify with each new identity, in the summer of my sixth year of life, I knew that something in me had changed when I came across this enigmatic and beautiful man in Labyrinth. It changed my perception of men, and what it meant to be innovative and a misfit. An outsider who wrote songs for the outsiders, he gave a sense of belonging of anyone who ever felt misunderstood.
He and I shared a birthday, and not only that, we were both born on a Thursday, so I’ve always felt oddly linked to him. His music transcended time and space, and throughout my life and travels his songs were always there for me as a sense of comfort. Maybe this tribute isn’t worthy of his grandeur, nor does it do justice to the importance his influence upon me as a person. But when I heard of his passing, my heart cracked in two and I fell asleep to a pillow soaked with tears.
R.I.P. David Bowie, I know that you’ll be looking down on us from your spot on Mars, and we will be looking up at the stars hoping to have a glimpse of our favourite Starman.
Life On Mars?
Heroes
Prettiest Star
Thursday’s Child
Without You I’m Nothing with Placebo
The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
Lazarus
