FAQs

FAQ

Q: Can I submit more than one piece? Yes, but submit your strongest work first. If we accept multiple pieces from you, great. If not, we’ll let you know.

Q: Can I submit work published elsewhere? Yes, as long as you retain rights and can grant us non-exclusive permission to publish it here. Be mindful of any exclusivity agreements you may have with other publications—make sure publishing with us won’t violate those terms.

Q: Can I use a pen name? Absolutely. We’ll use exactly the name you provide.

Q: What if I’m okay with online publication but don’t want to be in the print anthology? That’s completely fine. Just let us know in your submission.

Q: What if my work is accepted but I change my mind about publication? You can withdraw at any time before June 1st. Just let us know.

Q: Will I get feedback if my work isn’t accepted? We won’t have capacity for detailed feedback on all submissions, but if your piece is close or could work with revision, we’ll let you know.

Q: Can I submit work that’s AI-assisted but human-written? If the core creative work—the ideas, structure, voice, revision—is yours, and AI was a tool (like grammar checking or brainstorming), that’s fine. If AI wrote substantial portions, no. When in doubt, ask.

Q: Can I use an AI-generated voice for narration? No. Only human voice recordings will be accepted for narrations.

Q: I’m under 18. Can I submit? Yes. Make sure a parent or guardian knows you’re participating in a public anthology, and mention this in your submission note.

Q: How will I know if I’m accepted? We’ll contact you through the email you provide in the submission form by May 7, 2026. If you haven’t heard by then, follow up.

Q: When can I share my work on other platforms? You can cross-post or share the Substack post containing your work anytime after it’s published on our platform. You can republish the work itself elsewhere after the anthology volume containing it is released (June 20, 2026 for Volume 1, or after your online publication date if you opted out of print).

Q: Can I collaborate with another contributor on a project? Absolutely! Collaborative work is welcome—writer/illustrator pairs, writer/musician collaborations, co-written pieces, writer/narrator pairs, whatever makes sense for your vision. Submit collaborative work through the form and include all contributors’ names and attribution details. Find potential collaborators in the #collaborations channel on our Discord.

Q: I want to narrate someone’s accepted story. How do I make that happen? Post in the #collaborations channel on our Discord to connect with writers directly, or reach out to us after all acceptance decisions are announced in May and we’ll help facilitate introductions.

Q: Is there a community where I can connect with other contributors? Yes! Join our Discord community for collaboration opportunities, community building, feedback exchanges, and updates. Whether you’re looking for an illustrator to collaborate with, a narrator for your story, or just want to connect with fellow Sparks, the Discord is where it happens.