Cats are resilient, but sometimes we don't realize just how resilient they are until they face challenging situations. Over the years, my cats' resilience and determination have never ceased to amaze me.
Purrseverance is an anthology that will share the stories of how cats have overcome challenging circumstances, in their words.
Do you have a cat who:
- Overcame an illness or injury?
- Survived abandonment on the streets?
- Overcame a traumatic past?
- Came from a hoarding situation?
- Faces life fearlessly despite a disability?
- Learned to trust you after being mistreated?
- Faced another challenging situation and handled it with grace?
If so, I want to hear from you!
What I'm Looking For
I'm looking for stories about how cats overcame difficult situations from their perspective. While these stories should explain the details of the challenge your cat faces or faced, these stories should ultimately convey hope, determination, and resilience. This anthology is meant to give people hope and to show people that cats cannot only survive, but thrive, despite difficult circumstances.
Guidelines
Length: I'm looking for stories between 2,000 to 5,000 words in length.
Viewpoint and Language: Your story should be from your cat's point of view. Please do not use cat speak to tell the story, though. While cat speak is cute and may be fine for short blog posts, it can be daunting to read in longer stories such as these. Please use American English for your story.
Reprints: I will not accept reprints. However, if you significantly rewrite or rework a story you’ve previously written, I will consider those for the anthology. Your story needs to be at least 75% rewritten for consideration.
Story Details: While these stories will no doubt cover some difficult topics, such as hoarding, abuse, neglect, injury, and illness, and some details are necessary, please do not be unnecessarily graphic with the details of your story. Many animal lovers have sensitive hearts, and I want to be mindful of that throughout this collection.
Payment and Legal Logistics
If your submission is accepted for publication, you will receive a one-time payment of $50 (fifty U.S. dollars) via money order. I will mail the money order to the address you provide me upon signing your Contributor Contract.
I am asking for First North American Serial Rights (FNASR) and First Electronic Rights for your story for one year. I will also need your permission to edit and use the photos you submit with your story in the anthology.
Why Submit to Purrseverance?
If your story is accepted to appear in Purrseverance, you will receive a one-time payment of $50 (fifty U.S. dollars). Accepted stories will appear in both the print and digital forms of the anthology. Your story may bring other cat owners hope. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of Purrseverance will be donated to a cat rescue (TBD).
How to Submit Your Story to Purrseverance
Please submit your information to us by email - carmelcatpublishing@gmail.com.
What you need to include in your submission:
- Your complete 2,000-5,000-word story from your cat's perspective. Please provide a title for your story. Remember to write in American English and do not use "cat speak." Please send us your story in a Microsoft Word document.
- Please write a 50-100 bio under your story in the Word document. You may include a link to your blog or website. I will use you bio in the print and digital versions of the anthology. I will also post your bio on the Contributors page here on the Purrseverance blog.
- A head shot of yourself. Your head shot will accompany your bio in the print and digital versions of the anthology. Your head shot will also accompany your bio on the Contributors page on the Purrseverance blog.
- 2-4 photos of the cat in your story.
Please put the word "Purrseverance" in the subject line of your email submission to make it easy for me to find.
Deadline
DEADLINE: Please submit your story for consideration by July 31, 2022.
PLEASE NOTE: If your story is accepted for the anthology, I will email you a Contributor's Contract. You will have two weeks to review, sign, and return the contract. Failure to do so may result in the forfeiture of your spot in the anthology. Please use an email address you check on a regular basis to submit your story.
