Playing Dirty: Erotic Stories About Games
Edited by Cosmin Alexander
Deadline: February 15, 2014.
Games are an eternal part of human civilization, from the Egyptian game of Senet up through Second Life. Our definition of a game is broad and varied, and sex is no different. Courtship is often framed as a game, a strategic maneuvering of pieces, every gesture important. And the bedroom is a perfect place for games, from simple favorites like spin the bottle or truth or dare, to full on roleplaying sessions of dominance and submission. Games in the 21st century have also taken on a whole new meaning, as we encounter avatars in online gaming: anyone can be anyone, and identities blur, change, and reshape.
We’re looking for stories of games and sex. Perhaps: a 22nd century madame runs a virtual brothel in a massively multiplayer online game; a pair of ancient elven kings play their own form of strange fey-chess as part of an elaborate courtship ritual; a wizard’s game of riddles turns steamy. All stories must centrally feature some sort of game, be it a classic board game, a party game (pin the toy on your partner?), a tabletop roleplaying game (my paladin has a +2 holy dildo of orgasms!), or a video game. They must also feature some sort of science fiction or fantasy element, and, of course, lots and lots of delicious, steamy sex.
All sexualities and gender expressions are welcomed. (Please note: original characters and settings only.)
This ebook anthology is being edited by Cosmin Alexander for Circlet Press. Cosmin is a longtime staffer at Circlet Press and the editor of Like a Breath of Flame: Erotic Tales of Dragons.
For submission details, read on.
Length: Preferred length for this book is approximately 3000 to 6000 words, but we will consider the range from 2000 to 8,000 words. Query if you have something outside those ranges that seems otherwise fitting.
How to Submit: All submissions must be made via email to Cosmin Alexander, editor, at the following email address: cosmin.circletpress@gmail.com with the subject line “Games Anthology”.
Submissions sent to other addresses/other editors at Circlet Press will not be considered. Standard manuscript formatting rules apply even though sending as an attachment (MS Word .doc or .rtf preferred). Please note that this means your name, address, and email contact must appear on the manuscript itself and not simply in your email message. (If you’re not sure what standard short story submission format should look like, Google is your friend.)
No simultaneous submissions (that is, don’t also send your story elsewhere at the same time, and don’t send it to multiple Circlet editors, either), and no multiple submissions to the same book. One story per author per anthology, thanks.
All stories must include explicit sexuality and erotic focus. Romantic content is welcome, but in a short story remember to keep the details on the action and its effects on the main character’s internal point of view. We favor a strong, singular narrative voice (no ‘head hopping’ or swapping between different character’s points of view within a scene). For more details on our editorial preferences, see the
general submission guidelines on circlet.com. We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the “do not send” list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love. Try to avoid cliches. Fresh and direct language is preferred to overly euphemistic. Sex-positive, please, no rape/nonconsensuality/necrophilia or other purposefully gross topics. We do not publish horror.
Originals only, no reprints. We purchase first rights for inclusion in the ebook anthology for $25, with the additional rights to a print edition later which would also be paid $25 if a print edition happens. Authors retain the rights to the individual stories; Circlet exercises rights to the anthology as a whole.
