Science-gone-awry based on obscure urban legends is my jam! Sadly, I've got nothing complete to submit that's novel-length. But your post has inspired me to keep at it! Thanks!
That's right in my wheelhouse! Michael Crichton's books were so formative to me when I was growing up. Reading Jurassic Park was what first inspired me to be a writer!
Sadly I don't have anything ready for submission at the moment, but your criteria fits like a glove so I'll keep my eyes peeled for next year's submission call and work my butt off in the meantime to have something ready. And kudos on the Rembrandt metaphor - that painting is beautifully evocative and right up my alley, so you've got the old cogs spinning rather passionately in response...
Well now, this makes me want to write out my dark side. I like the suspense without the nausea, and as long as I don’t spook myself too much and I can keep my blood pressure mostly in range while writing it I’ll be fine. LOL I’m feeling inspired.
This sings to my PG-rated, twisted little writer’s heart. Your vision for Obsidian is sharp and gutsy, and the Rembrandt metaphor landed hard.
I don’t write horror, but I do write stories set just past the edge of now, where science moves fast, people make compromises, and the systems we trust don’t always deserve it. It’s a little bit Crichton, a little Southern noir, with a quiet bite.
Following now. Looking forward to whatever finds its way into your cabinet of curiosities.
I’ve got smth to propose. Grimhope fiction series Geryon’s Code - for fans of Murderbot Diaries, Fallout and Cyberpunk 2077.
Something catastrophic has caused a global blackout on the Earth of the future, leaving the people living on Mars wondering what happened. Amid intrigues and political maneuverings, can they uncover the truth?
2026 April — United States President Carmen Benequista, 60 years old, is visited in a dream by her deceased husband. He says, “Find someone to share your life before you’re too old for it to make a difference.”
Carmen isn’t growing older; she’s growing younger. Her steady companion, Space Mafia kingpin Brandon Lopez, 15 years her junior, is waiting for the right signal. All she has to do is make a decision.
Meanwhile, first-contact survivor Mason Fowlkes, soon to be 16, is growing up fast aboard the Anye migration vessel Anuraga — as is French Air Force lieutenant Marie Jourdaine, a freight expediter at Bricy Spaceport.
And right there in the middle of it is a legion of consciousness-elevated maroli labor appliances, a product of ancient Anye technology, monstrous in appearance, strangely in tune with spirits of the dead.
It’s been a hurry-up kind of year, fraught with impending cosmic catastrophe. Maybe it’s time for these folks to get a life.
I absolutely hate explicit violence in my books. Unfortunately books and TV are filled with gratuitous violence these days. It gives me hope that publishers are starting to ask for books without this kind of content!
I’ve been playing around with a sci-fi Moby-Dick retelling for years! Nothing close to ready for a submission, though. I’m glad to see it’s an idea other folks love
Science-gone-awry based on obscure urban legends is my jam! Sadly, I've got nothing complete to submit that's novel-length. But your post has inspired me to keep at it! Thanks!
Keep writing and submit next year! I especially love Michael Crichton-esque thrillers with darker themes
That's right in my wheelhouse! Michael Crichton's books were so formative to me when I was growing up. Reading Jurassic Park was what first inspired me to be a writer!
This is not my lane but I’d love to read some of it! Great ideas for fun story prompts at a minimum. Hope you find some black diamonds!
Comparing your wishlist wants to Rembrandt’s paintings is its own magic.
That’s a lovely compliment! Thank you!
Sadly I don't have anything ready for submission at the moment, but your criteria fits like a glove so I'll keep my eyes peeled for next year's submission call and work my butt off in the meantime to have something ready. And kudos on the Rembrandt metaphor - that painting is beautifully evocative and right up my alley, so you've got the old cogs spinning rather passionately in response...
Well now, this makes me want to write out my dark side. I like the suspense without the nausea, and as long as I don’t spook myself too much and I can keep my blood pressure mostly in range while writing it I’ll be fine. LOL I’m feeling inspired.
Ooh I love this! Your vision for Obsidian is exactly what I love!
I'm currently working on Spooky Middle-Grade, but I hope to branch over to Young Adult eventually, so I'll be keeping this in mind!
This sings to my PG-rated, twisted little writer’s heart. Your vision for Obsidian is sharp and gutsy, and the Rembrandt metaphor landed hard.
I don’t write horror, but I do write stories set just past the edge of now, where science moves fast, people make compromises, and the systems we trust don’t always deserve it. It’s a little bit Crichton, a little Southern noir, with a quiet bite.
Following now. Looking forward to whatever finds its way into your cabinet of curiosities.
Posted to my writing group in Northern AZ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlagWriters and to the AZ state writing group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1035232563340231
Here’s something you might enjoy. It’s part of a mosaic novel: https://www.storyvoyager.com/p/human-island
I’ve got smth to propose. Grimhope fiction series Geryon’s Code - for fans of Murderbot Diaries, Fallout and Cyberpunk 2077.
Something catastrophic has caused a global blackout on the Earth of the future, leaving the people living on Mars wondering what happened. Amid intrigues and political maneuverings, can they uncover the truth?
You will love:
-dark future and multi-layered world
-global blackout
-posthuman villain
-gothic vibes
-adventures on Mars, Moon and Earth
You had me at "for fans of Fallout." All the submissions information is on the Quill & Flame website here:
https://quillandflame.com/submission-guidelines/
Best of luck!
Coming your way.
2026 April — United States President Carmen Benequista, 60 years old, is visited in a dream by her deceased husband. He says, “Find someone to share your life before you’re too old for it to make a difference.”
Carmen isn’t growing older; she’s growing younger. Her steady companion, Space Mafia kingpin Brandon Lopez, 15 years her junior, is waiting for the right signal. All she has to do is make a decision.
Meanwhile, first-contact survivor Mason Fowlkes, soon to be 16, is growing up fast aboard the Anye migration vessel Anuraga — as is French Air Force lieutenant Marie Jourdaine, a freight expediter at Bricy Spaceport.
And right there in the middle of it is a legion of consciousness-elevated maroli labor appliances, a product of ancient Anye technology, monstrous in appearance, strangely in tune with spirits of the dead.
It’s been a hurry-up kind of year, fraught with impending cosmic catastrophe. Maybe it’s time for these folks to get a life.
I absolutely hate explicit violence in my books. Unfortunately books and TV are filled with gratuitous violence these days. It gives me hope that publishers are starting to ask for books without this kind of content!
I’ve been playing around with a sci-fi Moby-Dick retelling for years! Nothing close to ready for a submission, though. I’m glad to see it’s an idea other folks love
There's always next year!
Shoot I think I'm too dark but maybe this is a good motivation to try something lighter
If you get even half of this wishlist published, Obsidian is going to be lit! (That doesn't sound right somehow...? 🤔😅)
Also, I have two books at least that are partway finished and that you might love. Time to hustle!
Oh this gives me some ideas!!! Maybe I’ll have something by ready to submit next year!