Submissions are now open for Divergent Space: A speculative anthology of unconventional minds (working title) from Manawaker Studio, edited by CB Droege.
Divergent Space is an anthology focused on stories about the future which feature neurodivergent characters. This volume will contain stories, poetry, and graphic narrative.
Submitted works should be of any genre, as long as the work depicts a world that is noticeably in the future. Hard and Soft Sci-fi, (Post-)apocalyptic, Solarpunk, Slipstream, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Alternate (future) History, Supernatural, Retro-futurism etc. are all fine names for genres that often take place in the future, but your story doesn’t have to fit into one of those. In fact, if it manages to miss all of those labels, we may be even more interested to see it (unless it thus falls into what we specifically don’t want (see below)). All works must also prominently feature a character who might be considered neurodivergent by today’s standards. The character does not have to live in a society in which they are considered neurodivergent, they do not have to be diagnosed with anything. The story doesn’t have to be about their neurodivergence – the adventure or challenge of the story can be anything – but if the story does focus on the way the the character thinks or sees the world, we’d rather see stories of people who are thriving in their environment or succeeding at their adventure due to the way their mind works, not despite it. The neurodivergent or neurodivergent-coded “person” in the story does not need to be human, or even biological.
We’re looking for positive representation of neurodivergent traits. Whatever else the story is about, we want it to show that each person is worthy and valued, no matter how their mind works. We’re unlikely to accept stories that depict characters who reject their own neurodivergence. Not everything has to be perfect in every person’s brain, of course. Every neurodivergent person has systems or masks or medications, and all that’s fine. But part of the goal of the book is to help normalize the depictions of acceptance of neurodivergence both from within and from without. So stories in which such traits are demonized or in which the character’s problems are solved by somehow becoming neurotypical or cutting away their neurodivergent parts, are counter to the goal of the volume.
We are not looking for gore horror nor erotic romance. Works that contain horror elements or romantic elements are fine, but we would like the book to remain accessible to young adults and squeamish people. Works which seem particularly hateful or which discriminate against specific real-world groups will also be rejected.
There is no hard word limit, but novellas and above might be hard to find room for. Fiction (one story only, please) should be submitted as an RTF file. Please use standard manuscript formatting if possible.
Poems (no more than three, please) should be submitted as an RTF file. If your poem requires special formatting not available in RTF, attach a PDF.
If submitting a sequential graphic narrative (comic), each page should be a 300dpi grey-scale image between 6″x6″ and 6″x9″ (or 9″x6″) in PDF (or PNG if it’s only one page). It’s preferred that you send lower-quality images for initial evaluation. I’ll ask for the full-size files if they make it into the second round of evaluation. If you have trouble submitting your files, leave them off the submission in the system, and drop an email with the files (submisions@manawaker.com) with a note about what they are for.
The cover of the book will feature a full color illustration.
The final cover art will need to be a 600dpi full color illustration 15″x10″ with a bleed area of 1/2″ inch (meaning all of the important elements are within the central 14″x9″ of the illustration, but the background extends to the edge). Leave room on the right hand side of the image for the title, and remember that the spine will run down the middle. Because this illustration is so specific and labor intensive, we will accept (actually, we encourage) sketched queries. Including a link to a portfolio is nice, but please don’t just send us a link to a portfolio. We’d like to see some idea of what you might do for this cover specifically. Cover art submissions should be sent by email to submissions@manawaker.com as a PNG or JPG. If sending multiple pieces, and they are collectively too large for an e-mail, use wetransfer or similar service. Don’t send a link to a cloud drive.
If you’d like to see how it all will fit together, take a look at a previous similarly organized anthology here.
Submitters may submit in multiple categories simultaneously.
No submissions may contain any elements which were created by a generative algorithm. We love robots, but we want all stories, poems, and images in this book to be created by humans.
Previously published work is okay (except for the cover art), as long as A) it’s over a year past the original publication; B) you let us know where it was published previously, so we can credit them in the book; and C) you have the ability to sell the non-exclusive print rights. It’s the submitter’s responsibility to ensure they have the rights to their work before submitting. Previously published work will receive half payment.
If your previously unpublished work is accepted, you will be asked to grant Manawaker Studio the right to publish the work exclusively only until the publication of the anthology. The book may stay in print indefinitely, but is non-exclusive after release (though we ask nicely that you not shop the story around again for a year). The work or parts of it may also be used for promotional purposes in print or online. Less restrictive rights will be requested for previously published work. More restrictive rights will be requested for cover art.
Original creators will retain all other copyrights.
Simultaneous submissions are okay. If your work is accepted elsewhere, simply withdraw it in the submissions manager. You may then submit something different in it’s place.
Compensation for inclusion in the anthology will be an electronic copy of the final book and a token honorarium of:
Contributors may choose to have Manawaker donate their honorarium to Manawaker’s favored charity, Child’s Play, which provides games to children’s hospitals.
Contributors may also order the physical book at a discounted price, so that they may resell it at signings, readings, and shows without having to bump the cost above the cover.
Story and poetry submissions should be submitted through the Manawaker Submissions portal. Be sure to choose the correct project: “Divergent Space”, and the right medium: “fiction, “poetry”, or “graphic narrative”. The Sub Manager defaults to the podcast. Don’t send your Divergent Space story to the podcast, please. No need for a cover letter. If your story is accepted, I’ll ask for bio, and payment info.
Cover art submissions should be emailed according to the instructions above.
Deadline for submissions is 31 Jan 2027. You should get a short confirmation note soon after we receive your submission.
All works will be evaluated within 6 weeks of the deadline. No works will be evaluated before the deadline.
The plan is to publish the anthology in summer 2027.
Any questions about the project or these guidelines (or any queries after submissions) should be sent to contact@manawaker.com.