Greetings, writers!
The tenth LTUE Benefit Anthology, Iron Horses in the Sky, is a charity anthology of science fiction and fantasy stories featuring trains, created in honor of Kevin Evans. He was a huge fan of trains, especially the steam engine varieties. He and his wife, Karen, were fixtures at LTUE every year until they passed away suddenly within months of each other in late 2020 and early 2021. Their smiles and cheerful laughter still echo in the halls each year.
Theme
To celebrate Kevin, his works, and his life, we want science fiction and fantasy tales and poetry (as long as the poetry tells a story, and long-form poetry would be awesome) that prominently feature trains. Think space trains. Magical trains. Cargo trains. They have to obviously be trains and not just single vehicles or single streetcars (longer trains are better!). Make your stories fun to read, make the characters interesting, and make us grin. The tales must have heart, must be solid stories, and must be positive in their outlook.
Tell us stories Kevin would have loved to read and share.
In Summary:
- This is a benefit/charity anthology, so stories and poems are donated and authors receive no monetary compensation.
- Authors receive one copy of the anthology in each format in which it is released (print and epub at a minimum).
- Stories and poems must feature science fiction or fantasy trains. Alternate history is acceptable.
- They must be obviously trains: a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track or other fixed pathway or route (meaning they can’t swerve out of the way or otherwise leave the route/track), transporting people and/or freight.
- Stories and poems do not have to be set on Earth or even in this universe.
- Steampunk elements are acceptable as long as they aren’t the main focus of the story. This isn’t a steampunk anthology.
- Story and poem characters and settings must be your own. Do not use other creators’ characters or settings, and do not use generative AI/LLM. Please do your own work.
- Stories and poems can be any length up to 17,500 words.
- Stories and poems can be unpublished or reprint stories (preference given to unpublished).
- Up to two submissions per author.
- No simultaneous submissions, please.
- Stories and poems must meet the content guidelines described on the Submission Guidelines page. Please be sure to read them!
- We ask for print, electronic book, and audio rights, 90-day exclusive worldwide English after publication for unpublished, and no exclusivity worldwide English for reprints. We request to keep the anthology in publication indefinitely.
- Stories and poems are due by Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:59pm Mountain Time.
If you have stories that meet these criteria, please submit them here:
Acceptances or rejections will be sent by Monday, August 31, 2026, and acceptances will be accompanied by a publication contract with all the details. The anthology will be released during the LTUE symposium in February 2028 (note the year!) in electronic and printed form, and possibly audio format.
The full call for submissions is here:
https://hemelein.com/2026/02/20/call-for-submissions-iron-horses-in-the-sky/
We appreciate your support of this cause, and we look forward to seeing your stories.
Jaleta Clegg and Joe Monson
Editors, LTUE Benefit Anthologies
https://hemelein.com/catalog/anthologies/ltue-benefit-anthologies/
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