[untitled]

What is [untitled]?
[untitled] is the offspring of Busybird Publishing, and was born with the intention of showcasing quality prose.

It's not interested in changing the world, or ennobling the literary collective, or any of those altruistic pursuits that can unwittingly get in the way of storytelling.

If any of those things occur along the way, that's great.

But, first and foremost, [untitled] is about stories.

What sort of stories?
As a reader you must know what it's like to sit down and get lost in a good book - the sort where you cherish every word, and rue when the pages begin running out because it means you'll have to leave that story's characters and world behind.

These are stories which aren't defined by genre, or literary voice, or writing style, or any of those things. What they share in common is their capacity to immerse the reader and - very simply - to entertain.

So, very obviously, we're interested in quality prose.

Awww, no poetry?
We will consider poetry and actually have a specialist poetry editor, but you should be forewarned that we are primarily dedicated to fiction.

What about non-fiction?
We're not interested in weighty or dense essays. There are better markets for those sorts of pieces. But we will consider light non-fiction - reviews, biographical pieces, that sort of stuff.

So . . . what's with the name anyway? Is it just a placeholder? Couldn't you think of anything?
Names can predispose you toward certain expectations, suggest genres or themes, and evoke certain emotional responses. [untitled] wants to do exactly the opposite: no connotations, no preconceptions, no expectations - nothing but what you want to make it mean for you.

Can I contribute to [untitled]?
Yes, we're always on the lookout for material, but we do have submission guidelines. Please observe them, as it helps makes things easier for everybody involved.

So what're these submission guidelines?
We have only a handful, and they're very simple:

Is there a submission window?
We're always working on an issue of [untitled], and will accept submissions at any time.

How long before you respond?
We will attempt to receipt submissions immediately, just to let you know that we have them in our hot little hands. But please give us up to three months to read and evaluate your material. If you haven't heard from us by then, feel free to bug us to find out what the hell's going on.

You accepted my piece! What now?
Please be aware that, in all likelihood, you may be required to revise your work. We're not inflexible, and willing to discuss suggestions. But if we've made comments and proposals for revisions, there's probably a very good reason for them.

You didn't accept me - why not?
Your piece mightn't have been suitable for us, or mightn't have fit a theme we're posing for a certain issue. Just remember, though, writing's a subjective business. Moreover, we're not the be-all and end-all authority, so don't despair over any rejection.

Will I be paid?
At the moment, [untitled] cannot afford to pay contributor's anything other than a contributor's copy. But writing's not just about remuneration. Consider the exposure of getting your writing out there into the world, and how good being published looks on your CV.

What does [untitled] get when they accept my submission?
[untitled] gets First Australian Serial Rights, which means we get to publish your piece first in Australia, and then you're free to re-submit it anywhere else, if that's your desire.

I have some feedback! How do I send it to you?
Just email us at untitledinbox@gmail.com, with the subject header of your email being 'Feedback'. Please be aware that feedback is subject to publication.