We at Inked in Gray Press are excited to announce another anthology in collaboration with Chyina Powell and Women of Color Writers’ Circle!
The Language of Flowers
For centuries, culture and tradition have attributed meaning to flowers. Floriography, the language of flowers, can still be seen today.
Flowers mean different things in different cultures and some flowers carry a message that inspires hope, recognizes loss, and carries a warning. Through the fantasy-based anthology In the Words of a Flower, we hope to showcase the versatility of flower language.
ANTHOLOGY DETAILS
Submission Details
Submission Period: July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025
Theme: All stories should incorporate an aspect of floriography, the language of flowers.
Parameters:
- Please include all trigger warnings, even if only mentioned and not described on the page (ie: References to alcoholism, but character does not drink on the page).
- Absolutely NO AI
- Please give us diversity! Mental health rep! Fat rep! Visible and invisible disabilities! Anything and everything!
- Fantasy stories (both “high” and “low” fantasy stories will be accepted)
Who Can Submit: **International submissions accepted. **
Submissions must be in English. See further story guidelines below before submitting.
Word Limit: Between 2K and 7K words
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Upper YA & Adult
Payment: $50 per piece
Rights: First edition exclusive anthology rights for the first six months of publication
**All Submissions and anthology communications will be managed by Dakota Rayne and Chyina Powell. Initial confirmation, acceptance emails, and publication-related emails will come from Inked in Gray Press.
The anthology will be printed and published by Inked in Gray Press. Inked in Gray Press is considered the publisher and sponsor of the anthology.
Submission Guidelines
- ONLY previously unpublished works
- One submission per author
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know if the work is accepted elsewhere
- Include as attached .doc (or .doc compatible format) please for ease of visual accessibility.
- NO AI-written stories (ProWritingAid/Grammarly usage okay)
What to Include with Your Submission *Please read carefully*:
- A 3 – 5 sentence bio with social media links
- Short blurb
Have a story ready? Click below to submit
**Portal below opens July 1, 2025 and closes September 30, 2025**
Questions? Email Kota at: contact@inkedingray.com
Happy writing! We can’t wait to read all of your stories!
About
AJ
Van Belle
An on-sub multi-genre novelist, AJ is represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary. AJ’s short fiction and essays have recently appeared in Sand, Salt, Blood: an Anthology of Sea Horror, If There’s Anyone Left, Heartlines Spec, Mine: An Anthology of Body Autonomy Horror, and others. With a PhD in biology, AJ draws on their science background for world-building inspiration in their fiction.
AJ was a first reader for Apparition Lit for the two years, has edited novels for a small press, been a technical editor in PR, and taught undergraduate writing and science courses at Boston University and Babson College. They are a literary agent at the Booker Albert Agency.