Quite a few years ago now, I started writing a space opera book, which evolved into the Tanager trilogy, a couple of other books in the same world, and more to come. One of the pivotal elements I put into the world, and aboard the ship Tanager, was a dog. Another was a garden, which I talked about last week and which will appear again and again in my writing.

I am not a dog person, in the sense that most people say they are. If asked, I’ll say I’m a cat person. There are reasons for that. However, I grew up with dogs, at one point was trained in training herding dogs, and I do like most dogs (not all). I am currently possessed of a dog. Which wasn’t my idea, it’s all his, because he was supposed to be my husband’s dog! We’ve tried to change his mind, so far, it’s not working.

Dogs, in my world, have jobs. Eby aboard the Tanager had a very important job, and it might not be the one you’re thinking of. It was to train Jem, the young captain. He was trained in how to socialize the dog (because at first he thought he was supposed to sell Eby and other dogs on his trade route), and he was trained in how to take care of a small creature that could not help itself. Peter gave the puppy to the young man trying to make it alone in the world for a very specific reason I never explain in the books. It is not good to be alone, and having the dog meant that Jem could not retreat into himself and he had to learn how to be social as he trained the puppy.

When reading science fiction, I note that there tend to be more cat stories than dog stories. There are of course a few dog stories – the Offog comes immediately to mind! – but having helped nine cat-themed anthologies come to life while working with Raconteur Press, I kept wondering… what about the dogs? Why aren’t there dogs? So! I decided that with a little help from my friends, I’m running a dog anthology. This one will be limited to science fiction stories, please, since I want you all to explore the roles dogs might have in space, in planetary colonization, in the future… I do think dogs are going to come along with us as we reach for the stars.

Want to explore how to cope with waste and fur in a spaceship environment? Write a fun story around it and that would be great. Want to see what dogs will become as we travel into the unknown? Why not. I’m not looking for hard science. First and foremost, make it a good story with compelling characters we can root for. One or more of those should be a dog.

The guidelines are available at this link, with details about how Sanderley Studios (that’s me) will be running anthologies. Note that the open submission period begins November 15 and will run through the end of December, so you have time! I’m really looking forward to all of the dog stories. This should be a great collection of tails.

And off the topic! Cataclysm launched this last week. Thank you to anyone who’s already grabbed a copy. And if you have, please do leave a review, even if brief. Those help a lot. Also, if you want a Halloween treat, you can get the free short story prequel by signing up for my newsletter.