Hope is Not Passive

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​​What We’re Looking For

We are especially interested in stories that explore:

• Survival as a deliberate choice

• Preservation of culture, memory, magic, language, or identity

• Found families and chosen communities

• Futures shaped by ordinary people, not only epic heroes

• Hope that must be actively maintained, not passively held

• We are looking for stories that understand hope as effort—something that requires persistence, care, and sometimes sacrifice.

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Story Energy & Direction

While stories may take many forms, we are especially drawn to narratives where characters act in the face of systems or circumstances that seem immovable.

This might include:

• Individuals or small communities working to protect one another under pressure

• Quiet acts of defiance that accumulate into meaningful change

• People choosing care, solidarity, or preservation in environments that discourage it

• Efforts to maintain culture, memory, or identity in the face of erasure

We are particularly interested in stories where hope is not easy, inevitable, or externally granted—but something that must be created and maintained through deliberate action.

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What We’re Not Looking For

• Romance-forward narratives (subplots are fine)

• Passive hope or external “rescue” solutions

• Grimdark nihilism with no spark of possibility

• Stories relying solely on violence as resistance

• Anything that used generative AI in the making

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Submission Guidelines

• Genres: Science Fiction and/or Fantasy

• Word Count: 6,000 words

• Audience: Adult or Upper YA

• Original, unpublished work only

• No previously self-published or publicly posted work (including blogs or Wattpad)

• One submission per author

• Simultaneous submissions are allowed (please notify us if accepted elsewhere)

• Submissions must be made via Duosuma

• Anonymous submissions are not accepted

• We strongly encourage women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and minorities to submit their stories.

• Please include a short author bio (50–100 words).

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Timeline

• Submissions Open: March 9, 2026

• Submissions Close: March 31, 2026

• (Submissions may close early if we reach capacity.)

• Responses Sent: Week of April 19, 2026

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Compensation & Proceeds

Hope Is Not Passive is a benefit anthology.

Contributors will receive:

• A contributor copy of the anthology

• Promotion across Quills & Cosmos Press and anthology platforms

 

90% of net profits (revenue minus direct production expenses) will be donated to organizations providing legal aid and support for immigrant families navigating detention, deportation, and asylum processes in the United States.

 

10% of net profits will support the operational sustainability of Quills & Cosmos Press.

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Direct production expenses include costs such as contributor copies, shipping, and payment processing fees.

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Charitable Focus

Profits from this anthology will be directed to organizations that provide:

• Legal representation for immigrants and asylum seekers

• Family reunification support

• Advocacy for due process within the immigration system

Recipient organizations will be selected and announced prior to publication.

 

Transparency & Accountability

In the interest of transparency and accountability, this page will be updated with:

• The names of recipient organizations

• Total revenue

• Direct production expenses

• Net profit

• Total amount donated

• The timing of donations

 

Because distributor royalties are subject to return windows and delayed reporting, final totals will be calculated approximately 90 days after publication.

 

Updates will be shared once funds are distributed.

 

Recipient organizations will be selected and announced prior to publication.

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​​​​FAQ​​

How political do submissions need to be?

Stories should be firmly rooted in science fiction or fantasy. Thematic resonance should emerge through speculative settings, characters, and conflicts rather than direct reference to contemporary events or institutions.

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Will stories receive editorial feedback?

Accepted stories may receive light editorial suggestions. We will primarily choose stories that only need light proofreading.

Due to the expected volume of submissions, we are not able to provide individualized feedback on declined stories.

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Can my story be dark?

Yes — but stories should ultimately engage with hope as an active force. Grim or tragic elements are welcome as long as the story does not resolve into nihilism.

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When will contributors hear back?

Responses will be sent out the week of April 19, 2026. We appreciate contributors’ patience during the review process.

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Submissions

Submissions will be open March 9–31, 2026.

Bookmark this page for the submission link and updates.

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​Final Note

Hope is not passive. It is chosen, protected, and carried forward—even when it would be easier to let it go.

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