Timid Pirate Publications seeks short stories (1,000-6,000 words) set after the apocalypse. In the next cycle of expanding humanity, communities thrive in a post-industrial world. This is the reign of the makers, the doers, the community builders, the farmers and those who work with tangible objects, producing and creating. The collapse of money, the stock market and centralized government has led to smaller, more tightly-knit communities where adventures, mysteries and tales of the human abound. The chaos is over, and rebuilding is well underway. What characters and situations have arisen? You tell us.

What happens when people keep calm and carry on? What happens when many people’s jobs vanish overnight, and they return to the land and their innate powers? How do people come together, rediscover rapture and build new lives together? What countries adapt better, and what communities thrive? The end of the the world is the new frontier. Worlds and civilizations die, but the survivors find a way to move on. We feel that most post apocalypse anthologies are primarily focused on the fire or the ash. We want to show the phoenix that results instead

What we're not looking for: Solitary, angry, lonely, desperate, fearful figures in a bleak or desolate landscape. Not fantasy.

What we are looking for: Inventive, speculative tales of human connection, community and discovery. That could be a murder mystery that rocks a settlement, it could be a big-farm versus little farm economic rivalry, or the capture of a con artist that surprises a community of carpenters that design his cage, a drought threatening a region alleviated by a traveling scientist and his physics lessons...the stories are unlimited. As long as community plays a big role, it fits under the joyfully benevolent apocalypse umbrella.

Due Date is August 31st, 2011

A very special message from Stardust and the staff of Cobalt City Adventures Unlimited.

We at Timid Pirate Publishing are always open to trying something new. This summer, we got involved in a passionate discussion about audio drama where a fascinating idea was floated. Why not use podcasting to share original super-hero stories of the Cobalt City Universe? There are well over a dozen characters, and more introduced with our Cobalt City anthologies. Podcasts are the perfect opportunity to expand the world and bring these vibrant characters to life. If you want to know more, visit the Cobalt City Visitor's Guide for artwork and descriptions of heroes and villains.

Starting here in January, the first episode of Cobalt City Adventures Unlimited will make its broadcast debut. Entitled "Hollow Offerings," it features the Protectorate's Velvet and Huntsman in full audio drama adventure. Each story is spread out over six episodes told in 5-10 minute pieces, so you can listen during your coffee-break.

So tune in and get ready for Adventures Unlimited.

-Nathan Crowder

Publisher, Timid Pirate Publishing