Have you ever known someone who sees life through rose-colored glasses? Their view may be wonderful, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s really going on behind the scenes. Or perhaps they’re truly positive, but others around them are cunning, quick-witted, and have less than positive intentions. 

Intrigue us with unique characters who either knowingly or unknowingly view the world through a hue of rose while their circumstances, behavior, or words feign truth. Or perhaps their attitudes, their mindset, or dealings are the culprit. They breed deception, betrayal, or beguilement. And yet… Well, that’s for you to determine. (Think beyond relationships, affairs, and breakups.) We’re looking for deception, half-truths, and coverups with a twist at the end. 

At Palm Branch Publishing, we like happy endings. Be sure to bring us back to a pleasant reality with an element of discovery, reconciliation, or transformation. 

Stories should be well-written and follow all guidelines. Accepted manuscripts will be reviewed by our editorial staff prior to publication.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions currently open until anthology requirements are filled.

• Read ALL guidelines prior to submitting a story.

• Submissions must be original works not previously published online or in print.

• Stories should be at least 3,500 words but no more than 5,000 words.

• No submission fee required.

• No simultaneous submissions will be accepted (e.g., do not submit stories here and to other journals or publishers at the same time.)

• Stories generated using Artificial Intelligence are not permitted (e.g., Google Bard, ChatGPT, Jasper, Rytr, Saasbook, AI Dungeon, etc.)

• Submissions including sexually graphic material, descriptive violence, politics or controversial tones/topics will not be accepted.

• Submit your story in the body of an email along with author’s name and title of story to: kelley@palmbranchpublishing.com.

• Each entry must be submitted in a separate, individual email. 

• Confirmation of receipt of entry will be emailed within 72 hours.

If Your Story Is Accepted:

• Palm Branch Publishing pays $135 per accepted story and two author copies upon publication.

• Authors will be asked to sign a publishing agreement prior to payment and publication of submitted story.

• For consistency, punctuation and grammar will follow Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition. Editorial staff reserves the right to edit and revise as necessary to fit overall theme.

• Submitting a story implies acceptance of all terms.