Homework: Artifact Origins
Something to help you in the right direction
As spring winds to a close and summer begins, Raconteur Press opens submissions for Artifact Origins with guest editor John M. Olson!
Artifact Origins
With guest editor John M. Olsen!
Have you ever wondered where all those odd magical artifacts come from in fantasy novels? Stories describe everything from weird trinkets to devices with world-ending importance. We want fantasy stories about eccentric alchemists, quirky witches, and genius wizards without a lick of common sense as they create the stuff of legends. Make your artifacts fun, whimsical, and dangerous beyond all reason.
Opens: 04/26/25
Closes: 06/15/25
Contracts: 06/28/25
Publication: 07/25/25
What is our guest editor looking for? Well, let’s hear from him directly.
Have you ever wondered where all those odd magical artifacts come from in fantasy novels? Stories describe everything from weird trinkets to devices with world-ending importance. We want fantasy stories about eccentric alchemists, quirky witches, and genius wizards without a lick of common sense as they create the stuff of legends. Make your artifacts fun, whimsical, and dangerous beyond all reason.
Every magical artifact in every fantasy story had to come from somewhere. The stories of this anthology will explore those origins, delving into the life and goals of the artifact creator, and will show creating magic of unspeakable beauty, danger, or hilarity.
An artifact’s creation should relate somehow to the initial problem of the story, and the resolution. Clever (yet believable) twists are encouraged and expected. You may have heard the expression “surprising but inevitable” before. That’s a good goal.
We’re after stories of magic going in unexpected directions, while still having good triumph in the end. Humor can be a part of even serious stories, and identifying the funny stories will be a side quest during evaluation of the submissions. Humor is not required, but it might help push a story from “maybe” to “yes.”
Magic can be mysterious and unexplainable, or it can have predictable known rules to twist in unpredictable ways. Either way, every worthy artifact comes with both an ability and a cost. Does your fireball wand have to obey the laws of thermodynamics? Does that mind-reading pendant always work in both directions?
Yes, you could write a story about a magical sword, but I’ll warn you up front that the competition of blades will be difficult, and you might get cut. (A little editor humor there.) Non-sword stories will have a better chance of hitting the target. Sometimes it’s more fun to play with new mysteries and unknowns rather than stick with the first trope that comes to mind.
You’re creative authors with imaginations that can inspire and amuse. Create an artifact worthy of spawning legends. Give it your best shot and make me laugh, or cry, or both.
I'm excited about this one, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what people come up with.
I have a question. Is the story supposed to be about the process of making the artifact (as the title and opening paragraphs indicate), or is the completed artifact itself supposed to figure prominently in the story (as the section between the first two illustrations seems to suggest)? Because it doesn't seem to me as though it can be both - unless maybe you're going for a sort of synopsis of the artifact's whole career?