These Dreaming Hills: Cover Art Call for Submissions Appalachia Book Company

About the Project

These Dreaming Hills is an anthology of speculative fiction — science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism — set in and inspired by Central Appalachia. Edited by Noah Ashley Blooms and forthcoming from Appalachia Book Company in fall 2026, the collection brings together new and established writers reimagining the region's landscapes, histories, and futures through speculative lenses. We're looking for cover art that does the same.

What We're Looking For

We want art that feels like it belongs on the shelf next to the stories inside — work that holds the tension between the familiar and the otherworldly, the deep-rooted and the speculative. Think: something that could be a mountain hollow or another planet. A figure that might be an ancestor or a visitor. A landscape that is unmistakably Appalachian and unmistakably strange.

We're open to a wide range of approaches: painting, drawing, digital illustration, photography, collage, or mixed media. We're especially drawn to work that evokes atmosphere and interiority rather than literal scene-setting — art that asks the viewer to lean in. ABC's visual identity leans toward layered, textural work with a handmade quality, and we tend toward a palette rooted in mountain landscape tones (deep greens and navies, warm golds, earthy creams), though we won't rule out other approaches if the vision is right.

We are not looking for:

• Generic fantasy or sci-fi imagery without a clear regional sensibility
• Work that relies on Appalachian stereotypes or poverty imagery

Connection to Appalachia

We strongly encourage submissions from artists with a personal connection to Central Appalachia — those who grew up in, currently live in, or have deep ties to eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, or eastern Tennessee. Artists from the broader region are also welcome. Please briefly describe your connection to the region in your submission.

Artists outside the region may submit, but preference will be given to Appalachian artists.

Submission Guidelines

• Submit 1–3 pieces for consideration.
• Files should be submitted as high-resolution JPEGs, PNGs or TIFFs, minimum 300 dpi, in CMYK color mode.
• Minimum dimensions: 6" × 9" (the book's trim size). Larger is better — aim for at least 9" × 12" or equivalent at 300 dpi. Final production files will be requested from the selected artist.
• Please do not include text, titles, or overlays on submitted images; we will handle typography in the cover design.
• Include a brief artist bio (100 words or fewer) and a short statement about each piece (50–100 words), including your connection to Appalachia.

Rights and Compensation

Selected artist will receive a flat fee of $500 for cover art usage.

The artist retains copyright to the original work. Appalachia Book Company will receive a non-exclusive license to use the selected image for the cover of These Dreaming Hills and in related promotional materials (social media, press kit, event materials, etc.). The artist will be credited on the book's copyright page, in all promotional materials, and on ABC's website and social channels.