Atheists in Foxholes Anthology

MAAF is collecting stories for an anthology to ensure that everyone knows that there are atheists in foxholes. This anthology will include first-hand accounts of Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, Humanists, Secularists, and other non-believers who have served in the military in any capacity or who have a close association with someone who has served. We atheists have served honorably throughout history and still do today. We serve in foxholes, on planes, on ships, and in the service and defense of our values wherever that service may require us. We will ensure that our story is told. We need your help. Make your submission here. The information below should answer questions you may have.

Brandon Burton

Anthology Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Brandon Burton?
2. How do I submit a story to MAAF?
3. How long is the review process after I submit a manuscript to MAAF?
4. What is the submission review process?
5. Will I receive any feedback or critique information?
6. Does the MAAF pay an advance to authors?
7. Will authors accepted for publication be paid a royalty?
8. Do I have to pay for set up fees for getting my manuscript published in the anthology?
9. Do I have to pay for editing fees?
10. Am I required to buy extra copies of the book?
11. What is my author's discount? Can I buy more copies of my book?
12. Where and when will the anthology be available?
13. How much is the retail price of the book?
14. Who determines when the book will be released?
15. Who/What is Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE)?
16. Once I've published my article with MAAF, who owns the rights?
17. Does MAAF copyright my manuscript for me?
18. Does my book have to be edited?
19. Can I still publish my manuscript elsewhere?
20. What would happen if an agent or editor saw my manuscript and wanted to publish it?

Submission Process

Q. Who is Brandon Burton?
A. Brandon Burton is a medical researcher and a frequent guest on the Infidel Guy radio show. He specializes in topics such as medical quackery, pseudo-science, and the evolution of infectious diseases. He is himself a MAAF member, having served for almost a decade as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman. His wife, mother of their three children and also a MAAFer, is currently deployed to Iraq with the US Marine Corps as a Hospital Corpsman. Life as an atheist in a foxhole has inspired Brandon to bring this anthology project to MAAF. He also brings degrees in Anthropology, Workforce Education, and an upcoming Masters Degree in Public Health. His academic background, research experience, and personal energy will contribute to the success of this project.

Q. How do I submit a story to MAAF?
A. Enter your story or an outlined proposal) in the online form at www.maaf.info/submit.html. Your initial submission should consist of 1000 words or less. A MAAF member will review your submission and then contact you directly about when/how to submit a full version. If appropriate, you may submit your information by email directly to Brandon Burton at the email listed above.

Q: How long is the review process after I submit a manuscript to MAAF?
A: A synopsis/outline/etc that fit the submission guidelines will usually be responded to within a week. Email submissions or submissions not within the suggested guidelines will take longer to review. We will send an initial note to acknowledge receipt of the submission. Following the review will will send a follow-up note with any comments or questions.

Q: What is the submission review process?
A: If we have requested a full copy of your manuscript it will enter our review process. Editors will evaluate whether your work meets the literary intent of the anthology. Once our review process is complete, we will either 1) offer you a publication contract, 2) decline to publish the work, or 3) request that the story be resubmitted following suggested changes.

Q: Will I receive any feedback or critique information?
A: It is MAAF's decision to share or not share any feedback or critique information from our review process. We will generally only share feedback in order to help bring a submission in line with the literary intent of the anthology. Any critique reflects primarily on how well the piece matches with the intent of our anthology, and not on the objective quality of the writing or talent of the authory.

Author Finances

Q: Does the MAAF pay an advance to authors?
A: No.

Q: Will authors accepted for publication be paid a royalty?
A: Submissions should be made as a donation to MAAF and its not-for-profit mission. The allocation of any profits will executed in accordance with the publishing contract and MAAF's mission statement. In any case, royalties will not be paid until the anthology is published and profits are obtained. A portion of the profits may be distributed to one or more organizations supported by MAAF prior to distribution to the authors. Given the aforementioned qualifications, MAAF will make every reasonable attempt to recognize the contribution of the authors by way of a distribution of royalties.

Q: Do I have to pay for set up fees for getting my manuscript published in the anthology?
A: No.

Q: Do I have to pay for editing fees?
A: No.

Q: Am I required to buy extra copies of the book?
A: MAAF will not require its authors to purchase any books.

Q: What is my author's discount? Can I buy more copies of my book?
A: The book's price and author purchase conditions will be established by the publisher at a later date.

Release Dates & Cover Pricing

Q: Where and when will the anthology be available?
A: This will be determined by the publisher upon publication. MAAF will update publication and distribution information as it is available.

Q: How much is the retail price of the book?
A: The publisher will establish the retail price for the book.

Q: Who determines when the book will be released?
A: The publisher.

Copyrights and Legal Issues

Q: Who/What is Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE)?
A: As a legal entity, MAAF is an independent non-profit project of SEE. Because SEE is responsible for the not-for-profit tax ID for MAAF, the book and other assets related to this project are legally property of SEE. However, MAAF expects the influence of SEE to be transparent to authors.

Q: Once I've published my article with MAAF, who owns the rights?
A: You own the article rights. However, during the contract period, you have licensed your sales rights exclusively to us and the publisher and you do not have the right to sell your manuscript to other vendors unless specifically permitted by MAAF and/or the publisher. As part of the publishing contract, you grant the MAAF the right to print, distribute, promote, and sell your manuscript for a specific length of time, which can be extended for as long as you want. Should these rights change at any time, authors will be afforded the opportunity to withdraw their submission.

Q: Does MAAF copyright my manuscript for me?
A: US copyright lot specifies that the author, you, has rights to his or her work upon creation. Registering with the US Congress Copyright Office records this ownership more formally and gives you better recourse in case of an infringement question, but is not legally necessary. It is the author's responsibility to apply for the copyright of their manuscript, if desired.

Q: Does my book have to be edited?
A: Yes. Your manuscript will need to be edited. We do not intend to change the meaning or voice of your manuscript, and MAAF will never make major changes without the author's approval. As a member organization more than a publishing organization, MAAF will ensure that its membership is accurately represented with this anthology. In addition, MAAF will not require authors to pay any fees or charges for any editing.

Q: Can I still publish my manuscript elsewhere?
A: No. You are granting the exclusive world-wide rights for MAAF and the publisher to print, distribute, and sell your manuscript for you.

Q: What would happen if an agent or editor saw my manuscript and wanted to publish it?
A: Once the initial period of your publishing contract ends, you are free to enter into any other agreements at any time. However, if other publishers may ask you to sever your agreement with MAAF, MAAF reserves the right to enforce the full length of the contract.