Otherworldly Origins Theme Brief

A Novella Series by Bushland Castle Productions

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Core Idea

Every legend begins somewhere. Before creatures were feared, before relics were whispered about, before magic shaped the stories we tell; there was a first moment. Otherworldly Origins explores the beginnings of the extraordinary on Earth. These are the stories where something changes. Where the impossible first takes root in the ordinary. Not the aftermath. Not the discovery. But the origin.

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What This Series Explores

This series invites authors to imagine:

• The first vampire and the moment the curse took hold

• The origin of shapeshifters—ritual, accident, or inheritance?

• A relic’s creation and the power bound within it

• A tear between worlds allowing something through

• The awakening of spirits or forgotten entities

• The birth of a myth that will echo across generations

Each story captures a turning point—a moment where reality shifts and something otherworldly is set into motion.

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Setting

All stories must be linked to Earth.

• Any time period is welcome: prehistoric, ancient, medieval, colonial, modern

• Any location or culture

• Real-world grounding is essential, even when the extraordinary appears

This is where the familiar world meets something new—and is never quite the same again.

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Tone & Style

We encourage a wide range of storytelling styles within speculative fiction, including:

• Dark & Gothic – curses, tragedy, and consequence

• Mythic & Epic – origin stories with weight and scale

• Folkloric – rooted in cultural traditions and storytelling

• Speculative Realism – subtle, quiet intrusions of the extraordinary

• Whimsical or Strange – unusual, uncanny, or unexpected origins

What matters most is a strong sense of transformation.

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Creatures, Forces & Relics

Your story may explore (but is not limited to):

• Vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters

• Fae, spirits, ancestral beings

• Guardians, constructs, or mythical creatures

• Magical artefacts, cursed objects, enchanted relics

• Portals, thresholds, or unseen dimensions

You are not required to follow existing lore.
Original interpretations are encouraged.

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Continuity & Connection

Each novella is standalone, but part of a larger conceptual thread.

The linking element for this series is:

An auctioneer, presenting an artefact tied to each story.

This artefact may be:

• Created within your story

• Discovered, lost, or passed on

• A symbol of the origin itself

Authors will collaborate to ensure this element feels cohesive across the series, while maintaining creative independence.

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Length & Format

• Final word count: 30,000 – 45,000 words

• Standalone novella

• Developed through a pitch-first, collaborative process

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Key Dates

• Submissions Open: 6 July 2026

• Submissions Close: 17 August 2026 or when 16 authors are selected

Selected authors will then enter a structured development phase.

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Final Thought

This is not just about where stories go.

It’s about where they begin.

What moment changed everything?
What event set the myth in motion?
What remains when it’s all over?

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Your Invitation

We are not looking for finished manuscripts.
We are looking for ideas with potential.

Bring us your origin.