This series, previously known as The Killer Wore Cranberry, continues to be a hit with readers and authors alike. Now, this anthology of humorous Thanksgiving-meets-crime short stories has a whole new mission. 100% of the net proceeds are donated to Second Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America. The net proceeds will be split evenly among the Second Harvest Food Banks for each of the contributor’s home locations. If a contributor doesn’t have a Second Harvest Food Bank in their area, the donation will be made to the parent company, Feeding America.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1. Your work must be based around a Thanksgiving food.
2. Humor is the name of the game here. Stories need to be very light-hearted.
3. Although the humor is important, you still must have a STORY and a good crime/mystery.
4. LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC characters and authors very, very strongly encouraged. Non-traditional families, couples, dinners-for-one…all welcome. Be authentic!
5. All works must be original to this publication and cannot have been published or self-published previously.
6. We’re perfectly ok with simultaneous submissions to other publishers, but please let us know if you’d like your story withdrawn from consideration.
7. There at total of 20 open slots for this anthology, ten invited slots and ten slots open to submissions from the public.

8. Lisa Lynn will be back with new recipes to accompany the stories.

9. Please be sure to check out the previous The Perp Wore Pumpkin or any of the installments of The Killer Wore Cranberry for an idea of what we’re looking for.

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

1. We’re not looking for flash fiction. We prefer regular short story length (3000-5000 words).
2. All submissions need to be in DOCX format. Please use Shunn Manuscript Formatting. Anything else will be deleted.
3. All entries should be sent to submissions@mistimedia.com with PERP in the subject heading. All entries will be acknowledged.
4. All submissions need to be received no later than 11:59PST, April 30th, 2025. Decisions will be made by May 31st, 2o25.. We will do our best to notify authors early if their work is not accepted, but they cannot be resubmitted. Estimated publication is July 2025 to enable us lineup lots of promotion ahead of the holiday season and to take advantage of bookstores and libraries purchasing holiday-themed titles.
5. There is no financial compensation for this anthology as 100% of the net proceeds are being donated. As Second Harvest and Feeding America are tax-exempt organizations and the all funds are going to them, you may be able to deduct a $25 charitable donation from your taxes (check with your accountant). All contributors will receive an ebook copy and deep discounts on paperback versions.
6. Our anthology agreement gives us exclusive rights for six months from publication date, then non-exclusive rights thereafter, meaning that contributors are free to reuse their story in any manner they wish after the first six months of publication but we don’t have to remove the book from sale.
7. Original stories only, no reprints.

8. Per company policy, absolutely no AI may be used in the writing of your story. If it’s determined that AI was used, you will be permanently blacklisted from making any future submissions to us.
9.. This anthology will be published under our White City Press imprint and edited by J. Alan Hartman.
10. All production costs will be absorbed by Misti Media, LLC. Misti Media, LLC and its imprints will not keep a single penny of the royalties.

Please direct all questions to Editor-in-Chief Jay Hartman at jhartman@mistimedia.com