We may have built the sandbox, but we’re inviting the world to play within.
What is the 224-Verse?
The 224-Verse is an interconnected fictional universe set within the sprawling starscape of Galaxy NGC 224 – Andromeda.
In terms of sheer size, Andromeda is 220,000 lightyears across and is home to a trillion stars and roughly four-trillion planets.
Statistics
While the possibility that there is far more within the galaxy than has been explored certainly exists, the canon breaks down as follows:
14-million charted systems
4,879, 426 recognized space faring civilizations
528,000 registered jump points
Canonical History
While this page serves to provide the raw facts on how to become a part of the 224-Verse’s legacy, familiarity with how the technology works, the cultural history and the smaller details already established will likely prove very beneficial to your story, so please brush up on our Canonical History of the 224-Verse here.
Contributing to the 224-Verse
We welcome well constructed tales to further expand the rich mythos of the 224-Verse and are open to submissions anytime. Depending on length and subject matter, these stories could potentially be published as stand-alone pieces or as part of a collection of 224-Verse tales.
Length, subject matter and connectivity to the preexisting 224-Verse tales are all left to the discretion of the author. And, while Starry Eyed Press reserves the right to modify submissions to fit into the continuity of the established universe, the following guide should help explain what we are looking for to increase the chances of acceptance:
All submitted material is subject to the approval of Starry Eyed Press, which owns all copyright to the 224-Verse in its various incarnations and is very fastidious about maintaining the integrity of the characters and the setting itself.
To that end, we make every effort to ensure that the tales line up both in terms of continuity and quality to that of the established mythos.
The best reference, if in doubt, are of course the published entries into the 224-Verse (links below).
Dos and Don’ts
While we make every effort to allow authors the freedom to explore creatively, the following items will likely not be selected for publication:
Death of an established character, or any other permanent change in the 224-Verse characters, settings, or universe itself. It kind of goes without saying that we don’t want pre-established characters killed, planets destroyed or new family lineages revealed. Does this mean all of these subjects are off-limits? Of course not – as we demonstrated above, there are over four trillion planets in this galaxy. The possibility to create worlds, characters and lineages is nearly limitless, just be respectful to those already established.
Similarly, the major technology of how space travel takes place in the galaxy is established within the opening history. We’d appreciate it if this is maintained. There could be other, lesser important means of travel introduced, of course. Or attempts at superior means that fail, but the quantum jump technology/ neutrino fusion method discovered by the Transcendence remains the superior mode for traversing great distances for a reason.
We aren’t looking for over-sexualized themes or graphic gore.
Lastly, to maintain a consistent “feel” – we would prefer that the tale is set in third person, past tense.
How do I submit?
Email your story as attached Word document to:
starryeyedworldssubmissions@gmail.com
Please make sure to read our Submission Guidelines before submitting.
Whats Out There Now?
Check back often, as the 224-Verse is continually expanding (and we will do our best to keep this section updated). At present, the 224-Verse can be explored in the following published books:
Axiom Limit: Zan Dane Cycle Book 2: 224-Verse – Jason Russell
Zan Dane’s Saga Comes to an End
While following the ghostly trail of leads pointing toward the elusive Dark Orbit crime syndicate, Zan Dane and his makeshift crew delve deeper into the galactic interior in search of Eliea. Meanwhile, a member of the D’etiney Order of Assassins is dispatched to investigate the mysterious disappearance of neighboring allies the Xa’krie, who went silent shortly before a surge of energy was registered coursing through the sector.
Concluding the events established in Bountiful Pursuits, Jason Russell delivers a space opera thrill-ride of a race against time for a father whose greatest bounty in the galaxy is the life of his daughter.
224-Verse Omnibus: Zan Dane Cycle Book 1 – Jason Russell
The Zan Dane Saga Collected Together for the First Time Ever
Bountiful Pursuits
Bountiful Pursuits tells the tale of intergalactic bounty hunter Zan Dane on the most important job of his career – the return of his daughter Eliea from the clutches of the ruthless criminal organization Dark Orbit.
Along the way he crosses paths with a ragtag group of outlaws who prove to be more than meets the cross-hairs.
Engineered Civility
Arouna Rouk’s simple life as a civil engineer on the planet Centie is about to take a remarkable turn when the Galactic Assembly itself sends a dignitary to personally retrieve her for civic duty. The mission, she’s told in transit, involves a strange phenomenon never before documented in the galaxy’s rich history of colonization – what appears to be a sentient pond deep underground on an asteroid in the process of being terraformed.
Brightest at the Bulge
Eliea Dane is a silicon miner on the rocky world of Pertha. When her live-in boyfriend is arrested for dealing illegal subdermal implants, a chain of events is sprung into motion every bit as rocky as the planet itself.
With enhanced mathematical computation abilities beyond her wildest expectations, Eliea finds herself pitted against a ruthless criminal organization known as Dark Orbit in effort to win the freedom of the man she loves.
People of the Spire
In the fringes of the galaxy lie civilizations not yet exposed to the marvels of jump technology or the cultural significance of membership within the Galactic Assembly.
The planet Peratah is one such civilization, content in its isolation until a graduate student opts to live among a secluded sect on nearby moon Keita where its inhabitants appear to worship an ancient artifact of alien origin.
Bonus Never Before Published Story
Lost Bounty on ORP-77
Zan Dane discovers first-hand that the reputation of an assassin belonging to the mysterious D’etiney Order is far from exaggeration. Competing against a fellow bounty hunter for the well paying target, it quickly becomes a battle of wills on the heavily populated tourist planet Orp-77.
A Hole Situation: 224-Verse – Jason Russell
A Hole Situation has been published as part of the anthology Cosmic Convocation and is the last story therein.
“Tricky” Micky Whiprite is about to take a shot at the job of a lifetime – the retrieval and recovery of a ship log lost to a hairy black hole. The only thing standing in his way is the equipment for such a mission and Odis, his artificially intelligent tattoo.
A Hole Situation is a comedic precursor to the 224-Verse and is set several hundred years before the events of Bountiful Pursuits. The story is a stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
Skin Traders: 224-Verse – Gregg Cunningham
In the fringes of the galaxy an illegal skin trade operates within the cracks and cervices of militia law.
When a militia patrol ship is shot down by one such illegal vessel, the Lawmen survivors come face to face with the crew of one of the most notorious pirate gangs in the quadrant.
Skin Traders is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
The Haunting of the Ginger’s Regret: 224-Verse – James Pyles
Kam Samir Naji has always been an above-average smuggler but finds himself in a new dimension of possibility when he becomes the owner of a restored space freighter that seems to have a mind of its own.
With an assassin tracking his every move and a hold full of cargo in need of delivery, everything Kam thinks he knows about reality is coming into question in a galaxy where answers may lie on the far side of a jump gate.
The Haunting of the Ginger’s Regret is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
People of the Spire: 224-Verse – Jason Russell
In the fringes of the galaxy lie civilizations not yet exposed to the marvels of jump technology or the cultural significance of membership within the Galactic Assembly.
The planet Peratah is one such civilization, content in its isolation until a graduate student opts to live among a secluded sect on nearby moon Keita.
She quickly discovers that there are greater mysteries at play within the elusive society; mysteries of the cornerstone of their philosophy centering on an alien artifact dating back millions of years.
People Of The Spire is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
The Fallen Shall Rise: 224-Verse – James Pyles
Jepheth Shinzi, archeologist on the rigid backwater Kaamus star system, discovers a controversial anomaly when scans taken of space match up with 3,000 years worth of cultural mysteries.
Fearing being labeled a traitor to his government, he proceeds to share the findings in confidence before the evidence becomes overwhelming and the situation warrants in-person investigation.
There appears to be an ancient gate in deep space and it’s emitting an energy signal.
The Fallen Shall Rise is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
Brightest at the Bulge: 224-Verse – Jason Russell
Eliea Dane is a silicon miner on the rocky world of Pertha. When her live-in boyfriend is arrested for dealing illegal subdermal implants, a chain of events is sprung into motion every bit as rocky as the planet itself.
Cybernetic augmentation is near mythical technology on the streets but, as Eliea soon discovers, presents itself to those who expect it least.
Brightest at the Bulge is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
Engineered Civility: 224-Verse – Jason Russell
Arouna Rouk’s simple life as a civil engineer on the planet Centie is about to take a remarkable turn when Galactic Assembly itself sends a dignitary to personally retrieve her for civic duty. The mission, she’s told in transit, involves a strange phenomenon never before documented in the galaxy’s rich history of colonization – what appears to be a sentinent pond deep underground on an asteroid in the process of being terraformed.
Engineered Civility is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
Bountiful Pursuits: 224-Verse – Jason Russell
The one that started it all.
Bountiful Pursuits tells the tale of intergalactic bounty hunter Zan Dane on the most important job of his career – the return of his daughter Eliea from the clutches of the ruthless criminal organization Dark Orbit.
Along the way he crosses paths with a ragtag group of outlaws who prove to be more than meets the cross-hairs.
Bountiful Pursuits is a part of the 224-Verse continuity but is a completely stand-alone short with no prior knowledge of the characters or settings required for enjoyment.
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