What is “Open-World Fiction?”
The idea of “Open-World Fiction” was born, as many things are, by asking what if?
What if we took all of the things we love—choose-your-path stories, “yes, and…” improv games, collaborative art projects, and story-driven worldbuilding—dumped them into a pot, and stirred them around a bit?
Would anything interesting come out of it? Would people want to read it? Would anyone even want to participate?
Definitely!
The amazing success of The Substack Zone and the collection of those stories into the wildly successful anthology, The Midnight Vault, suggests a strong appetite for stories written by authors who use online publishing options in creative new ways.
That’s what Project Franklin is all about!
Together, the authors contributing to each collection of stories set in the midwestern river city of Franklin, USA, are building the world in which those stories are set. Each author, each piece of flash-fiction, contributes to the mysterious secret that lies buried in the everyday lives of Franklin’s residents.
And what is that secret?
No one knows! Yet.
That’s my job!
Hi, I’m
and I am the Worldbuilding Deity behind Project Franklin’s lore. Using the information supplied by authors in their stories, I will be collecting and sharing all of the little details that breathe life into a fictional world. As our authors continue writing stories, I’ll be able to provide them with guidelines, information, and hints to include in future stories.Why Subscribe?
It’s the immediate cure to FOMO! Fans of Franklin will get access to all sorts of fun extras including publication schedules, collection indexes, exclusive lore, author interviews, and much more as we continue to grow!
For authors, the newsletter is how we distribute critical information including submission calls, collection guidelines, and information on what is new and different around Franklin. If you are writing for Franklin, this newsletter (and the “For Authors” section) are mandatory! The biggest challenge to any group project is communication. This newsletter is meant to be your one-stop shop for everything Franklin.
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email or inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus (upcoming) audio and community features, get the Substack app.
Join the community!
If you have ever wanted to live in (or write about) places like Springfield (The Simpsons), Star’s Hollow (Gilmore Girls), or Gotham (DC/Batman), then you have found your people! Join us in uncovering the secrets hidden in Franklin, USA!
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
