When the Rose Speaks its Name: Volume 2

A road runs between trees in autumnal colors of red, orange, green and gold. Text reads: They've walked 138 years together, where will you take them next? A Queer Holmes and Watson Charity Anthology. Poetry + Fiction + Art.

One year since we published When the Rose Speaks Its Name: A Sherlock Holmes Anthology, it’s our pleasure to announce a collaboration to publish a second volume.

For new adventures, a new theme: 

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With the same guidelines: 

  • Original works of Johnlock writings and art
  • Celebrating and affirming LGBTQIA+ lives and identities
  • Based on the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,  with AUs welcome
  • Short stories (2K-5K wds), 221Bs, microfiction (100-1K wds), and poetry
  • To benefit UK queer and trans youth by supporting the work of akt.org.uk

Solicitations Open

1 October 2025 – 31 October 2025

Followed by writing/submissions period through March 2026. 

Join us on this new voyage of discovery.