Vegan Science Fiction, You Say?

I swear every time I look through my weekly email of potential short story markets, something truly different and not even remotely in my wheelhouse shows up. Last time it was an anthology based around subverting gender norms via the lifestyle of Furries and, while this one isn't quite as remarkable as that, it's still pretty damn different!

Metamorphosis Books is looking for Vegan science fiction. But not just Vegan sci-fi. The Best Vegan sci-fi of the year! And as any published author will tell you, "Best of" usually indicates reprinted fiction from the previous year. That means an entire collection of previously published Vegan Scifi. Now don't feel too bad if you're confused. You're not alone. Fear not, however, for this non-Vegan, unqualified individual who literally just learned about this a few minutes prior to writing this post is here to guide you through the maze.

Below is the most comprehensive example of what Metamorphosis is looking for:

What ‘vegan’ means here:

• We’re looking for stories happen to be vegan – no meat, no hunting, no horse-riding, no leather.
• Stories don’t have to be about veganism (though we don’t mind that).
• Still not sure? Here’s one definition of veganism: https://www.vegansociety.com/try-vegan/definition-veganism

Get it now? Yeah, me neither. If the stories aren't necessarily focused on Veganism, how exactly are they Vegan. If I submit a story to a Christian publication that isn't really about Christianity literally or metaphorically and is, in fact, a basic morality tale, does it still meet the criteria? I would venture to guess it depends on how fundamentalist the Christians in question are. Less rigid thinking adherents would argue that God can be found in any worldly take if one takes off the blinders. Can this also be true with Veganism?

Make no mistake: Veganism has its religious and, let's face it, cult-like aspects. Vegans often feel the need to criticize non-Vegans for their obscene eating and hunting practices and to proselytize for the faith. They even sometimes resort to the use of pseudo-science to make their points in admittedly more sophisticated ways than their Evangelical brethren.

Still, this post isn't for insulting Vegans. I admire anyone who can dedicate themselves to avoiding harming animals. And while I find Veganism a tad extreme, I have often flirted with Vegetarianism from time to time. My main point here is my confusion over how one can write and/or publish Vegan Science Fiction that doesn't have to mention, include or focus on Veganism? How does that work? Is the example I provided above insufficient? If so, allow me try another:

I have decided to once again self-publish an anthology of apocalyptic science fiction. But don't concern yourself with that first word to the point of stymying your writing! It doesn't actually have to concern the end of the world! Just don't include elements of a world not descending into apocalypse.

So, maybe that's the key. Avoid using concepts and elements Vegans find objectionable and you, my friend, have a potential Vegan Science Fiction story. Talk about high-concept.