All of us here at GST like tattoos; we have many. There is something about the process, the pain, the permanency that appeals to us (and many others I’m sure).
For this collection, we would like your stories to do with tattoos or tattooing. Does your main character have them? Are they a tattooist? Is there something about a particular tattoo that is so unusual, special or strange that it just must be written about?
Colp is for everyone and therefore we are willing to read stories that fall into any genre. So, no matter whether your story is a horror, adventure, romance, sci-fi or historical fiction piece, please send it on through. Be original. We also encourage new and unpublished writers to take the leap and get in touch.
Please ensure that you read through the general guidelines below and format your submission accordingly. If you have any specific questions please contact us using the form on the home page or via the listed social media accounts.
To help make sure that your submission gets to the correct place, please include the following in the subject line of your email: Colp – B&G – Story Title.
Deadline: January 15th, 2020
Payment: $10 and a contributor’s copy
unpredictable, fearless, glistening, innovative… GREAT
great weather for MEDIA seeks poetry, flash fiction, short stories, dramatic monologues, and creative nonfiction for our annual print anthology.
Submissions are open from October 15th through January 15th every year. Need a reminder? Sign up to our monthly newsletter.
Our focus is on the edgy, fearless, and experimental but we do not have a set theme for our anthologies. We highly recommend reading one of our previous collections to get a feel for the type of work we are interested in. Our latest anthology isBirds Fall Silent in the Mechanical Sea. We are based in New York City and welcome submissions from both national and international writers.
1-4 poems of any length. If you are submitting more than one poem, include them all in a single document. Do not submit multiple poems in separate files. Single-spaced please, or how it should appear on the printed page. Start each poem on a new page.
1 prose/creative nonfiction piece, 2 if under 500 words. Maximum word count: 2,500.
Multiple submissions (in the same genre) are not accepted and will not be read. Please wait until you receive a response from us before submitting again.
Simultaneous submissions are fine – just notify us with your good news immediately. If you wish to withdraw individual pieces from consideration, click on the title of your submission in Submittable, click on Active, and add a note listing the title(s) to be withdrawn. If you wish to withdraw your entire submission, please use the Withdraw button.
Please don’t send revisions. You can always add a note to your submissions if there is something you need to let us know about.
Payment: One contributor copy, plus $10 for writers based in USA. To help towards shipping costs, international writers receive one copy.
We aim to respond in 1-4 months. If you have not heard from us after five months, please email [email protected]
Copyright: great weather for MEDIA holds first serial rights for material that we publish. The copyright automatically reverts to the author upon publication. All work may be permanently archived online. We ask that great weather for MEDIA be acknowledged in any subsequent publication of the work.
We look forward to reading your work!
Finally, please take a look at our books. Small presses love readers and all support is much appreciated!
Deadline: January 15th, 2019
Payment: $20 per story
Please don’t query us about your story submission. We don’t have the manpower to answer such queries. An editor will email you back as soon as possible with the decision about your story. This can take a few days, or, up to three months. We make every effort to get back to authors in a timely manner but we get a lot of submissions so sometimes it’s not possible.
A note on our editorial policy: before publication we may edit the story for length or readability. However, we always remain true to the spirit of the story.
Issues are published at the end of February, May, August, and November. We reserve the right to shift publication date slightly, as necessary.
We have reading periods for each issue, though we never close to submissions.
February closes January 15
May closes April 15
August closes July 15
November closes October 15
Please do not submit the same story more than once, and please submit only one story at a time.
We consider any story between 250 and 7000 words with speculative fiction elements. We prefer science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we’re willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres.
We do not consider poetry, stories with over-the-top sex or violence, serials, novels, fan fiction, or non-fiction. We don’t accept multiple submissions; in other words, only submit one story at a time and wait for a response before submitting another. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you let us know up front and tell us as soon as it’s accepted elsewhere. We do not publish reprints, including anything that has appeared on a website.
We pay $20 for each story we publish. We buy first-printing world exclusive rights for four months. Payment will be made shortly after publication using PayPal. We encourage our authors to establish a PayPal account if they don’t already have one.
We prefer to read submissions in traditional manuscript format. This means indented paragraphs instead of left justification, and Courier or Times New Roman font in 12 pt, double-spaced. Also, please include the title, your name, address, and word length on the first page of your story.
To submit your story to Electric Spec, e-mail it as an attachment in Rich Text Format (RTF) to submissions at electricspec (dot) com. Use the following subject line: SUBMISSION:Story Title by Author’s Name (Word Count). In the body of the e-mail, include writing credits, if any, and the word count of the story. With the proliferation of viruses on the Internet, we do not open attachments unaccompanied by a cover letter.
Because we are a quarterly magazine, it may take us up to three and a half months to make a final decision, but we will let you know if your story is being held for voting. Please note we do not send out messages upon receipt of stories.
If you want to withdraw a story from consideration, please e-mail us at submissions at electricspec (dot) com and include the word WITHDRAW in the subject line. If you have questions or comments, please e-mail us at our submissions address and include the word QUERY in the subject line.
Why Submit to Electric Spec?
At Electric Spec, we encourage authors to do their market research before submitting work. Electric Spec stands out from other markets because:
We pay for stories and artwork.
We don’t have slush readers. At least one of our editors looks at every story that comes in.
We’ve been around for over eleven years – and we’ve never missed an issue, deadline, or author payment.
We actually edit the stories we publish. Our experienced editors work with authors to make their stories the best they can possibly be. Many magazines out there don’t do that – and it shows.
While we do not acknowledge story receipt, we have a quick turn-around time regarding publication. We do not hold any stories longer than 135 days without contact. If you haven’t received an email with a ‘reject,’ ‘accept,’ or ‘hold-for-voting’ message something may have gone awry ==> you should resubmit.
We love authors because we’re authors, too. All of the editors are published speculative fiction authors.
Art Submission Guidelines
We are currently accepting art submissions for our issues.
Please do not submit the same artwork more than once.
Please submit artwork separately from stories.
We will consider any picture with a speculative fiction element for issue cover art. Look at previous covers to ascertain our tastes. We prefer energetic pieces that narrow the boundary between realism and fantastical, both in genre and style. Consider that our readers come to Electric Spec for stories; we want to see story portrayed by your imagery. Art may be re-sized to fit standard browsers; we will not crop or alter the piece without your permission.
No over-the-top sex or violence, or fan fiction characters or settings, please. Though we appreciate the form, we don’t use caricature or graphic novel style art for our covers.
We pay $20 for each piece of artwork we publish. We buy first-printing world exclusive rights for four months and non-exclusive rights thereafter. Please note this means we want art that has not been published elsewhere. Payment will be made shortly after publication using PayPal.
To submit your art to Electric Spec, e-mail it as an attachment to submissions at electricspec (dot) com. Use the following subject line: ART SUBMISSION: Title by Artist’s Name. We prefer standard electronic formats such as jpeg or gif files.
Unless you receive a note indicating otherwise, your work may be considered for any future issue. We have, rarely, commissioned original artwork for the cover; if we ask, please be honest about how fast you can work. We operate under tight deadlines for publication.
We respond to most submissions within a month. We do not send messages upon receipt of submisisons. Because we are a quarterly magazine, it may take us up to three months. For art work sometimes we consider submissions after the three months has passed, i.e. we consider art work for more than one issue. If we do not reject a piece, it is still under consideration. Of course, in the meantime, if you place it elsewhere, please let us know.
If you have questions or comments, please e-mail us at submissions at electricspec (dot) com.
FIYAH is a quarterly speculative fiction magazine that features stories by and about Black people of the African Diaspora. This definition is globally inclusive (Black anywhere in the world) and also applies to mixed/biracial and Afro-appended people regardless of gender identity or orientation.
We will be open to unthemed submissions Oct 1 – Dec 31.
We will be open for “Joy” themed submissions Spring 2020.
Fiction Guidelines
We accept submissions of short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words.
We are looking for brave works of speculative short fiction by authors from the African continent and diaspora that reject regressive ideas of blackness, respectability politics, and stereotype. Please submit your bravest, blackest, most difficult to sell stories to us. We want to read them.
We want stories that are well written, of high quality, and generally easy to read on a screen.
We are open to receiving stories around many themes, but we will immediately reject stories that feature any of the following:
Graphic depictions of rape or sexual assault
Needless brutalization of women and children
Depictions of brutalization or abuse of people with disabilities
Graphic abuse of animals
In addition:
We only consider unpublished work, and we do not consider reprints (work that has been published in another magazine or on your blog or other social media) or fan fiction.
We do not accept multiple submissions, so please wait until you have heard a response to a submission before submitting again.
We do not accept simultaneous submissions.
Please do not resubmit previously rejected stories in a new submission period. Resubmissions are by editorial solicitation only.
We are only accepting submission from authors from the African diaspora and the African continent because #BlackWritersMatter. This is an intersectional definition of Blackness, and we strongly encourage submissions from women, members of the LGBTQIA community, and members from other underrepresented communities within the African diaspora.
Poetry Guidelines
What we want in speculative poetry is verse that struggles, reveals, instructs, comforts, and fights back. We are looking for weird, complex, honest and challenging work with a clear speculative element from Black authors. You can check out this post from our Poetry Editor for more on what we’d like to see in your poetry.
Art Guidelines
FIYAH opens for one month every summer to acquire cover artists for the following publication year. In keeping with our mission, we prioritize Black creators as the face and content of our magazine.
Submission Formatting
Beginning with submissions for the 2020 publication year, we are using a simple form to collect submissions for prose and poetry. We understand the use of a form may not be accessible to disabled users. If you require an alternative means of submission for your work, please contact us at team[@]fiyahlitmag.com and we will arrange one for you.
Click here to learn more about how to write a professional cover letter.
Submissions should be submitted in proper short story manuscript format with your name, address, email address, and the story’s total word count on the first page. Click here for an example of proper short story manuscript format.
For poetry, you may submit up to four (4) separate poems, but they must all be in a single document. This is a change from our previous submission guidelines, so please make sure you’re up to date.
Payment + Rights
Our payment schedule is as follows:
Short stories (2,000 – 7,000 words): $150 USD
Novelettes (<15,000 words): $300 USD
Poetry: $50 USD
FIYAH will publish accepted stories in a quarterly ebook magazine format, as well as archiving them on our website. Thus, FIYAH will claim first world electronic rights, nonexclusive archival rights, and nonexclusive anthology rights to your story.
This means that we are buying the rights to publish your story on FIYAH’s website and in electronic issues of our magazine. This also means that you can only publish your story as a reprint after it appears in FIYAH, and it cannot appear anywhere else online or in print prior to submission, or for 180 days after we publish it. After that it can be reprinted online, in a magazine, or in an anthology.
Response Times
Response time will vary by volume of submissions. You may query after 45 days using email submissions[at]fiyahlitmag.com. Please include the date that you submitted and the title of your story.
Deadline: January 31st, 2020
Payment: $130 and 2 contributor’s copies
I’m seeking all-new true crime stories for THE BEST NEW TRUE CRIME STORIES: SMALL TOWNS (to be published by Mango Publishing Group USA)
Subject: True crime in small towns
What I’m looking for:
Well-developed thoughtful non-fiction content that offers readers more than dry reportage. Known, lesser known and obscure cases are welcome. Add something new to the discussion, a different viewpoint or angle. First-person accounts are especially welcome from writers with some connection to the crimes. Stories can take place anywhere in the world and during any time frame. Material must be meticulously fact-checked before submission, including dates, names, locations etc. No reprints accepted.
Word count: 4,000-7,000 words
One-time payment per story: USD $130, and 2 print copies of the book.
Contributor fees paid approximately 1 month after publication. (Preferred payment method: PayPal.)
For: Non-exclusive rights with one-year’s exclusivity from date of publication.
Deadline for submissions: Jan 31, 2020
Note that I’ll be selecting material on an on-going basis. Writers are strongly encouraged to submit their stories in advance of the deadline date.
Contact me with suggestions/queries at: TheBestNewTrueCrimeStories @ gmail.com
Submission requirements:
Format: double-spaced Arial 12-point Word document (sent as attachment). Do not indent paragraphs; instead enter one space between them. No irregular spacing between words or sentences. No footnotes or endnotes. If you wish to include a bibliography (optional), please use Chicago Manual of Style. American spelling and punctuation (i.e. double quote marks, etc.). Include your legal name, postal address, and an author bio of 50-100 words written in the third person. No simultaneous submissions please.
In the subject line of your email: True Crime submission.
If you don’t receive an acknowledgement within a week of submitting your material, definitely follow up!
(For non-US-based writers, editor is not responsible for payment of VAT, if applicable.)
Mitzi Szereto (mitziszereto.com) is an author and anthology editor whose books encompass true crime and crime fiction, gothic fiction, cozy mystery, satire, parody, horror, sci-fi/fantasy, paranormal romance, erotic fiction, and general fiction and non-fiction. Her new book The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers will be published in November 2019. Follow her on Twitter @mitziszereto
Please do not submit the same piece to multiple categories.
Please review your piece carefully before submitting – every time we receive a submission that is withdrawn for resubmittal, it counts towards our overall per-month submittal count. If you notice a small mistake, let us know. Otherwise, please do not attempt to resubmit.
We pay $10/contributor via PayPal.
If we publish your work, wait one calendar year before submitting again.
If we decline your work, please wait until the next submission period to submit again (don’t submit within the same issue’s reading period)
Simultaneous submissions are fine, just keep us in the loop. Withdraw your work (congrats!) or leave us a comment in Submittable.
Previously published work cannot be considered (this include blogs, Facebook, Wattpad, etc).
We retain first serial rights on work we accept and then all rights revert to the author. If the work is reprinted, we ask that Third Point Press be acknowledged as the place of initial publication.
EXPEDITED READING ($5)
If you use the expedited reading option in Submittable for poetry or fiction, we’ll put your work at the very top of our reading pile. You won’t get anything more than that (no preferential treatment, no instant acceptance). Think of it as a way of patting us on the back while satisfying that urge to avoid waiting in line.
FEEDBACK OPTION ($7)
You can also choose the feedback option when submitting. This simply ensures that we will provide our thoughts explaining what we liked, didn’t like, and thought could be improved on in your work.
FICTION
Send a short story up to 3,500 words or up to 3 flash pieces (each of which should not exceed 1,000 words).
Do not send an excerpt of longer works unless it can absolutely stand on its own.
Submit all of your work in a single file, use clear page breaks between pieces, and clearly identify each title in the title area of Submittable (Title A/Title B/Title C).
Please use a standard font and double space your submission.
What to Submit:
It’s pretty easy to tell you how to format your submissions. What’s tough is trying to convey what we want to see, what makes us say, “this!” We love character-driven stories that possess a strong sense of language, no matter the genre. In considering what makes a story a good fit for us, we look to Roxane Gay and Kelly Link, who’ve both mentioned how a writer’s obsessions not only generate strong story ideas, but are also the source of a writer’s distinct voice. We want to hear yours.
POETRY
Send up to 5 poems in a standard font.
Submit all of your poems in a single file
Make sure to check your work for errors. This is even more important with poetry. We want your work to look exactly like you mean it to look.
