Submission Window: August 15th – October 1st, 2023
Payment: $25
Theme: NIRVANA-inspired horror

Celbrate 35 years with a collection of NIRVANA-Inspired Horror!

For decades, our lives have been touched by the music. We’ve cried, screamed, laughed to the punk riffs and unique vocals. NIRVANA shaped us during our formative years and it shows. For that, we honor the mark they’ve made. 

 

Now we sing dark, twisted covers of our favorite songs. 

  

From Book Slayer Press and Roxie Voorhees, co-editor of MINE and READER BEWARE, comes a collection of NIRVANA-inspired horror.  

 

Forming the ultimate playlist, the stories within showcase NIRVANA’s discography with a fear inducing twist. 

 

NEGATIVE CREEP: A NIRVANA-Inspired Horror Anthology

 

 GUIDELINES: 

Please read carefully. Submissions that don’t meet the guidelines will be rejected. 

 

Submissions will be accepted from August 15 through the end of September 30. Deadline is October 1st, 2023, at midnight IDLW time zone. Please submit to [email protected]. Open to any and all writers, both new and established.  

 

What we are looking for: 

20-30 stories inspired by NIRVANA songs, ranging their entire discography. All horror tropes are welcome. Genre-blending is highly encouraged. Queer retellings and gender swaps, historical horror, sci-fi horror, cults, and cannibalism are a few of our favorites. Writers should have a diverse representation of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, gender identities, disability, fat positivity, and neurodivergence. **Please note: Only one story per song will be accepted** 

 

What we are NOT looking for: 

Please, do not submit stories about Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, Kurt’s suicide (mentioning is fine), anything that has to do with band members’ personal lives and not related to NIRVANA or its music.  Submissions cannot contain sexualization of minors (under 18, yes that includes “17 almost 18”). 

  

Trigger warnings are encouraged and will be included in the back of the finished work. Here are some common triggers: ableism, abortion, blood/gore, body dysphoria, death of loved one, eating disorder, fatphobia/sizeism, gendered language, graphic medical situations, gun violence, homophobia, incest, intimate partner violence, labor/birth, lack of consent, loss of body autonomy, miscarriage, misogyny, needles, police/military violence, post-partum depression, pregnancy, racism, rape, religion, self-harm, sexual assault, stalking/harassment, stillbirth substance misuse, suicide, suicidal ideation, transphobia. 

 

Submissions must be between 1,000 and 3,000 words. 

Email subject: Last, First – Title – Word count 

Cover letter: Include a one-line pitch, any trigger warnings, and a 100-word author bio with your pronouns and socials. If you wish to self-identify, please do, if not, that’s okay, too.

Please use a standard manuscript format. https://www.shunn.net/format/ is a great example. (Omit your address) 

American English spelling and punctuation, please. Bilingual characters welcome. 

Must be a .doc or .docx 

 

Exclusivity clause: We require 6-month exclusivity. 

No reprints. 

Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but you must own the rights to your story. Multiple submissions are not accepted. Notify us by email at [email protected]  if you need to withdraw your submission at any time. 

 

The deadline for submissions is October 1st, 2023 at midnight IDLW time zone. 

Via: Roxie Voorhees.