- This event has passed.
Taking Submissions: Tell-Tale Press Short Stories
July 1, 2020
Deadline: July 1st, 2020
Payment: $5 for 500 to 1000 words, $10 for 1000 to 3000 words, $25 for 3000 to 5000 words
Tell-Tale Press now has submissions open to SHORT STORIES ONLY for at least one year, from July 1, 2019 through July 1, 2020. We plan to read through submissions as they are received and choose stories to publish on the Tell-Tale Press website online as they are selected. The stories may also be selected for digital and/or print anthologies in the future.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
500 to 5000 words ONLY. Shorter or longer pieces will not be considered, even if it’s just a few words. Word count does not include title, author’s name and contact information, and any section numbers or section breaks.
Original work only. No reprints, unless you are an author who has previously published with Tell-Tale Press.
No simultaneous submissions.
Only four submissions total per author during this time period. If you send more than four submissions, all of your stories will automatically be rejected.
PLEASE FOLLOW STANDARD MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING. This includes one-inch margins, double spacing, either Times New Roman, Calibri, or Courier New font in 12 point, and consecutive page numbers. ANY STORY THAT IS POORLY FORMATTED WILL NOT BE READ. Click here for guidelines on how to create a standard manuscript.
YOU MUST USE THE SUBMISSION FORM ON THE WEBSITE, including the upload link as to where to upload your story. Any stories submitted not using this format will not be considered. Your file must be in the format of .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf.
STORY REQUIREMENTS
The story must fall in the genre of fantasy, horror, mystery/crime, and/or science fiction. There is no specific theme at this time.
Some examples of what will be considered are crossover work, such as sci-fi horror or horror western, and subgenres such as historical fiction, steampunk, dark fantasy, action/adventure, dystopian future, gothic, comedy, new weird, and supernatural. True crime is okay, as long as the research is sound. Stories based on true events are okay as long as names are changed.
No niche-specific work. We are all-inclusive and look for naturally written stories and characters.
No poetry or sonnets.
No extreme sex or gore. Anything that would be rated R in the theatres is fine.
No straight romance (including supernatural romance), manga-type stories, political satire, fan fiction, or straight erotica. Elements of romance or erotica are okay.
THE FINE PRINT
Payment is as follows:
$5 for 500 to 1000 words
$10 for 1000 to 3000 words
$25 for 3000 to 5000 words
Author retains all rights to their story. Author agrees that the story will remain on the Tell-Tale Press site indefinitely.
If selected, your story will be published online on a determined date and will be promoted on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We will send payment via Paypal within two weeks (14 days) of publication. We will always advertise as much as we can for Tell-Tale Press in general. You as an author are always welcome to share and advertise as much as you like.
If we would like to use your story for a digital or print anthology, we will contact you with further information.
We will let you know within three months of your story being submitted whether or not it will be selected. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US CONCERNING YOUR STORY DURING THE SUBMISSION PERIOD. We have a high volume of submissions, so we do not have the time to respond to questions about your story. Any emails with such queries will not be addressed. Most stories will be read and a decision made within one month. However, we cannot account for any unforeseen circumstances that may come up. Please watch our Facebook and Instagram pages for any news concerning such circumstances.
Tell-Tale Press reserves the right to close the open submission period at any time. Any unread stories will be released back to the author if such a closure should be necessary.
If you are ready to submit your story, click here for the Open Submissions Form.
Via: Tell-Tale Press.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Stuart Conover is a father, husband, published author, blogger, geek, entrepreneur, horror fanatic, and runs a few websites including Horror Tree!