Deadline: June 20th, 2023
Payment: 3c/word (USD) originals; $25 (USD) reprints. $25 per poem, $70 per page for comics, $50 per piece of artwork
Theme: (including but not limited to) humanism, machine-generation dangers, encroaching machine rule, algorithm overload, the chaotic crash point between the human mind and machine limitations, anticapitalism, advertising overload, self-destruction, the violence and humanity of creation, philosophy.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE ALGORITHM is a special edition dark speculative fiction magazine concerning humanity’s rage against the devaluing of the light. All proceeds from the sale of this publication—every cent remaining after printing, shipping, and taxes—will be donated to organizations that fight for the rights of human artists and pursue the regulation and limitation of machine-generation in the arts.

We are looking for dark speculative fiction stories, poetry, comics, illustrations, haikus, etc. at the meeting point between humanity and technology.

GENERAL SUBMISSION INFO

Submissions Window: May 17th to June 20th

Themes: (including but not limited to) humanism, machine-generation dangers, encroaching machine rule, algorithm overload, the chaotic crash point between the human mind and machine limitations, anticapitalism, advertising overload, self-destruction, the violence and humanity of creation, philosophy.

Genres: Weird Horror, Dark SF, Tech-Horror, Post-Apoc, Eco, Cosmic, Slipstream, Dark Lit.

Reprints: Yes

Simultaneous Submissions: Yes

Multiple submissions: Yes, try to keep it to a reasonable number

Target Age Group: Mature Audiences

Rights: World English first rights in print, electronic, and ebook, including a six-month exclusivity period. All copyright belongs to the author.

Response times: 1-2 months. All submissions will be responded to.

Diversity: Marginalized and first-time authors and artists are emphatically welcomed.

AI Disclaimer: Machine/AI-generated content is explicitly forbidden. Authors and artists should anticipate contracts declaring that no part of their submission was machine/AI-generated. Those who submit machine/AI-generated content will be permanently blacklisted from Tenebrous Press and our network.

HOW TO SUBMIT: VIA THE GOOGLE FORM PROVIDED FOR EACH SECTION BELOW.

WORD COUNT, FORMAT, AND PAYMENT INFO CAN BE FOUND IN THE RESPECTIVE SECTIONS BELOW.

DONATE HERE TO HELP US INCREASE PAGE COUNT AND NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS ACCEPTED.

SHORT FICTION

We are looking for dark speculative fiction stories that explore the meeting point between humanity and technology. This project is by HUMANS, for HUMANS, and intended to protect the rights of HUMAN artists; submissions should prioritize the human angle accordingly. Inspirations include Black Mirror, Twilight Zone, Vonnegut’s entire career, I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream, Brave New World, Moxyland, True Names, and All Our Wrong Todays—but don’t limit yourself; we want you to bring your own flavor.

Word count: up to 3500 words

Payment: 3c/word (USD) originals; $25 (USD) reprints

Format: Any standard manuscript format will suffice so long as your submission is readable. Home address and legal name are not necessary.

How to submit: Submit individual short stories as a .doc or .docx HERE.

NONFICTION

We are looking for articles/essays that reflect on this unique point in history when technology infringes on art and artists at an unprecedented scale. Nonfiction submissions should consider the human angle foremost (beyond simply stating “AI bad”). Technical explanations of AI/machine-generation will not be considered unless they offer a new angle that hasn’t been better explored elsewhere.

We accept nonfiction pitches if you are confident you can write the entire article in under two weeks from acceptance, but a clear pitch, outline, and writing sample is required.

Word count: 1000 to 2000 words

Payment: $50 per piece (USD)

Format: Any standard manuscript format will suffice so long as your submission is readable. Home address and legal name are not necessary.

How to submit: Submit your article/essay or pitch as a .doc or .docx HERE.

POETRY & WEIRD FORMS

Dark speculative poetry, haikus, limericks, and any other text work that experiments with form, etc. are welcome. We’re looking for narrative-forward poetry, clever plays with form, and weird blends. We’re much more likely to accept high concept pieces.

Word count: up to 40 lines for poetry, 3 pages for other

Payment: $25 per piece (USD)

Format: Any standard manuscript format will suffice so long as your submission is readable. Home address and legal name are not necessary.

How to submit: Submit individual works as a .doc or .docx HERE.

COMICS

We are looking for comics that explore the meeting point between humanity and technology. Humour, satire, dark speculative elements, political comics, and Sunday strip styles are all very welcome, as is anything weird we just haven’t thought of yet.

Format: 1-3 pages; B&W/gray tones only.

Payment: $70 per page (USD)

How to submit: Submit individual comics as a shareable pdf or image HERE. Please save the high-resolution versions for after acceptance!

Note: Final Print Dimensions will be 7”W x 10”H. Plan accordingly.

ART / ILLUSTRATION

We are looking to license art that explores the meeting point between humanity and technology.

Format: B&W/gray tones only.

Payment: $50 per piece (USD)

How to submit: Submit individual art pieces as a shareable pdf or image via our HERE. Please save the high-resolution versions for after acceptance!

Note: Final Print Dimensions will be 7”W x 10”H. Plan accordingly.

Via: Tenebrous Press.