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Taking Submissions: Monsters!

Monsters! Deadline: May 31st, 2012 Payment: Contributor's Copy Submission Deadline: May 31, 2012 Projected release: October 31, 2012 Send Submissions to: [email protected] Project Guidelines: Monsters exist. Sure, they don't exactly advertise it, but they're out there. Some people know about them -- about the vampires, werewolves, boogiemen, and other creatures that walk the night -- but most remain wilfully (and blissfully) oblivious. This is the world of aflameinthedark.com's very first horror anthology, Monsters! Since you're dealing with creatures of the night, you, as a writer, have a lot of room in how you interpret this world, but there are a few rules of which you should be aware. First, you don't have to deal with classic monsters. You can feel free to make up your own creature, or use variations on nontraditional themes. However, if you do choose to write about a more traditional monster (like vampires and werewolves, for example), classic movie rules apply. Silver hurts werewolves. Vampires hate garlic and crosses, have a severe sun allergy, and can be killed with a stake through the heart. And speaking of classic monster movies, think about your favorites as you write. Stories can be serious, or perhaps a little cheesy (humorously so). Imagine your story playing on-screen at a 50s or 60s drive-in. We're going for pulp, here. Stories must also contain an element of faith. As the website's title suggests, A Flame in the Dark is about shining a light in the darkness. Which reminds me, please also read the general guidelines below as well, as those are always applicable (and include formatting information). Length: we're looking for flash fiction (500 words) or short stories (up to 7500 words). If you have something longer, please inquire first. Payment: Pays one print copy of the anthology General Guidelines: The following...

Taking Submissions: Zombie Jesus and Other True Stories

DEADLINE: May 31st, 2012 PAYMENT: Authors will receive one complimentary copy of the anthology and payment of $20.00. Working Title: Zombie Jesus and Other True Stories Edited by: Lori Michelle, Max Booth III, Stan Swanson Publisher: Dark Moon Books Projected Publishing Date: Summer 2012 Contact info: [email protected] What if Hitler had won the war, but only after selling his soul to the devil? What if the San Francisco earthquake had released demons from the depths of hell? What if vaccinations had never been discovered? What if John Wilkes Booth returned to life as a zombie? This, writers, is your chance to reshape history. We want stories about what the world would be like if history had been different. We don’t care what aspect of history you pick as long as it is still falls within the horror genre and scares our pants off. (Hopefully we won’t be reading these in public places.) Please no over-the-top gore or erotica. Frighten us a little (well, more than a little) and make us think: “What If?” Submission Guidelines: • DEADLINE: May 31st, 2012 • PAYMENT: Authors will receive one complimentary copy of the anthology and payment of $20.00. • Submissions should fall between 1500-6000 words, but a few words over or under is fine. However, submissions that are excessively long will not be considered. • Submissions will only be accepted as attachments in either .doc or .rtf format e-mailed to [email protected]. Please do not embed your story in the e-mail. • E-mails should have the title of the anthology, the author’s last name and the title of the story. i.e. Vampires_Johnson_Fangs for the Memories. • Include your real name (and pen name if using one), address, phone, email, story title and word count on the title page of the submission as well as...

Taking Submissions: Use Enough Gun : Legends of the Monster Hunter 3

Deadline: May 31st 2012 Payment: $15.00 (US Dollars) & PDF copy of the anthology, payable upon publication Weathered hands pull a blade across an oiled stone. The honed edge glints in the firelight, but the job is not yet finished. Two volumes sit upon the mantle, covers worn, the odd stain appearing as a dark droplet upon random pages. The stories inside each are legend, but not all of the stories have been told. The final stories are darker, their secrets hidden deeper than the others. The final stories are those that are saved for last, for when the fire burns low and only the hunters are still awake to share them. The final stories are about what happens when the hunt goes wrong. Sometimes, a mistake can lead to the hunter missing their quarry. Sometimes, an ill wrought plan can get the hunter injured, or even killed. And sometimes, when the hunter grossly underestimates the prey, worse can happen. Much worse. Make your stories cautionary tales that highlight the dangers of monster hunting. Tell us of mistakes that can occur when planning is replaced by reckless action, or when weapons malfunction, or when information is held back from those that need it. Give us a story about what happens when a hunter is simply overmatched by a creature that they never really stood a chance against. Or, tell us of the worst cases, the stories that send chills through the hunter’s bones; tell us what happens when they are turned into the very things that they are sworn to destroy. Use Enough Gunwill conclude the Legends of the Monster Hunters trilogy of western inspired covers, so we will be looking for the absolute very best stories. Use Enough Gun is an anthology about monster hunters and their exploits. Send...

Taking Submissions: A Fistful of Horrors: Tales of Terror from the Old West

Deadline: May 31st 2012 Payment: £20.00 upon publication Cruentus Libri Press is pleased to announce its forthcoming anthology, now open for submission. A Fistful of Horrors: Tales of Terror from the Old West is a Western themed horror anthology. We are looking for stories that successfully combine the setting and trappings of the Old West with skin crawling horror from the depths of mankind’s darkest imaginings. WHAT WE WANT The Old West setting is a must. We want to see saloons, grizzled old prospectors, cowboys, Native Americans, banditos, abandoned gold mines and the like. Historical accuracy would be nice, but we’re really after stories that capture the flavour of the Old West. If, in the reading of your story, we feel that Clint Eastwood or John Wayne could turn the corner at any minute for a brief cameo, then you’ve hit the nail on the head. As well as the classic Spaghetti Western motifs, we also welcome stories from the same period that focus on Native American culture – Wendigos, skin-walkers, deer women, Fastachees…you get the idea. As important as the Western setting is to this anthology, it is more important to remember that it is a horror anthology. We want stories that will provide our readers with their recommended daily dosage of Vitamin Horror, so come out of the dark with your teeth bared and your claws tearing. WHAT WE DON’T WANT First of all, we don’t want parodies or pastiches of existing Western tropes, with a handful of vampires, lycanthropes or zombies thrown into the mix. If your story can be summed up as ‘Young Guns with Zombies’ or ‘Unforgiven with Vampires’ then this really isn’t the market for you. Similarly, if you are going to write a story based on Native American folklore, don’t just retell the...

Taking Submissions: The Ghost IS the Machine

Deadline: May 31, 2012 Payment: Contributor's copy, royalties An Anthology of Steampunk Ghost Stories Have you ever thought your computer, car, cellphone, etc. was haunted? Well, this book is for you. We are looking for original short fiction about haunted machines. Naturally, the Steampunk concept comes to mind. However, your story doesn't have to take place in the Victorian Era, a great story about a haunted machine transcends the calendar. Stories should range between 2,000 and 7,000 words. Sex, language, and violence are fine. . .as long as it's relevant. Stories that revel in child abuse will be summarily deleted. We do enjoy stories that apply multiple genres. If you have a sci-fi horror story that fits this theme--or mystery-horror, or fantasy-horror--send it along. Post Mortem Press markets through genre publications as well as social network and web portal sites. We travel extensively to genre conventions, book fairs, and book signings. Books are available on Amazon.com, Post Mortem Press website, and most major on-line retailers. The are available for purchase to retail booksellers and libraries throughout North America. We also publish industry standard eBooks for all publications. Post Mortem Press does NOT require that you make any purchases. Each published author will receive a FREE contributors copy and the opportunity to purchase additional copies at a deep discount. We pay Royalties - NOT per word. Why? It keeps the author in the equation. For more information contact: [email protected] To submit your short story for consideration: [email protected] Sorry, no fan fiction.