Events

Deadline: January 31st, 2018 Payment: 0.5p a word (£20 for 4,000 words, £30 for 6,000 words), a contributor's copy, and royalties 2018 sees the re-launch of the Alchemy Press Book Of… anthologies with a brand new title: HORRORS, edited by Peter Coleborn and Jan Edwards. We are looking for horror stories … but tales that can be described as “weird”, “strange”, “amazing” and “peculiar”: stories that would have found a home in Weird Tales, Unknown Worlds, Fantastic and Fantasy Tales among other illustrious publications. Your story can be set in almost any era, any place but glimpse at and pervert the usual perceptions of reality – and unreality. We do not want stories that deal with common horror tropes without stretching boundaries. Avoid zombies unless they are tackled in an unexpected and strange fashion. No urban romance – you know, heroine falling for a vampire and so forth. Nor do we want to see religious tracts, adult content, and we really, really do not want gross-out horror tales. Please send your stories in a standard manuscript format (3,000-6,000 words ) to [email protected] to arrive by 31 January 2018 (contact us if an extension is required). Payment: 0.5p a word (£20 for 4,000 words, £30 for 6,000 words), plus a copy of the book and royalties. The anthology will be in print for a maximum of five years and then the book will become OOP. If you are interested put on your story-thinking hat now. Any questions please get back to us at the above email address or use this contact form. NOTES: We accept stories from anywhere in the world (the galaxy, even) if written in English We only accept email submissions We are looking for new stories although reprints may be considered Please present your manuscript as a Word document (or RTF or similar) using standard formatting (double spacing,...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry Theme: Leo massaged the back of his neck, thankful the meeting was finally over. We love the fact that writers around the world are inspired by our first lines, and we know that not every story will be sent to us. However, we ask that you do not submit stories starting with our first lines to other journals (or post them online on public sites) until we've notified you as to our decision (usually two to three weeks after the deadline). When the entire premise of the publication revolves around one sentence, we don't want it to look as if we stole that sentence from another writer. If you have questions, feel free to drop us a line. (Also, we understand that writers may add our first line to a story they are currently working on or have already completed, and that's cool. But please do not add our first line to a previously published story and submit it to us. We do not accept previously published stories, even if they have been repurposed for our first lines.) One more thing while I've got you here: Writers compete against one another for magazine space, so, technically, every literary magazine is running a contest. There are, however, literary magazines that run traditional contests, where they charge entry fees and rank the winners. We do not - nor will we ever - charge a submission fee, nor do we rank our stories in order of importance. Occasionally, we run contests to help come up with new first lines, or we run fun, gimmicky competitions for free stuff, but the actual journal is not a contest in the traditional sense. Fiction: All stories must be written with the first line...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: 1/2 cent per word and one contributor's copy. We're looking for excellent general audience furry stories on the theme "RESISTANCE."  If you have an excellent story, but you're not sure it fits the theme, give it a try.  We can be generous in how we interpret "resistance," but all stories must be furry.  That means an anthropomorphic animal figure should be significantly featured in your story -- it could be anthropomorphic in body or only intelligence.  We'll consider any type of furry fiction from secret life of animals to fox in Starbucks -- as long as it's excellent.  Though, the editor does have a preference for stories where the animal nature of the characters matters -- if the reader can't even remember the species of the characters by the end of the story, then that's not a good sign. We are interested in underrepresented voices. If you have personal experience relevant to your story, feel free to mention it in your cover letter. For instance, if your story is about a space unicorn and you are a space unicorn (or a research biologist who studies space unicorns), let us know.  We are not interested in stories that involve rape in any way. Please send submissions as an attached .doc, .docx, or .rtf file in Standard Manuscript Format to ROARanthology(at)gmail.com with a subject line that reads:  SUBMISSION:  "Story Title" - word count.  (For an example of Standard Manuscript Format, see this essay by William Shunn.  For help with writing a cover letter, check out this excellent advice from Strange Horizons.) Length -- Between 2,000 and 18,000 words.  Query if longer or shorter.  We tend to prefer stories between 4,000 and 12,000 words. Multiple submissions -- Keep it reasonable; two or three stories at a time is probably okay; ten isn't. Reprints --...

Deadline: February 1, 2018 Payment: $25 for a digital run, with an option for print rights which would add another $25 Seeking erotic short stories with magical beasts and shapeshifter tropes. Although the title of the anthology is somewhat comedic–and levity is definitely welcome!–we’re not looking for parody or satire. Open to all mythical and magical creatures with sentience–centaurs, werewolves/human-animal shifters, intelligent dragons, merfolk, etc. Definitely open to unicorns, griffins, banshees, minotaurs, etc. so long as the spark of sentience is present. ( ) As for what kinds of stories we’re looking for? We’re tired of the “same old” werewolf stories, but not tired of how magical beasts can represent sexuality and erotic need in fiction, especially marginalized sexuality and repressed needs. We’re tired of the “alpha meets fated mate” trope, but  not tired of encounters with the magical being life-changing. We’re tired of the “(white) colonial explorer goes into wildest place and tames native beast” trope, too, but not tired of diverse characters and settings, especially when told by #ownvoices. We’re always interested in characters and stories that include various marginalized sexual identities and practices including polyamory, kink, genderqueer and gender variant, BDSM, bisexuality/pansexuality, trans identities, as well as “regular ol'” gay or lesbian characters. (General note: We’re also all for asexual representation though we realize that may seem out of place to some for an erotica anthology. Please no stories where someone’s asexuality is “cured” — please yes to stories that include affirmations that asexuality is valid.) Finally, although the anthology title is explicitly a riff on the universe of a certain famous boy wizard, stories do not have to be in any way related to or parodies of said universe. In fact it’s probably better not to tickle that sleeping dragon, unless you’re really really clever about...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: 1 cent/word, to a maximum of $50, The infernal fires have begun to burn, and the Enochian writing is on the wall. Yes, we’re at the starting line for the forthcoming anthology, Hell’s Empire, to be published by UltharPress and edited by John Linwood Grant. So here are all the details you need… If you want the general submission details, skip down to the Technical Details for Hell’s Empire part at the bottom of this post. If you want to submit, you’ll need to read the rest. HELL’S EMPIRE from Ulthar Press ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES These guidelines are detailed, so please read them carefully. Within the framework, there is room for a wealth of stories, from tales of very personal challenge and loss or triumph, through subtle occult ventures, to large scale slaughter. Technical details and requirements are give on the last page. If there is a role model for the anthology, then it is basically H G Well’s ‘War of the Worlds’. A more occult version of that. We can set a few basics first: Hell’s Empire is set firmly in the real Britain and /or Ireland of the 1890s. We are not looking for Lovecraftian Mythos, steampunk or alternate dimensions. Sorry. The British Empire is not prepared for the Incursion, and in its early stages the Incursion might not even be recognised for what it is. Military and civilian technology levels are exactly what they were in the 1890s. If you prefer to pitch an outline idea before investing a lot of writing time, you are welcome to do so. Send your outline to the email address at the bottom, subject line: Hell’s Empire/Pitch. BACKGROUND DETAILS a) The Incursion The simplest part. At some unspecified point in the 1890s, the forces of Hell invade Britain. And there you have it. The Incursion includes: subtle attempts to undermine or demoralise the British; lone demonic appearances in unexpected places; strikes...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: Split royalty payment 10% retained by company for publishing costs. Do you remember that guy or girl you did everything for? The one you walked on water for, bent over backward for and sacrificed your own happiness to please them... The one who ended up leaving you distraught, numb, and dying on the floor? Revenge of love is the best remedy to soothe your burning soul! Piece by Piece is an Anti-Valentine's Day Horror Anthology for short stories. Massacres, heartbreak hotel, obsessive love; the one thing they all have in common: The color red that smears the walls and allays the maniacal laughs of the once dying and broken soul. 3k-10k word count Times New Roman 12 pt font Deadline: February 1st Crisp, clean, polished work Must be Valentine themed Please send submissions to [email protected] Split royalty payment 10% retained by company for publishing costs. *side note* This anthology was canceled last year due to medical problems of the editor. If you submitted last year, feel free to submit again this year.

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: Short Stories, Narrative Comics, and Plays: $250 Poetry, Flash Fiction, and Graphic Arts: $75 Note: Those of Latino decent only The Latinx Archive is a two-volume anthology of speculative fiction written by U.S. Latina/os which will be published by Wings Press in 2019.  The first volume is an adult all science fiction anthology, and the second volume is a young-adult speculative fiction anthology.   The Latinx Archive Vol. 1: Science Fiction for Rebels   The Latinx Archive Vol. 2: Speculative Fiction for Dreamers   We are currently taking original and unpublished short stories, poetry, plays, and graphic arts. The submissions do not need to be centered on a particular topic.  The anthology will instead affirm the diversity of interests and concerns of Latina/os.  Although the anthology will be published in English, submissions can be in English, Spanish, or any Latin American indigenous language.  Multiple submissions accepted.   The majority of what we’ll be taking are high-quality short stories in the 5,000 to 8,000 word range, however, we will also accept submissions anywhere between 500 and 12,000 words.   We will be organizing a Kickstarter to be held in June, 2018 to fund the project and pay the authors.  Payments will be flat fees, paid after the Kickstarter campaign.  These are the minimum payments:   Short Stories, Narrative Comics, and Plays: $250 Poetry, Flash Fiction, and Graphic Arts: $75   The submission deadline is February 1, 2018.   Place your name, contact information, and word count at the top of the document.  Send submissions to the editorial team as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file to [email protected]. Indicate in the Subject line if you are submitting to Volume 1 or Volume 2 (or both).   This project is a follow-up to Latin@ Rising: An Anthology of...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: $75 Florida. Just the state’s name inspires a reaction when heard. It is a state of pristine white sand beaches, green water, abundant wildlife, strip clubs, bait shops, theme parks and transients. From the Spanish moss-festooned live oaks of the panhandle to the Everglades, from the Keys to the oldest European-established settlement in the United States, Florida has been inspiring crime writers for decades, from the noir of John D. MacDonald to the hijinks of Carl Hiaasen’s bestsellers. We are looking for stories set in, or inspired by, Florida and its eccentricity and complexity. We want diverse voices and characters, tales of darkness and violence, whether they are noir, cozy, hard-boiled or suspense. Push the boundaries of your creativity and the theme! NOTE: The stories don’t have to actually be set in Florida, but can be “inspired” by it—so a character can be from here, it can be built around a piece of music about Florida; etc. If you have any questions as to whether your idea fits the theme, do not be afraid to ask! Specifics The maximum word count is 5,000 words; the minimum is 1,500. The stories should be crime-oriented; whether it’s the commission, planning or solving of one. It can also be about the after-effects of one. Murder, mayhem, blackmail, embezzlement, robbery—get as creative as you can! Sunny Places, Shady People will be published by Diversion Books. Submissions All submissions will go through a blind-reading process for inclusion. So, do not include your name anywhere on the file; there should simply be a title on the first page. Pages should also be numbered, and the header should include the title of the story as well. Please use Microsoft Word; double spaced, using Times New Roman 12-point font. The name of your file should also be...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: $0.01 / word and a contributor's copy Details: Stories can be 1000 words to 10,000 words. The anthology will be published in ebook and paperback formats. We pay upfront $0.01 / word. Authors will receive the e-book and one print copy of the anthology, plus wholesale pricing for additional print copies. Previously unpublished submissions strongly preferred. We are seeking twelve months of exclusive worldwide print and electronic distribution rights and non-exclusive worldwide print and electronic distribution rights in perpetuity. Multiple submissions are fine, but simultaneous submissions are discouraged. Please don’t re-submit a rejected story unless we request revisions. We hope to have responded to everyone within one month of the submission window’s closing. Feel free to query if it’s been longer than two months. Stories must be double spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font (or something similar). Do not submit in Courier. The story title, your byline, a word count, and contact information should appear on the first page, and your last name, story title, and page number should appear in the header information of all other pages. We’re not particular about whether you use italics or underlining for emphasis, how many spaces are after the period, or whether you use straight or smart quotes. Submissions may be sent to the email address: Submit your stories via email as an attachment in .doc, .docx, or .rtf format. The subject of your email should be SUBMISSION: <story title> by <byline>. The email body should contain a short list of your publishing credits and any pertinent biographical details. The submission period begins December 1, 2017, and ends February 1, 2018. Theme guidelines The story must have a fantasy/speculative element. Science fantasy is ok, but we’re aiming for fantasy rather than straight science fiction. We generally prefer “clean,” noblebright stories, but this anthology is open to a broader interpretation...

Deadline: February 1st, 2018 Payment: $250 with a possibility of more We are seeking original YA short stories. Stories should be between 2,000 and 7,000 words. We especially encourage submissions from underrepresented voices, including writers of color; Indigenous and Native writers; LGBTQIA+ writers; gender diverse writers; writers with disabilities; and religious, ethnic, and cultural minorities. NEW VOICES: Every issue of FORESHADOW will feature a short story from a “new voice”—a writer who is very early in their career, and this story will be selected and introduced by a beloved, established author. New voices guidelines: Writers being considered as a new voice in our serial anthology cannot have a previously published: A young-adult, middle-grade, or adult book-length work of fiction. A full-length poetry collection. More than a few short stories, whether in print or online—we will look closely at the markets where they’ve been published to decide (e.g., someone with three stories in the New Yorker would not count as a “new voice”). Writers also, at the time of submission, cannot have a YA, middle-grade, or adult book of fiction under contract that will be published before January 2020. Writers who have written picture books or poetry chapbooks can be considered a new voice for our serial anthology, so long as they have published only one of such a book by summer 2018. To be considered for a new voice slot, please include “NEW VOICE” next to your name in the subject line of the email and please mention it in your cover note. Directions on how to submit a story can be found below. CHOOSE (OR FORESHADOW) YOUR CLUE: To foreshadow in storytelling is to leave hints and drop clues, so each story in FORESHADOW will be introduced by a single-word title that offers a suggestion of what to expect. To find that title, you...