Events

Deadline: August 27th, 2023 Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word for original stories, 6 cents/4 pence for reprints. Theme: Ghost Stories by African and African-diaspora writers Following our hugely successful Black Sci-Fi Short Stories, First Peoples Shared Stories, Immigrant Sci-Fi Short Stories and Asian Ghost Short Stories, we're now seeking tales from African and African-diaspora writers to be included in our powerful collection of African Ghost Short Stories. The volume will explore the deep-seated supernatural element in African storytelling – whether reaching back to the spirits, ancestors and ogres of folklore or the vibrantly modern ghosts of today's African horror. New and contemporary stories will complement poignant folktales such as ‘The Story of Takane’ from Lesotho and  ‘The Disobedient Daughter Who Married a Skull’ from Nigeria. The book will delve into the fascinating heritage of African ghostly lore and literature, encouraging it to be reclaimed and retold by contemporary African voices. As with the collections mentioned above, this new title in the Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy series will be supported by a new Foreword (written by award-winning Nigerian-British writer Nuzo Onoh) and a new Introduction. We are also proud to announce that we are working in partnership with outstanding African literature magazine Brittle Paper. Nuzo Onoh (foreword) is an award-winning Nigerian-British writer of speculative fiction. She is a pioneer of the African horror literary subgenre. Hailed as the ‘Queen of African Horror’, Nuzo’s writing showcases both the beautiful and horrific in the African culture within fictitious narratives. She is a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Nuzo’s works have featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and anthologies, and have been longlisted, shortlisted and recommended. She has given talks and lectures about African Horror, including at the prestigious Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, London. Her works have also appeared in academic and feminist studies and she has also featured in Starburst magazine, the world’s longest-running magazine of cult entertainment. Nuzo holds a...

Newsletter | Flash Fiction Guidelines Authors submitting must sign up to the Flame Tree Fiction Newsletter, here. Submission window announced in each Newsletter, and on social media, at the beginning of each month. Usually one horror, one sci-fi. Themes to be announced each month. Submit by email to [email protected]. Preferred format is .doc, .docx or .rtf, double-spaced, with author email at the top of the first page. Use the story theme as the subject heading on your email. One entry per author. Add full author details at the end of the story, to include published work, influences, hometown and social media links. Only original, unpublished work, will be considered. (although we do accept reprints for our short story anthologies submissions). 1000 word count. Actually we allow a strict range from 700-1000 words. Please indicate at the top of the submission. Submission window usually 2 weeks. Confirmation will be made in the form of acceptance or (polite!) rejection. Successful authors will receive a simple contract for the primary purpose of publication in the Newsletter, and possible publication in a later printed form. Payment will be 8 cents for each word (SFWA qualifying market rate) and 6 cents for reprints. Once the contract is signed by the author and Flame Tree, payment will be made in 30 days by Paypal, (to reduce costs of money transfer for both parties). Alternative arrangements can be made if necessary. Good luck, and thank you...