Events

Deadline: March 31st, 2015 Payment: Fiction and nonfiction alike, we will pay $0.01/word (1 cent a word) USD. For poetry, we offer a flat rate of $5 USD per accepted piece; for artwork, $40 ($60 for cover art) Kaleidotrope is currently open to submissions until March 31, 2015. Kaleidotrope tends very heavily towards the speculative — towards science fiction, fantasy, and horror — but we like an eclectic mix and are therefore always eager to read interesting work that blurs these lines, falls outside of neat genre categories. Man does not live on space ships, elves, and ghostly ax murderers alone, after all. We’d suggest looking through the archives to familiarize yourself with the zine, and/or checking out other work by our past contributors, to get a sense of what we’re looking for and what we like. In the end, what we want is interesting, sometimes unconventional work, well-written stories and poems that surprise and amuse us, shock and disturb us, that tell us things we didn’t know or reveal old truths in brand new ways. We want strange visions of distant shores, of imaginary countries and ordinary people, and work that doesn’t lose sight of entertainment and the joy of good writing. Fiction We have no maximum word limit, although anything over 10,000 words may be a tougher sell. We do like well-crafted flash fiction, too, although preferably not under 250 words. Poetry We will consider all forms. Humor is encouraged, if tricky. Rhyming is not actively discouraged — done well, it can be terrific — but be careful about overly simple, sing-song-like structures. Individual haiku, or other very short poems, may be a tougher sell. Nonfiction We want essays, memoirs, creative nonfiction, thoughtful criticism. In past issues, we have featured essays on popular culture — from Transformersto fembots...

Deadline: March 31st, 2015 Payment: $0.01/word and Contributor's Copy Our journey continues… World Weaver Press has agreed to publish a second volume of the Far Orbit science fiction adventure series. We are once again looking for modern space adventures crafted in the Grand Tradition. We are not looking for slavish imitations of past classics. Rather, we would like to receive stories that establish a new tradition in the much maligned Scifi adventure genera — smart, modern stories built around the classic traditions. We are looking for adventure stories that are creative, readable, and memorable. We are also looking for midnight indulgences; exciting stories that transport you from the everyday grind and leave you wondrously satisfied. All adventure-based sci-fi genera are welcome but stay away from fantasy elements unless they are genetically engineered or cybernetic. Stories can begin on Earth but the major action should happen out there, beyond the edges of our blue marble. Dystopia (Mad Max) and fantasy-like adventures (John Carter of Mars) have to be very special to be included in this anthology. Please, no fan fiction. Because adventure stories often take more space to develop, World Weaver Press is accepting stories up to 10,000 words in length. Previously published stories are acceptable but we will not publish stories that have been previously anthologized. Want to know more about the editor’s preferences? Check out the links at the bottom of this post or pick up a copy of the first volume of Far Orbit. Rights and compensation: Payment: $0.01/word. All contributors will receive a paperback copy of the anthology. For previously unpublished works: Seeking first world rights in English and exclusive rights to publish in print and electronic format for twelve months after publication date after which publisher retains nonexclusive right to continue to publish for a term. For reprints: Seeking non-exclusive right to...

Deadline: March 31st, 2015 Payment: 3 cents per word Another Dimension Magazine is the evolution of Wily Writers Speculative Fiction Podcast. It has a more focused theme, that of classic-style Horror and Dark Fantasy, as seen on the television shows Night Gallery and The Twilight Zone, produced and often written by Rod Serling. We are doing blatant homage to these wonderful contributions to these genres. We'll release issues quarterly in both text and audio formats. What We're Looking For We've identified elements that we're looking for in the stories we'll buy: An interesting and well-thought-out lead character, first and foremost. Supernatural elements or alternate reality/history. The genres of either Horror or Dark Fantasy. The various subgenres of Horror are perfectly acceptable, such as SciFi Horror. A commentary on the world we live in (however metaphorically). Say something with your story. A surprising climax. Take us by surprise, if you can. Impressive imagination -- show us a different culture or an alternate world. Submission Requirements Submissions need to follow the guidelines listed below. IMPORTANT: Name your file so that it makes sense. An impressive filename for a fiction submission is: (lastname)-(word from title).RTF Word count: 1000 - 3000 (Firm. Do not query). Use standard manuscript formatting. (more info) Simultaneous submissions to other publishers are okay. Do not submit more than once to the same issue. You may submit only one story to each issue. Gore, sex, and adult language okay, but make sure it improves the story. Use good grammar, double-check your punctuation, and run a spell-check. We prefer Chicago Manual of Style rules, and we will reject it if it's a mess, even if it's an amazing story. If you're bad at grammar and spelling, then hire an editor or bribe a friend with cookies to help you before you...

Deadline: March 31, 2015 Payment: 1% royalty share of the profits from both the kickstarter and on-going sales, plus 2 comp copies and a 50% discount on purchased copies Whether you’re talking about the wild frontier, the Final Frontier, the literary frontier, or all three at once, The Weird Wild West edited by Misty Massey, Emily Lavin Leverett, and Margaret S. McGraw pushes those boundaries. This collection takes all those things you love about genre fiction and marries it to that western grit we cut our teeth on as kids with classics like The Lone Ranger, Kung Fu, and The Wild Wild West. Thank you for helping us make this project happen! SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: All submissions should be in Times New Roman, 12 point, in .doc or .docx format. Stories should be between 3,000 and 9,000 words. No multiple or simultaneous submissions, and please, no reprints. We seek stories of the Wild West in all its glory but with that delicious left turn into weirdness. The stories must be related to, inspired by, or set in a Western setting, whether on Earth, in a fantasy world, or on another planet. Let your imagination run free figuring out what dangers the frontier folk might face from magic or science (or both!) A couple of disclaimers here – we’re definitely not looking for hard erotica. If there’s sexual behavior in your story that drives the plot along, that’s fine. If the only point to your story is sex, please reconsider submitting it. eSpec Books and its editors do not support the marginalization or discrimination of any individual or group due to any trait, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, age, gender, or orientation. We seek to produce fiction that is respectful and in good taste. While individual characters in that fiction...

Deadline: March 31st, 2015 Prizes: Amazon gift cards and Inkitt custom mugs. The first place winner will also get a custom poster spotlighting their story! Readers, be on your toes, too: there's an Amazon gift card up for grabs for one lucky reviewer! Write a horror story that has people running for cover! What is Inkitt? Inkitt is a free platform for writers to cultivate ideas and watch their stories grow. On our site, users collaborate with fellow writers and readers to give each other feedback and improve their work. Inkitt wants to help writers get the exposure they deserve and the publishing deals they covet without suffering the frustrations and bias of traditional printing and selfpublishing. What is the theme of the horror contest? "Running Scared: The Most Terrifying Tale Ever Told." In the tradition of classic horror flicks and monster movies, we want the freakiest, flashiest fiction you can come up with. Make us scream! What are the guidelines? Frightening fiction up to 15,000 words. Entries must be posted on the Inkitt contest page to be considered eligible. The contest opens on March 3rd and closes on March 31st . It is free to enter , and authors will retain all rights to all work submitted. Authors will collect community votes, and the first, second, and third place winners will be chosen by Inkitt’s guest judges (horror authors J.D. Horn , Armand Rosamilia , and J. Thorn ) from the top 10% of entries. What are the prizes? All entrants will have the chance to show their work to a growing community of authors and readers hungry for high-quality fiction and win the following prizes: 1st Prize:  $25 Amazon gift card, customized movie poster (and high-resolution .pdf file) spotlighting the winner’s story, Inkitt custom mug, custom cover design for the Inkitt story of their choice (created by Inkitt’s designer). 2nd Prize:  $20...

Deadline: March 31st, 2015 Payment: 1 cent per word We are looking for stories 500-8000 words in length about the end of the world, in whatever form it takes. These stories will be published in our anthology, Selfies from the End of the World: Historical Accounts of the Apocalypse. We will accept submissions from March 1st through March 31st. The stories must include the following elements: The World Must End: At the very minimum, we’re looking for a catastrophic collapse of human civilization. The end of the world can either take place in the story or, in the case of post-apocalyptic tales, it can take place before the start of your story. It Must Be First Person: There must be a narrator that is telling the story as though they have experienced it. It does not need to have mad science in it at all. Though we are not requiring it, we would also love stories that feature protagonists or settings that are outside of what we typically see in mainstream fiction. We don’t want to just publish a couple dozen stories about straight white men in the ruins of the United States. We would also like to collect stories from a wide range of authors, including authors with little to no publishing history and authors from traditionally underrepresented groups. All our other submission guidelines still apply, particularly the request for Standard Manuscript Format. We will not be accepting reprints. Payment will be 1-cent a word. How To Send It You will want to send it through our submission form on Submishmash: http://madscientistjournal.submishmash.com/submit Questions? Queries can be sent to [email protected]. Via: Mad Scientist Journal.

Deadline: April 1st 2015 Payment: £130 This is another anthology of brand new material I have been asked to edit for Constable Robinson. I am seeking original stories to feature Jack the Ripper (or whoever he was…) in a fictional context. Ideal length between 4,000 and 7,500 words. Rights required are non-exclusive World English language anthology rights, with an option for foreign language translation within the anthology should offers be made for overseas editions. Delivery April 1st 2015. I will accept email submissions (in Word doc). Payment £130 (or, at current exchange rate $215) on publication. As some might recall, I edited a collection of non fiction speculations about Jack the Ripper (in collaboration with Nathan Braund) over a decade ago and it has proved a great success, so have great hopes for this new project. The stories should tackle the theme of his identity, his crimes, his secret life or any variation you can come up with that you think will prove original and interesting. Ideally, they should concord with known facts but within that framework, the more imaginative the better. US editor Gardner Dozois edited a similar volume in 1988 but with emphasis on fantasy and SF tales; this time around our book will be double the size at 600 pages or so, and I would prefer the angle to focus on mystery and crime as well as horror, although any other variations would always be welcome (within the limits of taste as we are after all dealing with a serial killer). If the project tickles your fancy, do let me know well in advance that you are hoping to do a story so I can plan the project and keep a slot open for you. This call for submissions is not just going out to crime and...

Deadline: April 1st, 2015 Payment: 1/2 cent per word and one contributor's copy Note: As you read this is for Furry fiction, which the thought of that is kind of horrifying in itself if you ask me! ROAR 6 is open for submissions! We're looking for excellent general audience furry stories on the theme "scoundrel."  Submissions should be under 12,000 words, no lower limit.  If you have an excellent story, but you're not sure it fits the theme, give it a try.  We can be flexible on "scoundrel," but all stories have to 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. Please send submissions as an attached .doc, .docx, or .rtf file in standard manuscript format to ROARanthology(at)gmail.com.  We're hoping to release ROAR 6 at AnthroCon, so the deadline is April 1st, 2015.  For multiple submissions, reprints, or other questions, please query.  We do not accept simultaneous submissions. ROAR is a paying market.  Payment will be 1/2 cent per word and one contributor's copy on publication.* All submissions will be replied to by May 1st, possibly much earlier. The ROAR anthologies are a FurPlanet production.  The editor for ROAR 6 is Mary E. Lowd. *While mainstream sf/f/h markets may pay higher rates, 1/2 cent per word is currently standard in the furry genre.  Hopefully, it will be possible to increase the standard rate in the future.  For now, keep in mind that publishing in ROAR does use up a story's first rights; subsequent publications of the story would only be reprints, which are not accepted by most markets and often receive...

Deadline: April 1st, 2015 Payment: 6 cents per word through 4000 words Super science. Madness. Transhumanism. Some things can’t be unlearned. This is the dawn of posthumanity. Gleaming labs whir with the hum of servers as scientists unravel the secrets of the universe. But as we peel away mysteries, the universe looks back at us. Even now, terrors rise from the Mariana Trench and drift down from the stars. Scientists are disappearing—or worse. Eldritch algorithms are erected as countermeasures. Experiments take on minds of their own. Some fight back against the unknown, some give in, some are destroyed, and still others are becoming… more. The human and inhuman are harder and harder to distinguish. Mankind is changing, whether it wants to or not, using implants, chemical alterations, genetic manipulation, new senses that man did not evolve to process, artificial intelligence, cybernetics, drugs—brand new ways of thinking. Of course, the Old Ones laugh at our laws, scientific and otherwise. What havoc is wreaked by those humans trying to harness and control their science to grow as a species? As big science progresses and the very particles and substance of this universe are understood, what stories are being hushed up? Tell us a tale, and make sure it has a beginning, a middle, an end, and a Cthulhu… (Well, incorporate the Cthulhu Mythos, anyway. Big C himself doesn’t need to make an appearance.) Broken Eye Books wants your transhumanist near-future science fiction tales of the Cthulhu Mythos. These are tales of more than merely cosmic dread. They exist in our world of the next couple years (no more than that!). This is the era of big science, with stories that have full-tilt plots and characters writhing in the throes of—what is that? We’ll be right back. Send us your maddening masterwork of less than 4,000 words....

Deadline: April 1st, 2015 Payment: 6 cents per word for up to 4,000 words Super science. Madness. Transhumanism. Some things can’t be unlearned. This is the dawn of posthumanity. Gleaming labs whir with the hum of servers as scientists unravel the secrets of the universe. But as we peel away mysteries, the universe looks back at us. Even now, terrors rise from the Mariana Trench and drift down from the stars. Scientists are disappearing—or worse. Eldritch algorithms are erected as countermeasures. Experiments take on minds of their own. Some fight back against the unknown, some give in, some are destroyed, and still others are becoming… more. The human and inhuman are harder and harder to distinguish. Mankind is changing, whether it wants to or not, using implants, chemical alterations, genetic manipulation, new senses that man did not evolve to process, artificial intelligence, cybernetics, drugs—brand new ways of thinking. Of course, the Old Ones laugh at our laws, scientific and otherwise. What havoc is wreaked by those humans trying to harness and control their science to grow as a species? As big science progresses and the very particles and substance of this universe are understood, what stories are being hushed up? Tell us a tale, and make sure it has a beginning, a middle, an end, and a Cthulhu… (Well, incorporate the Cthulhu Mythos, anyway. Big C himself doesn’t need to make an appearance.) Broken Eye Books wants your transhumanist near-future science fiction tales of the Cthulhu Mythos. These are tales of more than merely cosmic dread. They exist in our world of the next couple years (no more than that!). This is the era of big science, with stories that have full-tilt plots and characters writhing in the throes of—what is that? We’ll be right back. Send us your maddening masterwork of less than...