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Deadline: July 1st, 2021 Payment: short story, $25; short-short piece (up to 1000 words), $10; poem, $10 Theme: Watch the Birdie! To download a PDF file of the guidelines, click here . ALL SHORT STORIES, ESSAYS, POEMS, PHOTOGRAPHS and ART MUST RELATE TO ONE OF THE PREMISES SPECIFIED ABOVE. NOTE: Previously published pieces are welcome, provided that the submission fits the theme and that the author owns the copyright. The premise (target theme) must be an integral part of the plot, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental. Fewer than 20 double-spaced typewritten pages preferred. Indicate premise (target theme) on title page. Be sure to Indicate target theme in cover letter or on first page of manuscript. Include self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with each submission. Rejected manuscripts unaccompanied by an SASE will not be returned. Response time: 3 months after premise deadline.  NO READER'S FEE. Mail to: THEMA, Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747. Outside the US: email [email protected] On acceptance for publication, we will pay the following amount: short story, $25; short-short piece (up to 1000 words), $10; poem, $10; artwork, $25 for cover, $10 for interior page display. Copyright reverts to author after publication. THEMA isn't for everyone. To find out why, click here. New to submitting manuscripts to journals? Click here to download a PDF file of a few basic guidelines. Unlike many publishers, we prefer works submitted by the authors themselves, without the involvement of an agent. Be sure to indicate premise and include SASE for each submission.  BE SURE to include a separate SASE for each premise. No handwritten manuscripts will be considered. NOTE: We do not accept e-mailed submissions EXCEPT from authors who live outside the U.S. For those living outside the U.S., submit manuscript as an email attachment (readable by MSWord ― either as a DOC file or an RTF file), and include the following information on the title...

Deadline: July 1st, 2021 Payment: One cent U.S. per word ($2 minimum) Theme: Fantastic Fiction You really NEED to read the description below. The Cafe Irreal is a quarterly webzine that presents a kind of fantastic fiction infrequently published in English. This fiction, which we would describe as irreal, resembles the work of writers such as Franz Kafka, Kobo Abe, Clarice Lispector and Jorge Luis Borges. As a type of fiction it rejects the tendency to portray people and places realistically and the need for a full resolution to the story; instead, it shows us a reality constantly being undermined. Therefore, we're interested in stories by writers who write about what they don't know, take us places we couldn't possibly go, and don't try to make us care about the characters. We would also suggest you take a look at the current issue, archives, and theory (especially the essay, "What is irrealism?") pages on this web site. We accept unsolicited fiction up to 2,000 words in length. Translations are welcome. There is no minimum length. We accept only electronic submissions via e-mail at [email protected]. We cannot, due to the various computer viruses and worms, accept attachments anymore, so please paste your story into the body of the e-mail. Also include your name, address, e-mail address, and a short bio in the text of the submission; please put the word "submission" in the subject heading of the e-mail to ensure that your submission doesn't get lost among all the spam. We pay an honorarium of one cent U.S. per word ($2 minimum) to buy first-time internet rights (the story will then be archived). Payment is made upon publication. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DON'T ACCEPT SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS and are only interested in reprints in unusual cases (e.g., the story has appeared in print but...

Deadline: July 1st, 2021 Payment: Poetry International authors will receive a free copy of the issue. Australian authors will receive $25-40 + a copy. Payment: Flash International authors will receive $20 + a copy of the issue. Australian authors will receive $50-75 + a copy of the issue. Payment: Short Fiction International authors will receive $60-125 + a copy of the issue. Australian authors will receive $80-140 + a copy of the issue. Theme: Speculative Fiction stories that excite, that break the boundary between real and unreal SUBMISSIONS OPEN UNTIL 01 JULY 2021 Send us your stories! We want to read your elegant and ugly. We want to pore over your terrifying, your elegiac. We want to ponder over your profound and your silly. We can’t wait. We accept poetry and short fiction up to 5,000 words in length. Double-spaced with a serif font such as Garamond, Times New Roman or Georgia is a requirement. Send all submissions in a Word document (.doc or .docx) by email to [email protected]. Previously unpublished work only. Absolutely no PDFs. Those go straight into the recycling bin. One short story per author OR up to three poems OR up to two pieces of flash fiction (750 words or less). The subject of the email should read “<Name of Author> – <Title of Piece> – <Word Count>”, i.e., “John Citizen – This Story I Wrote – 2,500 words” (If you’re submitting poetry or flash, just your name and either “Flash” or “Poetry” will suffice). Please include a short cover letter in the body of the email, as well as a short (50-75 words) author bio. We do accept simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. No multiple submissions, however. As stated, we’re looking for stories that excite, that break...

Deadline: July 2nd, 2021 Payment: $15 Theme: Mythos Reborn Volume I, Issue VI ​ Theme: Mythos Reborn ​ We all know Zeus as king of the Greek panoply of gods and a ruthless tyrant. But we don't know what Zeus did when he wasn't mercilessly pursuing those who defied his will. Maybe he was a great baker. Maybe he liked to sing in the shower. ​ For this issue, we're looking for stories that give us a unique take on mythological figures and characters from all the cultures of the world. Retell a classic tale from a minor character's perspective. Reintroduce us to a story lost to the ages. Or invent your own mythology. ​ Deadline: July 2, 2021 Word Limit: 6,000 words ​ Compensation: flat $15 fee upon publication, plus a digital copy of the magazine (which you're free to share). ​ Format: We will accept short-form fiction any way you want to write it. This can include poetry, flash fiction or short stories. We're particularly interested in the subversion of form. We don't care about hard and fast rules, so don't worry too much about formatting. If you feel its good, chances are that shines through in the writing. And we want to read it. ​ Genre: Anything that's dark, creepy, weird and just a little off-kilter. We're open to genre fiction, particularly anything related to horror, science-fiction, speculative fiction or weird fiction. But we're also interested in anything that twists or subverts these genres in some unexpected way. ​ Simultaneous submissions: We will accept simultaneous submissions, but please inform us if this applies to you. If a story may be pulled away from us at the last minute, we want to know as this may affect our decision on acceptance. ​ Multiple Submissions: We do not accept multiple submissions. ​ Reprints: We do not...

Submission Window: June 20th -July 3rd, 2021 Payment: $0.01/word Theme: Any aspect of horror that contains element(s) specific to Generation X Note: Open only to writers of Generation X (aka born 1965-1980. A year wiggle room is okay.) Dark Ink Books, the home of Kane Holder’s and Tom Savini’s official biographies as well as acclaimed horror anthologies Ghosts, Goblins, Murder, and Madness: Twenty Tales of Halloween and Unburied: A Collection of Queer Dark Fiction, is excited to announce its next open call for short story submissions:   Title: Generation X-ed   Specifics: Open only to writers of Generation X (aka born 1965-1980. A year wiggle room is okay if you truly feel you’re one of us, but don’t claim that “Xennial” crap: you’re over 40. Deal with it). Please don’t submit if you’re not a member of Gen X. payment $0.01/word, eBook copy, and discounted pricing on print copies length: 3000-6000 words (a sprinkling over/under is okay but not a shower) Content should fall within horror genre parameters, any sub-genre, including splatter-punk, psychological, quiet, body, sci-fi terror, creature-feature, dark fable, or paranormal horror, etc, (though we’re not big fans of bizarro fiction or glittery vampires) AND contain element(s) specific to Generation X. This includes (but is not limited to)   -The music (hair metal, rap/hip-hop, grunge * keep in mind copyright restrictions on use of lyrics), fashion, television, movies, and media post-Woodstock but pre-Patriot Act   -The birth of cable television, VCRs, microwaves, AIDS, crack, slasher films, riot grrrls, Satanic panic, and Stephen King fiction, and the death of the Cold War Though historical fiction is absolutely welcomed, it is not a requirement.    Stories will be chosen based on adherence to call parameters, quality of writing, originality, and fit with the other stories in the collection. Some preference will...

Submission Window: July 1st-3rd 2021 Payment: $50 Theme: Healers, Midwives and Cunning Folk. Hi there! We’ll no doubt write more about this later in the next year, but for now, what follows below will tell you all you need to know. And the theme? It’s “Healers, Midwives and Cunning Folk.” (No more submissions are being accepted for publication in December of 2020–but we will be publishing stories that have already been accepted.) The following is relevant to all submissions for 2021, and the first submission window opens Jan. 1. More below.   Writing opportunities for 2021 include:   New Fairy Tales: Fairy tales that are almost or entirely new or are just new takes on old tales are all welcome. Mashups of existing fairy tales are welcome as well. Submissions must follow the theme below to be considered.   Essays: Nonfiction articles about any aspect fairy tales and folklore are being sought. The term “essay” just means you’ll be writing about fairy-tale related matters in a nonfiction article.  Creative nonfiction is welcome. You do not have to stick to the theme, but you can.   Poetry: Poetry inspired by fairy tales and that follows the theme is also welcome.   Please read the following in its entirety before submitting.   Want to know what is likely to get published here? There are well over 10 years of stories, essays and art on this current site. It’s the best place to start if you want to be published here.   HERE IS HOW YOU SUBMIT AND FORMAT   Only the kind of submissions outlined below will be accepted at EC in 2021.   * Writers will have a chance to submit fairy-tale inspired stories/essays/poems 11 times this year. Since we will be choosing four works per publishing month, there are 44...

Deadline: July 7th, 2021 Payment: $50 Theme: Sleep and dreams: the forgotten language of fairy tales. This category is for prose submissions to our eighteen print issue, The Lilac Issue, which will be published by Wayne State University Press in March 2022. "There is no 'as-if' in the dream." –Erich Fromm, The Forgotten Language Theme: The Lilac Issue is themed around sleep and dreams: the forgotten language of fairy tales. For prose: Writers may submit a single piece up to 1,000 words. We welcome short fiction, essays, lyric nonfiction, and scholarship. Scholarship will go through a standard peer review process. Prose submissions should be formatted with standard margins, double-spaced, 12-point serif font, and include page numbers. Payment: For the first time, we will offer a flat payment of $50 to each contributor upon publication. Contributors also receive two (2) issues of The Lilac Issue. We welcome submissions directly from authors or agents. GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Specific genre guidelines for submissions to Fairy Tale Review can be found below. We ask that all submissions adhere to the following general guidelines: All work must be submitted using our Submittable portal. We do not accept submissions via email or postal service. Submissions must be previously unpublished, both in print and online. Writers should submit only once in a given genre per submission period, unless encouraged to submit again by our editorial staff. Multiple submissions will go unread. Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please note as such in your cover letter and withdraw the submission immediately if accepted elsewhere. Withdrawals can be done through Submittable. If you’ve submitted a packet of poems and must withdraw one but would like the rest to remain under consideration, please add a note to your submission in Submittable. Fairy Tale Review is committed to contributor diversity and inclusive engagement. In the tradition of fairy tales, a minoritarian art, we strongly encourage submissions from women,...

Submission Window: July 1st - July 7th, 2021 Payment: 8 cents per word Theme: Original fantasy and dark fantasy stories. All types of fantasy and dark fantasy are welcome. Note: This is an early listing to give you some time to plan ahead for next month or to remember to finish revising your story for the upcoming month! Note: We are trusting that the submission windows listed in the ongoing call are valid for this publisher. If they are not, please let us know and we'll look into revising accordingly. Instructions for submitting to Fantasy Magazine follow. Please read everything on this page and read the magazine before submitting. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES Submission Periods: Fantasy is open to submissions the first week of every month (1st-7th). Please do not query about submitting outside our open submission periods. Anonymous Submissions: Fantasy only accepts anonymous submissions. Do not include your name, address, phone number, or other similar identifiers on the manuscript. All original short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry submissions will be read anonymously on first read: moving out of slush depends on the merits of the story alone. Please make sure the title is on the manuscript. Simultaneous and Multiple Submissions: We do not accept simultaneous submissions or multiple submissions. Please do not submit more than one set of poems at a time, more than one piece of flash fiction at a time, or more than one story at a time. You may, however, submit a single entry in each category at the same time: you can submit one batch of poems, one flash fiction piece, and one short story all at the same (or overlapping) time, and each category will be considered a separate submission. If we are already considering work in any given category, please wait until you have received an acceptance or rejection before submitting again in that same category. Instructions: All...

Deadline: July 9th, 2021 Payment: Two-Sentence Stories: $10, Flash Fiction: $25 per story, Short Stories: $50 per story Theme: Deadly Love Note: Reprints welcome at a lower, undisclosed pay rate. The second issue of Dark Dispatch will be a themed issue, featuring stories on Deadly Love. Let your mind wander to the dark places and share your horror love stories about relationships gone wrong. This submission call opens May 5, and will be open until July 9, 2021. Submission Guidelines Opens May 5 to submissions of original works focusing on the theme of deadly love. Clarification: romantic horror should be an element in the story. It should focus on love gone wrong. The stories can fall within the dark fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and crime genres. Submission window closes July 9 at midnight EDST. We accept submission of the following: Two-Sentence Stories Flash Fiction (we favor submissions 300 to 999 words in length) Short Stories (we prefer submissions 2,000 to 5,000 words in length) Pay: Two-Sentence Stories: $10 Flash Fiction: $25 per story Short Stories: $50 per story Reprints will be considered on a case by case basis and will be subject to a different pay rate. Submission format for original unpublished works: All submissions should be attached as .doc or .docx files. – .rtf and PDF files will not be read. All submissions should use Times/Times New Roman/Courier New font. Text should be in black ink, text size should be 12pt, and the file should not display editing changes or comments. The email’s subject line should have the type of content-submission title-author’s name-word count-submission date. For example, if Windbags McBlowhard is submitting a 2,200-word story called Foul Wind, their subject line should read as follows: Short Story-Foul Wind-Windbags McBlowhard-2,200-May 16 The email should include the following: Paypal address 50-100 word bio written in third person A pitch or summary of...

Deadline: July 11th, 2021 Payment: $20 Theme: Stories about the other, moodier season of change from Summer to Fall AUTUMN NOIR: A Crime, Mystery, Noir, Suspense & Thriller Anthology Announcing our FALL anthology! The slide from Summer into Fall can sneak up on you, like footsteps keeping pace until they speed up and overtake you. We’re inviting fellow writers and artists to create original pieces that sweep us up in stories about the other, moodier season of change. Send us work that skews toward the gritty, the atmospheric, the strangely, dangerously beguiling. Whether the mystery unfolds as gently as a wisp of chimney smoke or brings the heart-thumping thrills of an end-of-summer storm is up to you. Just make sure to bring your creations to life with language as vibrant as Fall foliage and dialogue as crisp as Autumn air. *We’re looking for stories, poems, and/or artwork that follow these THREE guidelines: Respect the genre norms from the Crime, Mystery, Noir, Suspense, and/or Thriller genres (and their associated sub-genres). For an excellent overview of the elements within and differences between these genres, check out this link. Feature the Autumn season prominently in the setting of their story or are depicted in their poem or artwork. Are inspired by and/or incorporate an element* from any ONE of the following (four) quotations in a way that is important to your storyline, poem, or image: “In Greek tragedy, they fall from great heights. In noir, they fall from the curb.” (Dennis Lehane) “The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.” (Unknown) “Dark sides are important. They should be nurtured like nasty black orchids.” (Gillian Flynn) In the autumn of a woman’s life, there comes always one mad moment when she longs for romance, for...