Events

Taking Submissions: One Story Spring 2022

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: $500 and 25 contributors copies Theme: literary fiction Submission Periods: January 15th - May 31st | October 4th - November 14th What kinds of stories is One Story looking for? One Story is seeking literary fiction. Because of our format, we can only accept stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They can be any style and on any subject as long as they are good. We are looking for stories that leave readers feeling satisfied and are strong enough to stand alone. Does One Story pay? Yes. One Story pays $500 and 25 contributors copies for First Serial North American rights. All rights will revert to the author following publication. Does One Story accept previously published material? No. One Story is looking for previously unpublished material. However, if a story has been published in print outside of North America, it will be considered. Stories previously published online—on blogs, personal websites, online literary magazines, or forums—will not be accepted. Does One Story accept simultaneous submissions? Yes, but please withdraw your submission immediately if your submission is accepted for publication elsewhere. What file types can I submit? We accept DOC, DOCX, PDF, and RTF files. Please include the story title and all writer contact info on the first page of the submitted file. Will you send me comments on my story? No. One Story receives close to 200 submissions each week. Please understand that we do not have time to comment on individual stories. Can I change the story I submitted with an updated draft? We strongly prefer that you only send us final drafts, but if you must upload a new version, please withdraw your submission through Submittable and resubmit. Can I send a revision of a story that was previously rejected? No. Please send us new work. Revisions of previously rejected stories will not be considered and will be automatically declined. Do you consider translations? Yes. Please include...

Taking Submissions: Into the Darkness Book One (Early)

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: £10 Theme: Dark Fantasy Title: Into the Darkness - Book One Title: Out of the Darkness - Book Two ​ Opens: 01 February 2022 Closes: 31 May 2022 ​ Genre: Book One - Dark Fantasy           Book Two - Light Fantasy ​ Reader Age Range: Teen ​ Word Count: 4000 - 8000 10% wiggle room over. ​ Info: Very open call. No specific theme besides genre. Must be a clear distinction between light and dark. ​ Reprints: Not allowed Simultaneous Submissions: Allowed, but please email if accepted elsewhere. Multiple Submissions: Up to 1 accepted per author per book - You may submit to both books Author Compensation: £10 per story accepted. Paid via Paypal only Please note any submissions accepted before or after the varying Submission dates will be deleted. Additionally, any submissions sent without the anthology title in the subject or email body will be automatically rejected. Via: Raven and Drake Publishing.

Taking Submissions: Vampires And Such

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: $5 Theme: Vampires In celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the first publication of Dracula, the grandaddy of them all, we are courting vampire stories of all kinds. So, send us your very best vampiric tales - gothic, contemporary, speculative - chill our bones and have us panic-buying garlic and wooden stakes... PLEASE read and adhere to our submission guidelines...  * Word format saved in .doc, or .docx * 12 pt times new roman * Double spaced * Absolutely NO extra lines between paragraphs! * 4K- 10K word count (although we are incredibly flexible for awesome stories!) * Write ''VAMPIRES' along with your name and story title in the header of your email *The body of your submission email will be considered the cover letter. * The submission documents are to be separated and Word (.doc or .docx) documents are to be attached to your submission email.   To submit, email your polished story to [email protected] - Make sure that you check your mss for grammar and punctuation, use our guidelines to help you: DOWNLOAD YOUR HBB GUIDE TO GRAMMAR HERE (PDF) Deadline: 31 May 2022 Payment - $5.00 for first rights. Capped at 120K words in total. Via: Hellbound Books Publishing.

Taking Submissions: Out of the Darkness – Book Two (Early)

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: £10 Theme: Light Fantasy Title: Into the Darkness - Book One Title: Out of the Darkness - Book Two ​ Opens: 01 February 2022 Closes: 31 May 2022 ​ Genre: Book One - Dark Fantasy           Book Two - Light Fantasy ​ Reader Age Range: Teen ​ Word Count: 4000 - 8000 10% wiggle room over. ​ Info: Very open call. No specific theme besides genre. Must be a clear distinction between light and dark. ​ Reprints: Not allowed Simultaneous Submissions: Allowed, but please email if accepted elsewhere. Multiple Submissions: Up to 1 accepted per author per book - You may submit to both books Author Compensation: £10 per story accepted. Paid via Paypal only Please note any submissions accepted before or after the varying Submission dates will be deleted. Additionally, any submissions sent without the anthology title in the subject or email body will be automatically rejected. Via: Raven and Drake Publishing.

Taking Submissions: Azathoth: Ordo ab Chao

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: 5 cents per word Theme: Lovecraftian gods featured in the wildly successful The Gods of HP Lovecraft OPEN CALL Anthology Title: Azathoth: Ordo ab Chao Edited by Aaron J. French Based on The Gods of HP Lovecraft Publisher: JournalStone Publishing Anthology Theme This project will be the first in a series of anthologies focusing on each of the Lovecraftian gods featured in the wildly successful The Gods of HP Lovecraft (published in 2015 by JournalStone Publishing). This first anthology begins with primal origins and the god Azathoth, who represents primordial chaos in the world of the Lovecraftian Mythos. H.P. Lovecraft described Azathoth as a demon king ruling from a dark throne in the middle of the fiery cosmic void, out of which all created things emanated. Surrounding this orbiting spiral of infinite chaos and creation sounded the repetitive notes from an incessant flute. This is a reference to the god Pan in Greek mythology and the symbol of created chaos behind the apparent orderliness of the natural world. Taking this imagery as our departure, the stories presented in this first anthology will deal with the notion of “order out of chaos” (Latin: Ordo ab Chao) and will engage with the cosmic demon Azathoth as ruler standing over this endless chaotic process. Stories must include Azathoth in some shape or form, the more creative and different the better. Furthermore, some aspect of the story must include the theme of order out of chaos. How this looks and develops in the story is up to the author. Not interested in overt Lovecraft pastiche. Elements of occultism, esotericism, and magic are very much appreciated. Submission Guidelines – Submissions Now Open Seeking stories: 5000 to 7000 words Format: double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font Payment: 5 cents a word and a copy...

Taking Submissions: Nightmare Sky

Submission Window: May 1st-31st, 2022 Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of $20 payment Theme: Astronomy or night-sky themed horror stories about humans and our connection to the stars. Nightmare Sky:  Stories of Astronomical Horror Submission window:  May 1 – 31, 2022 Since the dawn of humanity, we have looked to the stars with awe. They call for us to gaze upon their brilliance while we sit around campfires and make up tales of their histories. Tales that are often fraught with horrors. The very dust of their explosive pasts traveled lightyears across the unknown, and now that dust pulses through our veins, drawing our eyes up, back to our origins. What we’re looking for: I am seeking astronomy or night-sky themed horror stories about humans and our connection to the stars. Get scientific. Get mystical. Get psychological or supernatural. Get cosmic or earthly, but make it about the character’s experience. While I love the science of astronomy, I’m very excited to see different interpretations of this theme. Give me psychological horror about an astronomer. Give me witches with a connection to the stars. Give me cosmic horror, folk horror, sci-fi horror, or ghosts. If the theme is deeply entwined with the night sky, I’m excited to read it. This anthology is open for all to submit, and I strongly encourage writers from all marginalized communities to send their stories. We are many people of many backgrounds, living under one enormous sky. I would love for this anthology to reflect that diversity. 1,000 – 5,000-word stories Poetry welcome! Approximately 50 lines or fewer preferred (this is not a strict upper limit) No reprints Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know as quickly as possible if you need to withdraw. Please do not send multiple submissions. Just send your best...

Taking Submissions: Halloween Ghost Anthology

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: $0.06/word Theme: Ghost stories Do you love All Hallow’s Eve? Ghost stories? Tales from beyond that leave you feeling unsettled while walking to the kitchen at night? The orange-and-black vintage Halloween aesthetic? Haunted houses with shuttered windows? We’re inviting writers of dark fiction to submit short stories of classic paranormal, poltergeists, ghosts, spirits, haunted places and objects, and the eerily unexplained that take place on or around Halloween. Bonus points if they’re about families, siblings, longtime pals, or pets. #ownvoices BIPOC, gender-diverse, LGBTQIA, and authors of other marginally represented groups highly encouraged to apply. NOT looking for: children’s or middle grade stories, poetry, long fiction, novellas, flash fiction, slasher horror, vampires, werewolves, zombies, extreme horror, or creature horror (unless they’re ghosts). Just creepy-ass ghost stories. Ghosts. Spirits. Hauntings. The supernatural. Creepy and dark. GHOSTS. Rated PG-13 and R. Okay? Okay. ​ Contributors so far: Jonathan Maberry, Gwendolyn Kiste, Tim Waggoner, Cynthia Pelayo, Sara Tantlinger, Catherine Cavendish, and Lee Murray No reprints, multiple submissions, or simultaneous submissions. Original fiction only.  Pay: $0.06/word Length: 2,000 to 4,000 words Submission Deadline: May 31, 2022 (no extensions; on tight production schedule) Expected Publishing Date: Oct. 1, 2022 Submit .doc or .docx to: [email protected] Subject line: GHOST ANTHOLOGY - “Story Title” by “Author Name” Good luck! Via: Gaby Triana.

Taking Submissions: Elements Book Two: Fire (Early Listing)

Submission Window: May 1st-31st 2022 Payment: ¢1 per word CAD Theme: Stories of horror with the theme of 'FIRE' - Rated R welcomed Stories of horror with the theme of 'FIRE' - Rated R welcomed ​Fire - Volcanoes - Smoke - Burning - Ignition Welcome to our four-book series, dedicated to horror from the elements.   Each quarter has been assigned an 'element'. Please review the elements and open submission windows below. Each quarter submission window is only one month, so please make sure to submit during that specific time period Patreon members will be allowed to submit one week early, and be given a one-week extension to each quarter call. Although there can be some fantasy elements tossed in there, the overall feel of the stories must remain in the horror genre. Aim to scare. ​ Each part will be approximately 70,000 words and have its own ebook and paperback. Once all four sections are complete we will release a 'collection' containing all four books in ebook, paperback and hardcover form.  ​​Word count: 1500 - 7000 firm. Payment: Flat rate payment ¢1 per word CAD after approved edits. Reprints? No ​ Multiple Submission? No 💀 Only one submission per author per theme/quarter. (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) ​ Formatting:  Please use 12 pt Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing, set auto-indent new paragraphs. Add the story title to the top of the manuscript. Do not include your name or email in the manuscript. These stories will be read "blind" by our reading team. Title your manuscript "Title of Story - Theme"  example "The Ruin - Earth" Please make sure the title of the story and the title on the manuscript match. ​ How to submit? Submit via the FORM - Which will open on the start of each quarter. (A button will appear) IF you have issues with the form,...

Taking Submissions: Exhaustion: Limited Reserves

Deadline: May 31st, 2022 Payment: $15 CAD upon publication ($10 for reprints) Theme: Exhaustion: Limited Reserves Note: Reprints Welcome “Exhaustion: Limited Reserves” Chapbook – Poetry and Flash Fiction Deadline: May 31, 2022 A common human experience is exhaustion in its many guises. Feeling used up or worn out. Reaching the limits of our personal and collective resources. Tapping out. Laying waste to the planet. Burning fuel until there’s nothing left but fumes. Covering a topic in its entirety, until everything that could be said has been said. This chapbook will engage these and other notions of exhaustion. Submission Guidelines: Flash Fiction: maximum 1000 words (no minimum). All genres welcome. The more imaginative, the better. Poems: maximum 60 lines each INCLUDING BLANK LINES (shorter is preferred – long pieces will need to earn their length). All styles welcome. Payment: $15 CAD upon publication ($10 for reprints) All payments through PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer. No submission fee. Multiple submissions: Yes. You can submit as many pieces as you like. Please submit each poem or story as a NEW SUBMISSION. Simultaneous submissions: Yes. Please email [email protected] right away if your piece is accepted elsewhere. Reprints: Previously published pieces will be considered, although we prefer original works. If you do send a reprint, please provide the name of the journal/date of publication, so that we can give proper attribution. Format: We aren’t too hung up on formatting. Just make it easy for us to read. No PAGES files. DOC or DOCX preferred. PDF accepted for poetry. Please title your file as follows: Title – Author Name SUBMIT TO “EXHAUSTION” HERE Via: Off Topic Publishing.

Taking Submissions: Dread Imaginings May Call (Early Listing)

Submission Window: May 1st-31st, 2022 Payment: $.01 per word Theme: Quiet Horror We want quiet horror at Dread Imagings. No slashers, no zombies, no vampires, no werewolves (though transformation tales interest us). Also, no ghost stories. This last one is a personal preference. There are many fine ghost stories and authors who write them; we just don’t want them here. Stories of dread don’t need to be supernatural in nature. Think Poe. Or, better yet, think Shirley Jackson (The Lottery, The Witch), Flannery O’Conner (A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Good Country People), Ursula K. LeGuin (The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas). Not necessarily horror fiction at all but fiction that gets under your skin. In the vein of Thomas Ligotti is always welcome. We want new writers as well as established ones. We want voices from outside the U.S. and diverse voices from anywhere. We publish one story a month, and the collection of stories on our site should represent the full spectrum of human experiences. We’ll accept stories from 2,500 to 4,000 words. This isn’t a hard rule, but don’t stray too far from these limits. Use Shunn formatting (doc/docx/pdf). We pay $.01 per word. No reprints. No multiple submissions. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know if your story is selected elsewhere. Authors retain all rights to their stories. We ask for first digital rights with no period of exclusivity and permission to keep the story on our site. Our response time should be within thirty days, and we respond to all submissions. If you haven’t heard back after six weeks, please inquire. Via: Dread Imaginings.