Events

Taking Submissions: Thema: I Wish I’d Said That

Thema PO Box 8747, Metairie, LA, United States

Deadline: July 1st, 2025 Payment: short story, $25; nonfiction/essay, $25, short-short piece under 1000 words, $10; poem, $10; artwork/photography, $25 for cover, $10 for interior page display. Theme: I Wish I'd Said That Upcoming premises (target themes) and deadlines for submission : The Lost Sock (March 1, 2025) 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 story, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental. NOTE: Stories longer than 20 double-spaced typewritten pages will not be considered. 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; nonfiction/essay, $25, short-short piece under 1000 words, $10; poem, $10; artwork/photography, $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...

Taking Submissions: Tales of Galactic Pest Control

Amazing Stories

Deadline: July 1st, 2025 Payment: $100 or higher depending on Kickstartr Theme: Short stories that explore the theme of pest control in creative, unexpected, and engaging ways. We’re seeking original short stories that explore the theme of pest control in creative, unexpected, and engaging ways. However, don’t be misled by the title—this is not a shared-universe project, nor does your story have to be set in space or on an alien world. Your tale can take place anywhere—on a starship, in a medieval village, deep in the jungle, or even within the microcosm of a single human body. The crucial element is the struggle against some form of infestation, nuisance, or destructive force. Your protagonist might be a seasoned exterminator, a desperate homeowner battling an alien infestation, or even the pest itself, trying to survive against overwhelming odds. We welcome a wide range of tones, from serious and thought-provoking explorations of ethical dilemmas to lighthearted, comedic takes on interstellar vermin problems. Whether your story leans toward hard science fiction, space opera, fantasy, horror, or slipstream, as long as it aligns with the pest control theme, we want to see it! Submission Details Payment: We are committed to paying our contributors. Stories will start at $100 per piece, with higher payments depending on the success of our Kickstarter campaign. Funding: This anthology is being supported through a crowdfunding effort to ensure we can fairly compensate authors and produce a high-quality collection. Competition: We expect a high volume of submissions, so while we encourage everyone to send in their best work, please note that even excellent stories may not make the final cut. Kickstarter: The earliest stories will also get their authors listed in our Kickstarter. How to Submit Confirm your interest then send us your best “Pest Control” story via email to [email protected] and [email protected]. And show us your take on this unique theme! Whether you’re crafting a thrilling...

Taking Submissions: The Cafe Irreal Summer 2025 Issue

The Cafe Irreal

Deadline: July 1st, 2025 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...

Taking Submissions: America’s Slide Toward Authoritarianism

The International Human Rights Art Movement

Deadline: July 1st, 2025 Payment: $50 for accepted story, $25 for accepted artwork Theme: Stories/art about America's slide toward authoritarianism - how you feel about it, what you think we can do, what form can and should resistance take, etc. The International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) issues a call for literary (poetry; short story and essay) and visual responses (submitted as hi-resolution jpegs) to this unique American moment - how you feel about it, what you think we can do, what form can and should resistance take, etc. Work will be judged on quality, relevancy to the topic, and adherence to the IHRAM values: Beauty as a fundamental creative value; sincerity and vulnerability of presentation; opening doorways of engagement and celebrating diversity. How do you feel about it? IHRAM PRESS WANTS TO KNOW!! Submit here Submission Guidelines Submission window open through July 1, 2025 Final decisions by August 1, 2025 We are interested in reviewing and publishing the following for this book: Poetry (you may submit up to 3 pieces) Short stories (2500 words or less - one per author) Essays (2500 words or less - one per author) Visual Art (submitted as 300 dpi jpegs; you may submit up to 3 pieces) Please submit your work along with the following required information: Your full name and/or pen/artist name. Your country of residence. A brief third-person bio (roughly 100 words). If your bio includes references of your past work, feel free to provide links! A brief foreword to your piece (between 300-500 words), explaining your inspiration for creating it, background information, explanation of key characters, and any other key insight for the reader. *If your piece is accepted, we will request a high-resolution author photograph. However, authors are not required to provide photographs of themselves and are always welcome to...

Taking Submissions: Anomaly July 2025 Window

Anomaly

Submission Window: July 1st - 7th, 2025 Payment: 8 cents per word Theme: Science fiction stories under 300 words in length We open from the 1st-7th of each month, beginning April 2025. What we want: Anomaly is interested in science fiction stories under 300 words in length, for publication on their Patreon, with the right to collect stories into a future anthology. We're looking for dark and disruptive stories that have strong emotional resonance. We like stories that stick with us after reading, that get us thinking about the twisted use of technologies, the way the world may be, or how characters might react to an evolving technological future. What we're asking for: First rights with 90 days of exclusivity after publication, and the nonexclusive right to republish the story in a future anthology that collects Anomaly stories, with permission from the authors. Compensation: .08 per word for original fiction and an electronic copy of any future anthology. Submission Guidelines: Please attach your file to this form in .doc/.docx format. Use Times New Roman 12 point font with Shunn standard manuscript format. Stories must be 300 words or less. No simultaneous submissions. No multiple submissions. No stories written with AI. No reprints at this time. If you need any further assistance, please email us at [email protected]. SUBMIT HERE Via: Anomaly's Patreon.

Taking Submissions: Fraidy Cat Quarterly Volume 7

Fraidy Cat Press

Submission Window: July 1st - 7th, 2025 Payment: Flash (400-1500 word) $10, Shorts (1,501-8,000) $20, Black and white Artwork: $10 Theme: Rage We are pro-simultaneous submissions for all categories. Get your work out there with publications you love, and withdraw at any time for any reason. We try to respond as quickly as possible, but we do have lives, a family, and jobs outside of Fraidy Cat. We appreciate your understanding as we give our time, attention, and grace to all aspects to the best of our abilities. Fraidy Cat Press is proud to present Fraidy Cat Quarterly, published four times annually in print and ebook formats. Volume 7: Rage General submissions: July 1,2025 – July 7, 2025 Extended window for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Palestinian authors: July 1, 2025 – July 14, 2025 Publishing in September 2025 What To Submit Fraidy Cat Press loves all things horror – from the eerie, creeping terror of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”’s systematic violence to the unhinged tilt of Laird Barron’s “The Imago Sequence” and everything in between. We want your stories that go bump in the night, your stories that creak like an intruding foot on the staircase, your best writing that screeches through the calm darkness. Put simply, Fraidy Cat Press is interested in: Horror (and its related genre mashups and sub-genres) Wordcount Fraidy Cat Press is seeking: Flash fiction (400-1,500 words long, $10 per accepted piece) Short stories (1,501-8,000 words long, $20 per accepted piece) Black and white artwork ($10 per accepted piece) When To Submit We open for a limited weeklong period four times annually. Space in our quarterlies are limited. We reserve the right to close to submissions early if we are flooded. Submit early to be sure your story will be considered. How To Submit Your...

Taking Submissions: The Orange & Bee July 2025 Window

The Orange & Bee

Submission Window: July 1st - 14th, 2025 Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem, Flash: $80, Short fiction/non-fiction: $0.08 per word Theme: Original and contemporary short stories, poems, and essays that explore, expand on, and subvert the rich traditions of international folklore, with a strong focus on fairy tales (though we also sometimes dabble in other forms of folklore, such as fables, myths, and legends) “No matter what you write, you actually can't help retelling a fairy tale somewhere along the way.” ~Catherynne M. Valente 2025 submission windows NB: Please note that all dates/times are AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) 9:00 am 1 January to midnight 14 January 9:00 am 1 July to midnight 14 July 9:00 am 1 October to midnight 14 October We do not accept multiple submissions (one piece per submission window, please!), simultaneous submissions, or previously published work (reprints). Submitting your work The Orange & Bee accepts submissions via Duosuma only: please do not send us work via email or private message. Any submissions received via email, post, or anything other than Duosuma will be ignored/deleted. To submit, please follow the link below: Word/line limits Poetry: up to 50 lines (but we’re a little bit flexible!) Flash fiction/non-fiction: up to 1000 words Short fiction/non-fiction: up to 4000 words Payment Poetry: flat rate $US50.00 per poem Flash fiction/non-fiction: flat rate $US80.00 per story (max 1000 words) Short fiction/non-fiction: $US0.08 per word (max 4000 words) We typically pay via PayPal, and in your native currency, but we will do our best to accommodate your preferred payment method. Please note, however, that we cannot pay by cheque. What we’re looking for I am all for putting new wine in old bottles, especially if the pressure of the new wine makes the bottles explode (Angela Carter, ‘Notes from the front line’). We are seeking original works of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction that engage...

Taking Submissions: Roses & Wildflowers Autumn 2025 Issue

Society for Ritual Arts

Submission Window: March 1st - July 15th, 2025 Payment: Short Stories: $20, Poetry: $10 Theme: An issue dedicated to hope. Solar-punk, hope-punk, envisioning a better future. Fantasy that explores hope and grace. Spring 2025 Call for Submissions: MYTHO-ANARCHISM An issue dedicated to hope. Solar-punk, hope-punk, envisioning a better future. Fantasy that explores hope and grace. Submissions open March 1, 2025 Closes July 15, 2025, or when full Published Autumn Equinox, 2025 We are on Submissions Grinder and Duotrope Submission Guidelines: https://societyforritualarts.com/rw/2024-spring/submission-guidelines/ “Hard times are coming, when we’ll be wanting the voices of writers who can see alternatives to how we live now, can see through our fear-stricken society and its obsessive technologies to other ways of being, and even imagine real grounds for hope. We’ll need writers who can remember freedom — poets, visionaries — realists of a larger reality.”  -UK LeGuin, speaks given at National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Short stories: 7,000 word limit. Poetry: under 40 lines. Payment: Short Stories up to 7,000 word (hard limit) $20. No multiple submissions. Simultaneous submissions are OK, but let us know if you’ve placed your story elsewhere. We do not publish dribbles or flash fiction at this time. Poetry: $10 per poem, 40 line hard limit. You may submit up to 5 poems at one time in a single submission. NO blind submissions. Submissions of poetry without your name and contact info on the manuscript will be deleted unread. Use modern standard Shunn manuscript format only. Anything not in this format will be deleted unread. Here is a nice article about formatting: “Proper Manuscript Format” now comes in two distinct flavors Please query for submissions in other media (video, music files, other audio). [email protected]. We have established reading periods for each issue: May (for Autumn) and September (for Spring). Authors are notified within a few days of when the reading...

Taking Submissions: Electric Spec August Issue 2025

Electric Spec Magazine

Deadline: July 15th, 2025 Payment: $20 per story or artwork Theme: Electric Spec prefers science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we're willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres. Fiction Submission Guidelinessubmissions at electricspec (dot) comIssues are published at the end of February, May, August, and November. We reserve the right to shift publication date slightly, as necessary. We have reading periods for each issue, though we never close to submissions. February closes January 15 May closes April 15 August closes July 15 November closes October 15 We do not consider stories or art created, or partially created, by A.I. We consider stories between 250 and 7000 words with speculative fiction elements. We prefer science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we're willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres. We do not consider poetry, stories with over-the-top sex or violence, serials, novels, fan fiction, or non-fiction. We don't accept multiple submissions; in other words, only submit one story at a time and wait for a response before submitting another. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you let us know up front and tell us as soon as it's accepted elsewhere. We do not publish reprints, including anything that has appeared on a website. We pay $20 for each story we publish. We buy first-printing world exclusive rights for four months. Payment will be made shortly after publication using PayPal. We encourage our authors to establish a PayPal account if they don't already have one. We prefer to read submissions in traditional manuscript format. This means indented paragraphs instead of left justification, and Courier or Times New Roman font in 12 pt, double-spaced. Also, please include the title, your name, address, and word length on the first page of your story. To submit your story...

Taking Submissions: Gen-X Flash Fiction Anthology

Altitude Press

Deadline: July 15th, 2025 Payment: $25 usd Theme: Scifi, speculative fiction, fantasy, not horror that showcases Gen-X Theme:Gen X (Gen X characters and/or themes and/or culture should figure prominently within the story in ways that distinctly identify them as Gen X and/or that have an easily identifiable Gen X “vibe”).We’re especially interested in unique, unexpected takes on the Gen X experience from original points of view. Deadline: July 15, 2025. Submissions are considered on a rolling basis, meaning that acceptance/rejection decisions are made as submissions come in. Authors can generally expect an initial response to their submission within 1-2 weeks. Anthology Release Date: Late 2025-Early 2026 Genres and categories accepted: Literary, Romance, Sci-Fi & Spec Fic, Mystery, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings, Historical Fiction, Humor/Satire, Paranormal, Magical Realism, and others. No horror (spooky is okay), gratuitous violence, erotica, of use of “F-bombs,” please. No essays, CNF, poetry, or anything that isn’t fiction. No AI-generated or AI-assisted stories. All submissions should be original, human-created stories that have never been published or performed/read elsewhere (including, but not limited to, social media, a personal blog or website, live or recorded event, etc.). Reader Demographic: YA to adult (approximately ages 14-100) Word count: Between 1,500-2,000 words Payment for accepted submissions: $25 USD (via PayPal) upon completion of edits. Additional Notes: We are most interested in stories that encompass a complete, compelling narrative arc including an interesting/unexpected hook and/or twist and/or reversal and/or “aha!” moment for the reader. Original, eye-catching phrasing is always a plus as well. A standard, short fiction publishing agreement will be sent to each author upon acceptance. RIGHTS: The publishing agreement grants to Altitude Press Exclusive First World Electronic and Print Rights for three (3) months following date of publication; Non-Exclusive Internet Archival Rights for an indefinite time, in order to include published works, and excerpts of published works,...