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Deadline: May 31st, 2015 Payment: 5¢ a word Before submitting to SpeckLit, please read the submission details below carefully, then fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page to let us know a bit about yourself. Do not send us your submissions directly. We want to get to you know you first. Include your pen name, website, Twitter, and a link to your most recently published work (if you have one) in your initial contact. Fiction:  We are suckers for plot. If it ain’t got plot, it ain’t a story. We want each piece to have the feeling of a beginning, a middle, and an end (or inciting incident, attempt(s) to fix it, and climax). All fiction must be original. There are lots of places for fanfic – this isn’t one of them. And finally, of course, it also has to be speculative – fantasy, science fiction, myth fairy tale, dark fantasy, etc… – but no erotica and no gore. A well-placed swear word, the recognition that we are sexual beings, and off-camera violence are all okay, but within limits, eh? Besides, with the focus on plot, there’s no time to get all graphic. Titles do not count as part of the 100 words, and after your drabble, add a bit of an explanation of how you got there from the topic (but remember to keep it short!). Non-fiction: We also publish drabble-length reviews of spec-fic containing media – books, movies, video games, comics, TV shows (or even specific outstanding episodes of TV shows), etc… Make sure your reviews are non-nasty (negative reviews are fine, but be nice!), and of course, spoiler free. Again, you don’t have much space, so get to the point. Your hundred words do not need to include the title, author, director, stars,...

Deadline: May 31st, 2015 Payment: Contributor's Copy They laugh, they scream, they play. They're innocent and harmless, cute and cuddly, the apple of their parents eye. Or... None of the above applies to them. Kids can be the joy of a couples life, but in the world of horror, they are anything but. These kids can kill, they laugh while you scream and play in the blood spilled from your mutilated body. They may look cute and cuddly but, on the inside, they're pure evil. Kids is an anthology about the devils spawn. Children who scare the living hell out of you. Newborn, toddler, infant, teenager? All are ripe for Kids. Whether they're evil or facing evil head on - these are the Kids we want to see. This may be an anthology for the over 18's but we want to see stories about kids under 18. Shock us, surprise us, feel free to create the new breed of terror. Submissions open - April 10th, 2015. Submission Deadline - May 31st, 2015. Kids will be released on July 14th, 2015. Send stories to [email protected] please. Once we receive your story, please allow two - four weeks for a reply. Word count is 3000 - 6000. Submissions should be in Arial text, 12pt, and double spaced. Successful stories will receive exposure and a copy of the paperback on release. No reprints, original stories only. Poetry or flash fiction is acceptable. The anthology will be edited by Stuart Keane and Rob McEwan for Dark Chapter Press. Stories can range from extreme to PG-13 and everything in between. We want stories that will thrill us, scare us, and make us cross the street when a mother pushes her pram towards us. This might sound obvious in stories about children, but gratuitous sex or...

Deadline: May 31, 2015 Payment: 2 cents/word for new fiction, half-cent/word for reprints and contributor's copy Call for Submissions for the Hides the Dark Tower anthology. Tower. What comes to mind when you hear the word? According to A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot: the tower in Egyptian hieroglyphics denotes the act of rising above the common level. It is a signal of ascent. In the Middle Ages, towers held the same symbolism as a ladder. Enclosed and walled in, a tower is emblematic of the Virgin Mary and can be found in many allegorical designs. The athanor — the alchemists’ crucible — was given the shape of a tower, since ascension often implies transformation and evolution. A tower can also be likened to man, the top-most windows seeming like eyes. It’s from that sense that the Tower of Babel acquired the symbolic point as a wild endeavor bringing disaster to mankind. The Tarot‘s Tower card — depicting a tower being struck by lightning — echos this symbolism. Yet Nietzsche found a dual symbolism in towers, descent as well as ascent. In Aurelia, Nervel says, “I found myself in a tower, whose foundations were sunk so deep into earth and whose top was so lofty, reaching up like a spire into the sky, that my whole existence already seemed bound to be consumed in climbing up and down it.” Where does the Hides the Dark Tower title come from? What else should he be set for, with his staff? What, save to waylay with his lies, ensnare All travellers who might find him posted there, And ask the road? I guess’d what skull-like laugh Would break, what crutch ‘gin write my epitaph For pastime in the dusty thoroughfare, If at his counsel I should turn aside Into that ominous...

Deadline: May 31st Payment: $15 and contributor’s copy It's that time again. Broken Worlds submissions begin today and end on May 31st! We want your stories, as always. We're still working with Submittable to make all of this happen, and we're all eager to see what stories you have brewing around in your heads. Are we all about horror? Maybe a little bit, but not really. Broken Worlds caters to a large swath of stories, and I hope that your creative juices will flow. There's no doubt this will be a wonderful anthology full of very talented writers. We honestly cannot wait to read your work. Theme: We are never alone, not truly. We exist within systems; families, societies, governments, countries, continents; all within a singular planet in a singular solar system in a singular galaxy in a singular universe. And none of these are perfect. Many are broken, some beyond repair. Some could become broken over time. Others need to be destroyed to be improved. This anthology is about broken worlds, from families to a multiverse, where things are not what they seem or seem to be what they are: utterly broken from the top down and vice versa. We're looking for original stories involving broken or breaking worlds. This anthology will run the gamit from fantasy to science fiction to horror (eldritch or otherwise) and beyond, all exploring the caprices of our fragile existence. Whether it's a piece on a dysfunctional family or the end of the world, we'd love to consider it. For some guidance, think 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. We want fiction prose only, 500 – 13,000 words. We may consider pieces longer than that, but if you send them in, make sure they're awesome. Must be original works: no fan-fiction.  Reprints will be considered, but unpublished works will receive priority consideration. Simultaneous Submissions: No Multiple Submissions: Yes...

Deadline: Just 1st, 2015 Payment: $25 per story selected for inclusion. We are looking for short stories of horror fiction told from the zombie’s point of view. We will consider different, intriguing, and creative spins on the multiple zombie mythos that currently exist. There are many fine zombie oriented anthologies already published, but we’re putting a spin on ours – at least 75% of the story must be told as the zombie from the zombie’s perspective. We’re giving the undead a chance to tell their tale through your words! We will not be accepting the following: Fan fiction of any variety – no characters, names, places, or homage pieces. Preexisting characterization from a story, novella, novel, or series you write. Love stories (no matter how fantastic yours is) – this is a horror only anthology. We encourage you to be as unique as you’d like and bring a new viewpoint to those who have suffered or perhaps sought ZOMBIFICATION! If you have questions about the details for the call, please write to [email protected] before beginning your piece. *** Submission Deadline: June 1, 2015 (midnight PST) Word Count: minimum 4,000 words; maximum: 8,000 words (anything outside that range will be automatically rejected). Payment: $25 per story selected for inclusion. Copyright: First time worldwide copyright for a period of one year after publication. Reprints will NOT be considered. All submissions MUST be submitted to: [email protected] *** Evaluation period: We expect to have the stories read and chosen within two months of the closing date. We strive to move through the decision making process as quickly and fairly as possible. If we find ourselves overwhelmed with submissions, we’ll contact the submitting authors to inform them of any delay. Via: Sirens Call Publications.

Deadline: June 1st, 2015 Payment: 5p/word Note: Not your usual anthology submission so may be of extra interest What if it was accepted that there really were ghosts? That mediums could actually talk to the dead. That your dearly departed continued to exist on a spiritual plane adjacent to ours and that at certain places, or in certain people they could manifest? What if those that disbelieved, that advanced a scientific explanation, are the kooks, freaks and loonies? What if neither model of reality were actually true and there was a third group, of conspiracy theorists, that were right? But which conspiracy? Is it aliens? Are the government spiking the water supply with experimental drugs? Are the military testing new subsonic weapons? Someone, somewhere knows the truth. This is the set up for Sick City Syndrome -my second novel & if you're a writer I want your help. So I'm asking for submissions. Lauren Beukes got her writer friends to write blog posts, news articles and the like for one of her books to help with the worldbuilding and that's what I'm looking for. I'd like news reports, blog posts, twitter conversations, other social networking, TV, radio, internet, academic article abstracts etc The novel will be set in the modern day, in "the City" (which will be closely modelled on Bristol of course) but there's no reason the articles need to be set in the modern day. I'd like a mix from all three viewpoints, choose one and give me a maximum of 750 words. If I use your piece (in any way - Some will be published on this website - http://petewsutton.com/sick-city-syndrome/, some will go in the book itself) you will be credited and I'll pay you 5p/word (upon publication) Send your pieces to BRSBKBLOG (at) Gmail.com by the...

Deadline: June 1st, 2015 Payment: Contributor's Copy Formerly known as Ghostlight, Ghostlight, The Magazine of Terror is open for submissions in 2015 during the specified periods! Please click on the link below to see our updated guidelines. Ghostlight, The Magazine of Terror is a magazine devoted to horror fiction, non-fiction, art, and poetry. It is published twice a year (Spring and Winter) by Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. Unlike Erie Tales, Ghostlight, The Magazine of Terror is open to all writers of horror, sci-fi, dark fantasy, and dark humor – especially dark humor. It is edited by our very own Nicole Castle. If you have any questions not covered in the guidelines, please feel free to contact Nicole [email protected] READING PERIODS March 1 – June 1 (Summer Issue) (Publishing target: August) We at the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers (GLAHW) are looking for stories that are well written and character driven, preferably with a Michigan or Great Lakes connection, but any well written story with a dark side has a chance with us. All stories need to be Horror, Dark Sci-Fi, Dark Fantasy, or Dark Humor, especially Dark Humor. If you can make us laugh and creep us out at the same time, you have a good chance of acceptance. Please don’t send us sword & sorcery or space opera stories. Tolkien and Lucas have their place, but not here. Also, we don’t and can’t accept “fan fiction” which includes anything based on a video game, book, movie or any other creator’s work or conception unless you have written permission from the creator. If you don’t own the copyright to the characters in your story, we cannot publish your work. By submitting to GLAHW you, as the author of the work, accept responsibility for any possible copyright infringement....

Deadline: June 1, 2015 Payment: 2.5 cents a word, with a minimum of $75 For the vampire erotica anthology Blood in the Rain, available October 2015, we seek short stories of 2000–7000 words, preferably by Northwest authors—from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Your story must include both a vampire and an erotic element, but it doesn’t have to be a “true” vampire, whatever that is, and the vampire doesn’t have to be the story’s focus. Erotically, we’re open to anything from a sexy tease to hardcore adult content. We encourage stories nonstereotypically including people who are LGBTQI (or A if you can make it work), people of color, and people any age above 18. Most of all, we want compelling characters having hot sex, with a story that draws us in. And a vampire. Bottom line: Make us horny. Stories due June 1, 2015. We pay on acceptance: 2.5 cents a word, with a minimum of $75. The Nitty Gritty Send your story as a .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf file to [email protected], with SUBMISSION and the story title in your subject line (for example, SUBMISSION: My Sexy Vampire Story). Use traditional manuscript format for your story. If you don’t know what that is, seethis handy guide. And for the love of the gods, proofread before sending. Give us a short cover note, ideally with an author bio. Let us know if your story’s a reprint. We might take the perfect reprint, but original work is preferred. Send as many submissions as you want, but we’re not likely to pick more than one story from any writer. We’re buying first North American serial rights, first North American audio publishing rights, first world online rights, and archival rights (that is, to potentially archive your story on our website). Via: Blood...

Deadline: June 15th, 2015 Payment: 5% of the net profit will be paid for each accepted story. These payments will be issued to you at quarterly intervals. Stories under 3,000 words will only receive 4% of the net profit. Myths never die. King Arthur cannot be killed with a pike through the chest, or centuries of lies; instead he lays dreaming but not dead in wait for England’s fatal hour. The Ice Queen, in all her frozen fractal forms, does not waste away under summer suns. The Green Man, though a being of leaf and twig and human eyes, cannot be killed with so simple a stroke as leveling his forests and building cities on the cinders (even now, he watches us from his statues and reliefs embedded deep in our buildings). These beliefs predate written language. Something other than the ability to record them has kept these stories alive. Myths never die, but surely they don’t actually live, do they…? 18thWall Productions wants myths alive with life. We want heroes and monsters out of time, legendary characters in unfamiliar settings. We want mash-ups of magic and history, legends that live literally as well was figuratively. We want sirens on the Caribbean shores calling to men of ill-repute for yet another night of sin, we want to doings of the Pickwick Club extended into our dreary age, we want the Strigoi at the Petrograd Soviet…Let your imagination run riot. We want your myths and monsters to feel real, with voices feelings, and rich back-stories interwoven with the familiar tales. Why are they there? Where have they been all this time? We’re open to any style of fiction you care to give us. And please be aware that our guidelines are deliberately vague.  As with our previous anthology, this is a free playground....

Deadline: June 15th 2015 Payment: £10 and contributor's copy Frost pierces through everything. Your bones ache in the icy wind. Harsh winter storms rage and the sun is leaving, not to return for many months. Winter seems to never end. There is however beauty and magic. The snow covered pine trees reaching for the sky, the green northern lights dancing over the mountains, the wolf packs howling at the moon, and the snow crystals glinting like stars in the pale moonlight. When the temperatures drop, people and creatures gather around the camp fires to share warmth, friendship and tales, to chase away the frost and try to ignore the terrifying creatures lurking in the darkness. We are now collecting winter tales, to drive away the grim winter and bring you the wonders and magic of the season. Fox Spirit Books will publish the Winter Tales anthology in the beginning of 2016. The anthology will be edited by Margrét Helgadóttir. We want unusual and elegant speculative fiction stories with full plot and strong characters. We are seeking diversity. The stories can be light with a touch of romance or humour, or dark and terrifying. Stories about creatures, monsters, animals and shapeshifters are welcome. The stories can be within speculative subgenres such as the weird, fables or folkloric, magical realism, adventure, dystopian, cyberpunk, mystery or fantastic, but we ask that the stories take place on Earth and have the winter as frame. Poetry is welcome. We are not looking for nonfiction or fanfiction. We are not looking for satire, erotica, paranormal romance, splatter or overly gory stories. Submission details Submission deadline: June 15th 2015. Response will be given by end of October 2015 at the latest. The manuscript must be written in English. Stories should be 1500 words up to 7500 words. Any stories below or above this will not be considered, with the exception of poems which should be no longer...