Events

Deadline: May 1, 2012. Payment: 1 cent/word plus a copy of the print book when it is available To all authors: We have dozens of projects going on at any given time. These guidelines are designed to help us facilitate processing your submission as quickly as possible. Please make sure you read and follow all guidelines. Failure to follow the submission guidelines may result in your submission getting lost or accidentally deleted. Project Title: Return of the Dead Men (and Women) Walking Project Scope: For purposes of this anthology, we are limiting consideration to those stories that feature corporeal undead. These include, but are not limited to, ghouls, liches, mummies, revenants, vampires, wights, and of course zombies. We are not interested in stories featuring incorporeal undead such as ghosts and poltergeists. Genre Considerations: Despite the subject matter, stories need not be firmly rooted in the horror genre to be considered. We will consider a wide range of stories, including fantasy, weird west, steampunk, post-apocalyptic, urban fantasy, and others. This anthology will target adult readers, and therefore young adult stories will not be considered. We will also not consider paranormal romances or erotica. General Guidelines: Our normal general submission guidelines apply. We strongly encourage authors to read our general guidelines first before submitting to this anthology. In particular, we judge both first person and present tense narratives much more critically than we do other works. We will consider such stories and have published them in the past, but they must truly be exceptional for us to publish such styles. When submitting stories for this project, you must use the subject line DEAD MEN STORY SUBMISSION. Submit stories as attachments as per the instructions of our general guidelines. Do not submit bios or a list of publishing credits with your submission, as...

Deadline: May 1, 2012 Payment: 3 cents a word for new works (possibly less for reprints), and 5 contributor copies of the published book. Werewolves of London (and Other Places, Too!) I've just sold a new anthology pitch, and here's the prospectus to get a jump-start on. Gentlemen (and ladies), start your enzymes! MARK OF THE BEAST New Legends of the Werewolf Edited by Scott David Aniolowski Author and Editor Scott David Aniolowski is now accepting submissions for MARK OF THE BEAST; New Legends of the Werewolf, an anthology of werewolf tales to be published in late 2012 by Chaosium, Inc. Werewolves have recently become very big in pop culture, thanks to the popularity of certain young adult novels and their movie adaptations. Unfortunately, our lycanthropic friends are now being portrayed as pouty, angsty, shirtless hunky teens, instead of savage, bestial figures from folklore and nightmares. It is my goal to assemble stories that put the horror back into the werewolf. There are countless variations on the werewolf legend from around the world and throughout history. The more common causes for lycanthropy include being bitten by a wolf or werewolf, cursed by a Gypsy or witch, a family curse, donning an enchanted pelt, imbibing potions or poisons, selling your soul to the devil, falling from religious grace, etc. Some werewolves change from human to giant wolf – some to hybrid wolf-men. And the infliction strikes at various times, depending upon the legend: during a full moon, while under great emotional stress, when the pelt is worn or potion drank – or even at will – etc. Some werewolves are aware of their condition and remember everything when they change – others have no knowledge whatsoever, or experience memories as “nightmares”. Some are solitary – others live in packs. Silver kills...

Deadline: May 1st 2012 Payment: Contributor's copy We are now accepting stories for our new anthology, Grindhouse. If you are familiar with the concept then you will know exactly the kind of thing we are looking for. Action, horror and lots of gore. The crazier, the bloodier, the better. This book will be the equivalent of an R-Rated movie. Stories must be between 3 and 10,000 words. Closing date for this anthology is May 1st 2012. Payment will be one printed paperback contributor copy and further copies available at a highly-reduced rate. All manuscripts should be 12pt, double-spaced, and should include author details and word count on the first page. There should be no footers or headers. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] with the subject of the email being - Submission (followed by the title of the manuscript) Manuscripts will be read and assessed as soon as possible and you will receive a confirmation if we think the manuscript is elegible for publication.

Deadline: May 5, 2012 Payment: $0.02/word and contributor copy I’m pleased to announce we’re open for submissions for Mirror Shards: Volume Two. Last year’s anthology, Mirror Shards: Volume One, was a success on many accounts. The new volume will be released by Black Moon Books in late summer 2012 as an eBook and POD. Augmented reality holds the promise of great social change in both the near and far-flung futures. It’s also a wonderful medium for storytelling as information and graphics overlain eye-screens challenges the doors of perception and creates mixed-reality worlds to work and play. Black Moon Books is seeking stories between 3000 and 9000 words (soft edges) that utilize augmented reality as a way to explore the human condition. The stories can be set in any place, time, or genre, as long as the story cannot exist bereft of augmented reality. Feel free to explore the edges of the technology. The anthology will pay from $0.02/word to $0.05/word. Minimum payment per word will be $0.02 for all accepted slush stories, but one pro paying slot ($0.05/word) will be given for the best story (Gold Prize.) Rights I’ll ask for include exclusivity for 3 months, First Electronic & First English-Language Book Rights. One copy will be provided for each author in the anthology. Stories should be emailed to mirrorshards2012 (at) blackmoonbooks (dot) com and should follow standard manuscript formatting (courier new, 12 point, double spaced, etc.) The file should be attached as an .doc or .rtf (not .docx). Multiple submissions are welcome, though your best bet is to pick your best story and send only that one. A brief cover letter listing current publication credits would be helpful in the body of the email. If you have received an honorable mention or above in the Writers of the Future...

Deadline: May 15th, 2012 Payment: (40% electronic, 25% print) Fading Light: An Anthology of the Monstrous Edited by Tim Marquitz ~ Is there a monster in you? Now’s the time to let it out. ~ The light has failed: the era of man is at its end. Born of darkness and forced from the world, the creatures of myth, legend, and nightmare have long called the shadows home. Now, with the cruel touch of the sun a fading memory, they’ve returned to claim their rightful place amidst humanity; as its masters. ~ Mankind has long feared the dark; and for good reason. For all our science, for all our faith, we know so little of the world, so little of what lurks just beyond the flickering reach of the light. What might we encounter should the sun fail to rise; what terrors might crawl from the bowels of the earth or oceans? Are there creatures or beings out there, patiently waiting for their moment to strike, or are they already among us, devouring us from within? I’m looking for quality stories that answer these questions; stories that explore the darkest corners of our existence, from the undiscovered wilds to the depths of the ocean, the supernatural realm to the mundane, and beyond. Submissions should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words. Submissions open on January 15, 2012, and close at midnight, May 15, 2012. The anthology will be tentatively published on September 1, 2012, through Damnation Books. Submissions and queries can be sent to [email protected]. Payment is in the form of shared royalties (40% electronic, 25% print), all contracts through Damnation Books. All stories must be typed in standard manuscript format, double-spaced, in a legible font (Size 12: Courier, Arial, Times New Roman), and must be either .doc or .docx file...

Deadline: May 15th 2012 Payment: 2 copies of anthology and Aus 2 cents/word (GST inc., maximum payment $150) on publication. edited by Amanda Pillar This is the first in a series of anthologies from Ticonderoga Publications that will focus on non-traditional horror. I want stories that are horrific, but that also fit within other genres—let’s look beyond the borders. This year’s anthology will focus on non-traditional urban fantasy. This means that I don’t want stories that feature vampires, witches or werewolves; if you send one, it probably won’t make it through to the final cut. Give me tales of Sirens, Harpies, Bunyips, goblins, djinns, Mesopotamian demons, deposed gods…characters that spill from mythology and into modern suburbia. Any stories involving cultural borrowing from indigenous cultures should be respectful of the beliefs of the traditional owners. Romantic elements are acceptable, as long as the story is dark and has horrific themes/elements. The story must be set on contemporary Earth, but it can take place in a fictional city. The anthology will be published by Ticonderoga Publications in late 2012. Submission guidelines Send me your best dark urban fantasy story. Story length 1,000 to 7,500 words. (Longer stories may be accepted, although payment is capped at 7,500). Original stories only: no reprints, multiple, or simultaneous submissions. Stories may be submitted via email at [email protected] Manuscript format: double spaced, large margins, Times New Roman font, Australian English spelling. The editor reserve the right to use their discretion in selecting stories. Submission period: 1 February to 15 May, 2012 Payment: 2 copies of anthology and Aus 2 cents/word (GST inc., maximum payment $150) on publication.

Deadline: May 30th, 2012 Payment: 50.00 per story accepted A new anthology is opened. We are accepting submission for a new anthology Realms of the Undead. Only 4 stories will be accepted for this one and can be anything UNDEAD. Deadline for this will be May 30th, 2012 and pays 50.00 per story accepted. The story must be between 15,000and 30,000 words and should be emailed to [email protected] attached as a .doc (preferred) or .rtf Please send in your submissions using 12 font Times New Roman, single spaced, justified. No hard breaks between paragraphs (hitting return twice to break between paragraphs). Following paragraphs can be started on the next line. Scene breaks or changes in point of view need to be separated by a hard break, centered asterisks (* * *) and a hard break. The title page should contain your contact info and word count.

Deadline: May 30th 2012 Payment: Payment will be made 6 months from publication. Each contributor will receive an equal portion of royalties earned during the 6 month period and one paperback copy of the anthology. Capital, cash, gold, lucre — money makes the world go round. But fortunes easily gained are often painfully lost. Since the very first king pressed his face onto the very first coin no single thing has led so many to ruin. Fortune, it seems, has a dark side and a wickedly evil sense of humor. Curses, plagues and misfortunes rain down on those who dare to tip the scales in their own favor. Fortunes, Lost and Found edited by L.S. Murphy and Kate Jonez is a collection of tales about money and wealth and the potentially horrifying consequences of gaining or losing it. Stories of cursed Pharaoh’s tombs, haunted pirate ships, rare and valuable trinkets found in forgotten places are examples of the type of story we’d like to see. But acquiring a fortune, much like making a deal with the devil, is tricky business often with unexpected consequences. Surprise us with your stories. Submit horror / dark fantasy stories between 2,000 and 5,000 words in .doc format to [email protected]. The deadline is May 30th 2012. We’ll consider reprints, but please mention where and when the story first appeared in the cover letter. Payment will be made 6 months from publication. Each contributor will receive an equal portion of royalties earned during the 6 month period and one paperback copy of the anthology.

Deadline: May 30th 2012 Payment: 1 Copy of the anthology and £10.00 advance against royalties on publication The Alchemy Press is seeking submissions for THE ALCHEMY PRESS BOOK OF PULP HEROES, edited by Mike Chinn. The Shadow, The Bat, Doc Savage, The Spider; Dashiell Hammett’s Continental Detective Agency; Dusty Ayers & His Battle Birds; Sheena and Ka-Zar. Hard-boiled detectives, sinister vigilantes, bizarre villains – the staple of the Pulp tradition. We want fiction that celebrates (or subverts) that tradition – as well as taking a wild new look at it. Fiction set in the 1930s and 40s, the far future or mythical past, or the present day. Two-fisted heroes – and heroines – fighting for right and justice in the midnight city, foetid jungles or exotic, far-flung lands. Deranged villains for whom the world is never enough. Sports stories, spy stories, aircraft & zeppelin stories, sea & pirate stories, Westerns, medieval romance, horror, science fiction and fantasy, movies and car racing – there’s no limit. THE ALCHEMY PRESS BOOK OF PULP HEROES will be a paperback to be published in September 2012, to be followed by an eBook edition. Successful contributors will receive a copy of the book and a £10.00 advance against royalties on publication. We are after original fiction; but reprints will be considered if they are exceptional. No simultaneous or multiple submissions. We will only accept electronic submissions as email attachments in standard MS format, .rtf, .doc or .docx. Any submissions included in the body of the email will be rejected unread. The subject line should take the form “Title/author’s name/word count” (i.e. Mastermind of Mars/ ER Burroughs/3,000 words). Contributions must be in the range of 2,000-6,000 words firm, with full contact details on the front page. The submission period runs from April 1st to May 30th...

Deadline: May 30, 2012 Payment: $5.00 flat rate. $1.00 more for every 1,000 words over 5,000 Dark Finds SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 30, 2012 WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Stories about cursed objects and things. Think old dusty shops in back alleyways. A person can “find” something dark in themselves too. Most genres will be accepted as long as the theme is there: must be a secret of some sort in the story. This is a collection of stories to be enjoyed by everyone, please keep excessive cussing and sex out unless integral to your character. Email submissions to: [email protected] No Simultaneous Submissions Please. Word count is 3,000-6,000 FIRM Only accepting UNPUBLISHED work Payment will be $5.00 flat rate. $1.00 more for every 1,000 words over 5,000. How To Submit: Please put the title of the story, and word count, in the subject line of your email.

Monsters! Deadline: May 31st, 2012 Payment: Contributor's Copy Submission Deadline: May 31, 2012 Projected release: October 31, 2012 Send Submissions to: [email protected] Project Guidelines: Monsters exist. Sure, they don't exactly advertise it, but they're out there. Some people know about them -- about the vampires, werewolves, boogiemen, and other creatures that walk the night -- but most remain wilfully (and blissfully) oblivious. This is the world of aflameinthedark.com's very first horror anthology, Monsters! Since you're dealing with creatures of the night, you, as a writer, have a lot of room in how you interpret this world, but there are a few rules of which you should be aware. First, you don't have to deal with classic monsters. You can feel free to make up your own creature, or use variations on nontraditional themes. However, if you do choose to write about a more traditional monster (like vampires and werewolves, for example), classic movie rules apply. Silver hurts werewolves. Vampires hate garlic and crosses, have a severe sun allergy, and can be killed with a stake through the heart. And speaking of classic monster movies, think about your favorites as you write. Stories can be serious, or perhaps a little cheesy (humorously so). Imagine your story playing on-screen at a 50s or 60s drive-in. We're going for pulp, here. Stories must also contain an element of faith. As the website's title suggests, A Flame in the Dark is about shining a light in the darkness. Which reminds me, please also read the general guidelines below as well, as those are always applicable (and include formatting information). Length: we're looking for flash fiction (500 words) or short stories (up to 7500 words). If you have something longer, please inquire first. Payment: Pays one print copy of the anthology General Guidelines: The following...

DEADLINE: May 31st, 2012 PAYMENT: Authors will receive one complimentary copy of the anthology and payment of $20.00. Working Title: Zombie Jesus and Other True Stories Edited by: Lori Michelle, Max Booth III, Stan Swanson Publisher: Dark Moon Books Projected Publishing Date: Summer 2012 Contact info: [email protected] What if Hitler had won the war, but only after selling his soul to the devil? What if the San Francisco earthquake had released demons from the depths of hell? What if vaccinations had never been discovered? What if John Wilkes Booth returned to life as a zombie? This, writers, is your chance to reshape history. We want stories about what the world would be like if history had been different. We don’t care what aspect of history you pick as long as it is still falls within the horror genre and scares our pants off. (Hopefully we won’t be reading these in public places.) Please no over-the-top gore or erotica. Frighten us a little (well, more than a little) and make us think: “What If?” Submission Guidelines: • DEADLINE: May 31st, 2012 • PAYMENT: Authors will receive one complimentary copy of the anthology and payment of $20.00. • Submissions should fall between 1500-6000 words, but a few words over or under is fine. However, submissions that are excessively long will not be considered. • Submissions will only be accepted as attachments in either .doc or .rtf format e-mailed to [email protected]. Please do not embed your story in the e-mail. • E-mails should have the title of the anthology, the author’s last name and the title of the story. i.e. Vampires_Johnson_Fangs for the Memories. • Include your real name (and pen name if using one), address, phone, email, story title and word count on the title page of the submission as well as...

Deadline: May 31st 2012 Payment: $15.00 (US Dollars) & PDF copy of the anthology, payable upon publication Weathered hands pull a blade across an oiled stone. The honed edge glints in the firelight, but the job is not yet finished. Two volumes sit upon the mantle, covers worn, the odd stain appearing as a dark droplet upon random pages. The stories inside each are legend, but not all of the stories have been told. The final stories are darker, their secrets hidden deeper than the others. The final stories are those that are saved for last, for when the fire burns low and only the hunters are still awake to share them. The final stories are about what happens when the hunt goes wrong. Sometimes, a mistake can lead to the hunter missing their quarry. Sometimes, an ill wrought plan can get the hunter injured, or even killed. And sometimes, when the hunter grossly underestimates the prey, worse can happen. Much worse. Make your stories cautionary tales that highlight the dangers of monster hunting. Tell us of mistakes that can occur when planning is replaced by reckless action, or when weapons malfunction, or when information is held back from those that need it. Give us a story about what happens when a hunter is simply overmatched by a creature that they never really stood a chance against. Or, tell us of the worst cases, the stories that send chills through the hunter’s bones; tell us what happens when they are turned into the very things that they are sworn to destroy. Use Enough Gunwill conclude the Legends of the Monster Hunters trilogy of western inspired covers, so we will be looking for the absolute very best stories. Use Enough Gun is an anthology about monster hunters and their exploits. Send...

Deadline: May 31st 2012 Payment: £20.00 upon publication Cruentus Libri Press is pleased to announce its forthcoming anthology, now open for submission. A Fistful of Horrors: Tales of Terror from the Old West is a Western themed horror anthology. We are looking for stories that successfully combine the setting and trappings of the Old West with skin crawling horror from the depths of mankind’s darkest imaginings. WHAT WE WANT The Old West setting is a must. We want to see saloons, grizzled old prospectors, cowboys, Native Americans, banditos, abandoned gold mines and the like. Historical accuracy would be nice, but we’re really after stories that capture the flavour of the Old West. If, in the reading of your story, we feel that Clint Eastwood or John Wayne could turn the corner at any minute for a brief cameo, then you’ve hit the nail on the head. As well as the classic Spaghetti Western motifs, we also welcome stories from the same period that focus on Native American culture – Wendigos, skin-walkers, deer women, Fastachees…you get the idea. As important as the Western setting is to this anthology, it is more important to remember that it is a horror anthology. We want stories that will provide our readers with their recommended daily dosage of Vitamin Horror, so come out of the dark with your teeth bared and your claws tearing. WHAT WE DON’T WANT First of all, we don’t want parodies or pastiches of existing Western tropes, with a handful of vampires, lycanthropes or zombies thrown into the mix. If your story can be summed up as ‘Young Guns with Zombies’ or ‘Unforgiven with Vampires’ then this really isn’t the market for you. Similarly, if you are going to write a story based on Native American folklore, don’t just retell the...

Deadline: May 31, 2012 Payment: Contributor's copy, royalties An Anthology of Steampunk Ghost Stories Have you ever thought your computer, car, cellphone, etc. was haunted? Well, this book is for you. We are looking for original short fiction about haunted machines. Naturally, the Steampunk concept comes to mind. However, your story doesn't have to take place in the Victorian Era, a great story about a haunted machine transcends the calendar. Stories should range between 2,000 and 7,000 words. Sex, language, and violence are fine. . .as long as it's relevant. Stories that revel in child abuse will be summarily deleted. We do enjoy stories that apply multiple genres. If you have a sci-fi horror story that fits this theme--or mystery-horror, or fantasy-horror--send it along. Post Mortem Press markets through genre publications as well as social network and web portal sites. We travel extensively to genre conventions, book fairs, and book signings. Books are available on Amazon.com, Post Mortem Press website, and most major on-line retailers. The are available for purchase to retail booksellers and libraries throughout North America. We also publish industry standard eBooks for all publications. Post Mortem Press does NOT require that you make any purchases. Each published author will receive a FREE contributors copy and the opportunity to purchase additional copies at a deep discount. We pay Royalties - NOT per word. Why? It keeps the author in the equation. For more information contact: [email protected] To submit your short story for consideration: [email protected] Sorry, no fan fiction.

The Undead That Saved Christmas Vol. 3 MONSTER BASH Edited and Compiled by Lyle Perez-Tinics Deadline: June 1, 2012 (or until full) Target release date: September 20, 2012 The Undead That Saved Christmas Vol. 3 Monster Bash is a charity anthology of short stories, comics and poems. Net proceeds from the book will help provide Christmas presents for foster kids at Hugs Foster Family Agency (http://www.HugsFFA.org/) This is it, the last edition of The Undead That Saved Christmas anthologies. I am seeking Christmas/monster themed short stories ranging from 2,500 – 7,500 words. The stories should have strong holiday themes and must contain some sort of monster. No longer is this anthology limited to zombies or vampires. Think of werewolves that pull Santa's sleigh or the elves at the North Pole being replaced by demons. Please be creative and as gruesome as you’d like. Even though this book is to help children, its target readers are adults. Original stories only, please no reprints. For comic submissions please have your contact information in the body of the email. The comic script must be illustrated by your artist (or yourself) prior to submitting. Comics can be any length, but must contain Christmas and monster. All images must be 300DPI and at least 6x9. I will adjust size as needed. Keep all text at least .50 away from top, bottom and outside margins and .75 away from the inside margin. This makes it easier when I have to format the book. For poem submission, please have all of your contact information at the top of the page. Poems must be about monsters during Christmas time. If you would like to revamp a Christmas carol please do so. Try to keep poems under 250 words. This anthology is for charity. There will be no payments...

Deadline: June 1st, 2012 Payment: Contributor's Copy Working Title: "Hunting Ghosts: Thrilling Tales of Paranormal Investigation" Publisher: Black Oak Media Edited by: Michael Kleen and Buck Weiss Release Date: TBA In the past several years, Ghost Hunting has become a cultural phenomenon with television shows, local chapters, and an internet following. Previously, Black Oak Media has published non-fictional accounts of the paranormal with titles such as “Chasing Shadows” by Larry Wilson, “Diaries of the Dark Side” by Cassidy O’Connor, and “History, Mystery and Hauntings of Southern Illinois” by Bruce and Lisa Cline. In this anthology, we are looking for fictional accounts of ghost hunting and paranormal investigation. No true stories will be accepted. Think outside the box for your stories. Horror, comedy, adventure, steampunk, historical, sci-fi, etc. We would love to have a nice mix of genres all tied together by the theme of ghost hunting. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: - short stories from 4,000 - 10,000 words - MUST fit the theme of ghost hunting. - Adult themes (such as violence & gore, strong language, etc.) are all welcome, but never in excess. Make all of your extremes have a point besides being extreme. QUESTIONS? CONTACT: - Buck Weiss at: [email protected] What rights do we want? First publishing rights, (we will review previously published stories on an individual basis but stories that have not been previously printed will get first placement) The right to use the story for as long as there is demand for the book. The right to edit each story for any missed grammatical errors The right to use parts of the book and the author's name for promotion. You will keep all other rights and can republish the story anytime you choose. What you get: Authors who have stories accepted will receive a copy of...

Deadline: June 1st, 2012 Payment: All authors will receive $25.00, a copy of the book as payment, and a Zombie Fiend t-shirt. Note: Submissions are open to www.ZombieFiend.com members. Working Title: Zombie Bacon and Long Pork Edited by: Joy Killer Project publishing date: September 2012, for promotion through Halloween and Christmas Zombie Bacon and Long Pork is an anthology with the most desperate and horrorible of all Apocalyptic themes: cannibalism. Human meat, often called long pork, will be the topic of every story. It will be up to each author to create their own conception of an Apocalyptic world and the lives somehow touched by mors tua, vita mea. What rights do we want? First publishing rights, the right to use the story for as long as there is demand for the book, the right to edit each story for missed grammatical errors, to encourage content change if there are glaring errors, to refuse any submissions that do not meet our standards, and the right to use parts of the book and the author's name for promotion. Although the rights stay with the author, they can't publish again until after the book goes to print. You will keep all other rights and can republish the story anytime you choose, after the book has been released and promoted by us. Submission Guidelines: Deadline: June 1, 2012 Payment: All authors will receive $25.00, a copy of the book as payment, and a Zombie Fiend t-shirt. How your stories should be sent: All entries must be a .doc file. The text must be 12pt Times New Roman font with no formatting. Single spaced, indent paragraphs with one hit on the tab key. Stories should be between 4,000 and 10,000 words. Submissions sent in any other format will be requested to convert the file...