No Longer Taking Ongoing Submissions: Cemetery Dance

Cemetary Dance is still quite an active market. However, they no longer meet our definition of an ongoing market. We will continue posting their open calls individually.

Payment: Professional rates, minimum of five cents per word, plus two contributor copies. Payable within 30 days of publication. Up to 5,000 words; maximum payment of $250.

Guidelines: Well written horror, dark mystery, and suspense short stories up to 5,000 words. Originals, no reprints. We want tales that are powerful and emotional—creepy, chilling, disturbing, and moody. Suspense/mystery/crime tales with a horror element are always welcome. Both supernatural and psychological stories are fine.

Please note that in the past we have typically received 500+ monthly submissions for the very limited number of open slots in the magazine, so only the best stories will stand out. Please send your very best work!

Most common reasons for rejection: lack of power, lack of originality, slow pacing, poor writing, boring themes, all gore and no heart. Read the magazine, see what type of fiction we are publishing—please don’t submit with a blind eye!

Multiple Submissions? Please only send one story at a time. After we read and respond to that story, you can always submit another if we’re still open to submissions.

Payment: Professional rates, minimum of five cents per word, plus two contributor copies. Payable within 30 days of publication. Up to 5,000 words; maximum payment of $250.

Response Time: Up to four months.

You can submit through Cemetery Dance’s Submittables.