Closed: Unorthodox Stories
NOTE: This Market has been reported as closed.
Payment: $15
Theme: 100 words to 2k highly experimental horror stories with an emphasis on well crafted prose and non traditional narrative and form
Update: For clarity, I am seeking highly experimental horror stories with an emphasis on well crafted prose and non traditional narrative and form. Much as I hate comparisons, the literary equivalent of “Possibly In Michigan” is what I’m seeking. I want surreal and weird and well written and risks that may or may not pay off. I want everything non traditional. I am not seeking regular horror stories, which I love, but do not belong in a zine meant for niche experimental fiction. I want a strong voice and creative use of language. I do not want stories that rely exclusively on weird events transpiring. I’m more likely to accept something mundane recontextualized than a textbook feeling description of random “scary” stuff. Give me your weirdly written weird stories.
Additionally, dear editor is fine, but there is only one editor, so please do not start your submission with “dear editors.”
This is not a splatterpunk zine, but I’ll accept anything it’s written weirdly/beautifully/creatively enough. I make no distinction between prose and story, so a “good story, but bad writing,” is a rejection. There are no auto rejections unless a story is unrealistically poorly written. Or if you use AI. Otherwise I will give all stories a fair chance.
To start, I would like to publish five stories monthly, each paid at a 15 dollar flat rate. Stories can range from 100 words to 2k. Query if you have a longer story, but the sweet spot is gonna be around 500 to 1, 200 words. All payments will be made through PayPal unless an alternative method is required in individual circumstances.
Ready to submit? Email your story to [email protected] with the subject “Submission-Title-Author name,” and provide a bio of approximately 50 words. Usual rules apply. 12 point font, times new Roman, Shunn format preferred, but I won’t penalize you immediately for deviating from this standard, especially if the format of the story justifies it, which I hope a great many submissions will.
Submissions open year round. I previously had a specified reading period, but I’ve settled on reading year round and collecting acceptances throughout the year, some of which will be well in advance of their publication.
Via: Unorthodox Stories.
