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Articles / Guest Post

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It’s Normal to Embrace the Paranormal

It’s Normal to Embrace the Paranormal

By Bjorn Leesson

Humanity has been fascinated with the paranormal in one form or another since time immemorial. From the suppositions regarding the “Bermuda Triangle,” to the longing to peek behind the veil to see what’s on the “other side,” we have always wanted to know the “unknowable.” From the interpreted meanings of a cave drawing produced by our prehistoric ancestors to a book in its first draft completed this morning. It fascinates us all on some level.

The interest in the paranormal over the ages has influenced all manners of disciplines from psychology to history, and of course, storytelling and writing. The largest impact on writing is naturally an entire very popular and large genre of paranormal literature. Ghost stories, curses, supernatural creatures, sorcery, and so on – millions of books and many more millions of loyal fans.

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Events / Flat Amount / Novel / Novella / Royalties

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Timber Ghost Press Is Open For Novella And Novel Submissions

Submission Window: Jun 16-30, 2025. Extended Period for authors who are BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized communities, Jul 1-15
Payment: $50 advance on novellas, $75 advance on novels, 50% net royalties on all eBooks and 30% net royalties on paperback books
Theme: Horror

Novels and Novellas
Submission are Open Jun 16-30, 2025
Extended Period for authors who are BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized communities, Jul 1-15
What We Want

Timber Ghost Press is looking to publish high-quality ​horror fiction to include cosmic horror, weird horror, sci-fi/horror, gothic, and contemporary. We especially love cosmic horror, wilderness horror, stories that fill you with creeping dread.
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Anthology / Events / Pro

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Taking Submissions: Mmeory

Submission Window: July 7th – August 15th, 2025
Payment: 8 cents per word
Theme: Memory manipulation – Examples include magic spells, cyborg memory edits, very unreliable narrators, time travel gone horribly wrong.

We are seeking stories for an anthology to be titled Mmeory which will collect stories of memory manipulation. To be published in late autumn of 2025 by the Air and Nothingness Press. All stories requested to be 2000 words or less.

Theme: Memory manipulation – Examples include magic spells, cyborg memory edits, very unreliable narrators, time travel gone horribly wrong.

We are open to all genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Alternate History, Steampunk, Hopepunk, Solarpunk, and beyond….

Submission Dates
Submissions open: July 7th, 2025
Submissions close: August 15th, 2025
Reading/Review begins: August 16th, 2025
Reading/Review ends: September 1st, 2025
All authors will be contacted by: September 15th, 2025

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Events

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Taking Submissions: Short Story Substack July 2025 Window

Submission Window: July 1st – 31st, 2025
Payment: $100 for the chosen story + 50% of subscription revenue
Theme: Any genre, short story

Mission = Revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful.

Payout = Base Pay of $100 for the chosen story + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check.

Wait, you mean if this substack gets thousands of subscribers, the winner would get thousands of dollars?

Yes! The New Yorker pays roughly $7,500 per story and I sincerely hope to go way past that.

What does the timeline look like?

Submit stories by the end of the month, winner to be announced on the 15th. There is ONE story that wins and receives the full payout.

Where do I send submissions?
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Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Chicken Blood

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Chicken Blood

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

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Contest / Events / Flat Amount / Royalties

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Under-Represented UK Horror Authors Check Out The Penguin Michael Joseph Undiscovered Writers’ Prize

Deadline: July 25th, 2025
Prize: A publishing contract with Penguin Michael Joseph, with a £10,000 advance, and representation by Bell Lomax Moreton Agency.
Theme: Horror novels by under-represented UK horror authors

Penguin Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin Books, is a leading publisher of commercial fiction and non-fiction.

We are proud to be entering our third year of The Penguin Michael Joseph Undiscovered Writers’ Prize to find new authors from underrepresented backgrounds who we can bring to the widest possible readership.

Last year, we asked for submissions in the romance genre and were thrilled to announce Brandon Purves, whose debut novel Do Not Kiss Nicholas Prince publishes Summer 2026, as our second Penguin Michael Joseph Undiscovered Writers Prize winner.

This year we want something scary! If you’re an aspiring horror author, we want to hear from you. We’re looking for the best horror novels that have a strong hook and even stronger atmosphere.
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Events / Magazine / Pro

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Taking Submissions: khōréō July 2025 Window

Submission Window: July 1st – 31st, 2025
Payment: 10 cents per word
Theme: Fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element.
Note: You must identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms. This includes, but is not limited to, first- and second-generation immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, persons who identify with one or more diaspora communities, persons who have been displaced or whose heritage has been erased due to colonialism/imperialism, and anyone whose heritage and history includes ‘here and elsewhere’.

khōréō is a quarterly publication of stories, essays, and art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element. We’re especially interested in writing and art that explore some aspect of migration, whether explicitly (themes of immigration, colonialism, etc.), metaphorically, or with a sly nod and a wink. Most importantly, we’re a new magazine and we’re still finding our identity: therefore, please don’t self-reject because you’re not sure if your work is a good fit. We won’t know until we see it, so please give us a chance to look!

See submission requirements & how to submit at the following pages:

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Events

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Epeolatry Book Review: Enough Time by J. Edwin Buja

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Enough Time
Author: J. Edwin Buja
Genre: horror, time travel, paranormal
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Publication date: 2nd May, 2025

Synopsis: In a paranormal tale that blends time travel, reincarnation, and historical horror fiction, you’re too late to save the love of your life from being murdered. This tragic history repeats itself every forty years, but now it’s only been thirty-five years and it’s time to break the cycle.
In 2020, Emma Ranahan laments that her annual torment is about to begin again. Every January, she has horrible nightmares about torture and murder. None of it makes any sense to her. The only thing she remembers clearly are the words Hero, Victim, Beast, and Friend.
In 1865, Colonel Beauregard Kensington, war hero, psychopath, racist, and cannibal, butchers former slave Emmeline Ronaghan. Captain Philip Daweson, pays with his life, but is unable to prevent the murder of the woman he loves. Major Obadiah O’Dale kills the colonel and cleans up the mess.
In 1905, 1945, and 1985, descendants of the original four players re-enact the events with the same tragic results.
Imagine Somewhere in Time with lots of blood.
Having started early, will the scenario play out again, or can the cycle of death be stopped? And is everyone who they think they are?
With a violent paranormal romance and a female protagonist desperate to change her fate, this supernatural horror book will leave readers captivated by its dark and tragic love story.

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