Contests & Paying Submissions. (Anthologies coming. Forgive the lateness—I’ve had a hell of a year thus far.)
[Disclaimer: All articles, contests, and info listed were obtained from the World Wide Web. Opinions or tips are not necessarily shared by Yours Truly. I am not responsible for misinformation or scam artists. Be wary. Use this information at your own risk!]
CONTESTS
Gathering new information. Stay tuned.
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SUBMISSIONS (Paying Markets)
Allegory tri-annual online on-line magazine of SF, fantasy, and horror. We’re looking for good, solid fiction. We specialize in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. We will consider other genres, such as humor or general interest, provided that the work possesses an original, “quirky” slant in the Northern Exposure, Ally McBeal vein. Pay: $15 flat rate. Check http://www.allegoryezine.com/submissions.htm for information on non-fiction and book review submissions, submission periods, submission lengths, and publishing schedule.
Albedo One, in Dublin, Ireland. Our definition of what constitutes SF, horror and fantasy is extremely broad and we love to see material which pushes at the boundaries. We will read all short story submissions, but our preferred length is 2500-8000 words. Response time variable-mostly between two and four months. Stories must be previously unpublished. We are also want interviews with high profile authors, media personalities and for book reviews. Pay: 3 euro per 1000 words. Also consider entering our new short fiction contest, the Aeon Award, with a grand prize of 1000 euro and publication in Albedo One. Go to http://www.albedo1.com/html/writers_guidelines.html additional information.
Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. Although we’re based in Australia, we welcome submissions from all countries. We submit every issue to reviewers at Locus, Asimovs, Tangent, IROSF, The Fix, and more, and also to several Year’s Best anthologies. We’re reviewed regularly by many of them. We accept science fiction, fantasy, and horror works up to 10,000 words in length. Up to 20,000 words from subscribers and authors resident in Australia and New Zealand. See additional guidelines for poetry, articles, reprints, and artwork. Go to http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/submissions.htm for a lot more information on payments, submission periods, etc. And don’t forget to check our Hints and Tips page.
Birkensnake is an irregularly-published, imperfectly-bound collection of fiction. Fiction! Paper! Staples! It is exactly what you want in your lifeboat. We are looking for narrative and quasi-narrative work that creates its own logic. We’d like to see narrative taken apart and then reassembled into something almost, but not quite, what it was before. If the story gets sort of broken in the process, that’s okay with us. Word count: any length (total count of the issue will be about 30,000-40,000 words). Response time should be less than two months. Publication in spring or early summer. Go to http://www.birkensnake.com/submit.html for additional info.
Bust Down the Door and Eat All the Chickens: A journal of absurd and surreal fiction. We are seeking stories of an absurdist and surrealist nature. Stories should be between 2000 and 5000 words, and should not fit comfortably within any genre. We have peculiar tastes and recommend that you read an issue before sending in your work (issue 7 is a free PDF). We prefer humorous stories where impossible things happen. It must be able to grab our attention from the very first line. Pay: $10 and one contributor’s copy. Response time: 6 weeks or less. Please check the website http://www.absurdistjournal.com/guidelines.htm for what we are not looking for, and additional information.
CharacterS ~ Kids Short Story Outlet. Thank you for your interest in Characters magazine (spin-off of PEEKS & valleys Fiction Journal). Each quarterly issue (October, December, February and April) contains genres in a wide range of themes including mystery, history, comedy, fantasy/sci-fi, romance, nature. We accept submissions from all, but when space is limited, give preference to works written by children and teens. Maximum length: 2000 words. Original artwork by kids also considered. Pay: $5 and one contributor copy. Go to http://www.cdavisnh.com/ for more info.
Chick Flicks, an e-zine that fills a void in publishing. We’re looking for well-written stories and essays that are moody, dark, real, gritty. Stories about internal conflict juxtaposed against external demands, about real life people coming to terms–good or bad–with themselves and their choices. You don’t have to be a woman to submit to Chick Flicks; your characters need not even be women. Think eclectic creativity. Please read our current issue and archived issues to get a feel for our tastes. We nominate up to four stories a year for the Pushcart Prize. Go to http://www.chickflicksezine.com/guidelines2.html for guidelines on fiction, non-fiction, art, publishing dates, and payment information.
Crimewave. It is strongly recommended that you study the magazine before submitting. We are always open to submissions of new crime and mystery stories of up to about 10,000 words in length. Overseas submissions should be disposable and accompanied by two IRCs or an email address which we’ll use to reply. All submissions must be in hard copy only. Never send simultaneous submissions, multiple submissions or reprints. We are not currently looking for any non-fiction or artwork. Where to send your stories: Snail mail: Crimewave, TTA Press, 5 Martins Lane, Witcham, Ely, Cambs CB6 2LB, UK. Website: http://ttapress.com/187/crimewave-contributors-guidelines/
Crime and Suspense. We are interested in reviews, articles about writing, short stories, and flash fiction. If you want to write a review or article instead of a story, it needs to focus on writing, crime, suspense, or mystery fiction, or authors in these genres. Hard-boiled detective stuff is fine; so are cozy mysteries. Best bet: query us about it first, before you write it. Flash fiction: $5 per story. Short story: $10 per story. Original audio short stories: $15 per story. Check the web at http://www.crimeandsuspense.com/ for important guidelines and more information.
Dark Energy Speculative Fiction. We’re looking for wild stories that cross genres, and that are profoundly original. Give us character-driven fiction that gives us a sense of wonder. We’re looking for a positive message, or at the very least, something that doesn’t promote nihilism. We don’t mind eroticism as long as it’s not pornography. NO horror or dark fiction. No flash fiction or novellas. Pay: $20 flat fee. Visit http://www.darkenergysf.com/ for more information. Good luck!
Darwin’s Evolutions, a Journal of Speculative Fiction. Published monthly. Additional content is added on a weekly basis between main issues. The webzine is provided free of charge but requires user registration to access. We welcome: new sci-fi or fantasy stories; genre-bending works welcome too. Previously published stories. Cover art. New serial graphic novel stories. Non-fiction in terms of genre-relevant commentary and reviews. Review requests. Submission period: January-November, closed in December. 1st Issue Debut: May 2008. Go to http://www.darwinsevolutions.com/subs.html for more info.
Dreams & Visions. No literary genre is excluded from consideration. Shake us up and rattle our old bones! We publish a wide variety of short fiction 2000-6000 words in length-meta-fiction, science fiction, romance, humor, fantasy, magic realism, as well as mainstream stories of a contemporary or inspirational nature. We prefer stories that lift up, rather than tear down. Our organization is based on orthodox Biblical interpretations of spirituality, but we won’t consider rehashed Bible stories in modern or ancient garb. Give us something we’ve never seen before; portray spiritual truths in new, innovative or unique ways. Pay: 1 cent per word, max $50. Go to http://ca.geocities.com/stanton34@rogers.com/submit.htm for additional information.
The Edge of Propinquity call for submissions. Your story must be an original, unpublished 2000-6000 word, stand-alone short story not based in any of the other Edge of Propinquity story worlds. The theme for this year is “Retaliation,” and should encompass and expand on the previous two years’ themes (Revelations, and Consequences). The setting is a modern day story focusing on a character deep within the hidden world that surrounds mundane society. $50 flat fee per story. Please go to http://www.edgeofpropinquity.net/library.asp?id=61 for important guidelines.
Escape Velocity seeks hard science fiction stories with a slant toward the future human condition, or stories with future science as a main theme, or a theme in sci-fi that has not been done previously. We like time travel stories if they are original, and straight adventure stories of space exploration, discovery, or invention. Please see website for what we DON’T and DO like, and for info for US and foreign resident authors. Length: 1000-5000 words. Go to http://www.escapevelocitymagazine.com/ for additional information.
Flashquake. An independent, quarterly, web-based publication that focuses on works of flash fiction, flash non-fiction (memoirs, essays, creative NF, humor), short poetry, and art. Prose: 1000 word limit. Poetry: 35 lines max. See website for publication schedule for spring, summer, winter, and fall issues, in-depth information on guidelines, deadlines, and payment. Visit http://www.flashquake.org/guidelines.html .
The Asylum is currently looking for flash fiction (1000 words or less), short fiction (1001-10,000 words), and poetry (no length requirements). Flash and short fiction should be some form of speculative fiction-sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or just plain strange. Humor is a definite plus. Poetry should be interesting; free verse is preferred, but we judge more on creativity and enjoyment than anything else. See website for what we don’t want. Generally 4 to 6 weeks response time to submissions. Go to http://www.fromtheasylum.com/subguidelines.htm for payment and more information.
The Harrow seeks stories, poems, and art that fall within the fantasy and supernatural horror genres. Horror implies that a work evokes an emotion such as apprehension, dread, anxiety, and fear; it need not shock or disgust. If it evokes a quieter sense of the eerie or uncanny, it still counts as horror. Check website for guidelines before submitting your manuscript. $5 for all stories. $3 for all poems. The Harrow is currently only considering works of short story length or less. Query the fiction or poetry editor for longer works. Go to http://www.theharrow.com/journal/index.php/journal/index for more info.
HUNGUR, by Sam’s Dot Publishing. An 8 ½ by 11 magazine devoted to original vampire stories, poems, and illustrations, published twice a year. We are looking for original works in a rich, decadent, literary artery…er, vein. Blood may be drunk, sucked, siphoned, or otherwise imbibed, but that drinking is only tangential. The successful HUNGUR story considers motivations of the vampire and his or her victims and pursuers. The really really successful HUNGUR story deals with ALIEN or EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL vampires, in whatever form, and their relationships, or lack thereof, with Earthlings. For in-depth examples, plus response times and payment, see our site. Length: 1500-4000 words. Poems: 100 lines max. Illustrations: B/W. Cover illustrations: color or B/W. Go to http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/guidelines.htm for more.
Hypersonic Tales submission guidelines. Quarterly webzine; sf/f/h/mys & children’s fiction (fic/nonfic/art). Please paste all story submissions onto our submission form. Magazine will be read by a general audience, therefore explicit content may not be suitable. Length: 1000-5000 words. “Launch Pad” submissions, for people ages 16 and under, should be 1000 words or less. We also accept cartoon or comic strip-style submissions for this feature. We also accept cover art submissions. Go to http://www.hypersonictales.com/guidelines.html for more suggestions and information.
Labyrinth Inhabitant Magazine is looking to publish well-written fiction dealing with characters who find themselves trapped in ancient, labyrinthine and/or baffling artificial environments. Relevant articles and poetry are also welcome. It’s my hope that by focusing on a very specific theme, Labyrinth Inhabitant authors will create a dialogue with each other through their stories and perhaps make some original observations about humanity’s relationship with our increasingly artificial world. $10 for short stories over 1,500 words, $20 over 5,000 words, and $5 for poetry, articles and short-shorts. For more info, go to http://www.labyrinthinhabitant.com/submissions.html .
Lovecraft’s Weird Mysteries. A digest-sized (5.5″ x 8.5″) print magazine dedicated to classic horror, supernatural and weird fiction primarily inspired by the pulp tradition and it’s master, Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Published 2-3 times per year. Sample copies available. LWM is a paying market; approximately 12 manuscripts are accepted throughout a calendar year. Original manuscripts up to 5000 words. Reprints considered, but not usually accepted. Go to http://www.ralan.com/sfpay/listings/lovecraf.htm for additional guidelines and information.
The Nautilus Engine. We tend to publish stories with some element of speculation. This includes, but is not limited to: science-fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, flash-fiction or any melding of these. If it’s interesting, we’ll read it. If it has some element you can’t find in today’s world, we’ll probably like it even more. Mostly, we want to give a damn about the character and be interested in what happens next. Length: 1000-6000 words, but will consider shorter or longer. The Nautilus Engine puts out a new issue each Quarter. (March 31st, June 30th, Sep 30th, Dec 31st.) Go to http://rnwrrn.googlepages.com/guidelines for more details.
Noneuclidean Café is open to any well-written short fiction. We are particularly attracted to literary uses of the genre. Think of what Dostoevsky did with the mystery story in The Brothers Karamazov, or the science fiction writing of Stanislaw Lem. Think of the horror stories Kafka wrote. Please check out What We Are Looking For, Suggested Reading, and our editor’s blog, Slushpile Musings. 6000 words max. Query about a longer story. We are also open to graphic fiction, poetry, science writing, interviews and book reviews. Go to http://www.noneuclideancafe.com/guidelines.htm for payment and more information.
Nossa Morte. Must deal with the darker side of human nature. Fiction, 500-5000 words; payment $20-40. Will look at multiple art submissions; cover $25, interior $5. Interested in book, movie, and film reviews; no less than 250 words please. All reviews $5. Go to http://nossamorte.com/index.html for additional info.
Not One of Us is about people (or things) out of place in their surroundings, outsiders, social misfits, aliens in the SF sense-anyone excluded from society for whatever the reason. Although we’re known primarily as a horror market, we’d like Not One of Us to consider the problem of “otherness” from every possible fictional angle: horror, SF, slipstream, Western, mainstream, beat, whatever. We crave characters (human or otherwise) who are different and who act the way they do out of plausible (if occasionally insane) motives. We need not like a character, but we want to understand her/him/it. Avoied overused themes. Ideal length: 2000-5000 words, but shorter and longer works will also be considered. Go to http://not-one-of-us.com/guidelines.php
On Spec, the Canadian Magazine of the Fantastic. On Spec editors are looking for original, unpublished speculative fiction (SF) and poetry-fantasy, horror, ghost stories, fairy stories, magic realism, etc. We have published authors from Canada, the U.S., Britain, New Zealand, South America, and more. In order to qualify for grants, we do have to maintain 80% Canadian content, which means it may take longer (an issue or two) for a non-Canadian work to appear in the magazine than a Canadian work bought at the same time. DEADLINES: 28 February, 31 May, 31 August, & 30 November. Go to http://www.onspec.ca/ for more details.
Orb. Orb is looking for original Australian speculative fiction, fantasy, magical realism and non-realist fiction. Short stories are expected. Length: up to 15,000 words. Payment: A$30 per item. We strongly advise you to obtain a copy of the magazine or similar journal to acquaint yourself with the genre. See website for guidelines on other forms of fiction, non-fiction, and artwork. Go to http://www.ralan.com/sfpay/listings/orbspecu.htm for more information.
Reflection’s Edge. We accept sci-fi, fantasy, horror, erotica, adventure stories, westerns, magical realism, myths, fables, and faery tales, all original and previously unpublished. Typical length: 500-10,000 words. Unagented and unsolicited manuscripts welcome. Very open to new or unpublished authors. Will consider stories with illustrations (including comics or manga) as long as you query (text only) first. Up to 10 new stories published a month. Check the website for what we do not accept, payment, formatting, etc. Six non-fiction essays also published a month. Go to http://www.reflectionsedge.com/ for additional information.
Shimmer. What to send us: Unusual and beautifully-written speculative fiction stories with full plots and strong characters. The best way to understand what we are looking for is to read an issue of the magazine. We also recommend reading our What We Want page, which describes our preferences and expectations in detail. Length: under 5000 words. Query for anything longer. Pay: 1 cent per word, minimum $10, maximum $30 plus a copy of the issue. Check website for information on audio stories, non-fiction, and holiday stories. http://www.shimmerzine.com/ .
Sinister Tales. We are looking for the best unpublished literary horror and Gothic tales. Literary Horror, Terror, Gothic, Southern Gothic, Supernatural, Dark Fantasy, Dark Erotica. Think early Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Algernon Blackwood, H.P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, Ramsey Campbell, and the like. Profanity, sex, and blood are all fine, just make sure they fit with the story and are not just thrown in to be thrown in. Electronic submissions only. Go to http://darknessproductions.com/writing.htm for detailed guidelines and payment.
Space Westerns. First and foremost, we’re looking for works with themes from the Western genre set in outer space, or having some element of extra-terrestrial travel. This is the majority of the fiction that we publish. Our preference is to publish works that contain, in part, some form of off-earth travel. Think: Flash Gordon (comic, movie serial, and 1978 animated serial), Buck Rogers, Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica (both series), Firefly, Serenity, Mike Resnick’s Santiago, Ande Norton’s Beastmaster series, Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers, Bravestarr, Silverhawks, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Coyote Ragtime Show, and Trigun. Also, steam punk, weird west, feminist and minority themes. Also stories and articles, poetry, artwork, reviews, illustrated adventures and comics, ballads and radio-plays, moving pictures. Go to http://www.spacewesterns.com/submissions/ for more details and information.
The Willows. We are currently looking for short stories which would be told in a gentlemen’s lounge in turn-of-the-century London, or Dublin, or New York City, or Prague. Weird Fiction refers to a specific genre, and if this genre is one with which you are unfamiliar, we ask that you not submit here until you have become sufficiently familiar. For an overview of the Weird Fiction genre of literature, we highly recommend the book Supernatural Horror In Literature by H. P. Lovecraft. Check the site for What We Adore, What We Abhor, detailed guidelines and everything else you need. http://thewillowsmagazine.com/guidelines.htm . New and experienced authors welcome.
ZAHIR. We are looking for well crafted speculative fiction. This can include science fiction, fantasy, surrealism, magical realism, or something unclassifiable that we haven’t thought of yet. Most of the stories we choose lean toward the literary end of the spectrum. The best way to get a feel for what we’re after is to read a couple of recent issues or at least read the sample stories online. Stories can be any length up to 6000 words. Response time is 4-8 weeks. Payment is $10 and 2 contributors copies. Go to http://www.zahirtales.com/index.html for more information.
