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Speculative Flash Fiction
the arcanist
Details
Editor: Patrick Morris
Open for submissions:ongoing
Pay:10 cents per word
Word range: max 1000
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
The Arcanist is an interesting venue for short fiction. They pay well and publish content on a bi-weekly basis (every Friday). From the website: “We strongly believe that fantasy and sci-fi are two of the most important genres in the literary world, helping us escape to distant lands, reflect on our shared humanity, and gaze into the future. We want to provide readers snippets of the genres they love and we want to give writers of these genres a paid place to publish their work. (That’s right, we pay you.)”
Submission Hints
The very best SFF stories combine imaginative world-building elements with hardened, time-honored storytelling techniques, which is obviously a lot easier said than done (especially in under 1K words!). We get a lot of stories that have a great premise or an imaginative world where we find ourselves in awe that someone actually thought them up. Then you get through the piece and there’s no character growth, no choices being made, no movement, and those are vital for a story of any genre to succeed. A good story will have active characters, a fully constructed plot, etc. A good SFF story will have all of the elements that make a lit fiction story tick plus fantastic elements that dazzle us. It’s a delicate balance!”
My Insights
I’ve submitted five stories here and received my rejections in good time (less than a month). Here is the typical letter I’ve received: “Thanks for giving us the chance to read The Foreign Student. After careful consideration, we are unfortunately going to pass at this time. If you have other works that you think might be a good fit for The Arcanist, we encourage you to submit them through our Google form. We look forward to reading more of your work in the future and hope that this piece finds a home as well.” I self-published “The Foreign Student” as “The Lore of Lust” after failing to find it a home. I currently have a story in right now called "Dolores and the Dark Dilemma. 🤞🏾
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror
Dream of shadows
Details
Editor Felipe Lichtenheld
Submission Open Now
Pay: Approximately $25 US
Word range: 1,500max
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
Dream of Shadows comes from the city of Jack the Ripper (London, England) and wants to offer readers: honest and daring stories - stories of struggle, stories without happy endings, where the two not-so-sexy leads don't fall in love simply because they have to.” One short story is featured on the website every month. The website says: “We're not too fond of science-fiction. While we will sometimes consider stories of something coming down to Earth from another planet if the focus is horror or fantasy, we're not really looking for space adventures. We particularly like honest and daring stories with strong characters pursuing goals, although we recognize that if a story is good, it's good. We're realists, so we don't need a happy ending. Send us those stories that other publishers rejected because they were too dark. Having said that, we don't want stories with gratuitous and/or over-the-top sex, violence or swearing. And it should go without saying, but we won't allow discrimination either. On a similar note, we're also not very fond of preachy stories, where one character explains to another how terrible humans are. We get it, people suck.”
Submission Hints
The editor provides extra tips of what he is looking for: Stuff we like : • a good old tale of a character who wants something and tries to get it, meeting obstacles along the way • prose that grabs us and moves us and makes us feel for and with the character • supernatural elements. While we personally like a good serial killer or coming-of-age story, Dream of Shadows is all about that supernatural stuff • Stuff we're not too fond of • stories where the character doesn't want anything or woe-is-me stories where the character spends most of the time complaining, without doing anything to change it • second-person narration. It just sounds too much like meditation tapes or choose-your-own-adventure games to us. Sorry • pieces that are too experimental, like stream-of-consciousness stories or stories told from really odd points of view (like a flower or a walking stick) or stories that are basically just descriptions • romance. We don't mind if love or a relationship is used to drive inner conflict, as long as it's not the focus of the story.”
My Insights
I’ve submitted six stories to this market (including one two days ago - and have received standard rejection letters either on the same day, or at most, in a day or two. The last letter was my best one yet with some advice. Felipe is now one of my favorite editors (next to the ones who actually publish my work, lol.). "Thank you for submitting your story, DOLORES AND THE DARK DILEMMA, to Dream of Shadows. Unfortunately, we have decided not to publish it. We would have wanted to see a stronger motivation for her to make for a good dilemma. What is at stake (other than her looks) if she doesn't feed? We also thought that Doug was a little too vile. He needed something redeeming to make it a real dilemma. A choice between two equally bad things would have heightened the internal conflict. We would have wanted more consistency or clarity with the hands. Were they mouths with teeth or suction pads? The image seems to change, and perhaps it might be best to describe them early and more clearly. She also seems to be able to see the holes in her hands before she takes off her pink gloves. We also weren't sure why she would need a mouth or suction pad in her tongue? Isn't that what the mouth is for? Or does she not feed through normal channels anymore? This is, of course, our personal opinion, and other publishers might read it differently. We certainly wish you best success selling this story in the future."
Science Fiction - LIFE IS BEYOND US
European astrobiology institute
Details
PERIODICAL
Open for submissions: July 1 - August 20
Editor: JULIE NOVAKOVA
Pay: 8 cents per word
Word range: 12,000 max
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Life Beyond Us, a new anthology by the European Astrobiology Institute and Laksa Media, depicts the timeless quest for finding alien life in 22 science fiction stories and 22 short science essays and has just started its Kickstarter campaign. Its goal is to publish brilliant science fiction by authors such as Mary Robinette Kowal or Peter Watts and support science understanding and critical thinking. Science fiction has always been inspired by science and inspired scientists in turn. Its power of imagination and use of narrative, as well as its popularity, make the genre especially suited for raising interest in science. Life Beyond Us aims to achieve this with a unique approach of merging together original science fiction stories revolving around astrobiology, written by world SF authors, and engaging essays by scientists tailored to each story’s topic, answering some burning questions and leaving some open for science yet to discover and science fiction to explore. The story-essay combination blends entertainment and scientific knowledge to arouse curiosity and a deeper interest in science, carrying the reader to the boundary between science and science fiction. Effective science communication and critical thinking support are more than essential in today’s world, and projects such as Life Beyond Us seek to fulfill these complex goals and entertain at the same time.
Submission Hints
We love a well-written brainy piece as well as a clever space adventure, experimental as well as classic styles, action-focused pieces or deep character dives. We welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds, life stages, nationalities, and phases of their career, and we encourage submissions by underrepresented communities. We certainly welcome translations. Hard sells would be stories with overt fantasy elements (we love fantasy, but it doesn’t fit in the scope of this anthology; however, clever SF horror without supernatural elements is welcome), erotica, gore, overt violence, or copies of aliens from other SF. Life Beyond Us already contains stories tackling planetary protection, life on Titan and carbon planets, stellar-based life, the deep hot biosphere, exoplanet detection and SETI, so these would be harder sells as well, unless the story is very innovative and different from the already-included pieces.
My Insights
I've submitted a story here this month...
Science Fiction with Spiritualism
air & Nothingness press
Details
Anthology: Spirit Machine
Editor: Todd Saunders
Pay: 8 cents per word
word range: 1,500-3,500
Simultaneous submissions?No
Reprints? No
June 1- July 31
Description
Spirit Machine is seeking stories that drift in alternate realities of Spirit Machine, and anthology that merges Science Fiction with Spiritualism and/or a dash of Steampunk. Theme Seance Fiction – A mashup of Spiritualism (seances, ouiji/spirit boards, kirlian auras, discarnated entities, ghost talking) and Science Fiction and/or Steampunk genres. Be wild, take chances, submit stories that are left of center. Show us your fireworks! Stories must combine elements of both Spiritualism and Science Fiction/Steampunk SF. No fantasy stories, no standalone ghost stories, no SF without aspects of Spiritualism.
Submission Hints
Don't make the same mistake I did! Spiritualism is not the same as Spirituality. I sent in a fantasy story with religious undertones. What is really amazing it the editor took the time to get back to me personally and let me know I'd misinterpreted the guidelines. Kudos to Todd Saunders. Sometimes I get discouraged by form rejections, but Saunders has renewed my faith! Or should I say, my belief in alternate positive realities?
Correspondence from Saunders
How nice for an editor to get back to me (quickly) letting me know I missed the mark! I'm working on a story now that might actually fit the bill. "One quick note - judging by a brief summary reading, you may have confused Spiritualism (communicating with the dead, seances, ouija boards etc..) with Spirituality (religion). From the submission page (http://aanpress.com/submissions.html) I am looking for stories that combine elements of both Spiritualism and Science Fiction/Steampunk SF. No fantasy stories, no standalone ghost stories, no SF without aspects of Spiritualism.
Dark Literary Fiction
34 Orchard
Details
Editor: Kristi Peterson Schoonover
Open for submissions: July 1-31
Pay $50
Word range: 1,000-7500
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? no
Description
Kristi Peterson Schoonover has been one of my most amazing finds in my exploration of speculative fiction. She has given me exceptional advice and has taken the time to communicate personally. Schoonover says: “There are two types of writing that I really love. Literary stories with prose that takes your breath away and transports you into another world. Then I also love to be scared, made uncomfortable and sometimes even shocked. 34 Orchard is a new literary on-line journal that combines both.”
Submission Hints
The website defines what they publish: “At 34 Orchard, we like dark, intense pieces that speak to a deeper truth. We’re not genre-specific; we just like scary, disturbing, unsettling, and sad. We like things we can’t put down and things that make us go “wow” when we’ve finished. But our main goal here at 34 Orchard is to publish the stuff we like to read, and you’re not in our heads. So, don’t over think it. Just submit. We are an international journal and welcome submissions from everyone, all over the world.”
My Insights
Though I haven’t sold her any stories yet, she has taken the time to give me thoughtful advice. She even did some editing and plot suggestions for two of my pieces she rejected. I’ve submitted to 34 Orchard four times. “A Melody for Measure”, “The Foreign Student”, “The Black Hole of Enlightenment” and “Shafted” have all been turned down. I asked her if I could resubmit "The Foreign Student” after I’d done some extensive editing on it and she replied: “Actually, the reason we passed on this story didn't have anything to do with its quality (as is the case with most stories--many times, the reason the story doesn't get picked up for a publication has to do with that particular publication's vision). I enjoyed this story, but it's just not quite the "vibe" I'm looking for for 34 Orchard, and if you asked me exactly what that was, I couldn't tell you. I just know it when I see it. So, re-submitting it, in this case, won't make a difference. Most editors, when they love a story, will take it even if it has a few issues; these are things that can be worked on in the editing process. I'm sure the improvements you made are fantastic! It should now have a better shot at a different publication. I wish you the best of luck! You can feel free to submit a different story any time during our open call.” I self-published “A Melody for Measure” and “The Foreign Student”. She gives some great insight in her interview with me for Horrortree.
Horror
jolly horror press
Details
Pay: see website
Open for submissions: JULY
Word range: 1000- 5,000
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
In “Executive Dread” we seek stories of workplace horror. We've all had the terrible boss. Also, the great boss, but the corporate creeps atop him or her that drop all the bullshit. The crazy coworker. The obsessed client. The workplace farter who coughs all over everything. The theft of your food from the office refrigerator. There are a million more things. We seek stories that take place at the office. Before many of us started working from home due to COVID-19. That’s a whole other anthology. Please no stories focusing solely on sexual harassment or discrimination. Those are troubling real-life work horror stories, but not ones we want to feature in this anthology.
Submission Hints
Here are a couple of tips to put your story in better position to be accepted. 1. Fit the theme. Office. Horror. Scare us and make us wanna retire immediately. 2. Be within our word count guidelines (for “Executive Dread”, 2000 to 5000) or query us for shorter/longer. 3. No matter how good your story is, if it hasn't been edited, there is a big chance we won't accept it. In the past, we've accepted stories that needed a lot of editing work, but it took so much effort to make them presentable. We aren't doing that anymore. If within a page or two of reading the story we find a bunch of editing issues, it's going to be rejected. 4. Be unique. No matter what the theme of the anthology is, you should always be unique. If it's a stalker anthology for example, and your ex or some guy you work with is your stalker, it's trite. If your grandma is stalking your fiancée, well, that's unique. 5. At Jolly Horror Press, we prefer subtle horror. We generally don't like gruesome and overly bloody stuff. If someone is getting hacked to bits in your story, it's probably not for us. 6. We seriously still get racist/sexist/anti-gay stuff. Don't send us this stuff. 7. If there is any kind of animal killing or torture, not for us. We want old cat ladies to enjoy our work too. 8. Surprise us! 9. We love new and unpublished authors, provided you can follow 1-8.
My Insights
I've had two stories published by Jolly Horror Press, and IMO they are my favorite publishers in the horror genre. Jonathan Lambert rejected the first three stories I sent him, but he encouraged me to keep trying and gave me a few hints on how to make my stories work for his anthologies. He bought "Inked" for Accursed. Autumn Miller recently came onboard as a First Reader for Jolly Horror and she is fantastic to work with. Instead of rejecting my last story outright, she told me it was "almost" there and encourage me to rewrite the ending, which then led to another acceptance. You can hear "The Golden Falcon"performed by one of the best voiced in the business along with an EXCLUSIVE interview with Jonathan with some amazing hints to help you sell Jolly Horror your story.
Science Fiction Flash
Nature Futures
Details
PERIODICAL
Deadline: Ongoing
Pay:$130 per story
Word range: 850-950 max
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
Futures is a venue for very short stories or ‘vignettes’ of between 850 and 950 words. The subject is typically near-future, hard SF, although this can be interpreted liberally. In short, what Futures is looking for is originality. To this end it is advisable to read as many previous Futures as you can, as stories that repeat themes already dealt with extensively are less likely to be considered than those that do something new and different. Futures does not consider reprints of stories previously published elsewhere.
Submission Hints
OK. Take a seat. This won’t take long. Don’t worry about the alien, he always does that when he sees strangers, it doesn’t stain. I’m afraid I can’t offer you any refreshments — the service droid blew a fuse last week and the spare part is stuck on a shuttle somewhere between here and Titan. But, as I say, this won’t take long. If you’re sure you wish to send a story to the orbiting station that is the Futures submissions hub, it’s probably easiest if I upload the instructions via the mind link. Ah. Unusual. OK. Well, in that case I will have to spell out the protocols the old-fashioned way. The very first rule is, I’m afraid, prepare to be disappointed. This is not a bad thing, but as for any science-fiction outlet, Futures can publish only a limited selection of the stories we receive, so rejection is part of the process (and it is honestly no more fun to issue a rejection than it is to receive one). The second rule is that contributions to Futures are welcome from absolutely anyone, irrespective of whether they are writing their first story, or are professional or published authors. There are, of course, some basic requirements, so here are some frequently asked questions:
My Insights
I've never submitted to this market before, but look at the pay scale! I definitely want to check this zine out.
Horror/Science Fiction/Supernatural
The periodical, forlorn
Details
Theme Moonlighting
Deadline: Sept 2
Pay:$15 per story
Word range: 6,000 max
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
They say crime doesn't pay, but does evil? Do vampires, werewolves and other agents of mischief have to take on odd jobs to pay the bills? What about those who serve them? For this issue, we're looking for stories about agents of evil and their minions whose employment situation is something other than we might expect.
Submission Hints
Will you accept stories that contain gore, violence, sex and swearing? Yes, if its integral to the story. We know fiction sometimes need to take us uncomfortable places in order to make its point. So, we're open to things of a graphic nature if they in some way contribute significantly to the story. We will not accept these things if they're simply gratuitous. How about stories that contain hate? Yes, if its integral to the story and is used to make a point. For example, we will not publish anything that glorifies Nazism. But we will consider something that depicts Nazi brutality and ideology if it does so in order to dismantle it. Please do not send us stories that use the coronavirus as a source of conflict or that turn recognizable political figures (we don't care from which party) into villains. We think this is lazy writing and will not publish them.
My Insights
I've one rejection from this market.
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