EXCLUSIVE OFFER JUST FOR THE READERS OF THIS BLOG!! LIMITED TIME ONLY GET MY LATEST BOOK FREE!!!!
Use the code JU56N at checkout
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1083737
Details
Editor: David Steffen
Open for Submissions: First 2 Weeks of August
Pay: 10 cents per word
Word range: max 3,500
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Diabolical Plots is a SWFA-qualifying market that buys speculative fiction that leans towards startling, odd, and interesting. If you have a character-driven story with a strong inner and outer arc, this maybe a good place to submit.
Submission Hints
The editor, David Steffen, advises writers to be wary of being wordy. Tight concise prose that gives you everything you need to understand the story without overstaying its welcome, relatable characters, cool speculative ideas, all written very tightly. You don’t have many words, there is no space to waste.” The website says they are looking for: “Speculative fiction–science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Everything should have a speculative element–that includes horror. Feel free to mix in other genres at will–a fantasy mystery or a science fiction romance. And yes, we really mean it has to have a speculative element. If you submit a serial killer story with only mundane elements, even though that could be a horror story it’s not a speculative horror story and it will be rejected regardless of quality. • Things that we tend to really like: • Weird fiction • Sense of wonder • Strong character and plot arcs • Strong world-building, hinting at more to see around the edges of the story • Philosophical food-for-thought • Straightforward, easily readable style • Religion, where the story does not try to convert the reader, nor does the story demonize religion • Platonic friendship between men and women”
Sample Rejection
I am planning to submit my story about an iguana and a magical realism adventure this go around. Here is rejection I've received in the past. “Thank you for allowing us to read your story, "The Patron Saint of Livestock". Unfortunately, we are not accepting your story. Please excuse this form letter. It is not a reflection on your submission--we would love to give personal responses to every submission, but can only afford to do so for a small subset to keep response times down. (Reading on mobile devices has helped keep response times short, but the slowness of touch-screen typing makes personal notes more difficult).”
Flash Fiction
cosmic horror monthly
Details
MICROMADNESS
Submission: Ongoing first week of every month, starting this August
Editor: Charles Tyrar
Pay: $100 first place $50 2nd place
Word range: 500 or less
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
We are looking for flash fiction (500 words or less) that can be classified as cosmic horror, dark science fiction, or weird. If you are unsure if your work qualifies, submit it and let us be the judge!
Submission Hints
Most types of horror are welcome but we do prefer the work have a science fiction or otherwise cosmic philosophical leaning. If you aren’t sure if your work qualifies, submit it and we can decide. No subject is off-limits and we do encourage writers to try and push the status quo. A writer may submit as many stories as they like, but please only submit a single story once and please only submit one story per email. Every email will be checked!
My Insight
I just discovered this market and sent in my first story this month.
Flash Fiction & Essays
The antihumanist
Details
ISSUE #2
Open for submissions: until September 1st
Pay:5 cents per word
Word range: max 1000
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? no
Description
We seek to publish the most challenging and thought provoking flash fiction and essays. We believe only by confronting the bare bones of reality we understand our place in the world. ANTIHUMANISM? Humanism is a stance that centres the values and agency of humans. Therefore, antihumanism should negate this – a rejection of humans as the measuring stick for the rest of being. Antihumanism is not necessarily the same as crude misanthropy – the hatred of humans. Yet, some who fall under its banner would consider human existence, on the balance of things, a bad thing and advocate for voluntary extinction. Others find the deconstruction of human essentialism liberating, finding opportunities as traditional values and natures collapse. This includes posthumanists and transhumanists, imagining new futures liberated from frailty and mortality. Yet, we argue the most significant impact of antihumanism is the critique of enlightenment prejudices. The creeping suspicion our values and goals are naught but petty bias, that universality, progress, and rationality are phantoms. Many explore the themes of antihumanism, from fiction authors like Lovecraft and Ligotti to philosophers like Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Foucault. These writers defy simple labels: existentialism, postmodernism, absurdism, pessimism, cosmicism, and nihilism. Their failures – including bigotry and myopia – are symbolic of human fallibility.
Submission Hints
LENGTH Fiction comes in all lengths, but we believe that the brevity is the soul of wit. Flash fiction, micro-fiction, short shorts and numerous other labels exist for the genre – and for us it means works 1000 words or less. GENRE We want fiction that challenges human centred narratives, that forces us to confront our place in the universe, that makes us question: Who are we? Why are we here? Is there a purpose? Historically, weird fiction has best captured this goal. However, we are willing to accept submissions from speculative, horror, and literary writers that meet the above criteria. LANGUAGE We only consider original works written in English. A translated version of a previously published story may be submitted as a reprint if you are the author or translator and have the rights to do so. WRITERS We want authors from all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, identity and biology. WHAT DON’T WE WANT? DEFINITE NO Poetry Resubmissions Works over 1000 words in length Feel good stories Moralist tirades Gore unrelated to plot Explicit sexual content Fan-fiction – the Cthulu mythos is fine but simply recreating Lovecraft should be avoided Works that promote sexist, racist or homophobic views This isn’t the provocative we are looking for These biases are just as human, and therefore as wrong, as humanist conceptions of progress and liberty These come with the added disadvantage of distracting us from the problems of humanism with petty tribalism This doesn’t mean that these views can’t be addressed – just not promoted HARD SELLS Fantasy Hypertext fiction Works comprised as a shopping list, a series of texts or emails
My Insights
I've never submitted to this market, and I just found them today on Duosoma. However, they look interesting and I like the pay scale. I sent them a piece about a woman contemplating what life is all about and how she numbs these unpleasant thoughts with alcohol.
Hard-boiled detectives in space
the astronaut only rings twice
Details
Tyche Books
Deadline August 31
$50 Can
Editors: Jeff Campbell and Shannon Allen
word range: 5000-7500
Simultaneous submissions?No
Reprints? No
Description
Crime is out there, finding hiding places in the folds of the universe. Laws are being broken by all manner of beings. Murder is sometimes the outcome of shady deals. Order needs to be brought to the chaos by beings who have the wit and nerve to do it. Sound like you? Tyche Books along with editors Jeff Campbell and Shannon Allen invite you to delve into the mash up world of the hard-boiled detective and science fiction in our anthology, The Astronaut Only Rings Twice. We are looking for stories that have the themes, characters and plot twists of noir crime fiction crossed with all the elements of science fiction. Let your inner Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Jonathan Lethem, Michael Chabon or Adam Christopher out and file your story with us.
Submission Hints
Tyche Books is a Canadian small-press specializing in science-fiction and fantasy anthologies, novels, and non-fiction, all available as ebooks and trade paperbacks. We crave innovative stories that push the boundaries of our imaginations. We want to discover new voices and propel established authors further along their journey. Our name “Tyche” (pronounced Tie-key) comes from the Greek goddess of fortune and prosperity. Tyche is also the name of the hypothetical gas planet in the Oort cloud. We felt it was the perfect balance of mythology and science, much like our press. Based out of Alberta, Canada, we are the new home of BOLD Science Fiction, Fantasy and related Non-Fiction.
Insights
Another new market. Oh... my brain is ticking with this one.
Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
Details
Editor: Sheree Renee Thomas
ONGOING
Pay: 8-12 cents per word
Word range: flash to 25,000
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
When it comes to helpful rejection letters, fast turnaround times, and a high-quality product, this is my favorite place to submit stories. The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is a Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) qualifying market based out of the United States. Founded in 1949, they produce six print issues a year. They are the original publishers of science fiction classics like Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” and Daniel Keyes’s “Flowers for Algernon”. I’ve sent them 14 stories and received a rejection for all of them. However, five of the rejection letters included detailed reasons why C.C. Finlay did not accept them. “The Last Ride,” “Camp Napanoo,” “The Versa Vice,” “The Writing Retreat,” and “The Patron Saint of Livestock,” all came back with thoughtful notes that helped me rewrite each tale and sell them to other markets. The new (and 10th) editor for 2021, Sheree Renee Thomas, is an award-winning Pushcart-nominated author. Her work is inspired by myth, folklore, and natural science. I look forward to reading her rejections and cross my fingers there may be an acceptance eventually. The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is frequently open to submissions and only close when they need to get on top of their slush pile.
Submission Hints
Fantasy & Science Fiction has no formula for fiction, but we like to be surprised by stories, either by the character insights, ideas, plots, or prose. The speculative element may be slight, but it should be present. We prefer character-oriented stories, whether it's fantasy, science fiction, horror, humor, or another genre
Sample Rejection
My most recent rejection: Thank you for giving me a chance to read "The Unwanted Woman of WASP-76b." I enjoyed your prose and voice, but unfortunately, this story didn't work as well for me as I'd hoped, and I'm going to pass on it for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. But I wish you best of luck finding the right home for it, and I hope you'll keep us in mind in the future for your other new stories. In the meantime, we all hope that you are staying safe and healthy.
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."
Fantasy & Dark Fantasy
fantasy magazine
Details
Editor-in-Chief: Arley Sorg
Open till August 7th
Pay: 8 cents per word
range: 1,500-7,500
Simultaneous submissions?No
Reprints? No
Description
Fantasy Magazine is a digital magazine focusing exclusively on the fantasy genre. In its pages, you will find all types of fantasy—dark fantasy, contemporary urban tales, surrealism, magical realism, science fantasy, high fantasy, folktales…and anything and everything in between.
Submission Hints
Fantasy is entertainment for the intelligent genre reader—we publish stories of the fantastic that make us think, and tell us what it is to be human.
Sample Rejection
I keep trying this magazine and no luck yet... but I will persist! last rejection: “Thank you for submitting "The Museum of The Lost People," but it didn't quite work for us. We hope you are able to place this one elsewhere.”
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. 🤞🏾
Gaslamp & Dreadpunk Gothic
deadsteam ii
Details
Deadline: August 16th
Editor: Bryce Raffle
Pay:$25 plus copy
word range: 2000-8000
Simultaneous submissions?yes
Reprints? Yes
Description
DeadSteam II is a collection of more gaslamp and dreadpunk stories, which embrace the Victorian gothic. In this edition, we’re really focusing on driving home the dread. We want your scariest, darkest stories that embrace the classic traditions of horror (monsters, gothic castles & haunted houses, dark and stormy nights, foggy walks through gas-lit cobblestone streets) but pair them with modern sensibilities and pacing.
Submission Hints
Your tale should include at least one monstrous or undead creature, be it a werewolf, a ghost, a witch, a zombie, or something along those lines, and should take place in or before the Victorian era. Bear in mind, this isn’t a typical steampunk anthology, so the cogs and gears should be used sparingly, if at all. I want your chilling tales of haunted London, your ghastly stories of bloodthirsty murderers lurking in gaslit alleyways, your suspenseful tales of dead things coming back to life to consume the blood of the living.
Insights
This is a new listing for me. Looks like so much fun!
Humour
Last girls club
Details
Submissions Open: Till August 10
Editor in chief: Eda Obey
Pay: $20
word range: 2500 or less
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
From the website: Welcome intrepid writer, I created this space for problematic fiction. It’s fearless, feminine, sometimes fairy-tale based, and usually ends with blood. My heroines are flawed, angry, not interested in being loved, and not afraid to get ugly. Fierce. You don’t have to identify as female to submit to us, but you best come proper. You’re in the halls of the goddess. Remember that.
Submission Hints
I want stories from the female gaze (think Aliens, Resident Evil, Hereditary, Tank Girl). I’m tired of reading what men want to do to us. I want to read what we want to do to them. Bring me smart female protagonists whose first inclinations are not to seduce the guard to get out of situations; they’ve got skills, they can get violent easily. I’m fine with them developing over the course of the story into someone like that, but please don’t revert to clichés unless you have your tongue firmly in your cheek. Please don’t use graphic rape for fridging purposes. If it’s part of a character’s backstory or development, fine, but don’t shoot the damn dog just to piss off your main character. My focus is horror, supernatural, and creeping dread. I’m not averse to extreme/slasher horror. I always love a bit of sci-fi or dystopia, but it’s not our focus, so if it’s your venue, make it scary. If you spackle a layer of women’s issues into it, even better; disenfranchisement, slut-shaming, trans violence, racism, misogyny, sex work exploitation, inequitable emotional work and housework, whatever exists in this world that pisses you off, feel free to put a metaphorical ax between its eyebrows.
My Insights
Just found this market and happy to submit my Dolores story (rejected up above) as soon as I follow the suggestions of the Dream of Shadows editor!
Details
WINTER HORROR ISSUE
Deadline: August 15th
Editor: Sean Clancy
Pay: 2 cents per word
range: 2000-6000
Simultaneous submissions?Yes
Reprints? No
Closes June 13th
Description
It’s baaaaaaaaaaaack… Rising from the grave like an unstoppable masked slasher, it’s the Planet Scumm Winter Horror Issue. Autumn may be the more traditional time for things creepy and crawly, but we think horror, like revenge, is best served cold. (We also think revenge is best served à la carte, and that revenge pairs well with a nice stout. Maybe some cider.) Here’s how it works: all of our normal submission guidelines apply (see below), with the additional caveat that stories should include horror in addition to speculative/sci-fi themes. We’d also love to see submissions that work in wintery content—snowstorms, isolation, ritual, family, and so on.
Submission Hints
“On Planet Scumm, we want to read stories that are different and unexpected. Stories that introduce new ideas, or that look at old ideas with a fresh perspective. They are looking for: Hard sci-fi, soft sci-fi, sci-fi that melts in your mouth-brain not your hand-brain. Speculative fiction, weird fiction, slipstream Basically anything that pleases Scummy, our megaphone-toting slime buddy, will be considered for entry to the interstellar archive aboard Scummy’s saucer.”
My Experience with Them
They actually were holding my story "A Deadful Friday the 13th" for consideration when I withdrew it after having it accepted by Creepy Pod. Very enjoyable to correspond with them.
Clean Fantasy & Science Fiction
deep magic is closing...
Details
Deep Magic E-zine founder, Jeff Wheeler, and our Managing Editor, Brendon Taylor announce Deep Magic’s closure. We have loved working on every single issue. A big thank you to our Board of Directors and our First Readers and, of course, our *readers* and the amazing authors whom we have had the pleasure of working with! We appreciate you all so very much. Jeff and Brendon talk more about the decision why and share insights on what to expect. (hint: The 2nd anthology and summer issue are still in the works!). Deep Magic has been a labor of love, so it’s a sad day for us. But we love our fans and wanted to let you know what’s going on.
My Insights
I've sent MANY stories to Deep Magic. They have all been rejected. However, they get back to you in a reasonable time, and I love the look/feel/mission statement of this publication. I'm sad to hear another magazine is shutting down.
This tattoo might get you laid...
The latest episode of Read Me A Nightmare tells the story of a cursed tattoo with some hilarious twists, plus an interview with one of the best voice talents in the business. Enjoy!
