HINT! CLICK ON PICTURE TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR EACH MARKET.
Fantasy & Science Fiction
uncanny
Details
Submissions Editor: Brahidaliz Martinez
Open Feb 1st to FLASH
Pay: 10 cents per word
Word range: 750-1499
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
Uncanny magazine specializes in stories that make you feel. Classifying itself as an on-line/eBook/podcast SF/F magazine, their cover art is breathtaking. It has won multiple Hugo Awards, a Parsec Award, and a British Fantasy Award. The two Editors-in-Chief; Lynne M. Thomas, and Michael Damian Thomas, have also won several Hugo Awards. It is a SFWA-qualified market. From the website: “Uncanny Magazine is an online Science Fiction and Fantasy magazine featuring passionate SF/F fiction and poetry, gorgeous prose, provocative nonfiction, and a deep investment in the diverse SF/F culture. Each issue contains intricate, experimental stories and poems with verve and imagination that elicit strong emotions and challenge beliefs, from writers of every conceivable background. Uncanny believes there’s still plenty of room in the genre for tales that make you feel.”
Submission Hints
Lynne M. Thomas (co-publisher & editor-in-chief) said in a reddit interview: “For me it's not necessarily about a kind of story, it's about how the kind of story is executed. I'm interested in stories that are inclusive of the gamut of the human experience, and I want to see a bit more whimsy.”
Sample Rejection
This is one of those career changing markets. I keep trying. I subbed in The Outlaw Genie, if its rejected, maybe my story about a barrel racing dragon?
Speculative Fiction
apparition lit
Details
Managing Editor: Tacoma Tomilson
FEB Flash Fiction Prompt
OPEN Feb 1 -14
Pay: 5 cents per word
Word range: under 1,000
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Every month Apparition Lit holds a flash fiction contest and buys a story based on their prompt.
The overall theme for the year is REALITY SHOW MADNESS.
This month they are looking for stories in the vein of FBOY Island (a reality show where women decide if men are players or "good" guys.) Are You the One? & The Bachelor/ette
Submission Hints
Send us stories with enough emotional heft to break a heart, with prose that’s as clear and delicious as broth. We love proactive characters and settings that feel lived in and real enough to touch. Stories with style, stories with emotion, stories with character.
Insight
I keep trying every month. No luck. I do promote cheesy reality shows for a living. Let's see if my background will help me finally break into this market.
What about my character Rosie trying a dating game?
Speculative Fiction
Cunning Folk
Details
THEME: The Vampire
Editor: Elizabeth Kim
OPEN until March 1
Pay:$100
Word range: 1000-6000
Simultaneous submissions? ?
Reprints? No
Description
Vampires charm and terrify us. We fear them, envy them, and pity them, eternal witnesses to the passage of time, conquerors of impermanence, and creatures of the night. The vampire is a symbol of the shadow side, of the old world meeting modernity, and of the 19th-century preoccupation with mesmerism and blood; the vampire eludes, too, to the pitfalls of aestheticism, for behind this creature’s seductive glamour lies a ruthless – often narcissistic and nihilistic – consumer. Of course, the vampire also has roots in older, Eastern European folk beliefs, such as the Romanian strigoi – which had much in common with the witch of the witch trials – and this supernatural being converges with many other cultural beliefs around the undead. The modern vampire continues to haunt our collective imagination, from Count Dracula and Carmilla to Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles and True Blood, exposing our basest impulses and thoughts, and forcing us to confront the personal and collective shadow. Why does this monster appear to us in dreams and sleep paralysis? Why are we scared of – and fascinated by – the liminal space between life and death? What even is death? What is it to live forever? And what does the vampire’s infinite quest for blood tell us of our own lives? Are we, too, a little vampiric? How can we fend off the vampires exterior and interior to ourselves? We want your articles, interviews, rituals, poetry and short fiction pertaining to the vampiric, that intersect with our other themes and that shine light on what lies behind the vampire’s shiny façade – and what that tells us about the current age, the unconscious shadow and humanity. This question can be explored via journalism, art, literature, science, pop culture and the personal.
Submission Hints
Successful pitches have a clear sense of narrative, a good balance between specificity and universality, and do not simply repeat the theme. We want to learn something new, hear new ideas, or approach a topic from new angles and perspectives. Please send us your pitch in the body of the email, and submissions as attachments.
Insight
It is a bit confusing to figure out how to submit to them. I ended up emailing my Quiver story to: cunningfolkmagazine@gmail.com
Speculative Fiction
New Myths
Details
Publisher/Editor: Scott T. Barnes
(WofF winner)
And Susan Shell Winston
OPEN till Feb 28
Pay: 3 cents per word
Word range: ?
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? No
Description
The tag line is "Life From A Side View Mirror...."
Submission Hints
We like to balance each quarterly issue between science fiction and fantasy, dark and light, serious and humorous, hard and soft science fiction, and longer and shorter works. Our readers are not fixated on a single style or tone or genre, but prefer a quality sample of the field. Think tapas or dim sum.
Insight
They just doubled their pay per word. I've sent in a story. Blur is Beautiful
Post Apocalyptic
HUngry shadow press
Details
The First Five Minutes of An Apocalypse
Publisher/Editor: Brandon Applegate
OPEN Feb 1- Feb 28
Pay: 3 cents per word
Word range: 1500-4000
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? No
Description
At the moment the earth ended, a little over eight billion human souls clung to its surface. That’s eight billion stories. Nobody knows how many remain. But if you’re reading this, you are one of them. Good job!
We want that story. It doesn’t matter how this thing started, what caused it, or where it came from. That’s not what we’re after. We want the experiences, the points of view, the wild, weird, disgusting, disturbing, beautiful, heartbreaking things that happened at the very beginning of the end of the world.
It doesn’t matter how this thing started, what caused it, or where it came from. That’s not what we’re after. We want the experiences, the points of view, the wild, weird, disgusting, disturbing, beautiful, heartbreaking things that happened at the very beginning of the end of the world.
Submission Hints
The story must take place within a short period of time (less than a day) at the beginning of a fictional apocalypse. The story shouldn’t be the inception point or the origin of the apocalyptic event. It shouldn’t even be about the event itself. Rather, it should be about when it all started for the POV character(s). Make it personal. Make it weird. Make it disturbing. Make it beautiful. We’re gonna get a lot of zombies, so points for originality.
Insight
You submit with a form on their website. I wonder if my mutant tomato story would work here...
like this list? get more for 99 cents.
This was a sample of what you can find in The Guide of All Guides. Get it from you favorite ebook retailer.
Speculative Fiction
the midnight zone
Details
Dragon's Roost Press
Theme: NEVER BEFORE SEEN MONSTERS
Editor: Douglas Gwilym
And Ken MacGregor
OPEN Feb 1- March 30
Pay: 3 cents per word
Word range: 1000-5000
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? No
Description
All land, sea, and space monsters are welcome.
Dragon’s Roost Press is the fever dream brainchild of dark speculative fiction author Michael Cieslak. Since 2014, their goal has been to find the best dark speculative fiction authors and share their work with the public. Our catalog includes multiple author anthologies, single author collections, poetry collections, novels, and novellas.
Submission Hints
Join featured authors Ramsey Campbell, Gemma Files, Gabino Iglesias, Gwendolyn Kiste, Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Maberry, Lucy A. Snyder, Jeffrey Thomas, and Gaby Triana, and the twisted editorial minds that brought you Stitched Lips, Appetites, Burnt Fur, and Harmony & Dissonance, to go to strange-and-dark new places, to plumb the depths of a Twilight Zone with sand in its teeth.
For our first sojourn, editors Douglas Gwilym & Ken MacGregor will aim the submersible toward the place where the unseen monsters feed–Novus Monstrum. Send us your original story that meaningfully features a never-before-seen monster (however you define the word).
Insight
I am thinking of maybe my "How to Make Leech Soup?" or maybe I should write fresh. Lots to play with here...
Dark Fantastical Fiction
Apex Magazine
Details
Editor: Jason Sizemore
FEB FLASH FICTION
Theme: to come...
Open: Feb 7- Feb 28
Pay: 8 cents per word
Word range: up to 1000
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Apex Magazine focuses on dark and spectacular science fiction, fantasy and horror. Publishing bi-monthly, it used to be called Apex Digest and has been nominated for several awards. It went on hiatus for a while, but is back in business and accepting submissions.
Submission Hints
Apex Magazine is an online zine of fantastical fiction. We publish short stories filled with marrow and passion, works that are twisted, strange, and beautiful. Creations where secret places and dreams are put on display. We publish in two forms: an every-other-month eBook issue and a gradual release of an entire issue online over a two-month period. Along with the genre short fiction, there are interviews with authors and nonfiction essays about current issues. Additionally, we produce a monthly podcast of narrated original short fiction.”
Insight
Last month's theme was Candy Floss Pink.
I attended a round table at Fyrecon with the editors of Apex. They were discussing dark fantasy versus horror. It was so interesting to listen to these pros. Lesley Connor wants you to make her cry. If you can get Jason to cry? Bonus Points. She is not afraid of the dark...
Here is a story they recommend to get a sense of their style.
Details
Editors: Storm Walden & Greg Clumpner
Open till Feb 28th
Pay: 3 cents per word
range: 5000 max
3,000 sweet spot
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Automation simplifies our lives, to the point where a production facility is so automated it makes no sense wasting energy to run lights. These “dark factories” are currently present in the auto industry, the electronics industry, and even the robotics industry itself. What does the world look like when jobs are automated to the point that the labor force is non-existent? We’re looking for outstanding fantasy, science fiction, weird fiction, and speculative horror—from both new and established writers.
Submission Hints
Humanity craves efficiency, subconsciously forming habits to make each portion of our day more comfortable, allowing us the time and ability to expand our horizons. From Neanderthals learning migration patterns for hunting food to coding scripts to streamline processes to the dream of roads filled with fully autonomous vehicles, we push boundaries to make our lives easier. What happens when our lives become as easy as they can be?
What are the sustainability implications? How does excess free time affect our social structure? What personal habits develop when we’ve already made our work lives as efficient as possible? Are we going to rise above working long hours in drudgery? Will a seven-day weekend be hopeful, lightening the communal load for all to experience joy and freedom every day? What is the cost of that freedom?
Will automation take over society, the world, the universe? What do the unemployed do with their unlimited free time? What are the socioeconomic implications if no one has a job? Is it simpler or more difficult to find daily bliss in our lives?
“Computer” was once a job title, until the humans were replaced by mechanical calculators and, eventually, electronic digital computers. What is the next step in automation evolution? Is it the development of an artificial general intelligence that possesses human-like processing capabilities? Alternatively, could bio-robotics take the leap toward sentience, creating living, breathing, dwellings and vehicles? What rights and entitlements do these evolutions share with humanity? Are these sentient constructs—these beings—also entitled to a weekend?
Think the Weasley household in the Harry Potter series, the Golems of Kabbalah, the Replicants from Blade Runner, Mom’s Friendly Robot Company from Futurama, or the Cylon rebellion from Battlestar Galactica. Go out on a limb and show us something we’ve never conceived.
Insight
I belong to a writing group called the DreamCasters and this is our group challenge! We are all going to submit stories for this call.
Horror
ghoulish tales
Details
Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing
Editors: Max Booth & Lori Michelle
Open for submissions: till Feb 15th
Pay 7c a word
Word range: max 5000
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? no
Description
As many of you already know, a few months ago we decided to discontinue the long-running Dark Moon Digest after publishing its final, 48th issue. It was a good run and we are immensely proud of the work we accomplished with the digest. But now it is time to move forward. Which brings us to Ghoulish Tales, our latest experiment with short horror fiction.
Submission Hints
What we are after: short stories that fit our personal definition of the word GHOULISH, which is “fun horror that aims to celebrate all things spooky.”
Note that we said fun, not funny. Comedic stories are definitely allowed, but it’s not all we’re looking to receive. We want stories that remind us why we love the horror genre. We want to have a perverted little smile across our face while reading. Make us slobber like idiots. Turn us into the Sickos.jpeg meme.
My Insights
I sent them in my story The Outlaw Genie.
Details
Editor: Danny Hanker
Open Jan 2- Sept 29
Pay: 8 cents per word up to $150
word count: 2000 max
for pay up to 10,000 considered
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? yes 1 cent
Description
Whatever happened to the art of storytelling? It's become a lost relic, along with our identities. But here, we're revitalizing this great craft. Don't worry, you're in good hands. After all, if laughter is medicine, then Story Unlikely is therapy for broken souls.
Submission Hints
To put it simply, we're looking for good stories, measured both by the quality of the writing and the skill in storytelling. Here’s what we’re NOT looking for: excessive anything. Think PG-13, R if necessary. We're not attempting to salt the earth with more cultural dogma couched as mediocre fiction, or writers who are jockeying for the title of Most Woke. There’s enough of that already out there. You want to impress us? Write a good story. You want to get published? Write a great one.
Insight
The only caveat is that you have to join their newsletter. This fellow is a friend of fellow Wulf Packer David Hankins. This is a solid market. --ps just spoke to Dan-- he will take non-fiction, as long as it is a story. I entered the Dec contest with my story about a cow. Plus I also entered the reg submissions with Gragon.
get all three!
Read the stories I sold to publishers and learn more about the people behind the pages…
Amazon Series Page
Speculative Fiction
apparition lit
Details
Theme: Symmetry
Managing Editor: Tacoma Tomilson
Short Story Call
OPEN Feb15-28
Pay: 5 cents per word min $50
Word range: 1,000 - 5,000
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Speculative fiction is weird, almost unclassifiable. It’s fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and literary. Send us your strange, misshapen stories with enough emotional heft to break a heart, with prose that’s as clear and delicious as broth. We love proactive characters and settings that feel lived in and real enough to touch. Stories with style, stories with emotion, stories with character. We want it all.
Submission Hints
Send us stories with enough emotional heft to break a heart, with prose that’s as clear and delicious as broth. We love proactive characters and settings that feel lived in and real enough to touch. Stories with style, stories with emotion, stories with character.
Insight
This is the full length story call... My The Perfect Portrait may work here.
Dark Speculative
The Quiet Ones
Details
Theme: The Cosmic & The Void
Open Feb 1 - March 8
Pay: $25
Word range: 3000 max
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? No
Description
Quiet Horror and Dystopian genre works. You may be as creative with your interpretation of the theme as you like as long as your submission fits the genres we publish (see our FAQ page for more on how we define Quiet Horror and Intimate Dystopia).
Submission Hints
Authors may submit up to two pieces per issue. We request that each piece be submitted via its own individual email. You are welcomed to interpret each issue’s theme however you like but keep in mind that your interpretation should be within the realms of quiet horror and/or intimate dystopia.
Insight
Nothing yet.
Dark Speculative
PYRE Magazine
Details
Biannual Pub
Open Jan 17- Feb 28
Pay: $10
Word range: 3500 max
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? No
Description
Think of Pyre as a bonfire — a place of storytelling and sacrifice. Take a seat near the fire and listen or spin a yarn of your own. Here at Pyre, we worship at the altar of storytelling done well. We love genre work that tells us something about the human condition.
Submission Hints
We are most interested in dark genre-bending works in the realms of horror, sci-fi, the weird, the macabre, fantasy, and magical realism. We want stories that grab us by the throat and ask questions about what it means to be human. Make us feel something long after we are done reading.
Insight
Nothing yet.
Hopepunk
transform the world
Details
OTHER WORLDS INK
Editor: J. Scott Coatsworth
Deadline: Feb 28th
Pay:$50 for 2.5-5K, $75 for 5-10K,$100 for 10-15K
Word range: up to 15000 words
Simultaneous submissions? NO
Reprints? yes half the rate
Description
The way we do things now as a society is unsustainable. Garbage is piling up in our landfills and oceans, income inequality is getting worse, and our governments are often paralyzed when it comes to seeking solutions.
For the third anthology in the Writers Save the World series, “Transform the World,” we’re focusing on new ways of living and of structuring societies. Stories should be near future (in the next 100 years or so) science fiction with a hopeful tone.
Submission Hints
Examples:
A new colony on Mars is run entirely on a barter/exchange system, with expansion credits for hard work that allow the recipients to start sub colonies of their own.
A new city is built on the ocean, where people live in a sustainable way with the ocean.
A new drug that confers immortality on everyone forces a wholesale change in the way that society is structured.
What We Don’t Want
We are not looking for magical solutions or unrealistic answers.
We are not looking for stories that don’t feature a strong sci fi element.
Insight
new market
Science Fiction
escape pod
Details
Escape Artist Podcasts
Open for submissions:Sept 15-May 31
Pay:8c a word
Word range: 1500-7500 sweet spot 2000-4000
Simultaneous submissions? NO
Reprints? yes
ANON submissions.
Description
Escape Pod is a science fiction market. We are fairly flexible on what counts as science (superheroes! steampunk! space opera! time travel!) and are interested in exploring the range of the genre. We want stories that center science, technology, future projections, and/or alternate history, and how any or all of these things impact individuals and society.
Escape Pod leans in the direction of escapism, hopepunk and optimism rather than grimdark and gloom. We love to see funny stories, which can include dark humor that doesn’t punch down, and satire that isn’t painfully bleak. Remember that the failure mode of irony is sincerity, so if you’re mocking something, be sure you’re hitting the right target.
Submission Hints
We’re not interested in stories that contain sexual assault, rape, child abuse, animal cruelty, gore, or horror. We also do not want to see stories that treat the hardships of marginalized people or groups as thought experiments. While we may have published stories with that type of content in the past, they are not currently a good fit for Escape Pod. Our primary audience is adult listeners and readers. Strong language and sexual situations are fine, but we are not an erotica market.
My Insights
I'd like to send them a good sci-fi bit. Maybe if ZNB doesn't like my Smog Zapper story.
Literary
THEMA
Details
Theme: Help From a Stranger
OPEN till March 1st
Pay: $25
Word range: 1,000 - 5,000
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? yes
Description
The premise (target theme) must be an integral part of the plot, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental
Submission Hints
What we like: a carefully constructed plot; good character delineation; clever plot twists
Insight
Wanderlust is in the queue.
How is story art created?
Jane Noel talks about her process for the stunning pieces that accompany DreamForge stories. BONUS, listen to the dark pre-apocalyptic Kutulu in the Desert.
ONGOING SUBMISSION CALLS -LISTED HERE TILL THEY CLOSE
Literary
the deadlands
Details
Editor: Catherine Tobler
Reopens FEB
Pay: 10 c a word
Word range: 5000 max sweet spot 3-4k
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? yes 1c a word
Description
The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for speculative fiction that concerns itself with death–but also everything death may involve. A ghost in a shadowed wood. An afterlife discovered through a rusted door. An abandoned house in the middle of a haunted field. A skeletal figure moving with intent toward something unseen. Death personified. Burials in troubled lands. A raised scythe against a clouded sky. Memento mori. The rivers of the dead. The sprawling underworlds beneath our feet.
The Deadlands would love to see stories from a worldwide perspective, different cultures, different approaches to death. We welcome stories from everyone, everywhere. Stories that feature characters impacted by someone passing away and processing the event of death, are fair game, but will likely be a hard sell. Stories about related subjects—zombies, demons, vampires, apocalypses, and the various undead—are not for us. An apocalypse may be your setting, but it isn’t your story. We are absolutely not interested in seeing weird West stories, steampunk tales, or military fiction. We are not interested in stories involving Lovecraft’s mythos. Humor will be a harder sell than heartbreaking. If your story begins with someone waking up, it is not for us.
Submission Hints
We are never far from death—Dante reminds us. It is always there, just out of sight, around the bend in the road. The faraway nearby, Rebecca Solnit says. We could step past a tree in that wild forest and be there. Where? The Deadlands.
The Deadlands is a monthly speculative fiction magazine. We publish short stories, poems, and essays about the other realms, of the ends we face here, and the beginnings we find elsewhere. It is an adventure into the unknown, to meet those who live there still, even though they may be dead. Death is a journey we all will take, but we’d like to peek at the map before we go.
We are generally open to fiction and nonfiction submissions, except for a year-end holiday closure. Poetry submissions are open the first two weeks of every month, resuming in February 2022. Explore our guidelines and read our issues to see what we’re publishing and if your work might fit.
Insight
A couple rejections so far for me. They came quickly... If my story The Death Determiner does not place in the Quantum Steampunk contest, I may send it here.
Speculative
factor four
Details
Editor: Richard Flores IV
ongoing
Pay: 11 c a word
Word range: 1000 max
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
We publish flash fiction in the genres of speculative fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, super hero, or any combination of these. We are looking for stories that are engaging to our readers in such a short word count. Please take note of these factors (pun intended) when submitting stories to us.
Submission Hints
Speculative Fiction is a broad term to accompany several genres. Factor Four Magazine will focus on four of these genres. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Supernatural, and Super Hero. Genre lines are very hard to define at times, so we keep things a bit fuzzy when it comes to the definition of each of those. You may even find a few stories blend several genres together.
Insight
I sent the Trippy Trip to Triton here... Hoping they like it.
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 currently have my story "Gragon" here.
Only rejections for me. Ai Jiang has had success here. More info at this link -http://www.concatenation.org/futures/authorsinstructs.html
Update on this market, quite a few writers I've been conversing with say they have sold here. Time to double down.... (ps - apparently a bit of humour helps?)
SPECULATIVE & LITERARY
flash fiction online
Details
Editor: Emma Munro
Open from the 1st to 21st of every month
Pay: $80 8c word minimum
Word range: 500-1000
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? Yes 2c a word
Description
We are looking for complete 500- to 1000-word stories with crisp prose, well-developed characters, compelling plots, and satisfying resolutions. We want stories that engage our minds and emotions.
Submission Hints
Anonymous submissions.
Flash Fiction Online has published stories from both new and established authors across the globe. We love narratives with crisp prose, well-developed characters with emotional arcs, fascinating plots, and satisfying resolutions. We want works that engage our minds and emotions and that leave us with a sense of awe or give us something to muse on. We’re always on the hunt for something new, surprising, clever, or beautiful.
Insights
It took them ten days to reject my last story,
Fantasy & Science Fiction
Clarkesworld
Details
Rolling Submission Window OPEN
Publisher/Editor: Neil Clarke
Pay: 12 cents per word
Word range: 1,000 - 22,000
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Clarkesworld is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine. A SFWA-qualifying market, it was first published in 2006 and is one of the top places speculative fiction writers want to see their work. It comes out monthly, and contains interviews, stories, and articles. They accept stories from all over the world and say translations are welcome. They also have a podcast which features a story from the current issue.
Submission Hints
The submission guidelines state: “Science fiction need not be “hard” SF, but rigor is appreciated. Fantasy can be folkloric, contemporary, surreal, etc. That said, there are some things that we’ve grown tired of and can be difficult or impossible to sell to us: (this is not a challenge) • stories that include zombies or zombie-wannabes • stories about sexy vampires, wanton werewolves, wicked witches, or demonic children • stories about rapists, murderers, child abusers, or cannibals • stories where the climax is dependent on the spilling of intestines • stories in which a milquetoast civilian government is depicted as the sole obstacle to either catching some depraved criminal or to an uncomplicated military victory • stories where the Republicans, or Democrats, or Libertarians, or . . . (insert any established political party or religion here) take over the world and either save or ruin it • stories in which the words “thou” or “thine” appear • stories with talking cats or swords • stories where FTL travel or time travel is as easy as is it on television shows or movies • stories about young kids playing in some field and discovering ANYTHING. (a body, an alien craft, Excalibur, ANYTHING). • stories about the stuff you just read in Scientific American or saw on the news • stories about your RPG character’s adventures • “funny” stories that depend on, or even include, puns • stories where the protagonist is either widely despised or widely admired simply because he or she is just so smart and/or strange • stories originally intended for someone’s upcoming theme anthology or issue (everyone is sending those out, wait a while) • your trunk stories • stories that try to include all of the above”
Sample Rejection
Someday I will crack this market. 26 rejections so far.
Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
Details
Past Editor: C.C. Finlay Current Editor: Sheree Renee Thomas 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
According to the writer’s guidelines: “Submissions have increased more than 10% this year, compared to last, and you aren't just sending us more stories, you're sending us more really excellent stories. That is one of the few good things we'll say about 2020. Give us this chance to go through them.” Another plus to this market is the rapid turnaround. I never had to wait more than two weeks to get my “nay.” However, the guidelines do ask for writers to allow eight weeks for a response.
My insight
This is the feather I want in my writing cap. I intend to submit here until ONE DAY I get an acceptance.
Any Genre
substack
Details
This an interesting venue
Ongoing
Pay: $100 plus 50% subscription revenue
Word range: 6-10,000 words
Simultaneous submissions? No
No
Reprints? Yes
Description
Mission = Revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful.
Submission Hints
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?
shortstorystack@gmail.com
What are the rules for submitting?
1. No Fees
2. Send in Microsoft Word or Google Doc form
3. Any genre
4. 6- 10,000 words. Yes, just 6 words, like Hemingway's famous 6-word story "For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn."
5. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.
Insights
A couple of rejections so far. But the last guy who won the contest make over $400. So.. a worthwhile venue.
I have my reprint Three Calendars here right now.
Horror, Wonder & The Weird
Three-lobed Burning eye
Details
Editor: Andrew S. Fuller
ongoing
Pay: $100 for short fiction, $30 for flash
Word range: 1,001-7,500
Simultaneous submissions? No
Reprints? No
Description
Three-Lobed Burning Eye is a speculative fiction magazine offered free on-line. They publish twice a year, with a print anthology every other year. Each issue features six short stories.
Submission Hints
“Original speculative fiction: horror, fantasy, science fiction. We’re looking for short stories from across the big classifications and those shadowy places between: magical realism, fantastique, slipstream, interstitial, and the weird tale. We will consider suspense or western, though we prefer it contain some speculative element. We like voices that are full of feeling, from literary to pulpy, with styles unique and flowing, but not too experimental. All labels aside, we want tales that expand genre, that value imagination in character, narrative, and plot. We want to see something new and different.”
Insight
I've sent this market a lot of stories. Nine and all rejected. Kernel Cob is here...
Literary Adventure Fantasy
beneath ceaseless skies
Details
Ongoing
Editor: Scott H. Andrews
Pay: 8 cents per word
Word range: under 15,000 words
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? No
Description
Beneath Ceaseless Skies has been bringing fantasy adventure stories from pre-tech worlds to readers since October, 2008. This is another SFWA-qualifying magazine with absolutely breathtaking cover art and award-winning short stories.
Submission Hints
“We love traditional adventure fantasy, but we also love how the influence of literary writing on fantasy short fiction has expanded the genre, encouraging writers to use literary devices such as tight points-of-view and discontinuous narratives; to feature conflicts that are internal as well as external. We want stories that combine the best of both these styles—set in vivid fantasy or historical paranormal worlds but written with all the flair and impact of modern literary-influenced fantasy.” To help understand what kind of world they’re looking for; here is how they describe secondary-world settings: “We want stories set in what Tolkien called a “secondary world”: some other world that is different from our own primary world in some way. It could be different in terms of zoology (non-human creatures), ecology (climate), or physical laws (the presence of magic). It could be set on Earth but an Earth different from our modern-day primary world in terms of time (the pre-modern historical past of our real-world Earth) or history (alternate history from our Earth’s history). It could have a “pre-tech” level of technology, or steampunk technology, or magic as technology, or anything else that’s not advanced or modern technology. However, the setting should contain some element that is in some way fantastical, and the qualities of the setting should have some bearing on the rest of the story. We are NOT interested in urban fantasy or other types of stories set in our modern, contemporary “real world,” even if they contain fantasy elements, or in stories that move between the real world and a fantasy world.”
Sample Rejection
This editor is one of the best in the business IMO. Not that I've sold anything here yet. I've got my rejection for Zelda's Dust-Crossed Lovers - but as always, some great advice from the editor on how to fix a few flaws.
Science Fiction
INTERZONE DIGITAL
Details
Editor: Gareth Jelley
Ongoing
Pay: 1.5 Euro cents per word
Word range: 2000-17,500 for PRINT
Up to 5000 for digital
Simultaneous submissions? Yes (as of July)
Reprints? No
Description
Interzone has long been one of the most exclusive and highly regarded sci fi magazines in the industry.
Interzone was founded in 1982 by David Pringle, John Clute, Alan Dorey, Malcolm Edwards, Colin Greenland, Graham Jones, Roz Kaveney, and Simon Ounsley. It was published by TTA Press and edited by Andy Cox from 2004 to 2022, and from #294 it is published by MYY Press and edited by Gareth Jelley.
Submission Hints
They are currently looking for submissions of fantastika (including horror)
Insights
This magazine has won a Hugo and launched a few careers. it is now owned by MYY Press, and edited by Gareth Jelley.
I have quite a few rejections from here. Sometime I've received a nice personalized note. I really am fond of this market.
Mystery & Crime
mystery magazine
Details
Mystery Writers of America approved
Open for submissions: ONGOING
Editor: Kerry Carter
Pay:2c a word
Word range:1000-7500
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? no
Description
At the cutting edge of crime fiction, Mystery Magazine presents original short stories by the world’s best-known and emerging mystery writers. The stories we feature in our monthly issues span every imaginable subgenre, including cozy, police procedural, noir, whodunit, supernatural, hardboiled, humor, and historical mysteries. Evocative writing and a compelling story are the only certainty.
Submission Hints
They use a form for submissions (click on magazine cover). They are looking for You-Solve-It mysteries and other short stories.
My Insights
High hopes that I can sell to this market one day. They send their rejections in good time, and I love their content.
Mystery & Crime
tough magazine
Details
CRIME FICTION JOURNAL
Open for submissions: ONGOING
Editor: Tim Hennessy
Pay:$50
Word range:1500-7500
Simultaneous submissions? Yes
Reprints? Yes $25
Description
Tough is a crime fiction journal publishing short stories and self-contained novel excerpts of between 1500 words and 7500 words, and occasional book reviews and essays of 1500 words or fewer. We are particularly interested in stories with rural settings. We are a crime journal.
Submission Hints
They adamantly only take submission through Submittable and it better be in the RTF format.
Tough publishes three times per month on Mondays, for which we pay a flat rate per story, book review or essay (as of contract date January 23rd, 2021, that rate is $50) --we don't take poems--in exhange for first world serial rights to publish the submission on the website and one-time anthology rights. Query toughcrime@gmail.com for details or to pitch reviews, essays and reprints. Fiction need not be queried.
My Insights
Two rejections from this market. And one being considered since Oct 5th. The Perfect Post. Just got the rejection on Dec 17
Crime & Mystery
the dark city
Details
Editor: Steve Oliver
Pay: $25 per story
Word range: 1,000-7,500
Simultaneous submissions? No
No
Reprints? No
Description
The Dark City Mystery Magazine is the product of a community of crime and mystery writers and fans who spend an inappropriate amount of time exploring the dark side of human nature as expressed by its criminal behavior. The magazine is produced by Dark City Books, a publisher of crime and mystery anthologies and collections.
Submission Hints
The Dark City is dedicated to the love of story, and in particular, the rough and tumble of the world of crime and violence. We are fans of story that has roots in reality but we do consider humorous situations and characters to be part of reality. We hope to acquire stories that leave readers thinking about the characters and their dilemma.
Insights
I sent them The Midlife Storm. rejected. In 2018. time to try again?
Horror & Dark Fantasy
the dark magazine
Details
Editor: Sean Wallace
ongoing
Pay: 6 cents per word
Word range: 2,000-6,000
Simultaneous submissions?
No
Reprints? No
Description
The Dark Magazine sends out rejections fast and furiously. It’s one of the reasons I like submitting to them. Instant results. They publish horror and dark fantasy. Sean Wallace is the founder, publisher, and editor of The Dark, and has also edited for Clarkesworld and Fantasy Magazine.
Submission Hints
Don’t be afraid to experiment or to deviate from the ordinary; be different—try us with fiction that may fall out of “regular” categories. However, it is also important to understand that despite the name, The Dark is not a market for graphic, violent horror.
Sample Rejection
“We have read your submission and unfortunately your story isn't quite what we're looking for right now. While we regretfully cannot provide detailed feedback due to the volume of submissions, we thank you for your interest in our magazine and hope you continue to consider us in the future.”
DREAD INDUCING FICTION
THE DREAD MACHINE
Details
Editor: Tina (aka Alin)
Pay: 5 cents a word
Word range: 5500 max original
7000 max reprints
Simultaneous submissions? yes
Reprints? Yes
Description
The Dread Machine is a magazine, publishing house, and community where writers and fans of dread-inspiring fiction can read and connect. We make cool creative projects accessible to those who will love them the way they deserve to be loved. In service of that mission, we are always accepting submissions.
Submission Hints
The Dread Machine publishes futuristic dark fiction, speculative fiction, cyberpunk, slipstream, and science fiction. We do not accept religious fiction, fetish horror, or erotica. All submissions must be in English.
UPDATE
Remember to send your stories anon! I've sent them my Emotives story to consider.
WRITERS TAKE A LOOK!
The wonderful Bruce McAllister had me do this exercise. --helps you determine what YOU should be creating and how
THRILLERS? SCI-FI? MYSTERY? I took a look at what makes my favorite books work. POV? First line? Log line?