Upcoming Deadlines: Black Apples, Sword and Mythos, Spellbound

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about three such calls for submissions.

First up is an anthology from Belladonna Publishing. "Black Apples" is looking for "gothic fairytales starring the classic fairytale princess – but her ending is maybe not so happy, her quest is perhaps more grim and the darkness of the tale might just come from within." This anthology is not restricted to classic princess characters nor is there a restriction that the stories can't be set in the future as long as the core fairytale princess element is present. This submission call runs through January 15th, 2013. They pay a flat rate of $120 for stories of 3,000-10,000 words.

The people who run Innsmouth Free Press are working on an anthology called "Sword and Mythos." The theme here is a combination of Cthulhu Mythos and Sword-and-Sorcery elements. Submissions for this project are open from January 15th-February 15th, 2013. Do NOT send stories before January 15th as they will not be considered. The pay rate is 5 cents per words for stories of up to 5,000 words.

Finally, the Summer 2013 issue of Spellbound, a fantasy magazine aimed at 8-12 year old readers, will focus on the theme of "Dragons." The reading period for this theme runs from January 1st-March 31st, 2013. Payment is 2.5 cent per word for stories of up to 2,500 words.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Happy writing!

Upcoming Deadlines: Gaia's Misfits, Night Terrors, Arc

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Since these markets tend to be open for only short periods of time, they're also good to keep track of for submissions of stories which you have already written which might fit more general themes. Below you will find information about three currently-open calls for submissions.

The one with the tightest timeline is Gaia's Misfits, an anthology of Young Adult Fantasy aimed at readers 11 and up. Submissions are due for this anthology by December 1st, 2012. They're looking for stories of 1,500-10,000 words and the payment is a flat rate of $15. There is some room left open in the guidelines for possible use of previously-published stories and the guidelines suggest that no exclusivity period would be required by the publisher.

Another submission call with an even broader theme is for Night Terrors III from Blood Bound Books. They are looking for previously-unpublished horror stories of 750-5,000 words and the pay rate is 5 cents per word. Submissions are open through January 1st, 2013.

Finally, Arc (a publication of the New Scientist) is currently running a contest for science fiction stories on the theme of "Is the Future Friendly?" The submission call is open through January 13, 2013. (The website says "before January 14, 2012." I presume the year to be a typo and since they say "before" I would be inclined to not push my submission to the last moment and get it in by the 13th.) They want stories between 3,000 and 5,000 words and will be paying £500 for one winning story and £200 for five runners-up.

I hope that one or more of these submission calls strikes you as being interesting. Best of luck with your writing and submitting!

Upcoming Deadlines: Legends of the Buckeye State, Oomph, and The Future Embodied

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about three such calls for submissions.

The first is one related to my own personal stomping grounds. "Legends of the Buckeye State" is looking for atmospheric horror or dark fiction "based on known myths and legends within the state of Ohio." This submission call runs through November 30th, 2012. They pay 5 cents per word for stories of up to 2,500 words.

The people who run Crossed Genres are working on a side anthology called "Oomph: A Little Super Goes a Long Way." Submissions for this project are open through January 15th, 2013. The pay rate is a flat $20 plus print and ebook copies of the anthology for stories of 2,000-8,000 words.

Here's one that's a ways off in the future. "The Future Embodied" is an anthology of stories dealing with "medical and aesthetic body modification."  Submissions are only open during March, 2013. However, that would give you an opportunity to write a story with this market in mind and also try submitting it first to some of the faster pro-rate markets. Payment is 1 cent per word for stories of 2,000-5,500 words plus a contributor copy of the print book and eBook.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back on the second Wednesday of November for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Penumbra, Tin House, and Crab Orchard Review

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about three such calls for submissions.

Actually, four, since before I get to the other submission calls, I'd like to remind my readers that I am currently guest-editing the Kazka Press flash fiction contest for this month on the theme of "Love Beyond Death". Stories need to be submitted by September 20th and Kazka will be paying a flat rate of $10 for stories of 713-1,000 words.

Penumbra has opened submissions for their January 2013 issue, a tribute to Ray Bradbury. They specifically say that they are not looking for "fan fiction" but rather for stories in a similar style or dealing with similar themes. This submission call runs through November 30th, 2012. They pay 5 cents per word for stories of 500-3,500 words.

Tin House is currently reading for their Spring 2013 issue, with the theme "This Means War."  About the theme, they said: "We’re looking for the grey, the messy, the not-so-easily classified. We’re not just looking for work about armed conflict, but domestic, political, ecological, religious, and moral battles." They are looking for essays or stories of up to 10,000 words or poems (submit up to five). Submissions for this theme are open through October 31st, 2012. Pay rates are not stated in an obvious place on their website, but Duotrope does list them as having professional pay rates for fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.

Finally, Crab Orchard Review is looking for poetry, fiction, or literary nonfiction relating to the portion of the United States (generally speaking) East of the West Coast states and West of the Mississippi. (That's not wholly accurate, so please take a look at the specific regions they are including.) They describe the theme as being "Prairies, Plains, Mountains, Desert." They do not take email submissions; submissions must be postmarked by November 3rd, 2012. Creative non-fiction and fiction should be 25 pages or fewer, novel excerpts are allowable, and up to six poems may be submitted at once. Payment is $25 per printed page in the magazine with a minimum of $50 for poetry and $100 for prose plus two copies of the issue.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back on the second Wednesday of October for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Malfeasance Occasional and Tomorrow

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about two such calls for submissions.

The Criminal Element website has rebooted their short fiction efforts with a new periodical called Malfeasance Occasional. For their first issue, they are looking for crime and mystery stories with the theme "Girl Trouble." This submission call runs from September 26th to October 10th, 2012. They pay a flat rate of $350 for stories of 3,000-6,000 words.

Kayelle Press is putting together an anthology of post-apocalyptic stories titled "Tomorrow." The submission call for this anthology runs through September 30th, 2012 and they will be paying $20 (Australian) for stories of 3,000-6,000 words.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Scheherezade’s Bequest & Stealing Time

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about two such calls for submissions.

The magazine Scheherezade’s Bequest is moving toward print publication. For their first print issue, they are looking for issues featuring the archetypal figure of The Loathly Lady. The guidelines note that straightforward retellings of this character's story may be "a hard-sell." This submission call runs through November 30th, 2012. They pay a flat rate of $30 for stories over 1,000 words and a flat rate of $15 for poems and stories of 1,000 words of fewer.

Stealing Time is a publication aimed at parents, with the idea of producing a literary magazine of relevance particularly to topics of parenting. They have multiple themed calls up for consideration. The one ending soonest is on the topic of Celebration. This submission call runs through October 1st, 2012. They pay an indeterminate amount but state that most pieces will be paid in the range of $100-500 for stories of 500-3,000 words.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: THEMA and Arcane II

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about two such calls for submissions.

The journal THEMA (as the names suggests) specializes in themed issues. The theme which is coming up soonest for them is "Eyeglasses are needed." This submission call runs through November 1st, 2012. They pay a flat rate of $25 for stories over 1,000 words and a flat rate of $10 for poems and stories of 1,000 words of fewer.

The second submission call for this week is for the Arcane II anthology. This is an anthology of horror, dark fantasy, and weird fiction short stories. This submission call runs through September 30th, 2012. They pay 1 cent per word plus a copy of the anthology. There is a cap of $50 on the payment.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Slice Magazine & Dreaming of Djinn

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about two such calls for submissions.

Slice Magazine is currently reading stories and poems on the theme of "Obsession." This issue's submission call runs from August 31st, 2012 and Kazka will be paying a flat rate of $100 for stories of up to 5,000 words and $50 for poems.

The second submission call for this week is for the Dreaming of Djinn anthology. It's described by the publishers as follows:

[This anthology] will look at romantic Orientalism through a speculative fiction lens. You might find lost cities, magical lamps, mummies, thieves, intrepid explorers, slaves, robotic horsemen, noble queens, sorcerers, outcast princes, harems, dancers, djinn, assassins and even smart-talking camels and cats, set in exotic Persia, Egypt, Arabia, the Ottoman Empire, or a modern incarnation of these.

This submission call runs through October 15th, 2012. They pay 2 cents (Australian) per word plus two copies of the anthology for stories of 2,000-7,500 words.

Edited to add: I've had a conversation about the appropriateness of some of the language in the "Dreaming of Djinn" call. I had a brief concern, myself, last night and I suspect I should have heeded that and selected a different anthology to include in this post. I'm going to leave it here, with this comment, rather than erase my own decision. My hope is that the editors are looking for respectful/respectable stories with the themes of lost cities, etc. but it's fair to question that given some of the language they chose to use. A quick search led me to a blog post which explains the concerns well. Given that the blog post is from four months ago, it seems that either Ticonderoga is unaware of the concerns or chose not to react to them. Ultimately, what I want to say, is that I apologize to anyone who is offended by this anthology's inclusion in this week's "Upcoming Deadlines" post and I will give greater consideration to these issues when selecting publications for future posts. Thank you. -MH

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Kazka Press Flash Fiction & Dead North

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about two such calls for submissions.

Kazka Press has made some changes to their monthly flash fiction contests and there's one in particular which I'd like to draw your attention to. The September contest has the theme of "Love Beyond Death" and will be guest-edited by me. This issue's submission call runs from September 1st through 20th, 2012 and Kazka will be paying a flat rate of $10 for stories of 713-1,000 words. They asked me to provide a few words about what I wanted to see in submissions and I said:

The best thing I can say is: surprise me! There are some obvious directions this theme could take: ghosts, other paranormal beasties, personality-on-a-microchip/uploaded-brain type stories, etc. I’m not saying I won’t take those if they’re great, because we want to provide great stories for the contest’s readers. But if I’ve got the choice between a great ghost story and a great story that took the theme in a direction I couldn’t have anticipated and that made me say ‘Wow!’ I know which one I’ll pick every time.

The second submission call for this week is for the Dead North anthology. This is an anthology of zombie stories set in Canada. This submission call runs through September 30th, 2012. They pay 2 cents (Canadian) per word plus two copies of the anthology for original stories of 2,000-10,000 words. Reprints will be considered at a flat rate of $40 Canadian. Authors do not have to be Canadian themselves to submit, though the editor has asked for authors with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency to state as such in their cover letter.

As always, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Crossed Genres & California Cantata Anthology

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Below you will find information about two such calls for submissions.

The rebooted magazine Crossed Genres is opening for submissions on August 1st. They will be reading on the theme of "Boundaries" first. Per the magazine's website: "Boundaries are physical, psychological, emotional, and imaginary. Who we are can often be defined by how we respond to perceived boundaries – accept them; ignore them; sidestep them; confront them. Where do the boundaries we encounter shape the boundaries of our selves?" This issue's submission call runs through September 30th, 2012 and they will be paying 5 cents per word for stories of 1,000-6,000 words.

The second submission call for this week is from Kazka Press for their California Cantata anthology. This is a fantasy anthology where the editors are intending to have (as much as possible) one story representing each county in California. From the guidelines, it reads to me as if a historical aspect is also desired in the stories. Since this is a somewhat specific theme, I'd definitely suggest reading the guidelines closely before beginning your story. Note that the publisher has also listed several counties where they have already purchased stories, so those counties would be off the table for further stories. This submission call runs through September 30th, 2012. They pay 1 cent per word for stories of 500-5,000 words.

Please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Redstone & The Future Fire

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Every Thursday, I'll be posting two or three such submission calls which I find of interest.

The Redstone Science Fiction Summer Contest anthology is looking for a story with "a hopeful future made better by scientific advancement." Submissions are due by August 15th, 2012 and they will be paying 5 cents per word for the winning story. Stories should be no longer than 5,000 words.

The second submission call for this week is from The Future Fire and their "We See a Different Frontier" project. In their words, this is "a colonialism-themed anthology of new stories told from the perspective of the colonized." The deadline for submissions is midnight GMT, September 14, 2012. They pay 5 cents per word with a preference for stories in the 3,000-6,000 word range.

Since I don't represent any of these publishers, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: "Urban Green Man" and "Deep Cuts"

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Every Thursday, I'll be posting two or three such submission calls which I find of interest. There may be a somewhat heavy speculative fiction bent to these lists, but I'll endeavor to mix it up a bit for those who write mostly in other genres.

The Urban Green Man anthology is looking for "fantastic stories involving the mythology of the Green Man in any form (which includes the Green Woman)." They have somewhat specific guidelines, so I would highly encourage you to check those out. This project's call runs through November 30th, 2012 and they will be paying 3.5 cents per word for stories up to 5,000 words and $20 per poem.

The second submission call for this week is from "Deep Cuts." This is a horror anthology where women in horror are being honored by having each author selected for the anthology write a short note "honoring a short horror story written by a woman that moved you or influenced your own writing." That short note is part of your submission, so please check the guidelines carefully on this one as well. This submission call runs through August 31st, 2012. They pay 6 cents per word for stories of 1,000-5,000 words.

Since I don't represent any of these publishers, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: "UFO", "Penumbra" and "...For All Eternity"

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Every Thursday, I'll be posting two or three such submission calls which I find of interest. There may be a somewhat heavy speculative fiction bent to these lists, but I'll endeavor to mix it up a bit for those who write mostly in other genres.

A quick reminder that the anthology of humorous speculative fiction for which I'm an associate editor has had its submission period officially open as of July 1st. "Unidentified Funny Objects" is open through August 31st, 2012 and pays 5 cents per word for stories of 500-4,000 words.

The eMagazine "Penumbra" runs calls for themed issues. They have not updated the page recently, however the "Utopia" theme just opened on June 1st and historically their calls have been open for at least a couple of months. Since Duotrope lists the prior month's call "Exploration" as being open through July 31st, you should still have a bit of time here. They pay 5 cents per word for stories of 500-3,000 words.

The second submission call for this week is from "...For All Eternity." This is an anthology put out by the people behind Bete Noire. They are looking for stories based on one and only one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The anthology will have one story for each sin. This submission call runs through July 31st, 2012 or when filled. They pay a 1 cent per word for stories between 3,000 and 6,000 words plus a copy of the anthology.

Please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: Once Upon an Apocalypse & Descant

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Every Thursday, I'll be posting two or three such submission calls which I find of interest. There may be a somewhat heavy speculative fiction bent to these lists, but I'll endeavor to mix it up a bit for those who write mostly in other genres.

A two volume anthology, "Once Upon an Apocalypse" is looking for stories "with the undead and otherwordly mythos crossing into the realm of fairy tales, nursery rhymes and other timeless stories." They have somewhat specific guidelines, so I would highly encourage you to check those out as well as the list of things they've already purchased since they're aiming not to have duplicated tales. This project's call runs through July 31st, 2012 or until filled and they will be paying 3 cents per word for stories of 2,000-4,000 words.

The second submission call for this week is from "Descant." They are looking for "Essays, poems, fictions, memoirs, and art work which show the ways in which the Indian peoples connect with one another worldwide and also differentiate themselves from and yet are still linked to modern India." This submission call runs through August 15th, 2012. They pay a $100 honorarium for published works.

Since I don't represent any of these publishers, please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!

Upcoming Deadlines: UFO, Futuredaze, and The First Line

One of the tools I've used sometimes to help myself get started on writing is writing towards prompts or themes for upcoming publications, either anthologies or themed issues of periodicals. Every Thursday, I'll be posting two or three such submission calls which I find of interest. There may be a somewhat heavy speculative fiction bent to these lists, but I'll endeavor to mix it up a bit for those who write mostly in other genres.

I'd be remiss if I didn't make my very first such item "UFO: Unidentified Funny Objects." (Full disclosure: The reason I'd be remiss is because I'm one of the associate editors and this project is being run by my friend Alex Shvartsman. Note that any submissions which the associate editors see come without the writer's name(s) attached, so no worries that I'd be biased in my reading.) This call is for humorous speculative fiction stories and runs through August 31st, 2012 and the anthology will be paying professional rates (5 cents per word for stories of 500-4,000 words).

A call with a very close deadline is "Futuredaze: An Anthology of YA Science Fiction." This project's call runs through June 30th, 2012 and they will be paying $200 for stories of up to 6,000 words and $25 per poem.

The third submission call for this week is from "The First Line." This periodical has quarterly prompts where the first line of the story is provided and they look for the best stories growing out of that first line. Their current call runs through August 1st, 2012. The supplied first line is "A light snow was falling as Charlie Reardon left the diner and made his way down Madison Street." They pay $30 for stories of 300-3,000 words.

Please make sure to read the linked guidelines pages closely to ensure that you understand details of the submission guidelines, terms, payment information, etc. It's always possible that I misinterpreted something or that something would have changed since I researched the information.

Stop back next Thursday for more Upcoming Deadlines!