If you've just wandered in off the internet, hi and welcome. :) I do these posts every month, so if this post isn't dated in the same month you're in,
click here to make sure you're seeing the most recent one. If you want to get an e-mail notification when the listing is posted, get the list a week early, or get a full listing of everything I've found (as opposed to the two months' worth I post here) a week early, you can support
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Markets with specific deadlines are listed first, with "Always Open" and "Until Filled" markets (if any) at the bottom.
Markets open only to writers in a limited demographic are marked with a
[NOTE:] from me, in italics, right after the main header.
There are usually more details on the original site; always click through and read the full guidelines before submitting. Note that some publishers list multiple guidelines on one page, so after you click through you might have to scroll a bit.
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28 February 19 -- Triangulation: Dark Skies -- Parsec Ink
Triangulation is open for submissions. We are Parsec Ink's speculative fiction annual, now in our 15th year. We're looking for outstanding fantasy, science fiction, weird fiction, and speculative horror–from new and established writers. Take the theme and run with it. Tell us a story we won't forget.
Theme: Triangulation: Dark Skies will be a celebration of the dark. This year, we are joining forces with the
International Dark-Sky Association to raise awareness of the dangers of light pollution—to human health, to animals and plants in the nighttime ecosystem, and to the future of astronomical research on our planet. We'd like to see proactive characters experiencing firsthand the dangers and consequences of a world without darkness, but even more than that, we want stories celebrating our place in the universe, and our ability, as sentient beings, to see into the depths of space. Give us past, present, and future accounts. Cautionary tales. Secondary worlds and altered timelines. The effects of light pollution are many and varied—feel free to explore any aspects, from neurobiological studies, to life in an alien star system, to legends out of time.
How To Submit: Electronic submissions make our lives easier. Please upload your story via
Submittable. If this is your first time using Submittable, you will need to create an account with them. Don’t worry: it’s free.
SUBMIT YOUR STORY HERE!
Word Count: We consider fiction up to 5,000 words, but the sweet spot is 3,000. There is no minimum word count.
Genre: We accept science fiction, fantasy, and horror–and enjoy intelligent blends of the three. Stories without a speculative element will not be considered.
Compensation: Pay is semi-pro: 4 cents a word. Authors will receive an e-book and one print copy of the anthology, plus wholesale pricing for additional print copies (typically 50% off the cover price).
Rights: We purchase North American serial rights, audio and electronic rights for the downloadable version(s). All subsidiary rights released upon publication.
Submissions: We are a meritocracy. New authors are as welcome as those with a laundry list of accomplishments. But it's going to be the story that wins us over. Grab us by the lapels, drag us onto that plane, take us for the ride of our lives… but get us back on the ground safely and home in time for dinner.
We do not accept reprints, multiple submissions, or simultaneous submissions. If we reject a story before the end of the reading period, feel free to send another.
We love creative interpretations of our themes, but we do require the stories to be a solid fit.
We run mature content only if we like the story and find the mature content to be integral to it.
We do not accept fanfic, even if it's based in a fictional universe that has passed into the public domain.
Manuscript Format: Please use industry standard manuscript format. We're not testing you or trying to make you jump through hoops, but we do want a manuscript that is easy for us to read.
We accept manuscripts in the following formats:
== .doc or .docx (MS Word)
== .rtf (Rich Text Format — generic document format that most word processors can create)
Editorial Process: We aim to read submissions as they are received. If a story doesn't work for us, we reject it. If we think the story has great potential but isn't quite there yet, we request a rewrite. The ones we love the most, we hold on to for further consideration, but we won't keep you guessing: you'll get an email. Next, the stories fight it out amongst themselves until we have our final lineup. At which time, final acceptances are sent out. It's sort of like Enter the Dragon, but without the nunchucks. When a story is accepted, the changes we suggest will typically be minor and/or cosmetic.
Response: Final decisions are made by March 31st.
Eligibility: All writers, including those who are known or related to the editorial staff, can submit to Triangulation. That doesn't mean they’ll necessarily get in, but we are happy to consider their work.
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28 February 19 -- Today, Tomorrow, Always -- Margery de Brus, LLC
What?
Ten short stories will be selected for publication. Stories must be 7,500 words or less. We're looking for works that tell a compelling story and elicit a strong emotional response from readers. While literary basics like imagery and symbolism are important, we're more concerned with the content of the story. Can you entertain us AND tell us something profound? Do the characters speak to us? Do we recognize them? Seeking stories that address contemporary issues. Diverse voices encouraged.
When?
Slated for publication in June 2019.
Today, Tomorrow, Always will be released in a Limited Edition Print format, eBook, and Audio Book. Deadline for submission is February 28, 2019.
Where?
To submit a story for consideration, please email completed works to mdb@margerydebrusllc.com. Works should be attached in Word or PDF format and contain the author's contact information on the first page only. Please include a brief bio in the body of the email. Selected authors will be notified by April 30, 2019.
How Much?
Each author will receive $100 and a copy of the print edition. Monetary award will be paid upon acceptance. There is no submission fee.
Rights
MdB assumes first North American publishing rights including print, eBook, and audio formats. Works may be published on our website up to six months after anthology release.
[NOTE: Okay, I thought about whether to list this, and decided to give you the info and leave it up to you. Consider this a huge caveat -- the first time I've written a NOTE longer than the listing it's attached to -- and warning to use your judgement.
This organization is ultimately looking to bring back the patronage system of the Renaissance, to employ artists for a regular wage. Their FAQ page says, "MdB owns all copyrights, and shares royalties with artists. Royalties are for life and slightly beyond, so if an artist leaves MdB, they still get paid their royalty share." (I assume this only applies to work done for the publisher once one is under contract with them as an employee, and not to work subbed for the anthology.)
(Also, if you decide to dive into this pool, check what they mean by "slightly beyond." Term of copyright in the US is currently lifetime of the author plus 75 years, which is more than "slightly" beyond. Will they keep paying your estate for the full 75 years after you're dead? Check your contract before signing up.)
This might look like a great deal to an artist with no current audience, but if your work turns into the next
Game of Thrones, it's possible you'll still get the same royalty and the organization employing you will get stupid-rich. I don't know, I haven't seen any contracts (check and see whether they mention escalators for higher sales, or how money is split from movies, TV shows, games, merchandise, etc.) but it's the first thing that occurred to me. I'm willing to buy that the organization (Ms. de Brus, I'm assuming) means well. But this can go wrong in so many ways.... [sigh]
However, this particular anthology is paying a flat $100 per story. That doesn't completely suck, and if your story is on the short end of the wordcount range, it's pretty good. And they're only taking First North American Serial rights (should be Anthology rights, but whatever) (also implies they're only publishing in the US and Canada, and maybe Mexico, so the book won't be showing up in, say, most of Kobo's range, or Amazon UK or Amazon Germany or Amazon India...) which leaves you able to resell reprint rights or indie-pub your story later. My point, though, is READ YOUR CONTRACT and make sure you understand it BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING. (Always good advice, but particularly here.) This could be a perfectly legitimate pro/semi-pro anthology, or there might be something squirrely in the contract, whether or not the publisher intends any malice. Plenty of newbies in this business end up offering truly heinous contracts out of sheer inexperience, with no harm intended. That doesn't make the contract any less heinous.]
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28 February 19 -- Disabled People Destroy Fantasy -- Ed. Katharine Duckett
[NOTE: submissions open only to disabled writers. See below for definition of "disabled" in this context.]
Emails containing submissions will be deleted. (Uncanny Magazine uses the Moksha submission system.)
We are OPEN to all submissions!
Who can submit:
We welcome submission from writers who identify themselves as disabled. Identity is what matters for this issue. What kinds of disabilities? All of them. Invisible and visible. Physical disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental health disabilities, and neurodiversity.
Yes, even if your disability is a recently acquired one.
Yes, even if your disability is static, or if it isn’t.
Yes, even if you’ve had your disability since birth.
Yes, even if you use adaptive devices only SOME of the time.
Yes, you.
Please read Elsa Sjunneson-Henry’s essay
"Disabled Enough" if you have any doubts.
So, if you identify as disabled across any of these definitions or others, we want to hear from you!
A Note on Manuscript Guidelines For Fiction and Nonfiction:
14pt font, please. Serifed (ex: Time New Roman, Courier, Garamond). Double spaced.
Please let the editors know if you need accommodations as well.
Fiction
Fiction Editor: Katharine Duckett
We do not require stories to explore issues relating to disability, though we welcome them. We're seeking fantasy stories that invite readers to enter worlds they've never seen before. We're looking for immediate and visceral tales of danger, fun and inventive adventures, and fateful journeys to distant lands or to the dragon's lair in your own backyard. We’re looking for intricate, challenging tales with gorgeous prose, verve, and imagination that elicit strong emotions and challenge beliefs.
We want the stories you've been yearning to encounter in the world. We want to engage with the characters you want to meet in fiction.
Length: Between 750-6000 words
Payment: $.08 per word
Fiction Submission Procedures:
1- Please submit your story via
Uncanny's Moksha submission system.
2- All stories should be in 14pt font, serifed (ex: Time New Roman, Courier, Garamond). double spaced, and attached in .RTF, .DOC, or .DOCX formats.
3- Your cover letter should contain the length of your story, your significant publishing history and awards, and information that might be relevant to that specific submission.
4- Please do not send multiple submissions at once, or submissions simultaneously submitted at another market or anthology.
5- We will try to respond to all submissions in 60 days. Please feel free to query uncannymagazine [at] gmail [dot] com if we’ve had your submission for over 75 days.
[NOTE: Click through for guidelines for nonfiction and poetry.]
***
15 March 19 -- Sorghum and Spear -- ed. Sheree Renée Thomas; Greene County Creative
Greene County Creative, a content agency, accepting submissions for its first anthology,
Sorghum & Spear: The Way of Silk And Stone. We are looking for original works that fit the inclusive fantasy world of our comic book series, featuring young girls and women of all walks of life as they are influenced by their roles in the Forever War.
The tenet, "Pray for Peace but Prepare for War" is weaved deep into the culture of the An’Fre women. Sorghum & Spear speaks to the global diaspora, African, Latin, Asian and Indigenous. Stories that highlight or reveal a new perspective of fantasy in this rich, inclusive world are ideal. We seek works that explore love in all its forms, diversity, fate vs choice, self-discovery, and supernatural talents, and original works that portray the strength, sisterhood, and diversity of women—hallmarks of our world-building efforts. Given the unique guidelines of our world, we ask that you review Sorghum & Spear and its world-building rules carefully prior to submission.
Special consideration will be given to women and writers of color whose personal stories may additionally lend to their storytelling.
To guide in the world building within SORGHUM & SPEAR, a complimentary digital copy of the Sorghum & Spear: Simadan comic and The Sorghum & Spear Worldbuilders Guide are available via email request at greenecountycreative@gmail.com with the subject "ATTN: S&S Reference Request".
ORIGINAL FICTION length: 2000 to 7,500 words
Payment: 0.06 cents per word + contributor copy
Genres: Fantasy written with a shared world
Email submissions to: greenecountycreative@gmail.com
No simultaneous submissions. No multi-submissions for short fiction.
Please use standard manuscript formatting when submitting your work:
https://shunn.net/format/story.html
Rights and Compensation: Payment: 0.06 per word for original fiction and a paperback copy of the anthology from Greene County Creative.
We are looking for previously unpublished works in English.
Seeking first world rights in English and non-exclusive right to continue to publish for the life of the anthology.
Submission method: Upload story as .doc or .rtf to niteblade.submittable.com/submit.
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31 March 19 -- Letters from the Grave: A Collection of Epistolary Horror -- Orbannin Books
The epistolary form has a long, proud tradition in the horror genre. From the classics such as
Frankenstein and
Dracula, through modern classics like
World War Z. We want to see your fresh takes on the idea. Remember that the epistolary genre doesn't just include letters. It can be stories created from nearly any kinds or combinations of documents, i.e. crime scene reports, diary entries, interview transcripts, etc. This can include modern electronic and digital "documents" such as texts, voicemails, Tweets, blog posts, and more. Original stories only, no reprints.
Preferred word count: Up to 10,000 words
Payment and rights: $.05/word on acceptance, and one paperback contributor's copy. First Print and First Electronic Rights, exclusive for 1 year. The anthology will be published as an ebook and in paperback, and we reserve the right to produce a hardcover edition.
Stories should be submitted to editor@orbanninbooks.com, with the subject line "Letters from the Grave."
Please don’t send us:
== Fan-fiction or stories using other authors' characters, settings, etc, unless they are in the public domain.
== Gratuitous bestiality, incest, child sex, sexual assault, racism, etc. This is a horror anthology, of course, so "adult content" and horrific, disturbing incidents are certainly going to be there. Make sure, however, that any of these elements are necessary to the story and that their depiction makes sense in the context of the letter or other documents.
== Random horror stories that you’ve stuck a "Hey, you’ll never believe what happened to me!" email frame around.
***
15 April 19 -- Alternative Apocalypses -- ed. Deborah Godfrey and Bob Brown; B Cubed Press
Stories of endings, beginnings, and change. As always, a political bent doesn’t hurt but not required. The apocalypse can be big or small, personal or world shattering. Humor is always good. Satire is excellent.
We will include some good poetry and thoughtful essays if you have them. For stories we’re looking for 500 to 5000 words.
We anticipate releasing at World Con in Dublin.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions should be in Word or RTF attachments, using SFWA manuscript format.
Include your name AND email on the document. We’re pretty organized, but sometimes emails and stories get separated, and that is NEVER GOOD.
Email your submission to kionadad@aol.com. The subject should be: "SUBMISSION Alternative Apocolypse". Really. Just copy it – we’ve made it simple.
Pay is 2 cents a word and royalties for stories. For very short fiction, poems, and nursery rhymes, we offer an option of a flat $25 to the writer. Payment is made on publication.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions okay, reprints as well, but they are held to a higher standard.
***
15 April 19 -- Alternative Bedtime Reading for Progressive Parents -- ed. Diana Payton and Bob Brown; B Cubed Press
We’re looking for nursery rhymes, poetry, and stories that can be read and enjoyed by children of all ages. There is no lower word limit on poems or nursery rhymes.
The work can be completely original or derived from fairy tales, bible stories, folklore, myths, or similar so long as acknowledgement is made, but absolutely no fan fiction of work that is not in the public domain.
For stories we’re looking for 500 to 3000 words. We anticipate publishing in fall of 2019.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions should be in Word or RTF attachments, using SFWA manuscript format.
Include your name AND email on the document. We’re pretty organized, but sometimes emails and stories get separated, and that is NEVER GOOD.
Email your submission to kionadad@aol.com. The subject should be: "SUBMISSION Alternative Bedtime Reading for Progressive Parents". Really. Just copy it – we’ve made it simple.
Pay is 2 cents a word and royalties for stories. For very short fiction, poems, and nursery rhymes, we offer an option of a flat $25 to the writer. Payment is made on publication.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions okay, reprints as well, but they are held to a higher standard.
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15 April 19 -- Tales from the Space Force -- B Cubed Press
Okay, how could we not. Now that America has an official Space Force, we need to incorporate it into literature.
What to do we want? Camp? Satire? Bug Eyed Monsters? All good. We’ll do serious stories, too. Mostly we want good stories. And if I am to confess, we want campy stories. We want the golden age of pulp to live again.
Political bends are allowed.
Poetry and essays are allowed.
Ask yourself, what would an American Space Force do? Will there be a space wall around the International Space Station? Will NASA and the Space Force get along? I have no idea, but I’m leaving it up to you to tell us. Here at B Cubed, we leave the writing to you.
We’re looking for 500 to 5000 words.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions should be in Word or RTF attachments, using SFWA manuscript format.
Include your name AND email on the document. We’re pretty organized, but sometimes emails and stories get separated, and that is NEVER GOOD.
Email your submission to kionadad@aol.com. The subject should be: "SUBMISSION Space Force". Really. Just copy it – we’ve made it simple.
Pay is 2 cents a word and royalties for stories. For very short fiction, poems, and nursery rhymes, we offer an option of a flat $25 to the writer. Payment is made on publication.
Multiple and Simultaneous submissions okay, reprints as well, but they are held to a higher standard.
***
30 April 19 -- Geek Out II! -- Qommunicate Publishing
[NOTE: Submissions open to LGBTQ+ writers only.]
Queer Pop Lit & Art
Geek Out! – Queer Pop Lit & Art will be published in print & ebook (compatible with the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo, iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows devices in addition to PDF and other downloadable formats and web-viewable formats.)
Submission Guidelines:
Please read the following submission guidelines carefully before submitting your work to
Geek Out. If you have any questions not answered below, please write us at submissions@qommunicatepublishing.com and we will be happy to answer.
Theme:
= Where
queer meets
geek. Whatever you geek out about, we want to read it!
Genres:
= Genre Fiction (e.g. scifi, fantasy, western, noir, horror)
= Poetry: slam poems and non-traditional formats
= Creative Nonfiction (non-memoir based): opinion essays, topical articles, reviews, comedy
= Comics / Graphic short stories (black & white only)
= Scripts: short stage plays, teleplays, screenplays, video scripts, etc.
Not Looking For:
We are not looking for work in the following genres for this particular publication. (See our other
Submission Guidelines homepage for other publications with upcoming deadlines seeking work in these genres.)
= Literary Fiction
= Memoir-based Nonfiction
= Traditional Poetry
Additionally, we rarely accept work in the following genres:
= Erotica*
= Work written for children
( * Look for an upcoming call for submissions for our new adult series “Pan’s Ex: Queer Sex Poetry” – coming soon!)
Length:
= Prose: up to 5,000 words
= Flash Non-fiction: 1 page or less
= Poetry: up to 3 pages (per poem)
= Comics & Scripts: up to 10 pages
= Submissions of longer than 10 pages must be numbered.
Formats:
= All submissions must be typed. No handwritten submissions will be accepted.
= If you send your submission in, please do NOT mail us your only copy of your work. We can not be responsible for returning submissions.
Multiple Submissions
= Multiple submissions (submissions of more than one work) are fine. Send us what you’ve got!
Simultaneous Submissions:
= Simultaneous submissions (submitting work you’ve already submitted–or are planning on submitting–elsewhere) are fine too.
= Please just be sure that if your submission gets accepted elsewhere, you contact us at submissions@qommunicatepublishing.com to withdraw it from consideration for
Geek Out!
Reprints:
= Reprints will NOT be considered.
Rights:
= We are seeking First English Anthology Rights and First World Anthology Rights in print and ebook formats.
= NOTE: These rights only allow the material to be used in the anthology and its reprints, and the writer retains all rights to their work not specified here (i.e. in the contract), including copyright to their work.
= We are also seeking, for all material, Non-exclusive Excerpt Rights (for the purposes of promoting the Anthology on the website).
Compensation:
= Contributors will receive $5 per printed page.
[NOTE: There's no way to tell exactly how many cents/word they'll be paying; it depends on the size of the pages, the size of the typeface, and the density of the writing on any given page. (A page with many short lines of dialogue will have a lot fewer words than a page full of long paragraphs of description or narration.) A standard manuscript page is counted as approximately 250 words, which works out to about 2 cents per word. I'm assuming a "printed" page will be less than twice that, which means this market squeaks in just past my guidelines, to give them the benefit of the doubt. Keep this in mind, though, when you decide whether to sub here.]
What to Submit:
= Your submission
= A brief bio telling us something about you and (if applicable) any publishing experience
= At least one form of contact information (phone number, email, or mailing address. Please do not give a social media account handle as your only form of contact information.
= IMPORTANT: Pen names are acceptable. However, for contractual purposes, all submissions must also include the author’s legal name.
Where to Submit:
Submissions may be emailed to us at: submissions@qommunicatepublishing.com or mailed to us at:
Qommunity
201 Lancelot Lane
Becket, MA 01223
AGAIN, MAILED SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE RETURNED
Response Time:
= We will respond to all submissions by June 1, 2019.
***
ALWAYS OPEN -- Future Visions Anthology Series -- ed. Brian J Walton; Camton House Publishing
The Future Visions Anthologies is a science fiction anthology series, aiming to deliver excellent and diverse short story collections on a quarterly basis. In the tradition of great television anthology series such as
The Twilight Zone, and
Black Mirror, the Future Visions Anthologies will broadly explore all genres and traditions of science fiction and speculative fiction, seeking in each story to explore deeply themes that are relevant to a modern audience.
Themes:
What do you hope the future will bring? What are you afraid we may become? How do our visions of the future inform and give shape to the hopes and fears that we have today?
These questions are what defines anthology series like
The Twilight Zone and
Black Mirror. Rather than mandating a theme for each publication, (one publication for cyborgs, one for time travelers, etc...) I want authors to feel free to explore these larger questions using any and all of the popular science fiction tropes: new technology, exploration, nightmarish dystopians, alien species, baffling utopias, the list goes on...
Diversity:
The Future Visions Anthologies seeks to bring diversity to all aspects of their publications, from the stories and authors we publish, to the themes and genres we explore. All authors may apply regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliation.
Terms:
The Future Visions Anthologies seeks to engage authors with fair and equitable terms through participation in the anthologies. The anthologies will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited for an initial six-month term, during which stories will be exclusive to the anthology. After this, anthologies will continue be available as an ebook (not in KU) for an additional six-month term. During this term, partial publication rights will return to the author to publish as an ebook, except for in KU. After one year, the ebook will be unpublished, returning all rights to the author.
Payment will be based on a profit-share model with a guaranteed minimum payment of $150. Authors will receive royalties during the first six months of membership. At the end of the royalty period, if the author's royalties do not meet the minimum payment of $150 then the remaining amount will be paid. There is no cap to the amount of royalties that may be earned. Earning reports for the anthology will be provided to all participating authors to ensure complete transparency. Specific terms will be available after initial acceptance of the author's story.
Submission Guidelines:
== Authors must read and be in agreement with the above before submitting.
== There is no fee to submit.
== Submissions must be original, never before published works.
== Submissions may be set in a larger universe, but should be a complete story; do not send excerpts, parts, or volumes.
== Word Count is 2k-7k words (exceptions for up to one story per anthology can be made).
== Submissions should be written to the best of the author's ability. Professional editing is not required but may help in the consideration of your piece. Camton House Publishing will provide professional editing and proofreading, approved by the author, and a final, edited version will be submitted to the author upon publication.
== Adult language and sexual situations are permitted, but no hate speech, erotica or "X-rated" material.
== Formatting: 12pt Times New Roman font with 1.5-line spacing; 1-inch margins on all sides; no extra spaces between paragraphs; leading indentations, but no tabs.
== Include "Future Visions Short Story Submission" in the header and the following information in the body of the email:
o Author Name
o Story Title
o Word Count
o Brief Bio, written in the third person. 100-300 words.
== Submissions should be submitted in docx format as an attachment.
== Submissions should be emailed to futurevisionssubmissions@gmail.com
Submissions that do not follow the above guidelines will not be considered.
Deadlines:
Submissions are always open. Authors who have submitted will be notified within 4-6 weeks of submission regarding whether their story has been selected.
[Okay, this is different. I'll be treating this one like an "Until Filled" market, in that I'll be checking every month to make sure they're still alive. Unlike a UF, I'll keep posting this so long as it's still alive. (Unless it turns morbid or skeevy, the usual.) Note that this is a royalty split with a guaranteed minimum, which works out to pro rates up to 2500 words, and semi-pro after that. Best practice IMO is to assume that the minimum is all you'll ever get from this market; that way, so long as you do get paid, all your surprises will happy ones.
Interesting business model; it's basically a magazine that's being treated like an antho series, more or less. I'll be keeping an eye on this one, and may revisit the listing in the future.]
***
If you've found this listing useful, and especially if you've sold a story to a market you found here (score!) I'd love to hear about it. You can e-mail me at angiepen at gmail dot com.
If you'd like to support these listings in a more concrete way, here are a couple of ways to do it:
Become a Patron!
