By S. Kalekar
These magazines and anthologies pay up to approximately $1,350 for longer works of fiction. Many of them also accept other genres, like non-fiction and poetry. They are open now, or will soon open for submissions. A few of the calls are themed.
Gutter
“Gutter is a magazine of new Scottish and international writing. During our two annual submission windows, we accept poetry, fiction and essays from writers in Scotland and beyond. … We look for work that challenges, re-imagines or undermines the status quo, work that pushes at the boundaries of form and function, work that is striking and beautiful. We believe that great writing transcends boundaries, and we reject any distinction between literary and genre, high art and popular culture.” Submission is via a form. They also accept pitches (not submissions) of critical essays for their print magazine and reviews for their website on an ongoing basis; these are paid opportunities. And, “All of our reviews are on newly published books with a clear Scottish connection.”
Deadline: 29 March 2026
Length: Up to 2,500 words for prose, up to 3 poems
Pay: £50
Details here and here.
The Cincinnati Review
The Cincinnati Review has opened submissions for their print journal and will stay open until the deadline or till they hit their submission cap, whichever is earlier. They now accept submissions for the print magazine via Submittable. They usually accept submissions for print thrice a year – during September, December, and May – and may have occasional pop-up submission windows, as well. Submissions for miCRo, their online feature, are currently closed.
Deadline: 31 March 2026, or until filled
Length: Up to 10,000 words for fiction, up to 5,000 words for non-fiction, up to 5 poems
Pay: $25/page for print prose, $30/page for print poetry, $25 for miCRo Details here.
Flash Fiction Online: Tiny Gods
They want flash fiction submissions on the Tiny Gods theme. They want “Speculative fiction about small, personal rituals and moments of worship to the tiny gods in the protagonist’s life.” And, “All speculative fiction genres – fantasy, sci-fi, horror with speculative elements – these are all good. Slipstream and magical realism are totally fine.” They have detailed guidelines on their Submittable page. The call is open for submissions until the deadline, or till they hit their submission cap, whichever is earlier.
Deadline: 31 March 2026, or until filled
Length: 500-1,000 words
Pay: $100
Details here.
Cursed Morsels Press: Surveillance horror/Weird fiction anthology
“Later this year, we’re putting out a surveillance horror/Weird fiction anthology. I’ve loved the stories I’ve solicited and their different approaches to the theme. That said, the book is missing something: a surveillance horror/Weird fiction story that’s at least a little bit about ICE/fascist occupation. Given that we’re a Minneapolis-based press, it would be wild NOT to include at least one story in this vein.
So, even though this project was originally invite only, I’m opening submissions and seeking exactly ONE story that fits that criteria.” Please note, because they want only one story through this open call, it will likely be very competitive. They accept simultaneous submissions. They do not want reprints.
Deadline: 31 March 2026
Length: Up to 4,000 words
Pay: $0.05/word
Details here.
OTHERSIDE
They publish speculative fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and art by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators only; you can read about them here. They are open for reprint (500-7,500 words) submissions till 31st March, and non-fiction (2,000; can accept up to 4,000 words) is open year round. They will open soon for original fiction (500-4,000 words) and poetry (up to 100 lines) – during 1st to 7th April, they will only open for trans, BIPOC, and/or disabled authors who are 2SLGBTQIA+. And during 8th to 21st April, they are open for general submissions, from all 2SLGBTQIA+ writers. Submission is via their Moksha portal.
Reading period: See above
Length: See above
Pay: $100 for reprints and non-fiction; $0.08/word for original fiction; $50 for poetry
Details here.
Midnight & Indigo
They publish work by Black women writers only. They are open for character-driven literary fiction, creative non-fiction, and speculative fiction.
Deadline: 31 March for literary fiction and non-fiction, 30 June for speculative fiction
Length: 1,500-7,000 words for literary fiction, minimum 1,200 words for non-fiction, 2,000-7,000 words for speculative fiction
Pay: $0.07/word for fiction, $150 for non-fiction
Details here and here.
Adventitious
This is a new magazine. They will soon open a brief submission period. You can read about them here, and their first issue is here. And, ““Surprise” doesn’t only mean twists. We want stories that offer a sense of wonder through their language, characters, plots, or all of the above. Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and all speculative/surreal will always be welcomed, but we’re also happy with stories that shock and delight right here on this plane of existence.” They will accept stories from micro to novelette length. They also accept reprints.
Reading period: 1st to 5th April 2026
Length: Flash fiction up to 1,000 words; fiction of 1,000-6,000 words; novelettes of 6,000-17,000 words
Pay: $0.08/word for originals
Details here.
The Four Faced Liar
This Ireland-based literary journal opened for a brief submission period on 23rd March. They accept fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translations, and art from around the world. They specially welcome work from underrepresented writers. They are now reading submissions for Issue 5. Submission is via a form. Deadline: 6 April 2026
Length: Up to 4,000 words for short fiction and creative non-fiction; up to 1,000 words for fiction; up to 3 poems (see guidelines)
Pay: €200 for short stories or creative nonfiction, €100 per poem, €100 for flash fiction
Details here and here.
Cutleaf
They will soon open for fiction, non-fiction, and poetry submissions. They will close on the deadline or when they hit their submission cap, whichever is earlier.
Reading period: 1st to 15th April 2026, or until filled
Length: Up to 4,000 words for fiction, up to 6,000 words for non-fiction, up to 7 poems
Pay: $100-400 for prose, $50-200 for poetry
Details here and here.
The Pig’s Back
This Ireland-based journal publishes fiction and non-fiction. They will open submission for two weeks in April.
Reading period: 1st to 15th April 2026
Length: 2,000-5,000 words
Pay: €300
Details here.
Consequence Magazine
They publish work “that addresses the human experiences, realities, and consequences of war and geopolitical violence through literature and art.” They accept fiction (including flash and excerpts), non-fiction (interviews, essays, and narrative non-fiction), poetry, translations, and art. All works will be considered for online and print.
Deadline: 15th April 2026
Length: Varies
Pay: $30-50 for prose, $20/poem for print poetry, $30-50 for online poetry
Details here and here.
Quest Magazine: Power
They want submissions for their second issue. The theme is Power. “Quest is an online magazine using science fiction and fantasy to examine the systems shaping the present day.
We’re inviting writers, artists, and collaborators to help shape Issue 02, exploring the theme: Power — arcane, technological, institutional, intimate.” They want science fiction and fantasy, as well as adjacent genres – including magical realism, slipstream, and fabulism. They accept fiction, serialized fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art, as well as music and videos. Submission is via a form.
Deadline: 15th April 2026
Length: Minimum 2,000 words for fiction, minimum 1,500 words per instalment for serialized fiction, up to 3 poems, minimum 1,000 words for nonfiction
Pay: $250 for prose (or per story instalment), $100 for poetry
Details here and here.
Scryptid Games: Tales from the Cryptids Anthology
This is a games, fiction, poetry, and ephemera anthology. “From Scryptid Games, this anthology of games, fiction, poetry, and other ephemera flips the lens on conventional cryptid lore. In this book, cryptids are beings with vivid lives, goals, and stories of their own to share. We are more interested in thoughtful tales of transformation, self-discovery, and embedded interrogation than stories centering cryptid hunting, categorization, or collection. … For the purpose of this anthology, cryptids are beings of real or imagined folklore who “could be real” and exist on the fringes of our world. We welcome thoughtful submissions featuring documented cryptids like Bigfoot, Mothman, and Nessie, and we also love new takes on cryptids and creative reflections on the wondrous in the everyday. Could a cryptid be a song, a memory, an entire town? We are excited to read expansive, imaginative perspectives on this theme.”
And, “we are keen to acquire TTRPGs and other narrative games that embody a sense of the liminal. … For fiction and poetry, we want cryptid content that prioritizes the agency of liminal beings, places, and experiences. Your work does not need to feature a cryptid protagonist or an optimistic point-of-view, but your monsters must have agency and depth.
We are also interested in micro-submissions of uncanny ephemera to literally occupy the margins of this book. Send us cryptid scribbles, doodles, haikus, photographs, and other 2D marginalia. Even we don’t quite know what we want in this category. Surprise us.” They also accept reprints. They will stay open until the deadline, or till they hit a submission cap in each category.
Deadline: 30 April 2026, or until filled
Length: Up to 1,000 words for fiction and games, up to 3 poems
Pay: $0.10/word for original fiction and games, $50 for original poems, $25 for ephemera
Details here and here.
Kirby: Reborn
This is a new second-world fantasy fiction magazine. The editor wants “Immersive, fully realised worlds shaped by original histories, mythologies, cultures, and internal logic. I am particularly drawn to: Strong narrative voice / Emotional consequence / Worldbuilding that feels lived-in / Stories that trust the reader”. They are reading submissions for their first issue, and the theme is Reborn. The editor is a filmmaker. Works can also be potentially adapted and released as a podcast narration. Submission is via a form.
Deadline: 1 May 2026
Length: 300–1,000 words for flash fiction; 2,500–7,500 words for short fiction
Pay: £0.05/word and “Further royalties if adapted/Industry norms”Details here and here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.