By S. Kalekar
These magazines and anthologies pay up to 1,000 for fiction. A few also accept other genres, like non-fiction and poetry. They are open now, or will open soon for submissions. Some of the calls are themed.
Flame Tree Anthologies
They are reading fiction for five themed anthologies, four of which are closing in August: two romantic fantasy anthologies titled Dreams Divine and Of Swords & Roses (stories of 2,000-4,000 words for both these anthologies), as well as for The Valkyries and Odysseus (both of these are part of their Myths, Gods, and Monsters series, story length is 3,000-4,000 words). Please click on the individual links to see details of all the themed calls. They also accept reprints for all of the four anthologies.
Deadlines: 24th August 2025 for all the above anthologies
Length: See above
Pay: $0.08/word for originals
Details here (links to all the submission calls).
(And, Flame Tree’s Africanfuturism anthology, open for submissions from Black African, African-diaspora, African–descent writers, closes for submissions on 2nd November 2025.)
Griffith Review: On the Money
They mostly accept work from writers in Australia, and some work from overseas writers. They want fiction and non-fiction submissions for their 91st issue; the theme is On the Money. “Money talks – but it doesn’t always speak the truth. It’s also far more than a medium of exchange and a store of value: money is a status symbol, a friendship destroyer, an opportunity creator, a psychological blocker, an obsession, a dream, a curse, an albatross and an elephant in the room.
And if money makes the world go round, it’s spinning us faster than ever these days. Do we stand any chance of bridging the wealth gap? How does money influence our behaviour? What part does it play in the erosion of democracy and institutional trust? Should financial literacy be taught in schools? And does anyone actually understand crypto?
This edition of Griffith Review follows the money to tally the past, present and future of our filthy lucre.” Do not send poetry (there will be a separate call-out for poetry in September).
Deadline: 24 August 2025 (11:59 pm AEST)
Length: Up to 4,000 words for prose
Pay: AUD0.75/word
Details here and here.
Sans. Press: No Gods No Masters Anthology
They are open now for a fiction anthology, and want submissions that respond to the theme is No Gods No Masters and/or their cover art (see guidelines). “In great magical battles, or in a conflict between the smallest of creatures, reality is built by the echo of voices refusing to be silenced. While those in power might try to conduct the world under the rhythm of their wishes, again and again voices will rise in dissonance, claiming to be heard as they are. … we want to celebrate stories that live and die by the motto of fresh & weird; characters that refuse to be anything but themselves, and that will remake the worlds around them rather than be broken down. We are looking for revolutions that take any shape or form – individual, symbolic, magical, political, subjective – as long as they are motivated by the authentic pursuit of change.
No Gods No Masters is an anthology for the stories that are ready to get their hands dirty in the making of a newer, fairer world; it is for the characters that are driven not for the love of power but for solidarity, for genuine belief, and for a refusal to surrender to cynicism and despair.” And, “All genres of writing are welcome; more than any specific story or style, we want the emotional response the title and artwork evokes in you.” They will remain open for submissions until the deadline, or until their submission cap is met, whichever is earlier. Submission is via a form on their website.
Deadline: 31 August 2025, or until filled
Length: Up to 5,000 words
Pay: €200
Details here.
Cupid’s Arrow Publishing: Dalliances Anthology – Swashes and Buckles
They published themed romance anthologies. For this call, “We are looking for lusty tales that take place upon the seven seas—and if they involve pirates, even better!” They do not want erotica. Submission is via a form on their website.
Deadline: 31 August 2025
Length: 2,000-6,000 words
Pay: $0.02/word
Details here
(See their other calls, for which no deadline has been announced, on this page.)
New Edge Sword & Sorcery
They want sword & sorcery stories. Their editor’s definition of the genre is linked on their website. And, “We do not recommend genre blending, though we’ll still read such works with an open mind, and we strongly recommend against submitting works featuring standardized fantasy elements (No elves, orcs, dragons, or dwarves, please).” Please note, this project is contingent on crowdfunding (they have run successful campaigns in the past); please see their note about that, as well as payment.
Deadline: 1 September 2025
Length: 4,000-6,000 words
Pay: $0.04/word; more if crowdfunding stretch goals are met
Details here.
(Submissions are also open for Fascination, a fiction and poetry anthology from Tyche Books. They have detailed guidelines, including, “Imagine a tall figure in black robes wearing a mask that looks like a deer skull, antlers backlit by moonlight. Or perhaps it is not a mask and the shape beneath the robes something much more than human. Imagine a thatch-roofed fairy tale cottage deep in a forest, with a lake of black water for a front lawn. Imagine what creatures the cottage’s occupant keeps trapped beneath the water, waiting to be called forth to do their bidding …. I want nature-fueled magic, witches and dark fae. Creepy cottages, haunted homesteads and bespelled woods. Submit them to me that I might find myself enchanted and unsettled by them in equal measure”. Pay is CAD50 for stories up to 7,500 words, CAD20 for poetry; more if Kickstarter funding permits, and the deadline is 3 September 2025 – see guidelines. Details here and here.)
Toronto Journal
This journal publishes in print and sound. You can read about them here. They accept short stories from anywhere in the world, and non-fiction pieces that are set in and around the Greater Toronto Area. They’re currently accepting submissions for their Winter 2026 issue. Submission is via a form on their website.
Deadline: 1 September 2025
Length: Up to 7,500 words
Pay: $50
Details here.
Uncanny Magazine
This award-winning genre magazine will soon open for speculative fiction submissions. They are open now for speculative poetry submissions. “We want intricate, experimental stories and poems with gorgeous prose, verve, and imagination that elicit strong emotions and challenge beliefs. Uncanny believes there’s still plenty of room in the genre for tales that make you feel.”
Reading period: Till 26th August for poetry; and 25th August to 8th September 2025 for short fiction
Length: Up to 5 poems, 750-10,000 words for fiction
Pay: $40/poem, $0.10/word for fiction
Details here and here.
Heartlines Spec
This is a Canadian magazine of speculative fiction and poetry, focused on long-term relationships. Please note, they will publish at least 50% work from Canadian writers for each issue. “We’re looking for short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships: platonic, romantic, or familial. We don’t want the blaze of new love or the obsession of a new friend. We want pieces that show that comfort that develops when people know each other for years.
Give us deep space, dusty frontiers, or dreamy fantasy. We want stories and poetry with strong, confident relationships amid all the sci-fi/fantasy. While we are primarily looking for stories with happy endings (yeah, yeah), we also want endings that are earned. If things get a little teary or gory, that’s ok.
We are especially interested in stories featuring queer platonic relationships, ace/aro love stories, and polycules.” They will soon open for their Autumn reading period; regular submissions are open September 1-30, and their early submission period for equity-deserving groups is August 24-31.
Reading period: See above
Length: 1,000-3,500 words for fiction; up to 5 poems
Pay: CAD0.08/word for fiction; CAD60/poem
Details here (guidelines) and here (submission portal)
Vast Chasm
“Vast Chasm Magazine publishes bold work that explores the expansive human experience, including flash and short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and other nonconforming work.” Submissions are via Submittable.
Deadline: Open now
Length: Up to 5,000 words for prose, one poem
Pay: $50
Details here.
Night Shades
“Generally, any kind of speculativefiction is fine, but it must have arecognizable speculative element. I like sci-fi best, but I also like horror and fantasy that’s light on magic. I also like slice of life or less plot-driven stories that create a world.” Please see their detailed guidelines, including hard sells.
Deadline: Open now
Length: Up to 500 words
Pay: $65
Details here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.