These calls are for unclassifiable fantasy, stories showing monsters in a new light, alternative histories of the Jewish people, horror about people consumed by wealth, stories that depict technological advancement rather than decay, about awakenings, and young explorers, to name a few. Although most markets want speculative fiction stories (some also want non-fiction, poetry and translations), the kind of stories and tones are extremely varied. Pay is per word, and ranges from $300 to over $1,000 for the upper word limits. –– Contributed by S. Kalekar

Fireside Fiction: They want to publish great storytelling in any genre, and tilt towards speculative fiction. They welcome stories from traditionally marginalized voices. One of their goals is to pay writers fairly; another is to resist the global rise of fascism and far-right populism. See guidelines for details about their preferences.
Next reading period: 5-11 November 2017 (subject to change)
Length: Flash fiction of up to 1,000 words, short stories up to 4,000 Pay: 12.5c/word
Details here

Compelling Science Fiction: They want SF stories that illustrate at least one concept, are engaging and clearly explain the science/technology in the story. They are looking for stories that are entertaining, scientifically plausible, self-consistent, and technically detailed when appropriate. They have a preference for positive stories, and a bias toward stories that depict technological advancement rather than decay. Humor is always appreciated No fantasy.

Deadline: 1 December 2017
Length: 1,000-10,000
Pay: $0.06/word
Details here

Cricket Media: Cicada Magazine – Monsters : This young adult/teen literature magazine wants work that casts monsters in a new light: monsters living their best lives, in love, monsters that refuse to apologize for being monsters, embracing their own monstrousness and surviving. They want fiction – realism, SF/fantasy, historical fiction; narrative non-fiction (especially teen-written); essays on literature/culture/arts; hybrid forms and poetry.
Deadline: 1 December 2017
Length: Flash fiction up to 1,000 words, novellas up to 9,000, non-fiction up to 5,000, no line limit on poetry
Pay:  Fiction up to $0.10/word, non-fiction up to $0.25/word, poetry up to $3/line (minimum $25)
Details here

Lethe Press: Midas Clutch: This call is for horror stories about avarice and a fealty to Mammon – weird and eerie speculative fiction about people consumed by wealth. Stories should be suffused with the trappings of the well-to-do; decadence should be paramount. They don’t want the tales to be moralistic, and prefer stories that are contemporary.
Deadline: 31 December 2017
Length: 4,000-14,000 words
Pay: $0.05/word, $0.02/word for reprints
Details here (scroll down)

Dreaming Robot Press: 2018 Young Explorers’ Adventure GuideThe editors want science fiction stories where the main protagonist is someone a middle-grade reader (ages 8-12) can identify with. Think adventure, space, science. They particularly want stories where the main character is from the population that has traditionally been under-represented in science fiction, and has agency, and exercises it. No fantasy. They accept some reprints.
Deadline: 31 December 2017
Length: 3,000-6,000
Pay: $0.06/word
Details here

Book Smugglers Publishing: Awakenings: The theme is open to wide interpretation within the science fiction/fantasy genre. They want diversity, and welcome Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult submissions. They are particularly keen on stories with romance or horror elements, and they love subversion. They want work by both new and seasoned authors. Deadline: 31 December 2017
Length: 1,500- 17,500 words
Pay: 31 December 2017
Details here

ChiZine Publications: Other Covenants – Alternative Histories of the Jewish PeopleThey want speculative fiction stories on the theme. What if there were other timelines, other histories, other Jews? Would they still have a covenant with the one God? See guidelines for their preferred aesthetic, and possible themes to explore, including: what if the Holocaust had never happened, or if the Spanish Inquisition had never occurred? The anthology is open to all writers. Submissions can be in English or French; English language translations welcome. Send up to two stories per author. They accept some reprints.
Deadline: 4 February 2018
Length: 500-15,000 words for stories (few slots left at the high end, so query first); up to two pages of poetry
Pay: $0.08/word
Details here.

Lethe Press: The Decadents: This is a gay historical fiction anthology that embraces the Decadent Movement. Stories may have fantastical or horrific elements, and must be queer-positive. They should be set in 18^th or 19^th century, and need not be set in European cities.
Deadline: May 2018
Length: 4,000-14,000 words
Pay: $0.05/word, 1.5c/word for reprints
Details here (scroll to the end of the page)

Samovar: This is the journal of Strange Horizons and they publish only translated works of speculative fiction – fiction, non-fiction and poetry. They specially welcome work from groups that are under-represented or have been marginalized in speculative fiction.
Deadline: Now open
Length: Up to 5,000 words for fiction; can consider longer works
Pay: $0.06/word each for writers and translators of fiction, payment capped at $300; $40 each for writers and translators of poetry and non-fiction
Details here

Shimmer: They want unusual and beautifully-written speculative fiction stories which are contemporary fantasy, though they do sometimes take science fiction. They want fluid, distinctive voices and unclassifiable stories, and welcome diversity in their authors, and stories. See guidelines for preferences and topics that are hard sells.
Deadline: Now open
Length: Up to 7,500 words
Pay: $0.05/word, minimum $50
Details here&nbsp

Like this?
Please share this post on Facebook: