These magazines and anthologies pay for speculative fiction \u2013 up to $700 for short fiction, and one magazine pays more for novella-length stories. Some also accept other genres, like non-fiction and poetry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many are open for submissions now, or will open soon, or have announced their next submission window; not all of them have, however. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019re listed in no particular order. Some calls are themed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– S. Kalekar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n NPQ Magazine: Climate Fiction Atomic Carnival: Two anthologies I\u2019m especially interested to include stories from disabled and chronically ill writers.\u201d Escape Artists: Cast of Wonders \u2013 Banned Books Week<\/strong> Third Flatiron Anthologies: Rhapsody of the Spheres<\/strong> Apparition Lit: Creature<\/strong><\/a> Old Moon Cosmic Horror Monthly<\/strong> Flash Frog<\/strong> Solarpunk Magazine Planet Scumm Fantasy Magazine<\/strong> Translunar Travelers Lounge<\/strong> Haven Speculative<\/strong> Written Backwards: Qualia Nous, Vol. 2 Anthology<\/strong> Factor Four Magazine<\/strong> Heartlines Spec<\/strong> Orion\u2019s Belt<\/strong> Mysterion<\/strong> Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores<\/strong> Neon Hemlock Press: We\u2019re Here \u2013 The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2023<\/strong> TTA Press: InterZone<\/strong> Reckoning<\/strong> hyphen punk<\/strong> Metaphorosis<\/strong> Occult Detective Magazine<\/strong> Bards and Sages Quarterly<\/strong> Heroic Fantasy Quarterly<\/strong> Cirsova<\/strong>
<\/strong>Their website<\/a> says, \u201cNPQ uses a range of media channels to help advance critical conversations that can refine nonprofit and social movement policy and practice.\u201d They publish research-based articles. They have issued a special fiction call for NPQ Magazine; \u201cwe\u2019re looking for short climate fiction stories that spark imaginative visions of the future. Particularly, we want to see writing that is largely speculative in nature but scientifically grounded. In the midst of our climate crisis reshaping the way people live, our fall 2023 issue focuses on the question, Where do we find\/how do we create home in the future? As such, we are interested in stories that speak to our intersectional lived experiences in the context of climate change and how these might play out, evolve, or even completely transform in your visionary future world. Stories can be utopian and apocalyptic or somewhere in between.\u201d Stories can be up to 2,000 words. They \u201cwill pay $500 for substantive science-grounded stories and $300 for short stories around 500 words.\u201d The deadline is 30 June 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lightspeed
<\/strong>Lightspeed<\/a> is open to submissions of science fiction flash stories<\/strong> from BIPOC writers only till 31st<\/sup> May, and from all writers during 1st<\/sup> to 7th<\/sup> June. They also accept translations. They will open during 23rd<\/sup> to 30th<\/sup> June for fantasy<\/strong> flash<\/strong> fiction<\/strong> from BIPOC writers, and submissions for all writers in this genre will be open during 1st<\/sup> to 7th<\/sup> July. Please only send the work in the relevant lengths and genres, during their reading periods. Length guidelines are up to 1,500 words for flash fiction. They pay $0.08\/word. Details here<\/a>.
Randon Journal<\/strong>
Their guidelines say, \u201cRadon welcomes short story and poetry submissions containing elements of anarchism, transhumanism, dystopia, or science fiction.\u201d You can read more about the genres they publish in the FAQ section, here<\/a>. Send stories up to 3,000 words, or up to 5 poems. Pay is $0.01\/word for fiction, and $10 for poetry. They also accept reprints. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NewMyths<\/strong>
They publish fiction (up to 10,000 words), nonfiction, and poetry. \u201cWe like to balance each quarterly issue between science fiction and fantasy, dark and light, serious and humorous, hard and soft science fiction, and longer and shorter works.\u201d Their pay rates have doubled in 2023. They also accept artwork. They are scheduled to open submissions on 1st<\/sup> June, and will stay open until 31st<\/sup> July 2023.
They pay $0.03\/word; \u201cminimum payment of $50 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry\u201d. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>They are reading submissions for two anthologies: Greater Than His Nature, and Open All Night.
—<\/strong> \u201cFor Greater Than His Nature<\/strong>, I\u2019m looking for short stories based around the theme of \u201cmad science.\u201d Cackling Victorian scientists, giant atomic monsters, and Cronenbergian body horror are all fair game. I\u2019m even open to the right piece of nonfiction for this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
—<\/strong> \u201cFor Open All Night<\/strong>, I want horror and fantasy (and all and any assorted sub- and cross-genres) based around the theme of \u201copen all night.\u201d While not strictly necessary, I\u2019ll definitely be looking for retail and service industry-based stories. Give me graveyard shifts, overnight inventories gone bad, and haunted diners, shit so sordid and spooky that even the most seasoned of waitresses can\u2019t handle what\u2019s happening.
No nonfiction here, but if you want to deviate from the above genres, a little or a lot, that\u2019s cool with me.\u201dThe Kickstarter for both anthologies has been funded. Send stories up to 10,000 words (2,000-6,000 words preferred); pay is $0.03\/word (more if Kickstarter hits stretch goals). The deadline is 30 June 2023 for both anthologies. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History Through Fiction<\/strong>
Their website says, \u201cHistory Through Fiction accepts historical fiction short story and novel excerpt submissions that, if accepted, will be published in the member-only content area of our website. Stories and excerpts must be previously unpublished and should be 1,000 – 7,000 words long. HTF prefers stories that are based on real historical events and\/or people. However, all stories (with the exception of those related to Nazi cruelty) with any kind of historical setting will be considered \u2013 this includes those with elements of fantasy and alternative history.\u201d They publish one story a month, have ongoing submissions, and pay $25. Novel submissions will reopen in September. Details here<\/a> (scroll down).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Escape Artists: Escape Pod<\/strong>
This is the science fiction online magazine and podcast. \u201cWe are fairly flexible on what counts as science (superheroes! steampunk! space opera! time travel!) and are interested in exploring the range of the genre. We want stories that center science, technology, future projections, and\/or alternate history, and how any or all of these things impact individuals and society.
Escape Pod leans in the direction of escapism, hopepunk and optimism rather than grimdark and gloom.\u201d They have extensive guidelines. They also accept reprints. Escape Pod is from the Escape Artists<\/a> suite of magazines. Length guidelines are 1,500-6,000 words for original short fiction, and longer for reprints. They pay $0.08\/word for original stories. The deadline is 31 May 2023; they will reopen on 1st<\/sup> September. Details here<\/a> (guidelines overview), here<\/a> (detailed guidelines), here<\/a> (submission portal), and here<\/a> (schedule).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cast of Wonders publishes young adult fantasy, science fiction, and horror in podcast and online format. They welcome work by young writers (writers under 18) during all their submission periods. They also accept translations and reprints. They have extensive guidelines, please read these carefully. Their submission portal<\/a> will open for themed fiction submissions during the reading period (1st<\/sup>-14th<\/sup> June 2023), and will also have details on the Banned Books Week theme for 2023 at that time; and they are slated to open for unthemed YA speculative fiction submissions during August. Pay is $0.08\/word for stories up to 6,000 words. Details here<\/a> (guidelines) and here<\/a> (schedule).
Escape Artists: PseudoPod<\/strong>
PseudoPod publishes horror fiction in audio and online formats. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for horror: dark, weird fiction. We run the spectrum from grim realism or crime drama, to magic-realism, to blatantly supernatural dark fantasy. We publish highly literary stories reminiscent of Poe or Lovecraft as well as vulgar shock-value pulp fiction. We don\u2019t split hairs about genre definitions, and we do not observe any taboos about what kind of content can appear in our stories. Originality demands that you\u2019re better off avoiding vampires, zombies, and other recognizable horror tropes unless you have put a very unique spin on them. What matters most is that the stories are dark and compelling.\u201d Until 31st<\/sup> July 2023, they are open for their Anthologies and Collections<\/a> reprint call \u2013 they want to purchase submissions of \u201creprints from anthologies and collections released at any point in 2023.\u201d And from 11th<\/sup> to 21st<\/sup> August 2023, they will be open for unthemed horror fiction submissions; see their schedule<\/a>. They pay $0.08\/word for original horror stories up to 6,000 words. Details here<\/a>.
Escape Artists: PodCastle
<\/strong> publishes all kinds of fantasy in online and audio format, and is slated to open during the months of July and November this year; see their schedule<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re open to all the sub-genres of fantasy, from magical realism to urban fantasy to slipstream to high fantasy, and everything in between. Fantastical or non-real content should be meaningful to the story.\u201d They pay $0.08\/word for stories up to 6,000 words. They also accept reprints. See their guidelines here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this speculative fiction and poetry anthology; they want SF, fantasy, space opera, hopepunk on \u2018Rhapsody of the Spheres\u2019 theme. \u201cThe dictionary defines a rhapsody as \u201can effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling.\u201d In ancient Greece, a rhapsody was also part of an epic poem of a suitable length for reciting.
Edie Brickell waxed rhapsodic about a smile on a dog, and Queen and Liszt gave us their musical Bohemian and Hungarian rhapsodies, respectively. Please give us a speculative fiction story or poem about what would make us happy right now.\u201d They pay $0.08\/word for stories of 1,500 to 3,000 words. The deadline is 1 June 2023. Details here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Fairy Tale Review
<\/strong>They publish fairy tales and associated works. They want short fiction, essays, lyric nonfiction, and creative scholarship, as well as poetry, graphic novels, comics, drama, and translations of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry (see guidelines). Send up to 6,000 words of prose, or up to 4 poems. They pay $50, and the deadline is 15 July 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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Apparition Lit is a quarterly speculative fiction and poetry magazine. Their website says, \u201cSpeculative fiction is weird, almost unclassifiable. It\u2019s fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and literary. We want it all. Send us your strange, misshapen stories.\u201d They\u2019re reading submissions on the Creature theme for the last two weeks in May 2023; also see the note about their equity initiative in the guidelines here<\/a> (scroll down) \u2013 \u201cOur submission window will remain open for an additional week each quarter for writers who identify as BIPOC and self-identify in their cover letter.
We will also accept simultaneous submissions from writers who identify as BIPOC or LGBTQIA+. Please just note how you identify in your cover letter, that it is a simultaneous submission.\u201d The deadline is 31 May 2023 for submissions from all writers on the theme; and 7 June 2023 for writers who self-identify as BIPOC in their cover letter. Pay is $0.05\/word for stories of 1,000-5,000 words, and $50\/poem, for up to 5 poems. Details here<\/a> and here<\/a>.
(They also publish flash fiction online on monthly prompts.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>They accept fiction and poetry. \u201cOld Moon publishes character-focused, weird sword-and-sorcery: stories of a dark and transgressive nature, set in a secondary or historical-paranormal (\u201cour\u201d reality, but with a twist, if you will) world, with a focus on rounded characters undergoing some sort of conflict, resolved (though not always successfully!) by the might of their main or mind.
We love stories that combine that sense of action and adventure with well-rounded characters who make us question our own realities and perceptions. We love to see the gothic, the baroque, the eldritch, and we love to see it hit with an axe.\u201d They want stories of 1,000-6,000 words, and pay $0.08\/word; you can send up to 5 poems, they pay $50 per poem. The deadline is 1 June 2023. Details here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They publish horror and weird fiction, and related nonfiction. They pay $0.03\/word for stories up to 5,000 words, up to $150. They have two annual reading periods, 1st<\/sup> to 7th<\/sup> January, and 1st<\/sup> to 7th<\/sup> July. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The Caf\u00e9 Irreal<\/strong>
Their website says, \u201cThe Cafe Irreal is a quarterly webzine that presents a kind of fantastic fiction infrequently published in English. This fiction, which we would describe as irreal, resembles the work of writers such as Franz Kafka, Kobo Abe, Clarice Lispector and Jorge Luis Borges. As a type of fiction it rejects the tendency to portray people and places realistically and the need for a full resolution to the story; instead, it shows us a reality constantly being undermined. Therefore, we’re interested in stories by writers who write about what they don’t know, take us places we couldn’t possibly go, and don’t try to make us care about the characters.\u201d They pay $0.01\/word for stories up to 2,000 words. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want stories that are \u201cSmall. Brightly Colored. Deadly to the Touch.\u201d They pay $25 for stories up to 1,000 words. They accept general submissions year-round, with some exceptions; they accept ghost story submissions<\/strong> during July. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brigids Gate Press: Scissor Sisters \u2013 Sapphic Villains Anthology
<\/strong>They want erotic horror, gothic horror, quiet horror, and body horror for this anthology. \u201cWe’re reclaiming the predatory lesbian trope, think Mrs Danvers in Rebecca or Roxy in Basic Instinct, so we\u2019re looking for stories of sapphic villains. Because we\u2019re looking to reclaim this trope and not reinforce it, we don\u2019t just want sapphic villains. Sapphic characters can also be heroes and anti-heroes. We\u2019d like to see a diversity of queer identities in a multitude of roles. We\u2019d especially love to see stories of feminine rage, erotic horror, genderbent retellings and reclamations of power by queer femmes.\u201d Stories must have diverse LGBTQ+ representation, can be set anytime in the past or present; the location can be anywhere on Earth. Pay is $0.08\/word for stories of 1,500-4,000 words. The deadline is 31 May 2023. Details here<\/a> and here<\/a>.
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<\/strong>This magazine publishes fiction, non-fiction, and poetry on solarpunk themes. Length guidelines are 1,500-7,500 words for fiction; 1,000-2,000 words for essays; and up to 5 poems. They pay $0.08\/word for fiction, $75\/essay, and $40\/poem. They have listed all submission windows for 2023 on their website. Essays are accepted year-round; fiction and poetry are open periodically. Their next reading period for fiction and poetry is 1-14 July 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>They publish fiction, including flash fiction. They want sci-fi of all kinds, and speculative fiction, weird fiction, and slipstream. They pay $0.06\/word for stories up to 5,000 words. Their next reading period will be in Summer 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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Fantasy<\/a> is an award-winning fantasy and dark fantasy magazine. They\u2019re open to submissions from BIPOC writers through 2023. All dates are subject to change. Length guidelines are: up to 7,500 words for fiction, up to 6 poems. They pay $0.08\/word for fiction, and $40\/poem. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The editors of this speculative fiction magazine want fun stories. Their guidelines say, \u201cA fun story, at its core, is one that works on the premise that things aren\u2019t all bad; that ultimately, good wins out. This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that your story has to be silly or lighthearted (though it certainly can be). Joy can be made all the more powerful when juxtaposed against tragedy. In the end, though, there should be hope, and we want stories that are truly fun for as many different kinds of people as possible.\u201d Also, \u201cSwashbuckling adventure, deadly intrigue, and gleeful romance are some of the most obvious examples of what we\u2019re looking for, but we won\u2019t say no to more subtle or complicated topics, as long as they fit under the wider \u201cfun\u201d umbrella.\u201d They pay $0.03\/word for stories up to 5,000 words. Their next reading period is 15 September to 15 October 2023; the first week of that is reserved for writers of color. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They publish science fiction and fantasy \u2013 fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and art. They accept submissions through the year; every alternate month, they accept submissions only from underrepresented writers. The publish climate-crisis focused work twice a year, in their Dry<\/strong> (published in March) and Wet<\/strong> (published in September) issues. They have extensive guidelines, including on the special issues. Length guidelines are up to 6,000 words for fiction, up to 3,000 words for nonfiction; and up to 5 poems. They pay $0.01\/word for prose, and $5-10 for poetry. During May, they\u2019re reading submissions from underrepresented writers only; during June, they will accept submissions from all writers. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crystal Lake Publishing: Dead Letters \u2013 Episodes of Epistolary Horror<\/strong>
Their website says, \u201cwe\u2019re looking for short horror stories \u2026 written in epistolary format\u2014meaning, stories written as letters, journal entries, transcripts of radio broadcasts, newspaper clippings, text messages, etc.
Furthermore, each story should include some mention of how its manuscript was \u201cdiscovered.\u201d A letter found in a historian\u2019s archive, for example. Or emails saved as part of a missing persons investigation. Or an audio file recovered from a dead podcaster\u2019s PC. Push boundaries and play with the format\u2014and above all, be scary!\u201d They pay $0.01\/word for stories of 2,500-7,000 words. The deadline is 1 June 2023. Details here<\/a> (download guidelines).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want dark science fiction and all blended sub-genres of science fiction (horror, fantasy, etc.). \u201cWhat does the title mean? It\u2019s up to interpretation. Qualia: instances of subjective, conscious experience; the internal and subjective component of sense perceptions arising from stimulation of the senses by phenomena; the way it feels to have mental states. Nous: intellections; awareness; perception; understanding; reason; thought; intuition; the faculty of the human mind; having the ability to understand what is true or real; practical intelligence.
While not many like the term \u201cliterary,\u201d that is what this anthology is looking for: groundbreaking work that break normal conventions and will stand the test of time, propelling emerging and undiscovered writers into the mainstream.\u201d Pay is $0.10\/word capped at 3,000 words for short fiction ($300), 5,000 words for long fiction ($500 for novelettes between 7,500 \u2013 10,000 words); $50 for short poems, or $100 for long poems. The deadline is 31 July 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midnight & Indigo
<\/strong>They only accept work by Black women writers \u2013 speculative fiction, character-driven fiction, and essays. They pay $100 for speculative fiction on their website and $200 for works compiled in their anthology, $100 for essays, and $0.08\/word for other fiction. They have rolling submissions for speculative fiction, and have deadlines for general fiction and essays \u2013 the next deadline is 30 June 2023. Details here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weird Little Worlds: Playlist of the Damned<\/strong>
This is a fiction (including flash) and poetry anthology. \u201cA hiker finds a grungy cassette tape in an abandoned mine that reads, DO NOT PLAY. When he does, he unleashes 25 tales of horror from the place where music and the macabre meet. \u2026 Bring us your Faustian deals with the Devil, your debauched rock stars, and demonic incantations. Music that soothes the beast or strangles with an invisible hand. These stories should be so integrally connected with music that the narrative can\u2019t function without it.\u201d Also, \u201cSpecific songs can be used, but (unless you have rights to the lyrics or it is in public domain) only references and titles can be included. There is no restriction on genre, style, or time period. We are interested in short fiction, horror poetry, and flash fiction alike in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.\u201d Length guidelines are 500-5,000 words for prose. Pay is $0.05\/word for prose, $1\/line for poetry (will increase if Kickstarter hits stretch goals). The deadline is 31 May 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dark<\/strong>
They publish horror and dark fantasy. They also accept reprints. Payment is $0.05\/word for original stories of 2,000-6,000 words. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their website says, \u201cWe publish flash fiction in the genres of speculative fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, super hero, or any combination of these.\u201d They pay $0.11\/word for stories up to 1,000 words. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a new Canadian magazine, and they have published one issue so far. Please note, they will publish at least 50 percent Canadian content in each issue. \u201cWe’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.\u201d Send stories of 1,000-3,500 words, or up to 5 poems. Pay is CAD0.08\/word for fiction and CAD60\/poem. The current submission deadline is 30 May 2023. Their next submission window is 1-30 September for all writers, and they have an early submission period for equity-deserving groups, 24-31 August 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a magazine of speculative flash fiction; they also accept poetry. Send stories of up to 1,200 words. They have detailed guidelines on the kind of stories they want (and what they do not want), please read them before submitting. Pay is $0.08\/word. The deadline is 1 September 2023. Details here<\/a>.
Augur Magazine: Fancy & Fantasy<\/strong>
This Canadian speculative fiction and poetry magazine is open for submissions on the Fancy & Fantasy theme. Send stories of up to 5,000 words, or up to 5 poems. They have detailed guidelines, including, \u201cGive us your most gorgeous fairy tale retellings, your most earnest and subversive fables. Introduce us to your beloved mythical creatures; your trans mages and gay knights; your deeply immersive worlds and dreamworlds and underworlds.
We are interested in Fantasy that reflects the reality of our world, and strongly encourage submissions that reject or subvert the colonial and\/or Western lens\u2014especially by those with diasporic and\/or existing ties to the space and culture they are writing about.\u201d They also accept translations. Regarding the deadline, \u201cWe will be open until 11:59pm May 31st EST to everyone from everywhere, and then until June 15th, we will only be accepting submissions from creators who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Disabled, and\/or Trans, who are also Canadian citizens\/permanent residents and\/or who are living within the settler-defined borders of the land colonially known as Canada.\u201d They pay CAD0.11\/word for short fiction, CAD110 for flash fiction, and CAD60\/poem. Details here<\/a>.
(Augur also has a sister magazine, Tales & Feathers<\/strong><\/a>, which publishes cozy slice-of-life fantasy; watch for their next submission period.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ZNB Presents<\/strong>
This is a project from Zombies Need Brains, which publishes themed speculative fiction anthologies each year. They also have a Patreon<\/a>-based magazine which publishes unthemed speculative fiction. Their website says, \u201cZombies Need Brains LLC accepts submissions to its online magazine, ZNB Presents, (currently being run through Patreon \u2026 from July 1st through July 7th each year and then through further open calls if necessary. \u2026 Stories must be submitted in electronic format through the submissions management system Moksha.\u201d They pay $0.08\/word for stories of 2,500-7,500 words. The reading period will be 1st<\/sup> to 7th<\/sup> July. Details here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headland<\/strong>
This is a New Zealand based journal and \u201cWhile we publish a majority of Aotearoa New Zealand writers, we strongly encourage writers from all over the world to submit their work.\u201d. They have a special call for speculative fiction stories, as well as creative nonfiction linked to the speculative, for this submission period. Send work of up to 5,000 words. They pay NZ$50. The deadline is 16 July 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want science fiction, fantasy and horror stories that engage meaningfully with Christian themes, characters or cosmology. The stories need not teach a moral, or be close to an approved theological position, or be pro-Christian. They are especially interested in stories that show Christians from cultures beyond those of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. They also accept translations and reprints. They accept stories of up to 9,000 words, and pay $0.08\/word. They have two annual reading periods for fiction, January and July. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Fairy Tale Magazine: Love
<\/strong>They publish fairy tales \u2013 new fairy tales or mashups of fairy tales, as well as poetry. They have detailed guidelines, including, \u201cThe theme for 2023 is “LOVE,\u201d with romance preferred, but love between friends, family members, pets and their humans, etc., will be considered as well.
We are also very open to the stories and poems focusing on seasonal holidays, like solstice celebrations, Halloween, Hanukkah, etc. However, while holiday based stories and poems are very welcome, you still need to include the theme. \u2026. Do bear in mind that all fairy tale related fiction and poetry needs an element of the supernatural\u2014as well as transformation. Transformation is a huge deal for the 2023 publishing year.\u201d General submissions to the magazine are free, and submissions to the contest have a fee attached. Length guidelines are 1,000-5,000 words (up to 3,500 preferred) for fiction, up to 500 words for poetry, and they pay $50. The deadline is 2 June 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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They open on the 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> of every month. They accept fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, originals as well as reprints. They also accept art. For fiction, they want science fiction, fantasy, myth, legend, fairy tales, and eldritch, in written, podcast, video, and\/or graphic story form. They accept both serious and humorous work. Also see guidelines for the kind of work they\u2019re looking for, hard sells, and what they do not want. Length guidelines are: anywhere from 1,000 words and up for fiction; poetry up to 40 lines. Pay (for originals) is $0.08\/word for fiction, $0.02-0.08\/word for nonfiction, $1\/line for poetry. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neon Hemlock Press: Baffling Magazine
<\/strong>This is a quarterly online magazine of flash fiction. \u201cWe are looking for speculative stories that explore science fiction, fantasy, and horror with a queer bent. We want queer stories and we want trans stories and we want aro\/ace stories. We want indefinable stories. We welcome weird, slipstream, and interstitial writing.\u201d They pay $0.08\/word for stories up to 1,200 words. They will soon read submissions on the theme of \u201cquiet stories\u201d as well as unthemed speculative fiction. Their next submission period is 1st<\/sup> to 15th<\/sup> June 2023. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a reprint anthology. \u201cSubmissions are open for all speculative work published in 2023 under 17,500 words that deals either implicitly or explicitly with queerness.\u201d They pay $0.01\/word, and the deadline is 31 December 2023. Details here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>.
FIYAH: Belonging
<\/strong>They publish speculative fiction by Black writers of the African Diaspora. They also publish nonfiction and poetry. They will soon begin reading submissions on the \u2018Belonging\u2019 theme, in collaboration with the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) at UC Berkeley. \u201cFor this Belonging issue, we are looking for stories highlighting why, where, and how Black folks belong across the diaspora and multiverse. Imagine a moment in time or another universe where Black people aren\u2019t forced to question our right to be ourselves. We want to see courageous narratives about forging new relationships for the betterment of all, including the planet\/land, whether among the diverse peoples of our global community or with beings from faraway worlds. We are looking for fun and dynamic adventures that give rise to a sense of belonging and showcase the importance of community.\u201d Payment for fiction (2,000-15,000 words) is $0.08\/word, for poetry, it is $50\/poem, and for non-fiction, it is $0.10\/word. The reading period for the Belonging theme is 1st<\/sup> June \u2013 31st<\/sup> July 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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Their website says, \u201cInterzone is always open to unsolicited submissions of fantastika of between 2,000 and 17,500 words\u201d. They pay (EUR) 1.5\u00a2 per word. Details here<\/a>.
(Also see IZ Digital<\/strong><\/a>; TTA Press has other genre magazines too \u2013 Black Static<\/strong><\/a> for horror, and Crimewave<\/strong><\/a> for crime fiction.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an annual magazine. They publish creative work on environmental justice, including speculative fiction. They also accept nonfiction, poetry, works in translation, and art. Pay is $0.10\/poem for prose (they accept stories up to 20,000 words), and $50\/poem. Their general submission guidelines are here<\/a>, specific call for issue 8 is here<\/a>, and the submission system is here<\/a>. The deadline is 22 September 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to publish your speculative fiction with some type of -Punk aesthetic. Cyber-, steam-, solar-, diesel-, ray-, bio-, street-, splatter-, arcano-, nano-, or whatever else your crazed imagination can come up with. If its -Punk then it fits.
We do favor fiction that puts the punk elements first. Street level people working against the systems of power in place is what we look for. We love working class or downtrodden people fighting for their place in the world.\u201d They publish fiction (1,000-7,500 words), graphic stories, reviews, and art. Pay is $25. Details here<\/a>.
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Their tagline is, \u2018Beautifully Made Speculative Fiction\u2019. They want \u201cBeautiful writing showing engaging characters in science fiction or fantasy settings.\u201d Pay is $0.01\/word for stories of 500-10,000 words. Details here<\/a>.
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\u201cWe are looking for intriguing fiction which features those who investigate or explore the strange and unusual, and we are eager to read submissions featuring a diverse range of characters, cultures and periods. So although we do enjoy and accept classic Victorian\/Edwardian sleuths, seventies PIs and so on, a fresh twist is always likely to interest us. Your \u2018investigator\u2019 does not have to have a professional role, and can be anyone seeking answers \u2013 check out what we have already published to see the very broad range we cover. Tales with more varied geographical and historical settings are encouraged as a welcome change from the usual 21stC UK and US settings (though we take these as well, naturally). We love weird literary tales, will consider well-written Pulp, and will also accept fantasy and SF stories, as long as they fit the overall concept. Do not send us detective stories with no paranormal, occult, psychic or weird elements \u2013 or general weird and paranormal stories with no investigative work of any nature.\u201d They pay \u00a30.01\/word for fiction, with a cap of \u00a345; non-fiction is also at \u00a30.01, with a cap of \u00a325. The deadline is 1st<\/sup> August 2023. Details here<\/a> (scroll down – download guidelines).
(They also have a call for reprints<\/strong> on their guidelines<\/a> page \u2013 \u201cwe are looking for a handful of reprint stories SPECIFICALLY concerning those (occult detectives) who investigate Lovecraftian\/Mythos and Mythos-adjacent weirdness and horror. Stories should be 4-9k words \u2026 We strongly prefer fresh and inventive approaches, not routine HPL repetition or random cthulhus on the rampage. The less tentacles the better, probably.\u201d Pay is \u00a325, and the deadline for this reprint Occult Detective project is 1st<\/sup> July 2023.)
Wyngraf<\/strong>
This is a magazine of cozy fantasy. They have detailed guidelines on what constitutes cozy fantasy. Pay is one and a half cents for stories of 2,000-8,000 words. Watch for their next submission period. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a quarterly journal of speculative fiction. We are interested in all of the speculative genres (horror, fantasy, science fiction, slipstream, steampunk, magical realism, etc) up to 20,000 words in length.\u201d Pay is $30-50. Details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tasavvur<\/strong>
They publish South Asian speculative fiction, and also accept non-fiction pitches. Regarding submission eligibility, \u201cOur definition of South Asia is not restricted to traditional geographical terms and we welcome authors from neighboring regions and diaspora communities to submit too. We also highly encourage authors from traditionally under-represented communities to submit, such as but not restricted to: Women, LQBTQIA+ identifying, BIPOC, people with disabilities, religious and\/0r ethnic minorities. \u2026 However, please do not submit to us if you are not from any BIPOC community\u2014Tasavvur is a magazine dedicated to publishing authors of South Asian origin and other BIPOC author, so we\u2019ll have to turn you down as we\u2019re not the market for you.\u201d Pay is 2.5c\/word for stories of 1,000-5,000 words, and $100 for commissioned non-fiction. The deadline is 6 June 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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Heroic Fantasy Quarterly publishes \u201cheroic fantasy \u2014 in both prose and poetry. We are unrepentant in our goal of elevating unapologetic sword and sorcery to a rightful high place. \u2026 Our fiction word limit is a soft 10,000 words, although we are willing to serialize at a maximum of 50,000 words over four issues. You may submit up to three poems, with a cumulative maximum of 30 pages.\u201d Pay is $25-100 for fiction, and $25 for poetry (more for long poems \u2013 see guidelines). Their website says, they will likely open for submissions in Summer 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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Their tagline is, \u2018Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense\u2019. They have detailed guidelines about the kind of stories they want; some of the sub-genres are Raygun Romance, Radium Adventures, Sword & Planet, Space Cops, Weird Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror, Lost World, Pre-Historic\/Antiquity, Occult Detective\/Mystery, Mad Science, and Picaresque Adventure. Send stories of 2,000-7,500 words (can take longer \u2013 see guidelines). Pay is $0.0125 (one and a quarter cents) per word. The deadline is 7 August 2023. Details here<\/a>.
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