{"id":13030,"date":"2026-04-14T11:43:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/?p=13030"},"modified":"2026-04-14T11:44:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:44:31","slug":"14-fiction-magazines-paying-up-to-500-for-april-and-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/uncategorized\/14-fiction-magazines-paying-up-to-500-for-april-and-may-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Fiction Magazines Paying up to $500 for April and May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By S. Kamble<br><\/strong><br>These magazines\/anthologies pay up to about $550 for short fiction (one pays more for longer stories); many also accept other genres, like non-fiction and poetry. They\u2019re open now, or will soon open for submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OTHERSIDE<\/strong><br>They publish speculative fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and art by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators only; you can read about them <a href=\"https:\/\/othersidespec.com\/about-otherside\/\">here<\/a>. They\u2019re open for original fiction (500-4,000 words) and poetry (up to 100 lines) from all 2SLGBTQIA+ writers now. Non-fiction (2,000; can accept up to 4,000 words) is open year round. Submission is via their Moksha portal.<br>Deadline: 21 April 2026 for fiction and poetry<br>Length: See above<br>Pay: $0.08\/word for fiction; $50 for poetry; $100 for non-fiction<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/othersidespec.com\/guidelines\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Kaleidotrope<br><\/strong>Their website says, \u201c<a>Kaleidotrope<\/a> publishes predominantly speculative fiction and poetry\u2014science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but also compelling work that blurs the lines between these and falls outside of neat genre categories. (Man does not live on space ships, elves, and ghostly ax murderers alone, after all.)\u201d And, \u201cWe have no minimum or maximum word count for fiction but strongly prefer stories over 250 words and under 10,000.<br>We consider all forms of poetry, but individual haiku, or other very short poems, may be a tougher sell.\u201d They will soon open for a brief submission period.<br>Submission period: 19<sup>th<\/sup> to 25<sup>th<\/sup> April 2026<br>Length: See above<br>Pay: $0.01\/word for fiction, $5 for poetry<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/kaleidotrope.net\/guidelines\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Mythaxis<br><\/strong>They want \u201cspeculative fiction (sf\/f\/h\/weird\/slipstream\/\u2026), crime (also including police procedural\/detective\/mystery\/cosy\/\u2026) and mashups of the same. All genres are equally welcome in each submission window. We don\u2019t receive enough crime fiction, so if that\u2019s your bag we\u2019re always eager!\u201d They accept flash and short fiction. They\u2019ve listed all their submission windows on their website. Their submission form will open during the reading period.<br>Submission period: 23<sup>rd<\/sup> to 30<sup>th<\/sup> April 2026<br>Length: 500-5,000 words<br>Pay: $0.01\/word<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/mythaxis.co.uk\/submissions.html\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Flash Fiction Online: Paranormal Noir<\/strong><br>They want speculative flash fiction on the Paranormal Noir theme, stories \u201cthat marry the noir and paranormal aesthetic in\u00a0<em>any speculative genre<\/em>. \u2026 \u201cIsn\u2019t Paranormal Noir just a subset of Urban Fantasy?\u201d<br>It can be, but we\u2019d love to see a new, fresh take on old themes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vampires in space, doing crime? Sure!\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Far-future consciousness transfer-hauntings? Send them our way!\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sad wizard investigates a murder in LA? Okay, sounds cool, submit that, but also what if he were on Mars instead?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A group of West Virginia moonshiners firebombing a haunted A.I. data center?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They also welcome stories from unique points of view. Also see the kind of stories they do not want.<br>Deadline: 30 April 2026, or until filled<br>Length: 500-1,000 words<br>Pay: $100<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/ffo.submittable.com\/submit\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Illustrated Worlds Magazine<br><\/strong>Their tagline is \u2018A Journey of Horror and Fantasy\u2019. \u201cStories should contain an element of fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, whimsy, magic realism, mythology, folklore or fairy tale type inspiration all on the dark side.\u201d They accept some poetry, though this is not the focus of the magazine (see guidelines). They also accept artwork.<br>Deadline: 30 April 2026<br>Length: Up to 5,000 words<br>Pay: $0.01\/word<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.illustratedworldsmagazine.com\/submission-guidelines.html#\/\">here<\/a>. \u00a0<br><br><em><strong>Terrain.org<br><\/strong><\/em>They accept work on place, climate, and justice. They are accepting fiction and nonfiction; poetry submissions are closed. They accept other formats as well, including interviews and videos; ARTerrain and Letter to America submissions are accepted year-round. They pay $50 for general submissions (from all writers). Also, \u201cAll accepted submissions by writers of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and\/or other marginalized communities whose contributions explore place particularly in the context of social, environmental, or climate justice are considered for our annual Editor&#8217;s Prize of $500 per genre.\u201d There is no separate submission process for this prize.<br>Deadline: 30 April 2026<br>Length: Up to 5,000 words<br>Pay: $50<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.terrain.org\/submit\/regular-submission-guidelines\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/terrainorg.submittable.com\/submit\">here<\/a> (see the relevant category).<em><br><\/em><br><strong>Haven Speculative<br><\/strong>They publish speculative fiction and poetry, and during April, they are open for submissions by underrepresented writers only; in May, they will accept submissions from all writers. They have Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall submission periods. \u201cOur submission cycle is split into four reading periods, each containing three parts: a month explicitly reserved for submissions by authors of color, members of LGBTQIA+ communities, and writers belonging to other underrepresented groups; a month open to general submissions, during which anyone may submit; and a month in which we&#8217;re closed to submissions so that we may do the difficult (and exciting!) work of choosing content for future issues.\u201d They also publish climate crisis focused <strong>Dry<\/strong> and <strong>Wet<\/strong> issues each year; scroll down on the guidelines page for these themes.<br>Deadline: 30 April 2026 (underrepresented writers only)<br>Length: Up to 5,000 words for fiction, up to 5 poems<br>Pay: $0.08\/word for fiction, $20\/poem<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.havenspec.com\/submit\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/acolyte.media\/\">here<\/a><br><br><strong>FIYAH: Black Kish\u014dtenketsu<br><\/strong>They accept Black speculative fiction and poetry. They feature stories by and about Black people of the African Diaspora. This definition is globally inclusive (Black anywhere in the world) and also applies to mixed\/biracial and Afro-appended people. For the Black Kish\u014dtenketsu theme, \u201cAll stories are the same: we meet our characters, a conflict arises, and our crew journeys to set things right. Correct? Well, allow us to introduce another tradition:\u00a0kish\u014dtenketsu.<br>Ki\u00a0= Introduction |\u00a0Sh\u014d\u00a0= Development |\u00a0Ten\u00a0= Complication |\u00a0Ketsu\u00a0= Reconciliation<br>Henry Lien\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfwa.org\/2021\/01\/05\/diversity-plus-diverse-story-forms-and-themes-not-just-diverse-faces\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SFWA article is particularly insightful:<\/a>\u00a0\u201cThe Asian four-act structure is not necessarily based on conflict, tension, and resolution. It is more interested in exploring the unseen relationships among the story\u2019s elements than in pitting them against each other. It is also not symmetrical. The first two acts [Ki, sho]are characterized by a gradual buildup. A radical twist appears in the third act [ten]that introduces a new element. The fourth act [ketsu] \u201charmonizes\u201d all the elements that came before. By \u2018harmonize,\u2019 I don\u2019t necessarily mean a peaceful resolution. I mean that the fourth act contains a revelation about the relationships among the elements that often feels like a new element in itself.\u201d<br>We\u2019re eager to see submissions without the confines of Western three-act (or five-act) story structure. What could that look like? Films like<em>\u00a0Kiki\u2019s Delivery Service<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0<em>Parasite<\/em>, and even Shirley Jackson\u2019s \u201cThe Lottery,\u201d are cited as great examples.\u201d<br>Also their notes on preferred genre and story length for this issue.<br>Length: Short fiction 2,000 \u2013\u00a07,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words; up to 1,000 words for poetry<br>Deadline: 30 April 2026<br>Pay: $0.08\/word for fiction, $50 for poetry<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/fiyahlitmag.com\/submissions\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br>(&#8211; Submissions are also open for <strong>The Cookout Anthology<\/strong> from Android Press; they want uplifting speculative fiction on the theme from <strong>Black individuals of the African Diaspora<\/strong> only. Pay is $0.10\/word for submissions of 500-5,000 words, and the deadline is 30 April 2026; details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.android-press.com\/submissions\">here<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thecookoutanthology.com\/what-we-are-looking-for\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/solarpunkmagazine.moksha.io\/publication\/android-press\/guidelines\">here<\/a>.<br><br>&#8212; And, submissions are open for a <strong>writers and poets from Minnesota<\/strong> ages 14 and above for <strong>MN Reflections: A Chapbook Project<\/strong>; \u201cWe\u2019re creating a chapbook of art and writing in response to the illegal ICE occupation of Minnesota. Our goal is to honor the compassionate efforts of our neighbors and organizers, and give us space to process and heal.<br>If you\u2019re based in Minnesota, we want to hear from you! Send us your poems, stories and essays under 400 words.\u201d People of color, and\/or of Native and immigrant communities are strongly encouraged to submit. They pay $50, and the deadline is 30 April 2026; details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paranoidtree.com\/submit\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSflgPE0DGNkvr93F5lvtfMp3WpX8y3wrcaviYkMWyD3M7323w\/viewform\">here<\/a>.)<br><br><strong>Wyldblood<\/strong><br>They accept science fiction and fantasy stories only, and are open on the 1<sup>st<\/sup> of every month for submissions. They also accept queries of non-fiction and art.<br>Reading period: 1 May 2026 for fiction (see guidelines)<br>Length: Up to 5,000 words for fiction<br>Pay: \u00a30.01\/word<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/wyldblood.com\/submissions-2\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Newance<br><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/substack.com\/@newancemagazine\/posts\">Newance<\/a> is a Substack-based magazine, \u201ca solar punk quarterly journal set in 2066 that actualizes the next forty years. In the process of imagining the future, we invite readers to expand their range of possibilities and envision a workable future. Not utopian, not dystopian, but equitable. No longer living under the lies and whims of the few hoarders that control governments and power in 2026, humanity is set to create new systems and processes that center the wellness of the planet and all human and non-human animals.\u201d They want \u201cfiction that fits our magazine. We are looking for a story set in Spring 2066 that is imaginative and in retrospect shows readers how some of our current problems were\/are being addressed successfully, despite challenges. \u2026 Please refer to our first issue to understand what we publish: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yjxc7djt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yjxc7djt<\/a><br>Deadline: 1 May 2026<br>Length: 3,000-5,000 words (can read shorter or longer \u2013 see guidelines)<br>Pay: \u20ac50<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/tally.so\/r\/PdXRR1\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>The First Line Journal<br><\/strong>They want fiction (any genre) and poetry that begins with pre-set first lines, one for each quarterly issue. For non-fiction, they want critical articles about your favorite first line from a literary work. For fiction and poetry, the first line for the Summer issue is:<br>\u2018<strong>The summer between [his\/her\/their] junior and senior years, Alex worked as a server at Wharf Mountain.<\/strong>\u2019<br>Deadline: 1 May 2026<br>Length: 300-5,000 words for fiction; 500-800 words for non-fiction<br>Pay: $25-50 for fiction, $25 for non-fiction, $10 for poetry (less postage fee for international contributors \u2013 see guidelines)<br>Details <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thefirstline.com\/submission.htm\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Flame Tree: Climbing High \u2013 Speculative Stories of Female Ambition\u00a0<\/strong><br>This anthology is part of their Beyond &amp; Within anthology series. \u201cWomen\u2019s ambition is not always welcomed, let alone encouraged. Speculative fiction is a context that offers other possibilities (and worlds), where writers and readers imagine what could be.\u00a0<em>Climbing High: Speculative Stories of Female Ambition<\/em>\u00a0will feature stories exploring contexts where female ambition is treated differently, aspiration and achievement in the face of adversity, and ambitions that extend beyond what\u2019s possible in our contemporary world. This anthology takes an empowering stance of embracing ambition while being unafraid to explore the costs and consequences that characters may face in doing so and the impacts of ambitions pursued or fulfilled.<br>Stories may engage with the question of navigating disparate values and commitments (the often-asked and often-sexist question of \u201cHow do you balance x and y?\u201d), or they may abandon all that, with characters who prioritise their desires above all else. Whether characters are reshaping the world(s), themselves, or aiming to brew the best cup of tea, their drives are the driving force of their stories.\u201d They are looking for four stories via this open call.<br>Deadline: 3 May 2026<br>Length: 2,000-4,000 words<br>Pay: $0.08\/word<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.flametreepublishing.com\/fantasy-gothic\/climbing-high-short-stories-call-for-submissions\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Orion\u2019s Belt<br><\/strong>They publishspeculative flash fiction and poetry. Their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orions-belt.net\/about\">website<\/a> says, \u201cWe specialize in the strange and poignant and awe-inspiring, stories that have a cosmic scale and intimate personal stakes.\u201d They have detailed guidelines, including preferences and hard sells. They also accept translations, as well as reviews and art.<br>Deadline: 15 May 2026<br>Length: Up to 1,200 words<br>Pay: $0.08\/word for stories, $40 per poem<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orions-belt.net\/submissions\">here<\/a>. \u00a0<br><strong><br>Tome &amp; Space<\/strong><br>This is a new Canada-based magazine. \u201cTome &amp; Space is a new digital magazine and hub for genre short stories, comics, and genre-themed commentary pieces (life, gaming, tabletop, tv, and movies). We are primarily looking to publish stories and comics under the big umbrella of the fantasy and sci-fi genres, but open to submissions in horror, mystery, and historical fiction, particularly if they have an element of SFF. For commentary we are looking for fun and insightful analysis of storytelling in different formats.\u201d They also accept reprints for comics and commentary, but not for fiction.<br>Deadline: Open now<br>Length: 1,500 to 6,000 words for fiction; 500-3,000 words for commentary<br>Pay: CAD0.11\/word up to CAD400 for fiction, CAD70\/page up to CAD400 for comics, CAD50 for commentary<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/tomeandspace.com\/pages\/submissions\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/tomeandspace.moksha.io\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bio:<\/strong>\u00a0S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:skalekar888@gmail.com\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By S. KambleThese magazines\/anthologies pay up to about $550 for short fiction (one pays more for longer stories); many also accept other genres, like non-fiction and poetry. They\u2019re open now, or will soon open for submissions. OTHERSIDEThey publish speculative fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and art by 2SLGBTQIA+ creators only; you can read about them here. They\u2019re&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13030"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13032,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13030\/revisions\/13032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}