It’s that time again! Here are the most interesting open submissions calls for writers I’ve found recently.

And a reminder: sign up for my email newsletter if you want advance notice of open submission calls like these.

The Map of Lost Places
This sounds brilliant. Apex editors Sheree Renée Thomas and Lesley Conner are putting together an anthology of stories relating to ‘places where weird things happen’, which could relate to folk tales or old wives tales, or invented places and situations of your very own. Suggested influences include Jeff VanderMeer and films Midsommar and The Lighthouse.
Word count: Up to 5000 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: Open 1–31 December 2023
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The Way of Worlds
This anthology from Underdog Press will orbit around space exploration and colonization, though the editors state that stories don’t need to be hard SF.
Word count: 3500–12,000 words
Payment: 3 cents per word
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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Sunshine Superhighway: Solar Sailings
SF with a positive outlook seems to be becoming more and more popular. The editors of this anthology are seeking stories in which technology serves to make life better, as I suppose it’s fair to say it generally does.
Word count: Up to 15,000 words
Payment: $5 per 1000 words
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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Rattus Futura
The SF anthologies are coming thick and fast this month! This one has a more specific prompt than most, requiring stories about the future which feature rodents. All types of SFF are welcome, but no horror, despite how you may feel about rats.
Word count: No word limit specified
Payment: 1 cent per word
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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In the Eyes of the Hungry
You thought SF stories about rats was specific? How about horror stories in the style of John Steinbeck? Don’t tell me you don’t fancy having a try…
Word count: 2500–6000 words
Payment: $50
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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Nightmare Diaries
For this anthology, the editors at Moonstruck Books are on the lookout for dark fiction, presumably with a link to the title unless that’s simply to set the mood.
Word count: 500–10,000 words
Payment: 10 cents per word
Deadline: 27 December 2023
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Familiars
Have you written, or do you like the idea of writing, a story featuring a magical or technological animal familiar? Then this anthology to be published by Zombies Need Brains is where you should send it, probably.
Word count: Up to 7500 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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Arithmophobia
Another brilliant theme: Polymath Press and editor Robert Lewis are seeking horror stories with some sort of mathematical content.
Word count: 3000–15,000 words
Payment: 1 cent per word
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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Carpe Noctem
In the words of the editors, this anthology from Tyche Books will feature ‘stories and poems about darkness, night, and the multitude of things that thrive (or hide) in those elements’.
Word count: Up to 5500 words
Payment: $50 CDN
Deadline: 30 November 2023
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Dracula Beyond Stoker
Little by little, successive issues of this magazine are working through different aspects of Bram Stoker’s masterpiece. For the next issue, the editors are seeking stories specifically about the brides of Dracula – which, I’ll be honest, I was very surprised to find appearing in the novel at all when I first read it as an adult.
Word count: 1500–5000 words
Payment: 5 cents per word
Deadline: 31 December 2023
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Radon Journal
This online magazine has the strapline ‘radical perception’ and states that it’s open to stories ‘relating to science fiction, anarchism, transhumanism, and dystopia’. Past issues have terrific cover images.
Word count: Up to 3000 words
Payment: 2 cents per word
Deadline: Ongoing
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The Lycanthropicon
The title’s a bit of a tongue-twister, but the subtitle clarifies things: ‘Imaginings & Images of the Werewolf’. The editors at Mind’s Eye Publications are looking for stories about werewolves ‘from ancient times, through classical accounts, through folklore and legend, and up to modern and contemporary times.’
Word count: Up to 6000 words
Payment: $10 plus 1/4 cent per word
Deadline: 21 December 2023
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Good luck if you submit a story to any of these venues! And remember, you can sign up for my email newsletter for monthly open submission calls direct to your inbox.