Here’s this month’s list of the most interesting open submissions calls for writers I’ve found!
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You, Human
This anthology published by Written Backwards and edited by Michael Bailey and Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki is the second volume containing dark SF stories riffing on Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics – this time applying equivalent laws to humanity. The first volume, published in 2016, did well in awards season, so places in this book will be hard fought.
Word count: 7500–15,000 words
Payment: 10 cents per word
Deadline: 30 September 2024
Find out more

Solarpunk Conflicts
While its editors define Solarpunk as being about ‘change and unity’, the stories in this anthology will concern issues of conflict related to the concept.
Word count: 2500–8500 words
Payment: 5 cents (CAD) per word
Deadline: 1 November 2024
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Nature Futures
Many SF writers will already know about this opportunity, but I think it’s worth flagging for those who haven’t come across it. Each issue of the very respected magazine Nature contains a piece of very short SF fiction, and some of the best-known SF authors have been featured over the years. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of competition for available slots!
Word count: 850–950 words
Payment: £85
Deadline: Ongoing
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Morgana le Fay / Achilles
Two more calls from the excellent and prolific Flame Tree Press: the shadowy Arthurian sorceress Morgana le Fay, and flawed Trojan warrior Achilles.
Word count: Around 3000–4000 words
Payment: 6 cents per word
Deadline: 22 September 2024
Find out more here and here

Dreamforge
Utopian SF seems to be the genre of the moment, as I keep seeing more and more short story calls crop up. Throughout September, Dreamforge magazine is accepting submissions on the theme of ‘Each and Other’.
Word count: Up to 7000 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: 30 September 2024
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Tales of Folk Horror
This anthology of folk-horror stories from Red Cape Publishing is open only to British residents or people with a strong link to the British Isles.
Word count: 4000–8000 words
Payment: £20
Deadline: 30 September 2024
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Unréal
Stories submitted for this SF anthology must take place in and be indelibly linked to Montréal. While Canadian and Indigenous writers are preferred, anyone can submit.
Word count: 1000–5000 words
Payment: 12 cents (CAD) per word
Deadline: 15 November 2024
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Hundred Word Horror
Can you write an effective horror story in under 100 words? If you’re up to the challenge, this contest may be for you.
Word count: Up to 100 words
Payment: $100 first prize, $25 runners-up
Deadline: Open 15–30 September 2024
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Strange New Moons
This anthology of werewolf stories from French Press Publishing already has contributions secured from Tim Lebbon and Simon Clark, so if you make the cut you’ll be in good company.
Word count: 2000–5000 words
Payment: 3 cents per word
Deadline: 30 September 2024
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Bright Mirror
The editors from Oddity Prodigy Productions are seeking utopian SF, listing influences such as Star Trek, The Fifth Element, Arrival and Contact.
Word count: 2000–5000 words
Payment: $10
Deadline: 30 September 2024
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Santa Rage
If the title didn’t tip you off, the subtitle of this anthology is ‘12 Tales of Murder and Mayhem’. Stories must be based on the idea that one night, while out making deliveries, Santa snaps thanks to the holiday stress and goes on a killing spree.
Word count: Around 3000–5000 words
Payment: $25
Deadline: 30 September 2024
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Train Tales / Aliens Among Us
The titles of these two upcoming anthologies for Fahrenheit Books are fairly self-explanatory, I think! Stories from all genres are accepted.
Word count: Up to 7500 words
Payment: 10 cents per word
Deadline: 30 November 2024
Find out more

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.

Image from Wikimedia Commons.