Here’s this month’s list of the most interesting open submissions calls for writers I’ve found!
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Side Hustle
This anthology from Agita Publishing is subtitled Horror Stories for Late Capitalism, which sets the mind going, doesn’t it?
Word count: 1000–5000 words
Payment: 5 cents per word
Deadline: 14 June 2026
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The Monstrous & The Divine
The editors at Scylla Publishing are looking for tales featuring Sapphic goddesses and monsters. Despite the mythical theme, various genres will be considered, including SF.
Word count: 2500–5000 words
Payment: 10 Australian cents per word
Deadline: 31 July 2026
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Biome
This speculative fiction podcast focusing on life, ecosystems, and organisms is seeking stories for its second season.
Word count: 1800–3500 words
Payment: 1 cent per word
Deadline: Ongoing
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Doctor Who Short Trips
This year, audio publisher Big Finish’s annual Short Trip contest requires writers to pitch a story featuring the First Doctor.
Word count: Synopsis and first 500 words
Payment: The winning story becomes an official audio release
Deadline: 11 June 2026
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The Book of Demons
This new Flame Tree Press anthology featuring evil spirits will be edited by prolific author V Castro.
Word count: 3000–4000 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: 7 June 2026
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A Midnight Kind of Place
This editor of this UK horror site has a challenge for you: ‘Creep me out. Break my heart. Make me remember.’
Word count: 1000–10,000 words
Payment: £30
Deadline: 31 July 2026
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Anomaly
Do you write very, very short SF stories? This venue publishes ‘dark and disruptive’ stories up to 300 words in length.
Word count: Up to 300 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: Open 1–7 June 2026
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Folk Horror
Dread House Publishing will be putting together an anthology of folk horror stories, including twists on known folk tales or fairy tales.
Word count: Up to 8000 words
Payment: $20
Deadline: Open until filled
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Mertails
This anthology from Transcendent Fiction Publishing will include stories of any genre, as long as they include merfolk main characters.
Word count: 2000–10,000 words
Payment: 1 Australian cent per word
Deadline: 30 June 2026
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Movie Horror
This anthology from Dark Ink will revolve around movies, filmmaking, and the act of watching films – ‘where cinema itself becomes the doorway to terror’. 
Word count: 2500–6000 words
Payment: $20
Deadline: 1 July 2026
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Kirby
This call has a short turnaround, but maybe you already have a second-world fantasy story ready, which fits the theme ‘Reborn’?
Word count: Up to 7500 words
Payment: 5 pence per word
Deadline: 31 May 2026
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Gavagai
This multi-genre venue pays well and appears to be always open.
Word count: Up to around 2000 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: Ongoing
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Sorcery
This magic-themed second anthology from ‘strange and literary speculative’ specialists Carnyx Press is open to writers from the north of England.
Word count: 2000–8000 words
Payment: £20
Deadline: 31 July 2026
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Childhood Fears
This first anthology from Cardboard Coffin Press will contain stories about kids in scary situations.
Word count: 2500–7500 words
Payment: $30
Deadline: 31 May 2026
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Haven Speculative
The editors of this online SF magazine state: ‘We like stories that are subtle in their telling and stick with us long after we’ve finished.’
Word count: Up to 5000 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: 31 May 2026
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Book Worms
Fancy writing a summer-camp-themed horror story? This is the venue for you!
Word count: Up to 1500 words
Payment: 8 cents per word
Deadline: 15 June 2026
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Carmen et Error
This experimental-fiction venue is open to very short fiction.
Word count: Up to 400 words
Payment: £5
Deadline: Ongoing
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Cryptic Frog Quarterly
This fairly new venue features fantasy, SF and horror stories of all descriptions.
Word count: 1000–5000 words
Payment: $3
Deadline: Opens 1 June 2026
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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.

Image from Wikimedia Commons.