avatarMelissa Coffey

Summary

The undefined website presents a curated list of 18 international literary journals and presses actively seeking creative writing submissions for May, with themes ranging from hauntings to love, and offering payment for accepted works.

Abstract

The undefined website has compiled a collection of submission opportunities for writers looking to publish their creative work in May. These opportunities span a variety of themes and genres, including speculative fiction, poetry, and experimental prose. The list is global in scope, accepting submissions from writers worldwide, and all but one of the markets listed are paying opportunities. The website emphasizes the benefits of publishing in anthologies, such as networking with other writers and reaching a wider audience. It also provides detailed information on submission guidelines, turnaround times, and payment rates for each journal or press. The call for submissions includes themes like "Creature," "Greater Than His Nature," "Open All Night," and "Underwater Creepies," among others, and the website encourages writers to submit their work, noting that some journals also consider reprints.

Opinions

  • The author expresses enthusiasm for the trend of themed submission calls, viewing them as valuable writing prompts.
  • Publishing in an anthology is highlighted as an exciting experience that can enhance a writer's visibility and connect them with a community of writers.
  • The author shares personal excitement about several calls and mentions signing an anthology contract, indicating a positive personal experience with such submissions.
  • The importance of carefully reading and adhering to submission guidelines is stressed

Submission Calls for May

Fresh-picked for you: 18 journals and presses seeking creative writing

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

May has arrived, and with it a fresh new collection of submission calls from around the globe. An emerging trend this month is for themed work — and an exciting amount of anthology calls.

When writing new work, I find a themed call is as good as a prompt — firing up ideas, and getting words on the page. For May 2023, there are calls on themes including hauntings, creatures, home and hiraeth, “open all night”, witches, mazes, love and more.

Getting published in an anthology is an exciting experience — often connecting you to other featured writers and widening your readership. Sometimes your work gets highlighted in reviews, the back cover blurb, or the editor’s introduction. It’s a writerly “high” you’ll remember. Anthologies are often released in hard copy, as well as digital, giving you a tangible memento of your work you can proudly place on your bookshelf.

Last week, I signed an anthology contract (under my real name — yay!) for a collection of feminist reimaginings — a genre I’m extremely passionate about. The publisher is asking authors to hold off promoting specifics until the line-up is finalized, but stay tuned!

Ready, Steady, Submit!

Remember, every journal does things a little differently, so be sure to carefully read the submission guidelines. All but one of the listed opportunities is a paying market. Some are brand new journals, and five will consider reprints. I’ve noted these instances within each listing — otherwise all calls are for new or unpublished work.

I’ve curated this list to ensure all calls are:

  • NOT US-centric: Submissions accepted from writers all over the world
  • Fee-free for submissions

STT stands for submission turnaround time, which I’ve included if known.

I’m excited by several of these calls, many new to me! So, I’ll be submitting alongside you.

  1. Apparition Lit DEADLINE: Current theme “Creature”. Submission window May 15–31 ABOUT: A quarterly speculative fiction and poetry magazine, embracing fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and literary fiction. “Send us your strange, misshapen stories”. They also run monthly flash fiction themed prompts, published on their website. FORMS / GENRES: Poetry & Fiction (1–5K words) SUBMIT: Via Moksha. Up to 5 poems / 1 story. Read guidelines carefully. PAYMENT: 05c / word. Minimum $50 per poem / story.
  2. Atomic Carnival: Anthology Calls DEADLINE: Two themed anthologies: “Greater Than His Nature”, (think mad scientist / inventor tales) and “Open All Night” (graveyard shifts, haunted diners). Submissions close June 30th. ABOUT: They like pulp, bizarro, and transgressive writing, and are particularly interested in work from disabled or chronically ill writers. Kudos to the editor for funding the anthologies via Kickstarter. FORMS / GENRES: Fiction 100–10K words. 2-6K preferred SUBMIT: One story per submission via email. If rejected, they’re ok with you sending another. Reprints considered. Guidelines here. PAYMENT: .03c / word + Complementary author copy STT: 1 month
  3. Berlin Lit DEADLINE: May 15 for upcoming issue ABOUT: A new journal, founded in 2022 by an Australian musician based in Berlin. (I had to include this one for its Aussie surprise factor.) FORMS / GENRES: Poetry SUBMIT: up to 5 poems via email. PAYMENT: 20 euros per poem
  4. Dark Dead Things DEADLINE: Open for general submissions ABOUT: A new US-based journal for weird works. They love horror, but are open to anything strange, surreal, or subversive. “The void is calling. Will you answer?” FORMS / GENRES: Short stories 1–5K words / Poetry / Nonfiction SUBMIT: up to 3 poems / one story via website form. PAYMENT: .02c / word for Fiction & NF, $30 flat rate per poem.
  5. Edda Journal DEADLINE: Currently open for submissions via website. (They state if this link is “dead” it means they’re closed.) ABOUT: A new US-based journal. “EDDA is interested in form: its standards, its failures. EDDA is for writing that is verse, prose, verse & prose, and neither verse nor prose.” Notably, they provide editorial feedback for submissions. FORMS / GENRES: Poetry / short story / experimental prose (see website for details). Reprints considered. SUBMIT: up to 8 pages is preferred in a PDF format via website (ensure you read the guidelines). PAYMENT: $5/page STT: 2 days (probably due to their “newborn” status)
  6. Fairy Tale Magazine DEADLINE: June 2nd. Theme is “love”. (Contests have different deadlines & submissions are costed). ABOUT: A quarterly journal and online site focused on fairy tales: new, reimagined or “mash-ups”. Their aesthetic sits on the light side, mentioning it’s a “PG” content site. No erotic, vampire or horror-focused renditions. FORMS / GENRES: Stories 1–5K words / Poetry up to 500 words SUBMIT: 1 poem or 1 story per submission via email. Guidelines here. PAYMENT: $50 flat rate
  7. Free Verse Revolution (Non-paying) DEADLINE: Theme for upcoming issue is “oleander”. (Closing date not specified — writers are encouraged to check for updates on Instagram.) ABOUT: A classy themed quarterly issue, released in PDF format, plus an annual “best of” print anthology. They like myth & fairy tale-inspired work. Feminist-friendly. FORMS / GENRES: Poetry, prose, artwork & CNF. Reprints accepted. SUBMIT: 2 prose pieces, up to 4 poems via email. Guidelines here.
  8. Hawk and Cleaver : The Other Stories Podcast DEADLINES: Various themes: “Mazes” (May 27th) “Artificial Intelligence” (24th June) “Rituals” (22nd July). ABOUT: A professionally narrated and scored podcast for horror, sci-fi, and thriller fans, they seek stories to “terrify, scar and haunt” their 10K daily listeners. Sounds like a great way to widen your audience! FORMS / GENRES: Fiction up to 2K words. Reprints considered. SUBMIT: 2 stories per submission via Google Doc form (where more specific guidelines are lised also). Guidelines . PAYMENT: £15
  9. Horns & Rattles Press - Anthology Call DEADLINE: 11 May. Theme: “Underwater Creepies” ABOUT: This Tulsa-based press is seeking fantasy, horror, & sci-fi stories exploring what lurks below the water. “Angler fish and merfolk. Seaweed and tides. Storms and choppy waters.” FORMS / GENRES: Fiction up to 4K words. SUBMIT: Up to 3 stories, but must submit one at a time. PAYMENT: $20 + free Contributor Copy
  10. Intrepidus Ink DEADLINE: 15 May for two themes: “Intrepid” and “Overcoming” ABOUT: This magazine aims to create a culture of “fearlessness”, accepting many genres including literary, speculative fiction, action and adventure, romance, magic realism, historical fiction, and others. They love “odd, quirky, experimental stories, and humor”. No horror. FORMS / GENRES: Flash fiction (300–1,000 words) / Short stories(1, 500–2, 500words) SUBMIT: One story per submission. If rejected, you can send another. Form on website. PAYMENT: .02c/word for flash, $30 flat rate for longer stories
  11. Kweli Journal DEADLINE: May 31st ABOUT: Meaning “truth” in Swahili, Kweli is a quarterly journal whose vision is to celebrate the stories, community and cultural kinships from people of colour. They also provide mentorships, editorial assitance writing retreats and stage conferences. FORMS / GENRES: Fiction & Nonfiction up to 6K words (including novel excerpts)/ Poetry SUBMIT: Via Submittable — up to 3 poems or 1 prose piece PAYMENT: Unspecified, but upon publication. (I’d assume payment amount would be specified after acceptance.)
  12. Poet Lore DEADLINE: Current reading period closes May 31. For guest-edited themed issue: “Home & Hiraeth” Dec. 1st-31st. ABOUT: Poet Lore claims to be America’s oldest poetry journal, founded in 1889 by two trail-blazing female Shakespeare scholars with a long history of publishing known and loved international and American poets alongside newer and emerging writers. They’re “committed to diversity and inclusivity and highly encourage submissions from marginalized voices”. Poet Lore publishes their print journal bi-annualy. FORMS / GENRES: Poetry SUBMIT: Via Submittable — up to 5 poems per submission (3 for theme submissions) PAYMENT: $50 per poem, free contributor copy + 1 copy of next issue STT: 4–6 months
  13. Prairie Fire DEADLINE: 26 May on the “Haunted” theme ABOUT: This Canadian (Manitoba-based) quarterly journal is seeking work on positive and negative reflections around the theme of haunting. “What keeps you up at night?” They encourage submissions from LGBTQI2S writers, BIPOC writers, differently-abled writers, “and all who are otherwise affected by structural inequality.” FORMS / GENRES: Poetry / CNF & Prose up to 5000 words SUBMIT: Up to 3 poems or 1 story via email or post. PAYMENT: Varies for genre and length, but between pro & semi-pro rates. See here.
  14. The Cosmic Background DEADLINE: Open ABOUT: This journal publishes slipstream flash fiction from “the in-between places”. Send them your edgy, surreal, experimental stories. “We want your giant talking frogs.” FORMS / GENRES: Flash fiction up to 1000 words. Reprints considered. SUBMIT: Via email — one story per submission. PAYMENT: .08c/word for originals, 3c for reprints STT: 3 days
  15. Untethered DEADLINE: 15 May ABOUT: A Toronto-based journal featuring cool artwork alongside all forms of creative writing, including “those strange things in between.” FORMS / GENRES: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, hybrid writing, visual art SUBMIT: Via email and Google Docs. Specific requirements per category — see here. PAYMENT: $20 honorarium or a free contributor copy
  16. Variant Lit DEADLINE: 31 May for Poetry & Art (Monthly calendar specifying different genres for submission— see here.) ABOUT: Variant Lit is a journal “committed to publishing diverse voices at all stages of their careers”. They also publish chapbooks and nominate for awards. FORMS / GENRES: Poetry, Flash / Short fiction, Nonfiction, Art SUBMIT: Via Submittable. Up to 5 poems / 3 flash stories. Other prose up to 15 pages. PAYMENT: $10 STT: up to 2 months
  17. West Avenue Publishing — Anthology Call DEADLINE: 30 June for theme “A Coven of Witches” ABOUT: An anthology from a fantasy genre publisher. “All submissions must include witches, or a witch, as the main theme.” FORMS / GENRES: Poetry / Fiction up to 5000 words SUBMIT: Via email — send up to three pieces for consideration. PAYMENT: £10 (This is low payment for longer works— I wouldn’t advise sending your 5K witchy sagas, but ok for short poem or story)
  18. Written Backwards— Anthology Series DEADLINE: 31 July for Volume 2 on the theme “Qualia Nous”. ABOUT: This award-winning anthology series has an intriguing theme (details here) and is seeking works of dark science fiction, fantasy and horror or blended genres. (literary style preferred). FORMS / GENRES: Fiction 3–10K / Poetry up to 100 words) SUBMIT: Via email. One story / poem per submission. Upon rejection, you may submit another (up to 3 submissions). PAYMENT: Varies, but above pro rates

Good luck, everyone! Please ask any burning questions. I may address them in my next tips & strategies post — up soon! Consider subscribing to my stories for bi-monthly tips, strategies & curated submission calls.

Melissa Coffey is an Australian poet, writer and editor. Her fiction and poetry are published in various anthologies (The Mammoth Book series, Stringybark Stories) and literary journals (The Ekphrastic Review, Last Girls Club, The Aurora Journal, Writing in a Woman’s Voice, Not Very Quiet). She’s currently compiling several chapbooks.

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