Inner Worlds Zine Is Accepting Short Stories/ How To Submit (Pay: £0.02/word)

Inner Worlds Zine is a quarterly digital zine that publishes speculative stories focusing on our inner lives, thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and dreams. 

They use elements from science fiction, fantasy, or horror to explore the ways we experience ourselves and the world.

Inner Worlds has a special interest in stories of neurodiversity, psychological struggles, and the perspectives of marginalized groups. If you are not an experienced writer, please read this article: 10 Creative Writing Tips For Beginners.

 

Submission Guidelines For Inner Worlds Zine

• Accepted genres include science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose with a strong emotional or psychological focus.

• Length of your story should be around 500-2,500 words, but for the July 2024 submission window, 2,500-5,000 words.

• The format for submission is; english, black text, easy-to-read font and size, plain white background. Modern manuscript format is welcome.

• Accepted file types are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt.

• Include content warnings at the top of the first page if applicable.

• A cover letter is optional, but include information about reprints and relevant personal identity or experience if applicable.

• Reprints are accepted if not available for free online.

• Simultaneous Submissions are also allowed, but notify if accepted elsewhere.

• Expect a response within three weeks. If not received, check junk mail or email for an update.

• You might want to read this article on Tips For Making Your Writing Perfect.

 

What They Want

Themes: Neurodiversity, psychological struggle or distress, madness, extreme states, and perspectives of marginalized groups.

Approach: Metaphors to express feelings, settings reflecting inner experiences, or turning tropes to explore different perspectives.

 

What They Don’t Want

• Sexist, misogynist, racist, ableist, anti-fat, or harmful to LGBTQIA+ people content.

• Stereotypical stories.

• Porn and erotica (content warning required for sex scenes).

• Graphic depictions of physical or sexual abuse.

• Harmful mental health tropes, such as mad people as murderers or stories solely taking place in a psychiatric patient’s mind.

• AI-generated content using tools like Story Engine or ChatGPT.

 

How to Submit To Inner Worlds Zine

• Remove identifying information from the document.

• Use the submission form here, which is also provided on the Inner Worlds website.

• If using a pen name or wishing to remain anonymous, specify upon acceptance.

 

Eligibility Criteria

• The first two weeks of each reading period are reserved for marginalized groups: BIPOC, LGBTQ+ community, women and other marginalized genders, neurodivergent authors, Deaf and disabled authors, and those with lived mental health experiences.

• General submissions are open to everyone in the second half of each reading period.

 

Author Rights

Inner Worlds requests first worldwide publication rights in English for original works and non-exclusive reprint rights for previously published works.

Authors are encouraged to consider submitting their original pieces to higher-profile, higher-paying markets before sending them to Inner Worlds Zine.

 

Pay Rates

Inner Worlds pays £0.02 per word, with a minimum £20 payment. They pay through PayPal or bank transfer.

 

Deadline

Reading Periods:

  – July 1-14: Marginalized groups only

  – July 15-31: General submissions

  – October 1-14: Marginalized groups             only

  – October 15-31: General submissions