Spooky Magazine Is Accepting Short Stories/ How To Submit (Pay: $0.01)
Spooky Magazine is a cozy horror publication that focuses on “fun horror, classy horror, and wholesome horror.”
They emphasize stories that are dark and scary, yet playful and approachable, with a strong emphasis on plot. The magazine draws inspiration from classic horror tales and media, seeking to revive a style of storytelling that has largely fallen out of favor. You might want to read this article on Tips For Making Your Writing Perfect.
Submission Guidelines For Spooky Magazine
- To submit your story, email it to spookymagazineinfo@gmail.com with the subject heading SUBMISSION: Story Title / Author Name.
- While they are not extremely picky about format, they prefer submissions in an approximation of the Shunn Manuscript Format.
- Stories must be original and unpublished in any format.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but you must notify the magazine if your story is accepted elsewhere.
- Only human-authored stories are accepted, and any suspicion of AI-generated content will result in automatic rejection.
What Spooky Magazine Wants
- Stories should be up to 5,000 words, with a preference for 2,500-3,000 words.
- Stories slightly over 5,000 words are acceptable.
- Well-earned twist endings and clever surprises.
- High concept settings and situations reminiscent of pulp fiction (e.g., androids, ghosts, aliens).
- Stories with a moral core, where good prevails or evil is punished.
- Tales of the fantastic invading ordinary settings.
- Magical realism without heavy explanations.
- Playfulness and dark humor.
- Classic Americana, Halloween themes, and campfire stories.
- Ensure that your story has a clear narrative arc.
What They Don’t Want
Content Restrictions:
- Grimdark nihilism.
- Unoriginal trope rehashes without an imaginative twist.
- Floaty, dream-like stories without a clear plot.
- Hard science fiction, sword and sorcery, or second-world fantasy.
- Excessive gore and graphic violence.
- Excessive obscenities and graphic sexual content.
- Stories primarily aimed at children.
- Abuse, violence, or sexual situations involving children.
- Racism, misogyny, or homophobia.
Author Rights
Spooky Magazine seeks First Publication Rights in English with six months exclusivity from the date of publication. Authors retain the rights to their work after the exclusivity period. Stories may be included in a potential “best of” anthology in the future.
Deadline
The submission window for Spooky Magazine closes on July 13, 2024.
Payment
They pay $0.01 per word, with payments made via PayPal.
All accepted authors will receive a print copy of the issue in which their story appears. Horror haiku submissions are not paid, but accepted haiku authors receive a free digital PDF of the issue.
Additional Information
- They also accept up to 3 horror-themed haiku at a time, which can lean into horror comedy territory.
- Email haiku submissions to spookymagazineinfo@gmail.com with the subject heading HAIKU / Author Name.
- The magazine publishes two issues per year: a spring/summer issue in April and a fall/winter issue in October.
