Submissions Open: August 1st through September 30th
Title: TBD Gothic Romance
Type: Anthology of short stories
Editors: Heather & S.D. Vassallo
Theme: We're looking for gothic romances that are equal parts horror and romance.
The short stories should be mysterious, atmospheric, and include a HEA (or happy for
now). This is an open call with no slots reserved for invitation pieces. Women and non-binary authors only (our definition of women includes transgender women and femme-identifying individuals - and always will. If you identify as woman by any definition, or identify as non-binary, this call is open to you).
Must Haves:
- Horror and romance
- Happily ever after or at least happy for now
- Overwhelming sense of menace or dread
- Atmosphere (weather) and/or place prominently add to the story
- Traditionally spooky locations, such as old manor houses or decaying plantations
aren't necessary, but the location should be spooky.
- Actual supernatural horror, implied supernatural horror, or psychological horror
- Haunted places/houses welcome
- Sizzle: anywhere from closed door to super sizzle welcome (but the sizzle must
drive the plot forward)
- Time period: anytime in the past or present
- Location: anywhere on Earth
Won't Accept:
- Racism
- Anti-LGBTQIA+
- Rape
- Incest
- Extreme Horror (excessive gore, explicit sex just for gore/sex sake)
- Reprints
- Manuscripts that don't follow the guidelines
Guidelines:
- Women and non-binary authors only (our definition of women includes transgender women and femme-identifying individuals - and always will. If you identify as woman by any definition, or identify as non-binary, this call is open to you).
- Short Stories 2,000 to 6,000 words
- First page should have your legal and author name, email address, word count,
and title of story
- Font 12 pt Garamond
- Double Spaced
- No headers, footers, or special formatting
- DOC, DOCx, or RTF format
- Up to 2 short stories per author (submit separately)
- Simultaneous submissions acceptable, please let us know if your piece is
accepted elsewhere
Compensation:
- $0.08 a word
- Digital and paperback copy of anthology