Diverse horror wanted
Ghost Orchid Press is a new independent publisher of horror, gothic, and supernatural fiction based in Cambridgeshire. The editorial team is keen on ‘championing new and emerging authors in these increasingly popular, versatile genres’, believing indie publishers are best placed to take risks on new and lesser-known authors.
They believe that readers and reviewers are looking for more variety, especially voices from under-represented groups. They want to tap into this progressive vein with anthologies like Blood & Bone: An Anthology of Body Horror by Women & Non-Binary Writers and the forthcoming Beyond the Veil: Queer Tales of Supernatural Love.
Currently submissions are wanted for Rewired: An Anthology of Neurodiverse Horror for stories inspired by neurodiverse experiences, stories about perception, communication, the feeling of being ‘differently wired’. Writers are asked to ‘Challenge us. Scare us. Show us the world the way you see it. We’d love to see work that encompasses the whole spectrum of neurodiverse experience.’
Some SF and fantasy elements are permitted as long as the story is primarily horror. The deadline is 30 April. Stories, 1,000-6,000 words, need to entertain, scare and above all show a different way of seeing the world.
Opening to subs shortly is Les Petites Morts: An Anthology of Erotic Horror Inspired by Fairy Tales, Mythology & Folklore.
Editor Evelyn Freeling wants ‘retellings about sexuality, desire, and fantasies that take dark turns.’ Give her ‘a good spin on the classics, but please think about using ‘fairy tales, mythologies, and folklore from outside the Western Euro catalogue as well’. Give her ‘rich characters, dynamic settings, tension, pacing, with well written erotic scenes.’ Note that ‘the erotic elements don’t need to be the source of horror and there may be elements of adjacent genres, but the story should be firmly grounded in horror.’
This is an inclusive anthology: M-F, F-F, M-M, threesomes, orgies, are welcomed. Stories, 1,000 to 5,000 words, must only include consenting adults. The deadline is 30 August.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted but not reprints or multiple submissions. Email work as a doc attachment with the name of the anthology, pen name/author name, and story title in the subject line.
Response time is ‘some weeks after the deadline.’ Payment is 3-6¢ per word plus one copy for ‘first worldwide and electronic rights for 6 months after the date of publication, after which rights revert to the author.’
Details: Ghost Orchid Press, email subs to: submissions@ ghostorchidpress.com; website: https://ghostorchidpress.com