INTRODUCTIONS
Writing Magazine presents a selection of current novella submission calls. We strongly recommend that you read back issues, familiarise yourself with their guidelines before submitting and check websites for submission details.
Neon Hemlock is a small queer press that publishes speculative fiction. Novella submissions are open between 11 and 24 October from all writers, and writers from underrepresented backgrounds and marginalised communities are encouraged to submit. Neon Hemlock is particularly interested in work that explores some aspect of the queer experience. Submit science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, slipstream and weird fiction between 17,500 and 40,000 words. Hybrid work or work that is difficut to categorise is also welcome. Include a cover letter, a short pitch/synopsis and a brief bio.
Website: www.neonhemlock.com/ submissions
Reflex Press is an independent publisher of fiction that evolved as a spin-off from the Reflex Flash Fiction Competition. The Reflex Press Novella Award
2023 is an international prize for submissions of original, unpublished narrative fiction between 15,000 and 40,000 words. Submissions may be novellas or novellas-in-flash. The winner will receive £1,000 and publication with Reflex Press, and two runners up will each win £500. There is an entry fee of £10. The closing date is 31 January 2023.
Website: www.reflex.press/reflex-pressnovella-award-2023/
Driftwood Press is an imaginative small press and magazine publisher who publish inventive, experimental narratives, perhaps with a flavour of surrealism or magic realism. It accepts submissions for the Driftwood Press Novella Series of novellas between 15,000 and 30,000 words. Novellas that are accepted for publication receive $400 and ten copies, and the author receives royalties after 100 copies have been sold. There is a submission fee of $10.
Website: www.driftwoodpress.com/ novella
Independent literary fiction publisher Fairlight Press was founded in 2017 on a mission to promote quality contemporary writing, and has garnered an impressive reputation, with its authors regularly appearing on awards longlists. In addition to publishing novels and short stories, Fairlight Press publishes Fairlight Moderns – novellalength short modern literary fiction from around the world – and is happy to accept submissions. Send the first 8,000-10,000 words and a synopsis.
Severed Press is an independent publisher of horror and science fiction and since 2008 has developed a reputation for producing new fiction from new as well as established authors. Severed Press publishes novellas and is happy to receive submissions of manuscripts of killer sea creatures or monstrous kaiju fiction (min 30,000 words); dinosaur/lost world adventures (min 30,000 words) and LitRPG (where characters are trapped or transported within an online game) and LitFPS (blending fiction with first-person shooters). All novella submissions should have a strong plot and fully realised characters. Include a synopsis with the full manuscript.
Website: www.severedpress.com/ submissions/
It’s a way ahead yet but independent speculative fiction publisher Wyldblood Press will open for novella submissions in January 2023. Novellas between 20,000 and 50,000 words are published in digital format only. Submit original, unpublished science fiction, horror and fantasy. Wyldblood Press will also be open for full-length novel submissions at the beginning of 2023, and will open for short fiction submissions for one month from 1 November this year.