Apocalyptic aftermath
Hungry Shadow Press is looking for short stories for its new anthology: The First Five Minutes of the Apocalypse. Submissions are invited of ‘short horror, weird, dark fiction which deals with a fictional apocalypse.’ Writers are asked to place the story ‘within a short period of time (less than a day) at the beginning of a fictional apocalypse.’ Stories should involve the aftermath and should not be set ‘at the inception point or the origin of the apocalyptic event’ ie, shouldn’t be about the event itself but about the dreadful effects of the event where ‘it all started for the POV character(s). Make it personal. Make it weird. Make it disturbing. Make it beautiful.’ Avoid zombies if possible unless they are really different and original.
Submit short horror, weird, dark fiction stories between 1,500 and 4,000 words with strong elements of horror, weird fiction, or dark fiction. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but no multiple subs or reprints. Format the story as a standard manuscript format: double-spaced, 12pt font, word count and email address on the first page. Submit online including a brief cover letter and contact details.
Payment is US$0.03 per word, paid via PayPal, plus an ebook copy of the anthology for ‘Exclusive First Worldwide Publication, Print, and Electronic Rights for three months, and non-exclusive rights thereafter.’ The closing date is 28 February. Website: https://www. hungryshadowpress.com
Guidelines: https://www. hungryshadowpress.com/ submissions-the-first-fiveminutes-of-the-apocalypse; submit online
Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology is a brand new journal with an editorial team seeking short stories which follow the rules of the classic cosy mystery, which are provided online, and include being set in a small town or tightly knit community and featuring an amateur detective.
Stories, no more than 5,000 words, must be sent according to strict guidelines. Do read them carefully and follow them. No simultaneous submission. Up to 5 stories may be submitted and they might accept a very special reprint.
Format work in the standard publishing format and save the file as a PDF or Word document. Draft to Digital (D2D) will handle royalty payments, and sales reports. Writers will need to set up a D2D account, which is free. Response time is ‘within 12 hours’.
Payment is a small fee and ‘ongoing royalties + PDF copy of the anthology.’
The closing date is 31May.
Website: https://warmmugofcozy.com/anthology-submission