December, 2024 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets

HWA L.A.: For December, 2024
New or Reopening Market Listings/ Notes
At Minimum Pro-Paying (5 cents+ per word)

Poisoned Soup for the Macabre, Depraved and Insane: Nostalgic Terrors (anthology by Brigids Gate Press)
https://brigidsgatepress.com/submissions
Payment: 8 cents a word (or flat $50 for poem or drabble)
Story Length: 500–1,000 words (or 100-word drabble or poem up to 32 lines)
Deadline: Open between December 15 and December 31, 2025
Reprints?: No
Response: By March, 2025
Description: A mix of both non-fiction and original fiction, poems, and essays where new and seasoned horror writers recount their first experiences with the genre. A mix of terror, inspiration, comfort, and reassurance, this anthology offers a powerful experience for those who seek to create and consume stories that transcend the page.


Future States of Stars (anthology by OwlCrate Press)
https://www.owlcrate.com/blogs/oc/future-states-of-stars-is-now-open-for-submissions
Payment: 10 cents a word
Story Length: 6,000–8,000 words
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Reprints?: No
Response: unknown
Description: Sci-fi/dystopian short stories themes of the near-to-far future of states, whether set here on Earth, in space, or in other dimensions. Consider exploring dystopian themes such as authoritarian regimes, environmental collapse, surveillance societies, loss of individual freedoms, or the impact of advanced technology on humanity.


Silent Nightmares (anthology by Written Backwards Press)
https://nettirw.com/2024/09/05/silent-nightmares-open-submission-call/
Payment: 10 cents a word
Story Length: up to 5,000 words
Deadline: Open between December 1 and December 31, 2025
Reprints?: No
Response: up to three months (but usually much sooner)
Description: Original short stories of dark holiday horrors.


Apex Magazine
http://www.apex-magazine.com/submission-guidelines
Payment: 8 cents a word
Story Length: up to 7,500 words
Deadline: Ongoing
Reprints?: No
Response: One month
Description: Exceptionally well-written science fiction, fantasy, horror, and all its sub-genres.
NOTE: ALSO Open to Flash Fiction contest, usually between the 7^th through last day of each month.


Uncharted
https://uncharted.submittable.com/submit
Payment: $200 flat
Story Length: 1,000–5,000 words
Deadline: ongoing
Reprints?: Yes (but no pay)
Response: Three months
Description: Any type of genre story: Horror (under Thriller/Mystery), Science Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, etc. (see submission page for additional themed 1-time calls).


Calliope Interactive
https://calliopeinteractive.com/open-call
Payment: 5 cents a word
Story Length: 2,000–4,000 words (OR: Flash fiction up to 1,000 words)
Deadline: Intermittent
Reprints?: No
Response: estimated within 2 months
Description: Unthemed genre fiction; anything to do with high fantasy, operatic sci-fi, heart-stopping action, that’s our jam.

***Non-PRO-Paying Market, but Eric J. Guignard’s “Pick of the Month”

Pressfuls
https://pressfuls.com/about
Payment: 4 cents a word
Story Length: 1,000–2,500 words
Deadline: ongoing
Reprints?: No
Response: 6 weeks
Description: Original horror, Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Crime/Mystery short stories.


Triangulation (Parsec Ink): “Dark Hearts” (annual themed anthology)
http://parsecink.com/index.php/triangulation-submissions/
Payment: 3 cents a word
Story Length: up to 5,000 words (preference at 3,000 words)
Deadline: January 31, 2025
Reprints?: No
Response: March 30, 2025
Description: Speculative stories and poems about women who are anti-heroes. Send us your stories about shady ladies: women and female-presenting characters breaking the rules, defying social norms, and getting up to no good!