Where Can I Sell My Horror Short Stories?

For a writer, especially a genre writer who specializes in horror, sci-fi, or fantasy, knowing where to submit your work is crucial. While many mainstream publications take various types of writing (from greeting card companies to special interest magazines), it can be confusing for those who write genre fiction.

I got my start as a creative writer by submitting to online publications. I have also accepted submissions for my own multi-author anthologies and volunteered at a literary magazine while in the collection. However, it recently occurred to me that there are not enough resources out there for a writer to even know where to look. Thus, here is a rundown of the top places you can sell your horror short stories and long-form fiction to:

Submission Listings For Horror

Before diving into some of the specific places that accept horror fiction and short stories, you should know that some websites provide an aggregated list. I recommend book marketing these places because some other websites on this list will often appear.

These open submission listings can also help you discover new markets or markets you didn't know existed:

The Submission Grinder

Though it may be slightly confusing to navigate at first, The Submission Grinder is a free resource that will help you find places to publish your work. While not horror-specific, it does allow you to use a publication filter for market type, pay scale, and submission periods. You can also track your submissions as well.

Duotrope

One of the most established and well-known submission listings, Duotrope has many different filters, features, and specially curated publishers and agents that are exclusive to the platform. While it is a paid subscription (at $5 per month/$50 per year), it has the most comprehensive information compared to similar sites.

The Horror Tree

One of my favorite submission sites is The Horror Tree. Not only is it horror-specific, but it also has very, very niche publications that sometimes do not get featured on the more mainstream submission listing sites. The site is also worth checking out because it also has anthologies it publishes occasionally.

Literary Magazines Accepting Horror Stories

There are many, many horror publications that accept horror short stories, horror novels, and even horror poetry! Here are some of the most popular compiled in a handy list:

The Dark Magazine

The Dark Magazine is a horror and dark fantasy magazine that publishes monthly. While the publication does not accept graphic, violent horror (if that is your thing), it does encourage fiction that falls outside "regular" categories.

The Deadlands Magazine

Specializing in weird fiction, dark fantasy, and horror, The Deadlands Magazine considers itself a journal of ends & beginnings that publishes quarterly. The magazine publishes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that explores "all aspects of death and the borders it shares with the living."

Apex Magazine

Apex Magazine is award-winning, publishing science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and delights in the "strange. Surreal. Shocking. Beautiful." If you write shorter short stories, known as flash fiction, you are in luck because this magazine also takes it.

Nightmare Magazine

Featured as a professional horror and dark fantasy publication, Nightmare Magazine accepts flash fiction, short stories, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Nightmare wants all spectrums of horror, and it is a prestige platform, so save at least one story for submission.  

GrimDark Magazine

For darker genre fiction writers, which includes science, fantasy, and, of course, horror, GrimDark Magazine offers submissions for both online and print. The magazine accepts unpublished fiction as well as reprints.

Weird Tales Magazine

If you want a literary magazine with both bite and prestige, you will want to check out Weird Tales. Weird Tales has been around for "100 years of weird." Weird Tales typically accepts submissions in March and September.

Podcasts That Accept Horror Submissions

Do you have a story just begging to be read aloud by trained narrators? Perhaps having your story read on a podcast is what you are looking for. Here are some that are taking submissions:

Pseudopod

Considered the first horror fiction podcast, Pseudopod has been around for over a decade. The site also actively looks for narrators, so if you want to read the work of others, be sure to check that out, too.

The No Sleep Podcast

Not only is The No Sleep Podcast a horror-specific podcast, but it is also critically acclaimed. You can submit flash fiction, short fiction, long "regular" stories, and scripts.  

Submitting Your Horror Short Story

Before submitting your works, carefully review each outlet's submission rules, payment terms, and preferred horror genres. Then spend some time writing your perfect query letter. Regardless of your experience level, these platforms offer fantastic chances to connect with new readers and share your love of horror literature.

Am I missing a publication? Perhaps yours? Reach out and let me know!

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