OPEN CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
BLACK HARE PRESS is—and has always been—an inclusive publisher. LGBTQ+ characters always welcome.
All our calls are for dark speculative fiction or weird/horror.
No co-authored projects, please, unless the call specifically says they are allowed.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL CALLS:
Submission Guidelines
Whilst we are open to all genres and styles of writing, ultimately we reserve the right to reject topics that are not suitable for our publications. Please read the individual submission call information for guidance.
Word count requirements, deadline dates and author compensation are detailed against each submission call. Hyphenated words will be counted as one word. Paragraph breaks are not included in word counts.
All submissions must be in English.
Our stance on;
Bestiality – Unless your character is in the fantasy world (ie werewolf) this is a hard no.
Erotica – Don’t go overboard, but if your story requires sex scenes, go for it.
Graphic non-con sex is never OK. If your story needs it, glimpse but don’t dazzle.
Formatting
NO TABS!
All manuscripts must be in .doc/.docx format.
In the header section of your manuscript please include your story title and the manuscript word count (excluding header section information).
Font : Times New Roman 12 point
Spacing : Double line spaced. Indent new paragraphs. Single space between sentences.
Scene breaks : ***
Spelling : British English
Manuscript
All submissions are read blind. Do not include personal information IN your manuscript (no name, no pen name, no email, no address).
Do not include personal information in your document name.
Your document name must be [CALL] – [THEME (where there is one noted)] – [TITLE]. doc/x (no brackets).
Your document must be attached – no links, please. We won’t follow them.
Bios
Bio:
Novellas: No limit
Short stories: Maximum of 100 words plus 2 non-retailer links
Rest: Maximum of 50 words plus 1 non-retailer links
Emails
Address your email “G’day awesome Black Hare Press Team”
Email Subject:
In your email subject, include [CALL] – [THEME (where there is one noted)] – [TITLE] – [PEN NAME]
For example;
DARK MOMENTS – UNDERWATER – Red Cloud – Ann Orfer
PUNK – DRABBLES – Clash of the Tantrums – Ann Orfer
SHORT READS – The Elephant in the Room – Ann Orfer
Email Body:
In your email body, please include; the call, the theme (where one is noted), your story title, your pen name, word count, bio.
Email To:
Email to the address listed on the call.
DARK MOMENTS MONTHLY CHALLENGE
SEPTEMBER 2021 SUBMISSION THEME : Halloween.
This theme will be open for submissions from 1st SEPTEMBER 2021 and will close midnight 30th SEPTEMBER 2021 (last place on Earth). Submissions received outside of this timeframe will not be read.
You must include the theme in your email subject (as shown above). Reading will start once the submission period has closed.
The BEST 12 drabbles will be chosen for publication in OCTOBER 2021.
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK
DRABBLE CALL IS OPEN NOW
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
This will form part of our “Dark Drabbles” series.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
PATREON MONTHLY CHALLENGE
ONGOING EVERY MONTH — NO SPECIFIC THEME
WIMBLEDON COMMON: POETRY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: SHORT STORY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : 500 WORDS
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
This will form part of our “Five Hundred Fiction” series.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: POETRY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: SHORT STORY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
PATREON MONTHLY CHALLENGE
ONGOING EVERY MONTH — NO SPECIFIC THEME
WAR
We are looking for war/conflict themed dark stories, in any speculative fiction genre or horror.
Please ensure your first chapter compels the reader to want to go further.
Word count : 5,000+, excluding title.
SHORT READS
ONGOING
We are looking for dark stories, in any genre. Please ensure your first 500 words compel the reader to want to go further.
Word count : 5,000+
Each story will be its own publication.
The author will be invited to choose their own cover art.
Publications will not necessarily be part of the “Short Reads” series, and could be assigned to any one of our imprints.
Sequels are always a possibility.
Monetary awards will be based on wordcounts after edits (so please don’t pad);
~5,000 to 10,000 – $25 USD
~10,000 to 17,000 – $50 USD
Plus one digital copy
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : SHORT STORIES
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: SHORT STORY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
SHORT READS
ONGOING
We are looking for dark stories, in any genre. Please ensure your first 500 words compel the reader to want to go further.
Word count : 5,000+
Each story will be its own publication.
The author will be invited to choose their own cover art.
Publications will not necessarily be part of the “Short Reads” series, and could be assigned to any one of our imprints.
Sequels are always a possibility.
Monetary awards will be based on wordcounts after edits (so please don’t pad);
~5,000 to 10,000 – $25 USD
~10,000 to 17,000 – $50 USD
Plus one digital copy
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : NOVELLAS
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
Novellas – 20,000 to 40,000 wordcount
Novella series are always a possibility, though we’re not looking for them in this call.
Author compensation will be in the form of;
- $100 USD advance
- 60% share of book royalties
- 80% share of merchandise royalties.
Co-authored submissions welcome.
Stage 1 – First chapter only due within the submission window, along with a synopsis and rough plot outline and your short bio (for our use only, not for publication). Make it good, make us hungry to see more. Please allow 4 weeks from closing date for a response.
Stage 2 – Those successful in stage 1 will be invited to submit their completed manuscript (and their full bio) within 12 weeks. This full manuscript will go to our read team. Successful authors from stage 2 will be invited to sign contracts with us. Please allow 12 weeks from closing date for a response.
WIMBLEDON COMMON: POETRY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: ART
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Format : .jpg/jpeg or .png to 300 dpi
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: ART
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Format : .jpg/jpeg or .png to 300 dpi
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: POETRY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: SHORT STORY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
DARK MOMENTS MONTHLY CHALLENGE
SEPTEMBER 2021 SUBMISSION THEME : Halloween.
This theme will be open for submissions from 1st SEPTEMBER 2021 and will close midnight 30th SEPTEMBER 2021 (last place on Earth). Submissions received outside of this timeframe will not be read.
You must include the theme in your email subject (as shown above). Reading will start once the submission period has closed.
The BEST 12 drabbles will be chosen for publication in OCTOBER 2021.
WAR
We are looking for war/conflict themed dark stories, in any speculative fiction genre or horror.
Please ensure your first chapter compels the reader to want to go further.
Word count : 5,000+, excluding title.
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : SHORT STORIES
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : NOVELLAS
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
Novellas – 20,000 to 40,000 wordcount
Novella series are always a possibility, though we’re not looking for them in this call.
Author compensation will be in the form of;
- $100 USD advance
- 60% share of book royalties
- 80% share of merchandise royalties.
Co-authored submissions welcome.
Stage 1 – First chapter only due within the submission window, along with a synopsis and rough plot outline and your short bio (for our use only, not for publication). Make it good, make us hungry to see more. Please allow 4 weeks from closing date for a response.
Stage 2 – Those successful in stage 1 will be invited to submit their completed manuscript (and their full bio) within 12 weeks. This full manuscript will go to our read team. Successful authors from stage 2 will be invited to sign contracts with us. Please allow 12 weeks from closing date for a response.
PATREON MONTHLY CHALLENGE
ONGOING EVERY MONTH — NO SPECIFIC THEME
SHORT READS
ONGOING
We are looking for dark stories, in any genre. Please ensure your first 500 words compel the reader to want to go further.
Word count : 5,000+
Each story will be its own publication.
The author will be invited to choose their own cover art.
Publications will not necessarily be part of the “Short Reads” series, and could be assigned to any one of our imprints.
Sequels are always a possibility.
Monetary awards will be based on wordcounts after edits (so please don’t pad);
~5,000 to 10,000 – $25 USD
~10,000 to 17,000 – $50 USD
Plus one digital copy
THEME : CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK
DRABBLE CALL OPEN NOW, OTHERWISE
SUBMISSION WINDOW: OPENS 1st NOVEMBER 2021, CLOSES 30th NOVEMBER 2021
TIME UNTIL WINDOW OPENS:
Punk—steampunk, cyberpunk, biopunk, dieselpunk—stories where technology is the main focus. Your stories should be dark and gritty with an element of rebellion.
Some reading examples;
- Necromancer by William Gibson
- The Difference Engine by Bruce Sterling and William Gibson
- Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
- Synners by Pat Cadigan
- Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
- Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
- The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells
- Blood Music by Greg Bear
- Tin Can Tommies by Mark C. Jones
- The Company Man by Robert Jackson Bennett
Your characters might be human or speculative fiction—vampires, werewolves, androids, aliens—but they must live in a world (past, present, parallel, or future) with a futuristic twist. Can include romance elements and comedy, but, as always, must err on the very dark side.
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK
DRABBLE CALL IS OPEN NOW
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
This will form part of our “Dark Drabbles” series.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : 500 WORDS
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
This will form part of our “Five Hundred Fiction” series.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : SHORT STORIES
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
Submit to : fourpartsubs@blackharepress.com
CYBER/BIO/DIESEL/STEAM—PUNK : NOVELLAS
OPENS 1st NOV 2021
See Theme: PUNK tab for more information about this theme.
Novellas – 20,000 to 40,000 wordcount
Novella series are always a possibility, though we’re not looking for them in this call.
Author compensation will be in the form of;
- $100 USD advance
- 60% share of book royalties
- 80% share of merchandise royalties.
Co-authored submissions welcome.
Stage 1 – First chapter only due within the submission window, along with a synopsis and rough plot outline and your short bio (for our use only, not for publication). Make it good, make us hungry to see more. Please allow 4 weeks from closing date for a response.
Stage 2 – Those successful in stage 1 will be invited to submit their completed manuscript (and their full bio) within 12 weeks. This full manuscript will go to our read team. Successful authors from stage 2 will be invited to sign contracts with us. Please allow 12 weeks from closing date for a response.
WAR
We are looking for war/conflict themed dark stories, in any speculative fiction genre or horror.
Please ensure your first chapter compels the reader to want to go further.
Word count : 5,000+, excluding title.
THEME : WIMBLEDON COMMON
THEME : What creatures live on Wimbledon Common? What history does it hold?
Think dragons, fairies, witches, wazookas, mystical giant creatures, animated tress.
(NB: no wombles…because y’know…copyright…).
Must be dark. Must be appropriate for children aged 8 to 10.
All contributors will get a credit on the cover.
We are looking for: FICTION, POETRY, INTERNAL ARTWORK
Reading will start once the submission period has closed. Please allow 6 weeks after the call has closed before querying.
Best in anthology gets a BHP goody box.
WIMBLEDON COMMON: ART
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Format : .jpg/jpeg or .png to 300 dpi
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: POETRY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com
WIMBLEDON COMMON: SHORT STORY
See Theme: WIMBLEDON tab for more information about this theme.
Author eligibility : Open to all
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed
Submit to : wimbledon@blackharepress.com