prosaic

Speculative

Speculative — science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Lengths on this list range from about 500 words to 22,000. 15 currently open of 23 total.

Sort

Filter

Heartlines Spec
Open
pay$0.08 CAD per word for short fiction; $60 CAD flat per poem
windowSeptember 1, 2026 - October 18, 2026*
feenone (not stated)
verified2026-10-16
sourceSource
Details
window noteGeneral window Sept 1-30 ended; Moksha "Short Fiction (Extended Edition for Canadians/Turtle Island Residents)" open, Closes Oct 19 2026 04:00 UTC.
pay whenunknown
genrespeculative short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships (platonic, romantic, familial)
wordsfiction 500–3,500 words; poetry up to 5 poems per submission
simultaneousyes (guidelines list Simultaneous submissions under What We Want)
flagMoksha 2026-09-28: Poetry and Short Fiction Currently Open (Closes Thursday, October 1, 2026 4:00 AM UTC). Early Period / Extended Edition Currently Closed. Guidelines autumn window Sep 1–30. | 2026-10-13: only open path is an extension restricted to Canadians/Turtle Island residents.

Visit

We're Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2026 (Neon Hemlock)
Open
pay$0.01/word
window— - December 31, 2026*
feenone
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteReprint submissions from 2026 only. Submissions close December 31st 2026.
pay whenunknown
genrequeer speculative fiction (reprints from 2026 only)
wordsunknown
simultaneousunknown
flagReprint anthology only (2026 pubs).

Visit

Escape Pod
Open
payUSD $0.08 per word for original fiction; USD $100-$175 per story for reprint fiction (length-based; Moksha guidelines also state $100 flat for reprints)
windowSeptember 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027*
feenone
verified2026-10-16
sourceSource
Details
window noteGuidelines: typically open September–May. Moksha General Submissions: Currently Open; Closes Tuesday, June 1, 2027 3:59 AM (UTC).
pay whenunknown
genrescience fiction short fiction (podcast + text)
wordsoriginal 1,500-6,000 words (sweet spot 2000-4000); reprints 1,500-7,500
simultaneousyes (except other Escape Artists podcasts: PodCastle, PseudoPod, Cast of Wonders, CatsCast)
flagMoksha 2026-09-28: General Submissions Currently Open; Closes Tuesday, June 1, 2027 3:59 AM UTC. Novelette/reprint portals also open to that close. Flash Fiction Contest Currently Closed. escapepod.org returned 500 on this check — facts from Moksha.

Visit

Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Open
pay8–10 cents per word for short fiction; 6 cents per word for serials; 9 cents per word for fact articles; $1 per line for poetry
windowYear-round*
feeunknown
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteLive magazinesubmissions form lists Fiction/Fact/Poetry New Submission with no close date; actual submit UI requires JS
pay whenon acceptance
genrescience fiction
wordsshort fiction up to approximately 20,000 words; serials 40,000–80,000 words
simultaneousno ("No simultaneous submissions, please.")
flagTracker page requires JS to submit; guidelines have no open/closed sentence. Live New Submission links present 2026-09-21 for Fiction/Fact/Poetry on http://analog.magazinesubmissions.com/.

Visit

Apex Magazine
Open
pay$.08 per word up to 9,000 words; minimum of $50; additional $.01 per word up to 9,000 words if podcasted
windowUnknown*
feeunknown
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteodd months; closed February, April, June, August, October, and December 2026. Moksha 2026-09-28: Fiction Currently Open to Submissions (September).
pay whenunknown
genrescience fiction, fantasy, and horror
wordsfirm 9,000 words maximum
simultaneousallowed ("Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but we ask you to withdraw as soon as possible if it is accepted elsewhere.")
flagMoksha 2026-09-28: Fiction Currently Open to Submissions (September odd-month window). Closed even months Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct/Dec 2026. Pay $.08/word to 9,000; min $50; +$.01/word if podcasted.

Visit

Asimov's Science Fiction
Open
pay8-10 cents per word for short stories up to 7,500 words, and 8 cents for each word over 7,500; $1 a line for poetry
windowYear-round*
feeunknown
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteLive magazinesubmissions portal shows Fiction and Poetry New Submission with no close date
pay whenunknown
genrescience fiction; also borderline fantasy, slipstream, and surreal fiction; poetry
wordsseldom shorter than 1,000 words or longer than 20,000 words; poetry should not exceed 40 lines
simultaneousno ("we do not accept \"simultaneous submissions\" (stories sent at the same time to a publication other than Asimov's)")
flagGuidelines page has no open/closed sentence. Live portal http://asimovs.magazinesubmissions.com/ (200): Fiction and Poetry New Submission, no close date → year-round. HTTPS on portal SSL issues noted previously.

Visit

Beneath Ceaseless Skies
Open
pay8 cents US per word for standard acceptances
windowYear-round*
feenone
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteNo open/closed calendar on guidelines; recent Slush Updates (e.g. 2026-09-11) show continuous reading.
pay whenafter receipt of the final, line-edited manuscript
genreliterary adventure fantasy (secondary-world)
wordsstrongly prefer under 15,000 words
simultaneousyes (must state in cover letter and notify immediately if accepted elsewhere)
flagEmail address shown as image alt on guidelines ("submissions at beneath-ceaseless-skies.com").

Visit

Clarkesworld Magazine
Open
pay14¢ per word
windowYear-round*
feeunknown
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteGuidelines: currently open for art, non-fiction and short story submissions; tracker New Submission present; submit UI requires JS
pay whenunknown
genrescience fiction and fantasy (no horror; dark SF/F permitted)
words1000–22000 words, no exceptions
simultaneousnot permitted
flagGuidelines 2026-09-01 still: "We are currently open for art, non-fiction and short story submissions." Tracker https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions_tracker/ (200) shows Fiction New Submission with no close date. Kind left unknown (they open/close without a printed calendar end).

Visit

The Dark Magazine
Open
pay5 cents/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words; 1 cent/word for reprint fiction up to 6,000 words
windowYear-round*
feenone stated
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteFiction guidelines give email submissions with no dated open/close sentence. Artwork: currently closed to all art submission.
pay whenoriginals on publication; reprints on acceptance
genrehorror; dark fantasy
words2,000 – 6,000 words
simultaneousno (We will not consider simultaneous submissions.)
flagReprint eligibility sentence still says January 2021 onwards for the past-two-years rule. That reprint calendar language looks leftover; originals are this row.

Visit

Uncharted Magazine (Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Open
pay$200 for original fiction; reprints considered but We do not pay for reprints.
windowYear-round*
feenone (we do not charge any submission fees)
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteAll fiction categories are open year-round. Live Submittable category: Science Fiction/Fantasy Short Story. Separate 2026 Uncharted Reprint Prize Sept 01–Sept 30 2026 is not this row.
pay whenunknown
genrescience fiction and fantasy short stories
words1,000-5,000 words
simultaneousyes (We accept simultaneous submissions)
flagSame portal also lists Thriller/Mystery, Dystopian, and a 2026 Uncharted Reprint Prize (Sept 01 to Sept 30 2026, $20 fee, Ends 2026-10-01 07:00:00Z) plus 2026 Feedback Frenzy — not this row. Source also teases Horror Challenge Oct 01–11 2026 ($500). SFF Short Story category live year-round, no fee, $200 original.

Visit

Haven Spec Magazine
Closed
pay8 cents per word for original fiction; $20 per original poem
windowOctober 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026*
feenone stated
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteSeptember: Closed to Submissions (havenspec.com/submit schedule). Acolyte (havenspec.acolyte.media, 2026-09-28) lists Current and Upcoming Calls for October 2026 Limited Demographic Window — Call for Fiction and Call for Poetry with Start Date 10/1/2026 Deadline 11/1/2026 (not open yet as of Sep 28). Next after Oct: November General; December closed. Usually open ~12:00 PM Eastern on the first of open months.
pay whenunknown
genrescience fiction, fantasy, speculative horror, and weird; also poetry
wordsfiction 5000 words (sweet spot 1000-4000); poetry five poems in one file
simultaneousyes (Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please no multiple submissions for fiction)
flagNon-fiction currently closed on submit page. Acolyte shows October Limited Demographic calls as upcoming (start 2026-10-01), not live submit yet. Window object uses next dated month (October Limited Demographic).

Visit

Fusion Fragment
Closed
pay4 cents (CAD) per word, up to a maximum of $400 (CAD) per story
windowNovember 1, 2026 - November 30, 2026*
feenone stated
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteSubmission Status: Closed. Opening November 1st. Moksha: Fusion Fragment is currently closed to submissions. Next periods: November 1–30, 2026; January 1–31, 2027; March 1–31, 2027.
pay whenafter the contract is signed (page: payment a day or two after signing)
genrescience fiction or SF-tinged literary fiction
words2,000 to 15,000 words
simultaneousyes (Simultaneous submissions are fine)
flagMoksha fetched 2026-09-28: Fusion Fragment is currently closed to submissions. fusionfragment.com/submissions curl 406 Mod_Security; confirmed via WebFetch same Closed / Opening November 1st copy.

Visit

Exoplanet
Closed
payone cent ($0.01 USD) per word for prose ($5 minimum); $10 flat for poetry
windowJanuary 1, 2027 - January 15, 2027*
feeunknown
verified2026-09-28
sourceSource
Details
window noteSeptember 2026 window cancelled (Sep 1 update). Also May 1–May 15, 2027. Page still lists Sep 1 - Sep 15, 2026 among upcoming windows despite cancel notice.
pay whenunknown
genrespeculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, slipstream, weird, hybrid); also poetry
wordsprose up to 5,000 words
simultaneousacceptable
flagIMPORTANT UPDATE (Sep 1) September window cancelled; struck/listed Sep 1–15, 2026 still among upcoming windows on page 2026-09-09.

Visit

Abyss & Apex
Closed
payUSD $.08/word up to 1,000 words, and a flat payment of $80.00 for longer stories
windowFebruary 1, 2027 - February 7, 2027*
feenone stated
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteFiction reading periods Eastern 12:01 AM: February 1 thru 7, 2027 will be OPEN; August 1 thru 7, 2027 will be OPEN. Poetry next: November 2026 then May 2027 — poetry is not this row.
pay when30 days after publication
genrespeculative fiction including flash; not horror
wordsup to 10,000 words; flash 1,000 words or less (flash must be in the email body)
simultaneousno (We do NOT accept simultaneous submissions for either fiction or poetry)
flagSample contract linked as 2018. Pay sentence itself is on the 2026-09-01 guidelines page.

Visit

Strange Horizons
Closed
pay9¢/word USD
windowUnknown*
feenone
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteOpens October 1, 2026 at 3 p.m. UTC until 1,000-story cap; max 5,000 words this window; 9¢/word USD; no simultaneous.
pay whenunknown
genrespeculative fiction
wordsup to 5,000 words (this window)
simultaneousno
flagMoksha 2026-09-28: Fiction Currently Closed; Opens to Submissions on Thursday, October 1, 2026 3:00 PM UTC. Cap-based end (1,000 stories); max 5,000 words this window; 9¢/word.

Visit

Uncanny Magazine (essays)
Closed
pay$100 per essay
windowUnknown*
feeunknown
verified2026-10-13
sourceSource
Details
window noteMoksha and magazine: closed to all submissions
pay whenon acceptance
genrenonfiction essay
wordsunknown
simultaneousunknown
flagMoksha 2026-09-09: 'Submissions are closed for Uncanny Magazine' / 'currently closed to submissions.' Site: 'Uncanny Magazine is CLOSED to all submissions.'

Visit