Dark Highways: The Cellar Door Issue #3
Compiled & Edited by Aric Sundquist
Short Story Submission Call: July 1 - 31, 2022 EST (CLOSED)
Short Story Submission Call: July 1 - 31, 2022 EST (CLOSED)
The Cellar Door is a biannual anthology of dark fiction. Each issue will contain 8 to 12 stories based around a specific theme and will include a brand new story from a featured author. The majority of the anthology will be filled from open submissions.
- Title: Dark Highways: The Cellar Door Issue #3
- Theme: Horror/suspense stories that take place on a highway, road, or inside a vehicle.
- Type: Suspense/thriller, creature feature, supernatural horror, grindhouse/exploitation.
- Word Count: 2,000 - 7,500 words.
- Payment: $25.00 + digital/paperback copy.
- Featured Author: Mark Wheaton.
- Accepted Authors: Darren Todd, Matt Neil Hill, SR Miller, Mary Rajotte, Scotty Milder, Charlotte Vale, Christi Nogle, Scott McCloskey.
- Cover Art: Mikio Murakami.
- Rights: We are seeking first time rights for 1 year after publication. After that time all rights revert back to the author. The publication will appear in both print and digital formats.
- Reprints: None. Previously unpublished only.
- Multiple Submissions: None.
- Simultaneous Submissions: Yes, but state in your email that it is a simultaneous submission, and please email us immediately if the story is sold elsewhere.
- File Format: Include your story as an attachment in MS Word, LibreOffice, or Rich Text Format.
- Manuscript Format: Use the Modern Shunn Format. Include a short bio in the body of your email. Your subject line should read, DH Submission: ("Title") by (Author's Name). For Example, DH Submission: "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" by Stephen King. Attach the story as a separate document.
- Response Time: 2-3 weeks after submissions close, if not sooner.
- Submission Period: July 1 - 31, 2022 EST. Stories sent before or after will be deleted unread.
- Send Submissions to: darkpenpress (at) gmail (dot) com
Influential Movies/TV: The Hitcher, Joyride, Breakdown, Blue Ruin, The Wraith, Splinter, Maximum Overdrive, Death Proof, Duel, Mad Max, From Dusk Till Dawn, Phantasm II, Drive Angry, Near Dark, Race With the Devil.
Influential writings/series: Mile 81 and Christine by Stephen King, Strange Highways and Shattered by Dean Koontz, The Rules of the Road by CB Jones.
Influential writings/series: Mile 81 and Christine by Stephen King, Strange Highways and Shattered by Dean Koontz, The Rules of the Road by CB Jones.
Note added on 7-1-22: Submissions are now open for Dark Highways. Send us your work! But please note... I'm already noticing many of the submissions are not following the guidelines. Please read over the Manuscript Format guidelines above and properly label your story submission subject line. It should read DH Submission: ("Title") by (Author's Name). For example, DH Submission: "Mrs Todd's Shortcut" by Stephen King. This is important, so I know what project you are submitting your piece to. Thank you, and good luck! A.S.
