Forbidden Magic: The Cellar Door Issue #2
Compiled & Edited by Aric Sundquist
Short Story Submission Call: January 1 - 31, 2022 (EST) (CLOSED)
Short Story Submission Call: January 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: Forbidden Magic: The Cellar Door Issue #2
- Theme: Horror stories featuring forbidden or taboo magic. Must include some form of spell casting, necromancy, or alchemy. Stories may include some elements of dark fantasy, but must be a horror story first and foremost.
- Type: Supernatural horror, voodoo, witchcraft, cosmic horror, dark fantasy.
- Word Count: 2,000 - 7,500 words.
- Payment: $25.00 + digital/paperback copy.
- Featured Author: Gwendolyn Kiste.
- Accepted authors: Michael Harris Cohen, Scotty Milder, Michelle Tang, Jaye Nasir, Serena Jayne, Ryan Marie Ketterer, Patrick Barb, Lynne M. MacLean, Ville Meriläinen.
- 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 Previously unpublished only.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, FM Submission: ("Title") by (Author's Name). For Example, FM Submission: "Witch War" by Richard Matheson. Attach the story as a separate document.
- Response Time: 2-3 weeks after submissions close, if not sooner.
- Submission Period: January 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 Craft, Constantine, Pumpkinhead, The Skeleton Key, The Serpent and the Rainbow, Jennifer's Body, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (TV), Supernatural (TV)
Influential writings/examples: Lullaby by Chuck Paluhniak (the African "culling song"), Hellblazer by Jamie Delano (John's spellcasting and use of demon blood), Necroscope by Brian Lumley (Harry's deadspeak ability and Boris's necromancy), Rachel Rising by Terry Moore (graphic novel series).
Influential writings/examples: Lullaby by Chuck Paluhniak (the African "culling song"), Hellblazer by Jamie Delano (John's spellcasting and use of demon blood), Necroscope by Brian Lumley (Harry's deadspeak ability and Boris's necromancy), Rachel Rising by Terry Moore (graphic novel series).
Note added on 1-7-22: Received 72 stories so far. That's the most we've ever received the first week! Also, please make sure to follow the Manuscript Format guidelines listed above, especially the rules about the subject line. Dark Peninsula Press has numerous projects going on, and if you simple name your email "Story," it might get lost in email-land, or end up in a spam folder. Thanks, and good luck! A.S.
Note added on 2-1-22: Submissions are now closed to Forbidden Magic. We received around 240 stories total, which is outstanding! I'll be busy reading over the next two weeks. Also, author Daniel Barnett has agreed to step in and help read through the shortlisted stories, which is a huge help! Everyone should hear back about their story by Feb 20, 2022. Thanks you. A.S.
Note added on 2-22-22: Still reading through submission and making final decisions. I should be reaching out to everybody by 2-27-22. If you haven't heard back by then, feel free to email. Sorry for the short delay... the stories are great, and it's hard picking favorites! A.S.
