FAQuestions about the Anthology & What We Want

We’ve had some awesome questions about the kind of horror we’re looking for, so I thought I’d post the answers here to help guide you in choosing the absolute best story you can send us.

• Can men submit?
  Women or men may submit an original story. Even though this anthology is honoring great horror stories by women writers, there’s no reason to restrict submissions to women only. Men love horror stories by women also. The 150 word recommendation is of a favorite horror story by a woman writer. If you submit a story, just add the recommendation at the end of your story so that it’s all in one document.
• Is “music” part of the theme?
  There is no music theme for this anthology. We are using the concept of “Deep Cuts” to search out those great horror stories by women writers that are out there and deserve to be brought to the public’s attention again in your 150-word recommendation. The theme of your story can be anything, so long as it fits the genre.
• Cross-genre fiction okay?
  We have no restrictions on cross-genre works at all. Our main requirement is that it be something that makes you uneasy when you read it late at night, or in the dark, or alone in the park…or anywhere. We just want it scary. Part of the problem with having to assign a genre to it is that it risks eliminating some people from submitting because they interpret the genre to be restrictive. We’d LOVE to see a steampunk horror story or some historic horror or scifi horror. Any mix, so long as it’s scary. Grab us by the throats and make our hearts beat faster.
• Will reprints receive the same pay rate?
  Yes, it’s 5c/word for reprints as well. We’re paying all chosen writers the exact same amount.
• What if the story we recommend isn’t available to be reprinted?
  We won’t be publishing the stories that are recommended, only the 150-word recommendations. So, you don’t have to worry about being cut out because the story you recommend isn’t available. It would, however, be extremely helpful to us if you could tell us where the story is available to be read, assuming it is.
• What if our story gets chosen for a “Year’s Best” anthology?
  Bravo and wonderful! There will be a clause in the contract that allows you to request permission to have your story reprinted in special publications such as a “Year’s Best” anthology if it falls within the 2-year exclusivity clause. We will be very reasonable about things like that. No worries. It’s in our best interest to have one of the anthology’s stories chosen for such an honor.