20Spec Anthology

A project of Absolute Xpress Publishing (see other related projects).

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions. We provide the following information as an archive.

About

What are we looking for? Speculative stories set in the grit and glamor of the Roaring 20s. Think gangsters, the Klan, and political upheaval; the rise of communism and fascism. Women’s suffrage, androgynous fashion, and bootlegging. Jazz and speakeasies; ”The Diamonds as Big as the Ritz.” The rise of the Machine Age– radios, Model-T Fords, and mass-production. Hyper-inflation and excess. Tell decadent stories that take place after dark, far from home, in abandoned stills. And don’t be afraid to travel abroad. Europe, Asia, Africa– anywhere is fair game! This is not only an anthology of Urban Fantasy set in the 1920s. While UF will most likely have its place, we welcome Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror, including Bizarro, Slipstream, New Weird, Hard-Boiled Noir detectives, even (especially) stuff that defies a particular classification. The story is paramount, but we’d like to be able to represent all speculative-fiction fields. Attention to the culture, slang, and feel of the 20s is vital. Send us stories that roar, whisper and shriek.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Frequency

Print Publication Print Publication: One-time publication

Collapse section Fiction Closed

Audience:

Unknown

Genres:

Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Bizarro, Historical, Urban Fantasy, Weird/New Weird
Horror Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Bizarro, Historical, Noir, Weird/New Weird
Science Fiction Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Bizarro, Weird/New Weird

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 - 5,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles.

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Closed

Audience:

Unknown

Genres:

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles.

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

Unknown payment Unknown payment.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Unknown.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

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20Spec Anthology Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months.

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Before Submitting

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Dates

Last Updated: 22 May 2026