Create-a-Cryptid Contest

A project of Not Deer Magazine

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (October 2021). We provide the following information as an archive.

About

Create-a-Cryptid Contest Guidelines For this contest, we're asking for your crytpid creations. Cryptids, for those who may be unsure, are strange creatures who may or may not exist (like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot) but are always surrounded in some kind of folklore. Like Mothman or the Jersey Devil, your cryptid may have supernatural powers or it might just be an unsettlingly large version of a common animal, like the Loveland Frogman. Regardless of what direction you choose to take, make it spooky and weird!

No Fees! This contest does not charge mandatory fees.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2021

Publication Media & Contest Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: One-time contest
Print Publication Print Publication: One-time contest

Collapse section Fiction Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Horror Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Weird/New Weird

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words.
Novelette: 7,500 - 10,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Mainstream.

Topics:

Folklore/Mythology: Cultural folklore, Urban legends, See guidelines.
Other: See guidelines.

Winner's Prize:

Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than prize specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Nonfiction Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Essay: Up to 10,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 10,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Mainstream.

Topics:

Folklore/Mythology: Cultural folklore, Urban legends, See guidelines.
Other: See guidelines.

Winner's Prize:

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Poetry Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Horror Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Weird/New Weird

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 3 pieces.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Mainstream.

Topics:

Folklore/Mythology: Cultural folklore, Urban legends, See guidelines.
Other: See guidelines.

Winner's Prize:

Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than prize specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Visual Art Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 3 pieces.

Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Folklore/Mythology: Cultural folklore, Urban legends, See guidelines.
Other: See guidelines.

Winner's Prize:

Semi-pro payment (US$10-49 per piece) Semi-pro payment (US$10-49 per piece).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than prize specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

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

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

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Not Deer Magazine

Go to contest webpage

Report:
Correction/Update

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Create-a-Cryptid Contest 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.

Your Submissions

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Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
Be professional, patient, and persistent.

Dates

Last Updated: 22 May 2026