October Scarefest! A project of The Masters Review Best Emerging Writers Anthology (see other related projects). Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions. We provide the following information as an archive. About In honor of our favorite month of the year, we’re holding a contest for the best short story that embodies the hair-raising, spine-chilling, disturbing, and scary nature of October. Whether your writing invokes Mary Shelley, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Bram Stoker, Margaret Atwood, Cormac McCarthy, Karen Russell, or Edgar Allen Poe we want to read it. We’re open to all styles and ideas, but your story must be well-constructed. We will show a particular interest in those pieces with some literary merit; stories that push themselves beyond the strangeness of their premise. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationOne-time contest Fiction Closed Audience:UnknownGenres: General Open to all/most Subgenres Horror Open to all/most Subgenres Suspense/Thriller Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words. Short Story: 1,000 - 5,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics:None found.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) 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: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to contest webpage Report: Correction/Update Support this Publisher: Purchase Issue(s) October Scarefest! 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 This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsThe Masters Review Best Emerging Writers Anthology Charges fees for all submissionsMasters Review BlogThe Masters Review Chapbook Open ON HIATUS Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Debut Fiction Prize CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Fall Fiction Contest ON HIATUS Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Featured Flash Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Flash Challenge CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review New VoicesThe Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Prize for New Narratives CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Reprint Prize Charges fees for all submissionsThe Masters Review Short Story Award For New Writers Charges fees for all submissionsSeptember Selects CLOSED Before SubmittingWe 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. DatesLast Updated: 22 May 2026 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only