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Dark Harbor Magazine (Gold Star Program) Gold Star


Dark Harbor Magazine is dedicated to publishing high-quality horror fiction and non-fiction that nods to the genre’s iconic roots. Our goal is to provide a platform for works that explore fear in both familiar and innovative ways, honoring the legacy of horror literature while elevating it for modern audiences. We seek stories that capture the suspense, dread, and imagination that have made horror such an enduring genre.

Mission

To publish exceptional horror fiction and non-fiction that honors the genre's legacy while inspiring a modern audience.

Vision

To be the premier platform for horror literature, where timeless storytelling meets contemporary innovation. We aim to connect readers with works that explore the depths of dread, fear, and unease and its cultural impact.

Horror Short Fiction Free Tip Jar Option

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What We are Looking for

If it is horror—it is for Dark Harbor Magazine. We are looking for horror short fiction and non-fiction.

Dread. Fear. Unease. The Uncanny. Deep Character Development. Natural Dialogue. Plot Twists. Endings that Linger. All of the things that have made horror such an enduring genre. Any high-quality fiction that nodes to the genre's iconic roots with a contemporary edge.

· Flash Fiction: 500-1,500 words.

· Short Fiction: 1,500-7,500 words.

Formatting

Formatting your manuscript is just as important as writing a killer story. Moreover, it is important for your manuscript to be presented professionally. You can use the industry standard manuscript format: Shunn Manuscript Format.

Here is a checklist to help with your formatting:

  • Emphasis: Italics, not underlining.
  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 points, black.
  • Indentation: 0.5 inch.
  • Justification: Left margin only (leave right ragged).
  • Line spacing: Double-Spaced.
  • Margins: 1 inch all around.
  • Page headers: Keyword from title and page number, upper right corner of every page but first.
  • Smart quotes: On, but pay attention in case your word processor gets it wrong.
  • Title: Centered one-half of the way down first page.
  • Word count: Upper right corner of first page, rounded to nearest hundred.

Be sure not to include any identifying information in your manuscript. All submissions are read blind.

If a submission does not adhere to this formatting, the reviewing editor will request revised files that meet these standards, and if there is no response from the author, the manuscript will be rejected within one (1) week.

Multiple and Simultaneous Submissions

Both multiple and simultaneous submissions are allowed when submitting to Dark Harbor Magazine. However, we have some guidelines for both.

Multiple Submissions: We will accept a maximum of two (2) manuscripts per submission. Review times for multiple submissions may take additional time.

Simultaneous Submissions: If your work is accepted elsewhere, please, notify us as soon as possible. This will help our editorial team a lot.

Reprints Policy

We do not accept reprints. Reprints include publishing stories in other publications, such as magazines, as well as on personal blogging sites, such as Medium, Substack, Blogger, and even your own website.

Generative AI Policy

Dark Harbor Magazine stands against the use of generative AI. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy against its use, in any form, in submitted works: We publish only original, human-authored content.

Any use of AI-generated text is grounds for immediate rejection, as well as being banned from submitting works in the future.

Review Timeline

Our goal is to respond to all submissions with six (6) weeks. If you have not received an acceptance, rejection, or request for revised documents within that timeframe, please, reach out to us via our contact form.

Payment

As of this time, we are unable to provide payment for submissions. As our publication grows, we will begin to pay our authors fair compensation for their work in the future.

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