Graveside Press Paper Angel Press (Gold Star Program) Gold Star

The votes are in...

Graveside Press's next anthology theme will be CRYPTIDS.

Definition of a cryptid for the sake of this anthology:
"Cryptids are animals or creatures that are mentioned in folklore or other accounts, but whose actual existence is questionable." Unlike monsters or mythical creatures, which the general public believes do not exist, cryptids are the creatures many people...aren't so sure about. They're often local legends with occasional sightings, but no concrete proof of their existence. Cryptids can be found anywhere in the world. They do not have the be existing creatures! Make up your own, craft your own legends, start your own rumors.

Editor note: I'm a sucker for a good cryptid. I love stories done in unique ways—found footage, news articles, texts, trail cams. Be creative. These cryptids don't have to be urban legends. Your story could be about the first person to encounter one. (The Redwood Bureau Phenomenon podcast captures the vibe we're looking for nicely, if you want some inspiration!)

Requirements:

• wordcount: approximately 2,000 - 6,000 words.
• contain a cryptid
• ... yep. that's it.

Estimated publication date for this anthology is August 2025.

Pay rate: 2¢ per word remitted 90 business days after publication.

We can't wait to read your terrifying tales!

GSP is interested in horror of all sub-genres, from psychological to hauntings to creature-features and beyond.

As mentioned below, if you're looking to submit a short story or something for our GRADEside line, please make sure you submit to the appropriate call.

What we accept

• novellas (15,000 - 40,000 words)
• novels (40,000+ words)
• collections and anthologies
• series
• various heat levels welcome
• #OwnVoices stories encouraged

What we do NOT accept

• stories shorter than 15,000 words should be submitted to the Tiny Terrors call
• stories aimed at younger audiences (middlegrade and younger YA) should be submitted to the GRADEside call
• extreme splatterpunk without plot
• erotica

Pay rate

• Standalone works (novels, novellas, short stories "Tiny Terrors") - 50% royalties of net earnings paid quarterly
• Anthology submissions - .02¢ per word to be paid 90 business days after publication

Full submission guidelines can be found here.

SUBMISSIONS CONTAINING GENERATIVE AI ARE NOT PERMITTED. Can you lie about it? Sure. But your potential contract with us also forbids it. So just don't do it. :)

Beware the children...

We're asking for your tales again, this time not for Graveside Press, but for GRADEside Stories!

Gradeside is your haunted carnival for the tales geared toward younger readers—still spooky, but with a little restraint. Both middle grade and young adult titles are considered, however, if we feel your YA title skews to an upper YA older audience, we may ask to publish it as a standard Graveside title.

Requirements:

• wordcount: 2,000-6,000 (short story) / 20,000+ (novella or novel length)
• aimed at a middle grade to young adult audience (10+)
• have a PG to PG-13 rating

The standard horror elements are allowed, but keep in mind who you're writing for. Topics such as extreme body horror, assault, torture, etc., will not be considered. MG stories should maintain a PG rating, and YA should stick to PG-13.

It's back...

Graveside Press is again looking for short fiction for our Tiny Terrors line.

Requirements:

• wordcount: approximately 2,000 - 12,000 words for Tiny Terrors anthologies
• wordcount: 5,000-15,000 words for Tiny Terrors standalones
• anything larger may be submitted to general submissions as a novella-length work

Most accepted Tiny Terrors will appear in a twice-a-year TT anthology. Sometimes, we'll take extra notice of a story and request to publish it as a standalone with its own cover, release date, and print edition.

Pay rate:

• anthology stories: 2¢ per word remitted 90 business days after publication
• standalones: 50% royalties of net earnings paid quarterly

2025 TT submissions will be looking at a 2026 publication date.

You asked for it, and we're doing it...

Graveside Press's next themed anthology will be WITCHCRAFT.

What are we looking for?
WITCHES! Obviously. Whether you're going with modern-day witchcraft practices or the fairy-tale evil witch, we're ready for you.

Requirements:

• wordcount: approximately 2,000 - 6,000 words.
• central focus: witchcraft of some sort.
• any character involved in adult activities must be 18+.
• NO: non-con, r*pe, or other s*xual assault.

Estimated publication date for this anthology is December 5th, 2025.

Pay Rates: please see our main submissions page for rates and royalties.