The Dark Fiction Spotlight MATURE CONTENT

This project is believed to be defunct. (April 2012)

About

The Dark Fiction Spotlight was created to be a safe haven for all dark fiction writers. TDFS welcomes all sorts of writers, be it hack and slash, bizarro, psychological or even mild erotica. We aim to be a home to one and all.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Published 4 x per year

Collapse section Fiction Believed Defunct

We want horror, we want the exotic, the schizophrenic, the nude, the undead, the surreal, the stomach-jerkers, and more. We are open themed. Make us think, or puke, surprise us with poetry and purple prose. Do it with flare, do not make us stare. The Dark Fiction Spotlight accepts all dark fiction and its sub-genres, as well as horrotica, extreme horror and LGBT. We are extremely open unlike other markets out there. And we hope to expand to other places when the time is right. We want new and established writers, maybe a ghoul or two.

Audience:

Adults.

Genres:

Erotica Subgenre: Erotic Horror
Horror Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Bizarro, Extreme Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Weird/New Weird, Zombie

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 - 2,000 words.

Styles:

Dark, Surrealist.

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pays occasionally, up to 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 allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Believed Defunct

TDFS will also be accepting the darkest poetry around. Give us a lot in a little and make macabre meet that node in your heart that keeps it ticking. If it's not dark poetry then have it toned, or overcast in it!

Audience:

Adults.

Genres:

Erotica Subgenre: Erotic Horror
Horror Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Bizarro, Extreme Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Weird/New Weird, Zombie

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Dark, Surrealist.

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) Pays occasionally, up to Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

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

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The Dark Fiction Spotlight Submission Statistics

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

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Dates

Last Updated: 22 May 2026