FICTION submissions are CLOSED.
Send us:
- In general, we are open to all subgenres of horror (dark fantasy, sci-fi, noir all accepted as long as horror plays a central role).
- Body horror tickles our fancy the most if we had to pick a subgenre, but SLUGGER will be open to all horror stories.
- We love subversive and transgressive fiction. Anything that fits the punk ethos is likely to get our attention.
- Stories can be speculative or not.
- Our guidelines may change over time, but we are open to the full spectrum of genre to literary fiction, conventional storytelling to experimental, and plot driven to vibes only.
Do NOT send us:
- Bigotry (racism, sexism, genderism, ableism, fatphobia, homophobia, transphobia, you get the idea). It’s fine to explore these topics, especially when a horrible character gets what’s coming to them. But hate for the sake of hate will not be accepted.
- Exploitive sexual violence.
- Erotica/graphic sexual content.
- Classic tropes such as vampires, werewolves, etc. are not a hard sell, but the story needs to stand out.
- No fanfiction.
The Details:
- Word count: 1,000-4,000
- Simultaneous submissions: YES. If your piece is accepted elsewhere, please email us at sluggerfiction@gmail.com so that we can congratulate you and withdraw your story from consideration.
- Multiple submissions: NO. Please only submit one story per submission period.
- Reprints: NO. Unpublished work only please.
- Use of artificial intelligence: ABSOLUTELY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Payment: $25 per accepted story + 1 contributor copy. Each story will have an original black and white illustration. We hope to increase payment to writers depending upon the success of SLUGGER.
- Formatting:
- Include story title, word count, and name in the document.
- Get it close to Shunn format (double spaced, readable font, word count and title on first page) and submit away.
- .doc and .docx files only please (PDFs or a story copied and pasted into an email will be deleted unread).
- Rights: World English first rights for digital and print publication. Exclusivity for 6 months. Please acknowledge SLUGGER with first publication credit. All copyright remains with the author. Contract will be provided.
- Response times: We aim for no later than 60 days after the submission window closes. Please give us a little grace, but please feel free to email us (subject line: QUERY) at sluggerfiction@gmail.com if you haven’t heard anything 60 days after the close of the submission window.
SOUND TRAILS submissions are open year round!
Please submit via this Google form or send us a pitch at sluggerfiction@gmail.com.
What is Sound Trails? Each SLUGGER volume includes three non-fiction pieces related to music in some way, usually somewhat connected to punk and/or horror. Check out Vol. 1 Sound Trails for examples.
We are expanding the Sound Trails section to our website. If accepted, your piece will appear online. We may compile all online Sound Trails pieces into a special print issue of SLUGGER at a later date.
Send us:
- We are open to all types of non-fiction pieces related to music in some way.
- The piece should have some connection to either punk and/or horror. Punk is broadly defined. This includes punk as a subgenre of music and punk ideals.
- Examples include reviews (album, zine, concert, scene, book, etc.), personal essays, critical analysis, comics, or any combination. Get creative with it.
- Have an idea but haven’t written it yet? Send us a pitch, and we’ll let you know if it sounds like a good fit.
Do NOT send us:
- Same guiding principles as listed under fiction submissions.
The Details:
- Word count: up to 1,500 (flexible for the right piece).
- Simultaneous submissions: YES. If your piece is accepted elsewhere, please email us at sluggerfiction@gmail.com so that we can congratulate you and withdraw your piece from consideration.
- Multiple submissions: NO. Please only submit one piece at a time.
- Reprints: NO. Unpublished work only please.
- Use of artificial intelligence: ABSOLUTELY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Payment: $10. We plan to compile all Sound Trails contributions into a special print issue of SLUGGER in the future. Unfortunately, contributor copies are not included but one copy will be offered at cost to Sound Trails authors.
- Formatting:
- Include title, word count, and name in the document.
- Get it close to Shunn format (double spaced, readable font, word count and title on first page) and submit away.
- .doc and .docx files only please (PDFs or a story copied and pasted into an email will be deleted unread).
- Rights: World English first rights for digital and print publication. Exclusivity for 6 months. Please acknowledge SLUGGER with first publication credit. All copyright remains with the author. Contract will be provided.
- Response times: We aim for 14 days. Please give us a little grace, but please feel free to email us (subject line: QUERY) at sluggerfiction@gmail.com if you haven’t heard anything after 30 days.