Guidelines

Dark Crime Anthology Submission Guidelines

10/18/09—This anthology is filled and submissions are closed. Many thanks to all the authors who submitted! Check out the authors and table of contents for The Death Panel.

Comet Press is seeking short stories for a Dark Crime anthology (title forthcoming) to be published in the late fall of 2009 (trade paperback). We are looking for very violent, extreme, gruesome, and disturbing hard boiled tales. The stories preferably may have horror elements, whether supernatural, non-supernatural, paranormal, occult, etc.

(Update: Reading period extended to September 15)
Reading period: From July 15, 2009–September 15, 2009 (or until filled).

Word length: 3,000–10,000 words.

Multiple submissions: Up to two stories per author can be submitted. Please send as separate emails.

Payment: 1/4 cent per word, plus contributor copy. (negotiable for established authors). Payment will be made upon publication.

Reprints: We may consider reprints, please send previous publishing information with submission.

Response Time: 2–3 weeks. Rejections will be sent as soon as possible. Stories that make the first cut will be kept until the end of the reading period. Authors will be notified right away if their story makes the first cut, then the final stories will be selected at the end of the reading period.

We will send a confirmation that we received your story within 2 days. If you do not get this confirmation, please feel free to inquire or resubmit.

Attach the entire manuscript as an rtf attachment.

  • In the body of the email please include your name, pen name if any, address and email address, and word count.
  • Include a brief blurb summing up the story and a brief bio.
  • Manuscript should be in a standard format—double spaced, standard font and size.
  • First line of paragraphs indented, no extra spaces between paragraphs, except for scene breaks.
  • Italics should be italized, bold in bold.
  • Put “DARK CRIME SUBMISSION: TITLE OF YOUR STORY” in the subject of the email.

Email to .

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