Horror Magazines That Pay Writers A Comprehensive Guide To Submission Opportunities

The landscape of horror publishing offers numerous opportunities for writers to get paid for their work across various formats and platforms. This guide provides detailed information about horror magazines and anthologies that currently accept submissions and compensate writers for their contributions. From established print publications to digital magazines and themed anthologies, these outlets provide diverse opportunities for horror writers to showcase their work and earn income.

Overview of Horror Publishing Opportunities

Horror publishing has evolved to include multiple platforms beyond traditional print magazines. Today's writers can submit to digital publications, themed anthologies, podcasts, and hybrid formats that combine text with multimedia elements. These outlets typically offer competitive payment rates ranging from token payments to professional rates per word, with some publications also offering flat fees for specific pieces.

The following sections detail specific horror magazines and anthologies that are currently open for submissions, organized by their submission windows, payment structures, and submission requirements. Each listing includes key details about response times, simultaneous submission policies, and preferred genres to help writers target the most appropriate outlets for their work.

Current Horror Magazines Accepting Submissions

BENDER

BENDER is a UK-based magazine that creates space for work that doesn't fit into neat categories. Founded in 2023, the publication operates without submission fees and typically responds to submissions within 14 days. BENDER does not accept simultaneous submissions but is open to some previously published works. Writers can submit via email across multiple genres including fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The magazine maintains an active social media presence, providing additional opportunities for engagement with the editorial team and readership.

Dark Matter Magazine

Dark Matter Magazine serves as both a print and digital publication specializing in dark science fiction and horror. Established in 2020 and based in the US, this magazine operates without submission fees and compensates writers at a rate of $0.08 per word for accepted fiction pieces. The publication typically responds to submissions within 60 days and accepts simultaneous submissions, allowing writers to submit the same work to multiple outlets simultaneously. Dark Matter Magazine is open to some previously published works and maintains an active social media presence. The publication focuses on fiction that explores the intersection of science fiction and horror, often with psychological or cosmic elements.

Seize the Press Magazine

Seize the Press Magazine, a UK-based publication founded in 2021, offers opportunities across fiction and nonfiction genres. The magazine operates without submission fees and responds to submissions within 30 days. It accepts simultaneous submissions, allowing writers to submit the same piece to multiple publications concurrently. Writers can submit via email and the magazine maintains an active social media presence. For fiction, Seize the Press offers a payment rate of $0.03 per word, while nonfiction pieces receive a flat payment of $50. The magazine seeks content that combines critical perspectives with engaging storytelling, particularly favoring essays that are "scathing" according to Karlo Yeager Rodríguez, the nonfiction editor.

The Colored Lens

The Colored Lens, a US-based magazine founded in 2011, focuses on speculative fiction that "shifts our perspective on the world." The publication operates without submission fees and responds to submissions within 7 days, making it one of the faster-response markets in the horror and speculative fiction space. The Colored Lens does not accept simultaneous submissions and requires submissions through their online form rather than email. Accepted fiction pieces receive a flat payment of $20. The publication ranks in the Top 10% of most popular magazines on Chill Subs, indicating strong readership and industry recognition. While the magazine emphasizes speculative fiction, it prioritizes strong storytelling fundamentals regardless of genre conventions.

Infinite Horrors Magazine

Infinite Horrors Magazine positions itself as a publication poised to change the game in the horror genre. This US-based magazine, founded in 2022, features a print format with 60+ pages of content including shocking violence, spine-tingling art, soul-shattering horror stories, comics, and interviews. The magazine operates without submission fees and accepts simultaneous submissions. Writers can submit via email, and the publication typically responds within 90 days. Infinite Horrors Magazine maintains an active social media presence and focuses primarily on fiction content, though specific payment rates are not detailed in the available information.

Specialized Horror Publications

Cosmic Horror Monthly

Cosmic Horror Monthly specializes in horror and weird fiction, along with related nonfiction. The publication offers a unique free subscription option called "Cosmic Horror Monthly Lite" that provides readers with PDF files styled after old-school pulp magazines and EPUB files compatible with digital reading devices. Subscribers receive these digital publications at no cost, though the publisher requests that they add [email protected] to their email contacts to ensure delivery and prevent issues with spam filters.

For writers, Cosmic Horror Monthly pays $0.03 per word for stories up to 5,000 words, with a maximum payment of $150 per submission. The magazine maintains two annual reading periods: January 1-7 and July 1-7. The publication aims to feature the best in cosmic horror and weird fiction while paying homage to golden age pulp magazines like Weird Tales. Cosmic Horror Monthly has featured work from notable authors including Laird Barron, Ramsey Campbell, Gwendolyn Kiste, Hailey Piper, and Matthew M. Bartlett.

Beyond the free digital option, Cosmic Horror Monthly also offers Patreon and print delivery options for readers who prefer additional access formats or wish to support the publication financially.

Nightmare Magazine

Nightmare Magazine stands as an award-winning publication of horror and dark fantasy content. The magazine accepts fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, with a focus on works that "span the broad spectrum of dark fiction, with an emphasis on fascinating characters and delicious prose." The publication operates with the motto "Horror is for everyone!" reflecting its inclusive approach to the genre.

For writers, Nightmare Magazine offers a payment rate of $0.08 per word for fiction up to 7,500 words. The magazine typically opens to all submission types from January 14-20 each year, with an extended submissions window for BIPOC-identifying writers running from January 21-27. This extended window demonstrates the publication's commitment to diversity and inclusion in horror publishing.

Apex Magazine

Apex Magazine represents another award-winning publication in the horror, science fiction, and fantasy space. The magazine seeks literary genre fiction up to 9,000 words and compensates writers at a rate of $0.08 per word for fiction. Additionally, Apex offers an extra $0.01 per word if the selected story is adapted for their podcast, providing writers with potential for additional income through multimedia adaptations.

In addition to regular submissions, Apex Magazine runs a monthly flash fiction contest, offering additional opportunities for writers to showcase their work and earn compensation. The publication's focus on literary genre fiction distinguishes it from markets that prioritize plot-driven or commercial horror, instead emphasizing strong prose and character development within genre frameworks.

Midnight & Indigo

Midnight & Indigo distinguishes itself by publishing exclusively works by Black women writers, focusing on speculative and literary fiction along with essays. The publication explicitly states: "Are you a Black woman writer with a passion for speculative fiction and horror? We want to hear from you!" This targeted focus creates an important space for underrepresented voices in horror and speculative fiction.

The publication seeks previously unpublished, character-driven narratives that "transport readers to worlds beyond their wildest imagination." For speculative fiction, Midnight & Indigo accepts works of 2,000-7,000 words and pays $0.07 per word. The magazine maintains ongoing acceptance for speculative fiction while setting specific deadlines for other genres. Additionally, Midnight & Indigo is currently reading works for a special Music issue, providing themed opportunities for writers whose work aligns with this focus.

Themed Anthologies and Special Issues

Moonstruck Books: Nightmare Diaries

Moonstruck Books, a publisher of speculative fiction, science fiction, horror, fairy tales, gritty and gothic fiction, and experimental fiction, has issued a call for submissions for an anthology titled Nightmare Diaries. The anthology seeks short stories, fairy tales, flash fiction, and novellas. Moonstruck Books offers a competitive payment rate of $0.10 per word for stories ranging from 500 to 10,000 words, positioning this anthology as one of the higher-paying markets for horror writers.

DBS Press: Dracula Beyond Stoker

DBS Press publishes fiction issues (with some poetry) featuring characters and elements from Bram Stoker's Dracula. The press has announced an upcoming submission period focusing specifically on Jonathan Harker, asking writers to explore questions such as: "What happened on the way from the castle to the hospital in Buda-Pesth? What happens after the story ends? What is his relationship with his son?"

For this themed issue, DBS Press pays $0.05 per word for stories of 1,500-5,000 words. The submission period for this Jonathan Harker theme runs from November 1 to December 31, 2024. This anthology represents an opportunity for writers to engage with classic horror tropes while bringing fresh perspectives to established characters and narratives.

The Other Stories Podcast

The Other Stories Podcast, a horror/sci-fi/thriller fiction podcast from Hawk & Cleaver, accepts themed fiction submissions of up to 2,000 words. The podcast has announced several upcoming themes with specific deadlines: - Bleeding Hearts: November 1, 2024 - Found Footage: December 1, 2024 - Weird: January 1, 2025 - The Workplace: February 1, 2025

The podcast pays £15 for accepted stories, providing writers with an opportunity to reach audio audiences while earning compensation. The themed approach helps guide writers' submissions while allowing for creative interpretation within each theme's parameters.

Ill-Advised Records: The Dark Door

Ill-Advised Records has launched a new print and digital magazine titled The Dark Door, which publishes short horror fiction, art, and music (via QR code). The publication explicitly states it will be "modeled after 70s/80s pulp fiction zines," suggesting a visual and editorial aesthetic inspired by classic horror publications.

The magazine offers payment ranging from $15 to $50, with no specified maximum word count though submissions should fall within the realm of "short fiction." This multimedia approach combining text with visual art and music creates an innovative platform for horror writers whose work might benefit from additional artistic elements or who are interested in cross-media storytelling.

Other Notable Horror Markets

Small Wonders

Small Wonders focuses on speculative flash fiction and poetry, explicitly seeking works with "elements not of this world: fantasy, science fiction, horror." The publication emphasizes stories that don't rely on twist endings, instead favoring "stories with big feelings" and set pieces with minimal plot requirements.

For original flash fiction up to 1,000 words (or up to 1,100 words for reprints), Small Wonders pays $0.10 per word for original fiction and $0.01 per word for reprints. Poetry submissions receive a flat payment of $60. At the time of writing, the publication was open to reprint submissions only, though writers should check their current guidelines for updated submission windows.

The Dark

The Dark seeks horror and dark fantasy fiction that deviates from ordinary conventions. The publication explicitly encourages experimentation, stating: "Don't be afraid to experiment or to deviate from the ordinary; be different—try us with fiction that may fall out of 'regular' categories." This editorial focus provides an important outlet for innovative and boundary-pushing horror writing.

The Dark pays $0.05 per word for stories up to 6,000 words and also accepts reprints, offering additional opportunities for writers with previously published work. The publication's willingness to consider reprints, combined with its emphasis on experimental fiction, creates a welcoming space for writers seeking to push the boundaries of horror conventions.

Etherea Magazine

Etherea Magazine publishes fantasy and science fiction ranging from flash fiction to novelette length. While specific submission guidelines and payment rates are not detailed in the available information, the magazine represents another opportunity for writers whose horror stories incorporate strong fantasy or science fiction elements. Writers interested in Etherea should consult their current guidelines for detailed submission requirements and payment information.

Submission Best Practices

When submitting to horror magazines and anthologies, writers should carefully review each publication's specific guidelines before submitting. Key considerations include:

1. Submission Windows: Many horror publications operate on specific submission cycles rather than accepting year-round. Writers should track these dates and plan their submissions accordingly.

2. Simultaneous Submissions: Some markets accept simultaneous submissions while others require exclusive consideration. Understanding a publication's policy helps writers manage their submission strategies effectively.

3. Payment Rates: Horror publications vary widely in their compensation structures, from token payments to professional rates. Writers should weigh these rates against the prestige of the publication and their career goals.

4. Response Times: Response times range from as little as 7 days (The Colored Lens) to up to 90 days (Infinite Horrors Magazine). Writers should account for these timelines when awaiting responses.

5. Thematic Opportunities: Many horror publications issue themed calls or special issues, which can provide focused opportunities for writers whose work aligns with specific themes or concepts.

Conclusion

The horror publishing landscape offers diverse opportunities for writers to earn income through their craft. From established print magazines to digital publications, themed anthologies, and multimedia platforms, writers have numerous options for submitting their work and receiving compensation. Payment structures vary widely, from per-word rates ranging from $0.03 to $0.10 to flat fees ranging from $15 to $60, depending on the publication and submission type.

For writers interested in targeting these markets, understanding each publication's specific submission guidelines, response times, and thematic focus is essential. Some publications emphasize experimental approaches while others seek traditional horror narratives, and some focus on specific demographics or perspectives. By carefully researching and targeting appropriate markets, horror writers can maximize their chances of acceptance and build sustainable writing careers in this dynamic genre.

Sources

1. 15 Horror Magazines That Pay for Submissions
2. 30 Horror Magazines and Anthologies Seeking Submissions
3. 35 Horror Fiction Magazines and Anthologies That Pay
4. Cosmic Horror Monthly Free Subscription