Blood in the Sand: A Desert Horror Anthology
Call for Submissions: Blood in the Sand: A Desert Horror Anthology
General Deadline: October 31, 2024
Extended Deadline for Marginalized Writers: November 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST
Planned Publication: Fall 2026 (Date Subject to Change)
We are seeking original short stories for a new desert horror anthology—a collection that explores terror, unease, and the uncanny within arid and sun-scorched landscapes. Think cursed dunes, desert cults, ancient ruins half-buried in sand, mirages that warp reality, and survival turned sinister. We want unsettling, atmospheric, or outright terrifying tales that bring the heat and isolation of the desert to life.
Submission Guidelines
Word count: 1,000–3,000 words
(If your story is under 1,000 words, please email us before submitting.)You may submit up to two original stories for consideration.
Submit your story as a DOC or DOCX file, double-spaced, in 12pt Times New Roman.
Include your name, contact info, story title, and word count on the first page. Please follow the Shunn Manuscript format.
We are acquiring first publication rights.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Grammar and Style
We follow Chicago Manual of Style for general grammar and punctuation. Please use:
Em dashes without spaces (e.g., the wind howled—the sky didn’t care)
Spelled-out numbers in the narrative when appropriate (e.g., twenty days without rain instead of 20).
Not traditionally Chicago style, but what we prefer: Ellipses with a space after (e.g., she whispered… then vanished)
American Grammar
