Crooked Spine★ A Horror Magazine ★

Submissions

We read in themed windows. Each one has its own guidelines and upload form below. Read them before you send anything.

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Issue 1: Crooked Spine

▸ Theme: All shades of horror are welcome for the debut issue

May 6 – Jun 17, 2026
closes in 9 days

Short fiction, poems, and art for our first issue. A brush with death (and he was weeping), the show that aired only in your house. 3500 word max for fiction.

What we want

Short fiction, poems, and art for our first issue. A brush with death (and he was weeping). The show that aired only in your house. Slow-burn unease over splatter. Ambiguity over answer.

What we don't want

  • Reprints
  • Slurs or sexual violence used as shock
  • Any Ai generated work. All work will be screened for Ai use

The basics

  • Fiction: 1,500–3,500 words. Pays $20 plus a contributor copy.
  • Poetry: pays $5 per poem plus a contributor copy.
  • Art: within 2500 px height 1600 px width. pays $20 per piece plus a contributor copy.
  • Shunn Manuscript Format, sent as a DOCX
  • Response within 2 weeks of close

Submit to Issue 1: Crooked Spine

By submitting you agree to our publishing terms.

Upcoming

Issue 2: Wet Country

▸ Theme: Folk horror & water

Jun 17 – Jul 29, 2026
opens in 9 days

Rivers, bogs, baptisms, and what surfaces when the rain stops.

What we want

Short fiction, poems, and art for our second issue. Rivers, bogs, baptisms, and what surfaces when the rain stops.

What we don't want

  • Reprints
  • Slurs or sexual violence used as shock
  • Any Ai generated work. All work will be screened for Ai use

The basics

  • Fiction: 1,500–3,500 words. Pays $20 plus a contributor copy.
  • Poetry: pays $5 per poem plus a contributor copy.
  • Art: within 2500 px height 1600 px width. pays $20 per piece plus a contributor copy.
  • Shunn Manuscript Format, sent as a DOCX
  • Response within 2 weeks of close
  • Simultaneous submissions are fine. Pull yours if it lands elsewhere first.
  • Shunn Manuscript Format, sent as a DOCX.
  • Payment varies by window. Each call lists the rate up top.
  • Response time is usually 1 to 2 weeks from when the window closes.

▸ Read our publishing rights before you send.