Last year’s 1st Annual Horror Writing Contest was such a success I decided to do it again this year…with a twist. I’m doing something I’ve been wanting to do for a while: publish the above book.
The trouble is I need some help.
I have a few of my own stories I could include in the above anthology, and maybe I will…unless I find others I like even better.
Interested?
Here’s what I’m looking for:
* Original, never before published horror stories. Think Stephen King’s The Shining, The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist, or The Conjuring. Yes, I know, the last two in particular are movies (heck, they all have movie versions). And I know there is some debate about exactly what was the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s Poltergeist, but it was based on something real. As was the The Conjuring. (Which has both shadow people –aka ghosts– and a cursed object, specifically Annabelle the haunted doll. Bonus!) Just throwing these examples out there to let you know how minor the inspirational, yet real, aspect of your story can be.
* Stories must contain either a haunted/cursed object or place or a ghost/shadow person.
* Stories must contain a short paragraph explaining the inspiration for your story, including whether it is based on a real haunted place, ghost/shadow person, or cursed/haunted object…or not. This will be used for the anthology.
(Part of the fun of this book is asking the reader to decide whether the story is based on fact or fiction and having them see if they guess right.)
* Submissions of stories based on real haunted places, the ghosts that dwell there, or cursed objects are strongly encouraged. However, the totally fabricated are also welcome. I’m looking for a good mix of both to include in the anthology.
GUIDELINES & HOW TO SUBMIT
* Submissions will be open today, September 12, 2014, until I have 13 terror-rific stories to fill the anthology.
* Word count 1,000 words up to 7,000 words.
* Multiple submissions allowed. (Just don’t inundate me with 20 of your stories all at once. Maybe try to limit it to no more than 2 or 3 at time, okay? No one likes a super over-achiever anyway.)
* Use the form below to submit.
* Rights: First rights, including first electronic.
* Publication: The anthology will initially be offered as an ebook, with the possibility of expanding to print.
* Payment: 1 copy of the ebook (and a print copy, if there is one) plus royalties of net sales to be divided equally among all contributors.
SUBMISSION FORM
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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