We’ve extended the deadline for art & stories, see below!
Wicked Abandoned will be the tenth anthology from the New England Horror Writers! We’re planning for a release at 2024 Necronomicon-Providence in August or at either the Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Fest or Salem Outdoor Market in October, depending on when it’s ready and the state of events and travel.
The subject of the anthology is abandonment; it’s a great open subject matter that can be transformed into a menagerie of topics. What can be abandoned? Let your mind wander. If you have a question about your subject matter, query us (nehwsubs@gmail.com).
Maybe someone has abandoned all emotion (love, joy, hope etc.) How about a place like a mine, a condemned house, or a castle? An old graveyard? An orchard? An entire town? A church? A person can be abandoned: a spouse, a child, a sibling, a grandparent, or maybe a stranger by the side of the road. What about the family pets? Has someone left their favorite toy or stuffed animal behind? Don’t limit yourself. What if it’s not an item, but a ghost that’s abandoned?
Make it interesting, make it original, and don’t forget that horror element.
What don’t we want? We don’t want autobiographical recount reminiscing about what you lost during a move that traumatized you. Or, let’s just condense this to nothing autobiographical. Also, no AI generated stories: If we get one, the story will be removed and you will not be allowed to submit another story.
Let’s talk artwork. We’ll be opening this one up for interior artwork (maybe 3-4 pieces) like we did with Wicked Haunted. We’ll also be opening the doors for the cover! We do NOT expect a completed cover for the submission, but something to give us an idea. Also, if you’re an artist AND author, feel free to enter stories and artwork. Same thing as above, no AI generated images please.
We will be having a special guest editor–Rob Smales! Coediting this one will be Scott T. Goudsward, with layout etc. by Dan Keohane.
All submissions should be original work. We do not want previously published stories. Also, no multiple submissions—one at a time, and wait until you hear from us before pressing that submit button again. Do not send us chapbooks, novellas, or parts of novels. No reprints please. We’re not against simultaneous submissions but let us know.
Also, do not send us a novella, part of a novella or a chapbook. We don’t want to see your screenplays. We don’t want a lead in to your novel or a random chapter.
And though we shouldn’t have to say it, nothing inappropriate with animals or children. No extreme violence. Violence and sex should be for the purpose of moving the plot, and not too graphic. This is not the anthology for extreme horror or gore. Aim for R rated.
Reading period: 10/1/23 – 3/1/24
Please make sure your story is submitted in standard manuscript format. Not familiar with standard manuscript format? Here’s a link: https://www.shunn.net/format/story/1/. And since we’re using Submittable again for blind submissions (to keep it fair), strip all of the personal info out. Clean out that title page and make sure the headers and footers are gone. Even though Shunn formatting has authors’ info in it, take all yours out.
Now you know. No excuses.
Word count should be 3K to 7K. Query for longer or shorter works – within that window will have the best chances. Payment is a flat rate $75 for short stories, $50 for long form poems, $25 for short form poems, plus one physical copy of the anthology and an e-book. We’ll be looking for fifteen stories and likely 3—5 poems. Please note don’t sweat these quantities, we have ALWAYS gone over what we were originally looking for. Payment to be made within ninety days of publication.
We’re looking for FNASR, first E-book/Audio rights and non-exclusive electronic reprint rights. Yes, we’ll notify you if we intend on reprinting your story in the future, and it will ONLY be for promotional purposes.
Please do not query about your story until fourteen days (2 weeks) after the submission window closes.
Any queries should be sent to NEHWSUBS@gmail.com. Send emails for QUESTIONS ONLY. DO NOT IM/DM/PM the editors or NEHW board members. Query first, one of us will get back to you ASAP.
Also, something new: if we pass on your story and you want to know, for a minimal fee ($15) we will send you a 1–2-page critique of the story. We’re not going to edit and redline the story, but we can send you some info on why we passed on it.
One last thing: if we do pass on your story, please do not corner us at conventions or social gatherings to find out why.
NEW ENGLAND HORROR WRITERS 