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As the wheel of the year turns, we invite you to contribute to our biannual zine. We produce two issues a year \u2013 one for Beltane<\/strong> (released 1 May) and one for Samhain<\/strong> (released 31 October).<\/p> To better support our visual contributors, we pair illustrators directly with stories and articles. Because of this, we select our written pieces early to ensure our artists have plenty of time to create.<\/p> The Beltane Issue:<\/strong><\/p> Released on 1 May, this issue focuses on \u201cdaylight horror\u201d or \u201cfolk horror\u201d and the ancient landscape. We want stories rooted in the soil \u2013 remote rural communities, pagan rituals, and the unsettling nature of the bright, relentless sun. (But do not just redo The Wicker Man<\/em> \u2013 we get a lot of that).<\/p> Touchstones:<\/strong> The Wicker Man<\/em>, Midsommar<\/em>, The Blood on Satan\u2019s Claw<\/em>.<\/p><\/li> What to Avoid:<\/strong> Gothic tropes or winter dread. Save the shadows for later in the year.<\/p><\/li><\/ul> Released on 31 October, this issue marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year. We seek stories of ancestral shadows and the blurring of lines between worlds. Think of the chill in the air, the smell of damp earth, and the secrets hidden in the long nights. We welcome traditional Gothic tropes \u2013 dark nights and crumbling castles \u2013 alongside Urban Gothic and modern nightmares.<\/p> Touchstones:<\/strong> The Stone Tape<\/em>, Ghostwatch<\/em>, Dracula<\/em>, or the works of Nigel Kneale and M.R. James.<\/p><\/li> What to Avoid:<\/strong> Summer folk horror or 'daylight' themes.<\/p> <\/p><\/li><\/ul> Short Fiction:<\/strong> Up to 2,500 words (ideally around 2,000). We seek approximately eight pieces per issue.<\/p><\/li> Non-Fiction:<\/strong> Up to 2,500 words (ideally around 2,000). We look for four articles covering British horror films, TV, or novels. We love \u2018wide-ranging and unexpected\u2019 tangents that connect back to the British tradition. A bit of humour in some submissions is always good \u2013 listen to our podcast for tone.<\/p><\/li> Illustrators:<\/strong> We need story illustrators (1 \u2013 3 high-res pieces) and featured artists for our showcases (2 \u2013 3 spreads with a bio).<\/p><\/li><\/ul> <\/p> We want to celebrate three or four artists by showing your work over two or three spreads, along with a short biography. We love all disciplines! From physical crafts to digital landscapes, we want to see your interpretation of the macabre and the mysterious. The more unusual the better.<\/p> <\/p> Payment:<\/strong> None, sorry. This is a non-profit project and any proceeds go straight back into production and distribution.<\/p><\/li> Rights:<\/strong> Contributors retain full copyright. By submitting, you grant us non-exclusive rights to publish your work in the zine and related promo materials.<\/p><\/li> Reprints and Simultaneous Subs:<\/strong> Both are fine. Just let us know where the piece appeared previously or if it is accepted elsewhere.<\/p><\/li> AI Policy:<\/strong> We value human-to-human connection. While we welcome the use of technology for accessibility \u2013 such as spellcheck, grammar, and dyslexia support \u2013 we will not accept work conceived or written by AI. The ideas and soul of the work need to come from your head. Our magazine is all about connecting people and ideas in a physical, human way.<\/p><\/li><\/ul> <\/p> Based on your Samhain deadlines, here is the mirrored schedule for the Beltane issue.<\/p> Milestone<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Samhain Issue (31 Oct Release)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Beltane Issue (1 May Release)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Submissions Open<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1 June<\/span><\/p><\/td> 1 December<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Writing Deadline<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/td> 31 July<\/span><\/p><\/td> 31 January<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Editorial Decisions<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/td> 10 August<\/span><\/p><\/td> 10 February<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Briefs to Artists<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/td> 16 August<\/span><\/p><\/td> 16 February<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Artwork Deadline<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/td> 6 September<\/span><\/p><\/td> 6 March<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Final Layout\/Print<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/td> September \u2013 October<\/span><\/p><\/td> March \u2013 April<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Dashes<\/strong> Use the spaced en dash ( \u2013 ) for interruptions, parenthetical asides, and clause breaks.<\/p> Example:<\/strong> He looked around \u2013 confused for a moment \u2013 and then continued walking.<\/p><\/li> Note:<\/strong> Do not use the long em dash ( \u2014 ) without spaces. Please use hyphens for compound words (e.g. high-pitched, shoulder-to-shoulder).<\/p><\/li><\/ul> Comma:<\/strong> Use a comma before a dialogue tag when the spoken line continues into it.<\/p> Example:<\/strong> \u2018I\u2019m not sure,\u2019 she said.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li> Full Stop:<\/strong> Use a full stop if the speech ends before the tag.<\/p> Example:<\/strong> \u2018I\u2019m not sure.\u2019 She sighed.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/li> Placement:<\/strong> Always keep punctuation inside the closing quotation mark.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>Seasonal Themes<\/h3>
The Samhain Issue:<\/strong><\/p>Submission Requirements<\/h3>
Featured Artist Showcases<\/h3>
The Practical Bits<\/h3>
Production Timeline<\/h2>
House Style<\/h3>
Dialogue Punctuation<\/strong><\/p>
Nested Quotes<\/strong><\/p>