We are thrilled to announce an open call for original short stories for Chaos Theory: Cryptid Chronicles, an upcoming anthology celebrating the mysterious and elusive creatures known as cryptids. Cryptids are defined as creatures or beings whose existence is suggested by folklore, anecdotal evidence, or unverified sightings but lacks scientific confirmation. From Bigfoot to the Chupacabra, Nessie to Mothman, we invite you to unleash your imagination and craft compelling tales that explore these enigmatic beings.
Submission Guidelines:
- Stories must be original, unpublished works of fiction between 5,000 and 10,000 words.
- We welcome a variety of genres—fantasy, science fiction, mystery, or blends—provided the story centers on one or more cryptids as defined above.
- Submissions should be in English, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and saved as a .rtf file. NOTE: Your submission will not be submitted if not in .rtf format.
- Dividers between sections need to be “***” centered.
- Include in your document your name, contact information, story title, word count, a short blurb (150 words or less) and a short bio (150 words or less) in your document.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.
- Multiple submissions are not permitted; please submit only one story per author.
- Email to anthologies@jrhandleyinc.com with the subject line with the subject line: Cryptid Chronicles – [story name], [author name]. Example: Cryptid Chronicles – story submission, Jill Author.
- We aim to respond to all submissions within 12 weeks of the deadline.
- Accepted stories will receive an author share as described in our contract.
- Publication is planned for March 2026 in both print and digital formats.
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