Anthologies Open Call
Theme Title Submission Date
Chaos Theory Chaos Theory: Cryptid Chronicles 15 Dec 2025
Alien Invasion Hostile Skies 9 Feb 2026
Dragons' Redemption Flames of Salvation 6 Apr 2026
Dog Fights Fangs Out: Aeral Combat Chronicles 9 Jun 2026
Duels On the Fields of Honor 10 Aug 2026
Anthology Submission Requirements
Stories must be original, unpublished works of fiction.
Submissions should be in English, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and saved as a .rtf file.
Dividers between sections need to be “***” centered.
Include in your submission: your name, contact information (i.e., email, address), the 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.
All anthologies are published with exclusive rights of the story for one year from the publication date. After the first year the publisher has non-exclusive rights to the story
Chaos Theory: Cryptid Chronicles
We are thrilled to announce an open call for original short stories for 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Stories must be original, unpublished works of fiction between 5,000 and 10,000 words.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.
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.
Deadline: Submissions must be received by close of business on December 15, 2025.
How to Submit:
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.
Compensation:
Accepted stories will receive an author share as described in our contract.
Publication is planned for March 2026 in both print and digital formats.
We’re looking for stories that captivate, unsettle, or enchant, bringing fresh perspectives to the world of cryptids. Whether your tale is grounded in folklore or wholly invented, make it unforgettable. We can’t wait to read your work!.
Alien Invasion
Title: Hostile Skies
We are thrilled to announce an open call for original short stories for stories of alien invasions that thrust humanity into cataclysmic encounters with extraterrestrial forces, on Earth or in space colonies. These high-octane tales of action and adventure explore humanity’s fight for survival while grappling with profound questions about life, sentience, and our place in the galaxy. Expect plans to go spectacularly wrong, escalating the stakes and chaos.
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 the theme as defined above.
Submissions should be in English, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and saved as a .rtf file.
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.
Deadline: Submissions must be received by close of business on February 9, 2026.
How to Submit:
Email to anthologies@jrhandleyinc.com with the subject line with the subject line: Alien Invasion – [story name], [author name]. Example: Alien Invasion – story submission, Jill Author.
We aim to respond to all submissions within 12 weeks of the deadline.
Compensation:
Accepted stories will receive an author share as described in our contract.
Publication is planned for May 2026 in both print and digital formats.
We can’t wait to read your work
Dragons' Salvation
Title: Flames of Salvation
We are thrilled to announce an open call for original short stories for dragon redemption anthology. Unleash your imagination and dive into the heart of a battle as old as time—man versus beast, where fire-breathing dragons reign supreme. We’re seeking gripping, original short stories for a dragon’s redemption anthology that explores the raw, untamed power of dragons—not as gentle companions, but as ferocious, cunning predators who’d sooner devour you than offer mercy. Yet, in these tales, the dragon must rise as the unlikely savior, turning the tide in a clash of survival, betrayal, or sacrifice.
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 dragons 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 accepted if not .rtf.
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).
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.
Deadline: Submissions must be received by close of business on April 6, 2026.
How to Submit:
Email to anthologies@jrhandleyinc.com with the subject line with the subject line: Dragon Redemption – [story name], [author name]. Example: Dragon Redemption – story submission, Jill Author.
We aim to respond to all submissions within 12 weeks of the deadline.
Compensation:
Accepted stories will receive an author share as described in our contract.
Publication is planned for August 2026 in both print and digital formats.
Why write for a dragon's redemption? Imagine a warrior, bloodied and cornered, facing a dragon’s molten gaze—only to find their fates intertwined in a way neither could predict. Picture a village on the brink of annihilation, saved by the very monster they hunted. These are the stories that will captivate readers, blending terror with awe, destruction with redemption. Your tale could be the one that leaves readers breathless, haunted by the dragon’s roar long after the final page. We can’t wait to read your work!
Dog Fights
Title: Fangs Out: Aerial Combat Chronicles
Strap in and take the controls—we’re seeking pulse-pounding science fiction stories for this anthology of dogfights that tear through Earth’s skies or blaze across the void of space. From futuristic jets screaming over dystopian cities to starfighters dodging asteroids in distant galaxies, we want tales of high-stakes aerial combat that capture the thrill, danger, and ingenuity of pilots pushed to their limits.
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 stories center on intense dogfights-air or space battles between skilled pilots in aircraft or starships. Note: Focus on the adrenaline, strategy, and human (or alien) cost of combat.
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 accepted if not .rtf.
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).
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.
Deadline: Submissions must be received by close of business on June 9, 2026.
Deadline: Submissions must be received by close of business on June 9, 2026.
How to Submit:
Email to anthologies@jrhandleyinc.com with the subject line with the subject line: Dog Fight – [story name], [author name]. Example: Dog Fight – story submission, Jill Author.
We aim to respond to all submissions within 12 weeks of the deadline.
Compensation:
Accepted stories will receive an author share as described in our contract.
Publication is planned for September 2026 in both print and digital formats.
Why Write for our Dog Fight Anthology? Picture a lone pilot outmaneuvering a swarm of drones in a neon-lit megacity, or a squadron facing impossible odds against an alien armada in a nebula’s glow. These are the stories that will grip readers, blending heart-stopping action with the spark of human defiance. Your tale could redefine the dogfight for a new era, leaving readers craving the next loop and dive. We can’t wait to read your work!
Duels
Title: On the Fields of Honor
Lock eyes with your opponent, draw your weapon—whether it’s a vibroblade on a rain-soaked Earth or a plasma lance in the weightless void of space or even a plain old sword. We’re seeking electrifying speculative fiction stories for this anthology of duels that pit skill, honor, and desperation against each other in one-on-one confrontations. From neon-lit streets to asteroid arenas, these are tales of personal stakes and deadly precision.
What We’re Looking For
Genre: Speculative fiction, including cyberpunk, space opera, dystopian, or hard sci-fi.
Theme: Stories must focus on duels—intimate, one-on-one battles using advanced weapons, technology, or even augmented bodies. Duels can be ritualistic, spontaneous, or forced by circumstance, but they must carry deep personal or cultural weight.
Setting: Earth (near-future or far-future) or extraterrestrial (space stations, alien worlds, starships). The setting should amplify the tension and stakes.
Tone: Intense, character-driven, and evocative. Show the sweat, the strategy, and the emotional cost of facing a single foe.
Length: 6,000 to 10,000 words.
Originality: No fan fiction or reprints. We want fresh stories that make every strike and parry unforgettable.
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 the theme as defined above.
Submissions should be in English, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and saved as a .rtf file.
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.
Deadline: Submissions must be received by close of business on August 10, 2026.
How to Submit:
· Email to anthologies@jrhandleyinc.com with the subject line with the subject line: Duel – [story name], [author name]. Example: Duel – story submission, Jill Author.
· We aim to respond to all submissions within 12 weeks of the deadline.
Compensation:
· Accepted stories will receive an author share as described in our contract.
· Publication is planned for November 2026 in both print and digital formats.
Why Write for our Duel Anthology? Imagine a cybernetic samurai facing a rival in a corporate skyscraper’s rooftop garden, or a starpilot dueling an alien champion in a zero-gravity cage to save their crew. These are the stories that will seize readers, weaving raw emotion with futuristic spectacle. Your duel could be the one that defines courage, betrayal, or redemption in a world where every move is life or death. We can’t wait to read your work!