Taking Submissions: Movie Horror Themed Anthology

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Dark Ink is now accepting submissions for a new horror anthology themed around movies, filmmaking, and cinematic obsession. Writers have until July 1, 2026 to submit horror or dark thriller stories where film itself becomes the source of terror.

Submission Details

Publication: Movie Horror Themed Anthology (Dark Ink)
Submission Window: Open now through July 1, 2026
Payment: $20 flat pay + print copy + ebook + audiobook code
Word Count: 2,500 – 6,000 words
Flash Fiction: No
Poetry: No
Theme: Horror centered on movies, filmmaking, or watching films
Genre: Horror / Dark Thriller

About This Submission Call

Dark Ink is seeking horror and dark thriller stories where cinema becomes the gateway to fear. The anthology welcomes tales involving cursed media, haunted theaters, dangerous film productions, forbidden movies, or obsessive viewers pulled into something sinister. Editors are looking for atmospheric, lingering stories that use the movie theme creatively, whether through psychological horror, supernatural dread, or grounded suspense. Original stories are preferred, though reprints will also be considered.

Submission Guidelines

Dark Ink, the publishers behind Tom Savini, Kane Hodder and numerous other legends biographies as well as film related titles like the In Search of Darkness Coffee Table book and Never Sleep Again: The Nightmare on Elm Street Legacy is looking for new short stories for a movie themed anthology.

THE CALL

We are currently accepting submissions for an upcoming horror anthology centered on movies, filmmaking, and the act of watching films—where cinema itself becomes the doorway to terror.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Word Count: 2,500–6,000 words
Genre: Horror or Dark Thriller
Theme Requirement:
Each story must involve movies or filmmaking in some capacity. Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Someone watching a film
- A haunted VHS, DVD, or digital file
- A cursed movie theater or screening
- A film set where something goes wrong
- A lost or forbidden film
- Obsession with a movie that leads to horror
Originality & Copyright:
Submissions must be completely original and may not reference, depict, or include copyrighted films, characters, franchises, or real-world movies directly.
AI use of any kind is not allowed.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Strong atmosphere and tension
Creative use of the movie/film concept
Psychological horror, supernatural horror, or grounded dark thriller
Stories that linger after the final page

Extreme content is acceptable if it serves the story, but gratuitous shock without purpose is discouraged.

RIGHTS & PAYMENT

· Rights: Exclusive worldwide English language electronic, print and audio rights for one year from the release date. Nonexclusive after that. All copyright remains with the author.