Taking Submissions: Side Hustle: Horror Stories for Late Capitalism

Side Hustle: Horror Stories for Late Capitalism is open for submissions from May 15 through June 14, 2026, seeking horror and dark science fiction stories about gig work, second jobs, and survival under modern capitalism. The anthology pays 5 cents per word for stories up to 5,000 words.

About This Submission Call

Side Hustle is looking for horror and dark science fiction stories that explore the terrifying realities of modern labor and survival. From haunted rideshare drivers to cursed online marketplaces and impossible freelance jobs, the anthology wants stories about the work people take on just to get by. Editors encourage formal experimentation, unusual storytelling structures, and perspectives from outside the United States, especially from marginalized creators and communities impacted by precarious labor systems.

Submission Guidelines

Open May 15 to June 14, 2026
Extended window for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled authors June 15-21
Read about the book here

A particularly insidious aspect of late capitalism is that a lot of people can’t survive without taking second jobs, gig work, seasonal employment. Depending on your source, it could be as much as a third of the world’s population. These jobs are already horrifying enough: no benefits, ***ty pay, dangerous conditions. But what if they were… darker?

Side Hustle is an anthology of horror and dark science fiction stories about the extra work we do to stay afloat. Uber driver for the ***ed. Security guard for a room without doors. Freelance editor of unspeakable codexes. Vendor of cursed small appliances on ebay. Grave robber. Whatever extra job you have to take to pay the bills, whatever you need to sell to stay alive, we want to hear about it.

We encourage formal experimentation. A horror story told in receipts, in delivery app ratings, in an email exchange over the purchase of a defective homunculus, in an academic CV. How can you explain these gaps in your resume?

We also encourage submissions from outside the United States. What does gig work look like where you live?

General Info

• Story length: 1000-5000 words
• Compensation: 5 cents USD per word
• Regular submission period: May 15 to June 14
• Extended period for LGBTQIA+, disabled, or BIPOC authors: June 15-21
• Responses expected by July 10
• Simultaneous submissions: Yes, but please let us know ASAP if your story is accepted elsewhere.
• Reprints: Not accepted
• Multiple submissions: No, only one story per author
• Because of the high volume of submissions, we will send form rejections
• If we think you used so-called AI in your story, we will reject it

Submitting a Story

• You don’t have to use Shunn manuscript format as long as your story is legible.
• Try to proofread your story as much as possible, but minor errors or some awkward sentences will not cause us to automatically reject your piece.
• Please write SUBMISSION: “TITLE” – LAST NAME as your subject line.
• In your cover letter:
  • Please include your pronouns and the name by which you would like us to address you. You do not have to give us your legal name at time of submission.
  • You do not need to give us your address or contact information except for your contact email at time of submission.
  • We don’t need long cover letters, but if you want to, you can highlight any special expertise or relationship you have to your story.
  • You may include a link to your website or list of previous publications, but this isn’t necessary—we love publishing new voices, so we encourage previously unpublished writers to send something.
• Think about this: if we took the time to request something, don’t you think it’s a good idea to include it? Please check this list again before moving to the next step.
• When you have all of that stuff together, please send your submission to [email protected]

Commitment to Diversity

We intend to create a diverse anthology and encourage members of the BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQIA+, or other marginalized groups to submit stories. When presented with otherwise equally good submissions, we will prioritize stories by marginalized authors.

More Submission Opportunities

Looking for more speculative fiction submission opportunities?
Browse more speculative fiction submission calls.

Submission FAQ

When is the submission deadline?

The regular submission deadline is June 14, 2026. An extended submission window for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled authors runs from June 15–21, 2026.

What genres are accepted?

The anthology is seeking horror and dark science fiction focused on labor, gig work, and survival under late capitalism.

What is the word count limit?

Stories must be between 1,000 and 5,000 words.

How much does the publication pay?

Accepted stories pay 5 cents USD per word.

Are reprints allowed?

No. Reprints are not accepted.

Via: Agita Publishing.