This page last updated 23 February 2023
We’re not currently accepting new ficton. See our regular submissions page for details on when we’re open for submissions.
Query for art and non fiction at contact@wyldblood.com
We are a speculative fiction publisher. Interpret that as you will when deciding what to submit, but bear in mind that we are unlikely to publish fiction without a speculative element (science fiction, fantasy or horror). We pay for fiction.
The best way to find out what we like is to buy an issue or read some of our Wyld Flash – or you can download a free sampler PDF here:
For all submissions:
- submit to contact@wyldblood.com and please follow our guidelines. Subject line: SUBMISSION – category (one of novel, novella, short, flash, non-fic, or art) – story name – your surname – approx word count. Always add a cover note in your email (we’ll probably just send you a polite rejection without reading your story if you don’t).
- simultaneous submissions are fine but only one story at a time in each category and reprints only by invitation.
For flash fiction and short stories:
- we want speculative fiction only (SFF) of 250 -7,000 words (firm) for publication online in our Wyld Flash series and/or Wyldblood Magazine.(print and digital). We pay £0.01 per word for print and digital rights (to a maximum of £75) with a 180 day exclusivity period (half rate for reprints and no exclusivity).
- Send your story as an email attachment (doc, docx or RTF – definitely not PDF) and not in the body of the email, and add a short cover note. If we publish you we’ll ask for a three line (approx) bio, so you might consider sending us one up-front.
- We prefer stories submitted in Standard Manuscript Format. Your legal name, contact details and word count at the top of your manuscript are essential (though we don’t need your full address) and indent your paragraphs (not using tabs). Standard Manuscript Format looks like this (with page numbers from the second page onwards):
Novellas
Send us science fiction and fantasy of between 20,000 and 40,000 words for digital and (for longer works) print publication (shorter works may be combined in print anthologies). Royalties or flat rate ($120) for 180 day exclusivity (followed by non-exclusive licence). Send the whole story as an email attachment (docx preferred – please no RTF or PDF) but add a synopsis at the beginning in the same file. Format how you like but we prefer single spaced and we need your contact details (email) and name (real) in the document itself. Send as an emal attachment headed SUBMISSION: novella – (story name) – (your surname) to contact@wyldblood.com with a cover note (from you, not your pseudonym) telling us a bit about you (credits, links, biography, etc). Please put your word count and country (or state) of origin in your cover note.
Novels (query us)
We’re happy to consider proposals for work from 50,000 to 100,000 words (approx). Send us a short email with a short summary of your story (with word count) and some biographical details (including credits and links and your country/state of origin). Please don’t start your email by launching straight into the summary – we find that offputting – and please use your real name (dealing with a pseudonym is way too weird for us). Don’t send us the text of your story at this point – we’ll ask you if we want to see it. Royalties only. Query at contact@wyldblood.com (subject line QUERY – novel – (story title – your surname)
For Artwork:
We need covers for Wyldblood Magazine and interior illustations (one per story). We pay £70 for original covers and £12 per illustration. Query us with samples at contact@wyldblood.com
Preferences
If you’re going to be submitting work to us, here are a few things you may want to bear in mind:
- don’t send us things we haven’t asked for – and definitely no poetry.
- witches, wizards, werewolves, elves, goblins and the usual fantasy tropes are currently a hard sell for us.
- we’ve seen many things many times so be original.
- we can tell if you know your craft – don’t send us your first draft and make sure you’ve covered the basics. It doesn’t have to be perfect – but it does have to be professional.
- look at our published stories to get a feel for what we buy.
- we’re not into gratuitous gore or erotica – don’t send us anything you wouldn’t want your kid sister to see.
- No overtly Christian or pro-religion pieces, please.
- be sparing with the swearing.
- thoughtful, character based stories are our thing.
- anything racist or deliberately offensive will get you canned. And don’t be preachy.
- no fan-fic – we’ve no desire to get sued.
- enthusiasm, perseverance and an obvious willingness to take feedback and respond positively go a long way with us.
Response times
We aim to respond to short submissions within a few weeks and novels within three months (longer if we ask for a full manuscript). We’re currently running late with our novel submissions so please bear with us.