Bernardo Villela, Anthology Curator, seeks to collect stories on the horrors of having human consciousness and occupying a body. Narratives that deal with anything from the psychological to the grotesque, to very real afflictions, to outlandish Cronanbergesque concoctions, and everything in between. Show that all it takes to scare a reader is a story about the one thing a protagonist can never escape: their own body. Or, worse yet, maybe somehow, they do. What then?

Let your imagination run rampant. If the story focuses on humanity vs. nature (nature being the nature of oneself) we want to read it.

Please note that we will not accept stories that use horror as a vehicle for harmful or exclusionary messages, such as those that are sexist, misogynist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, overtly ableist, or otherwise discriminatory. While these stories explore themes of imbalance or personal transformation, they should also recognize the shared human experience—we all face the same finite existence. With that in mind, aim for a sense of universality in your scares.

We encourage you to offer your unique perspective and explore the theme in imaginative ways. The strongest stories will not only evoke empathy for the protagonist but also create unsettling, memorable images. These stories should offer meaningful social commentary while avoiding sensationalism and exploitation.

Word count : 500-5,000 words, excluding title and pen name.
Author eligibility : Open to all.
Reprints : Not allowed.
Simultaneous Submissions : Not allowed – this means you cannot submit the same story to another publisher while we’re considering it – but we will try to get responses out asap.
Multiple Submissions : Allowed, maximum of two acceptances.
Publication : mid-to-late 2025 in print and digital formats.
Author compensation :
One digital copy.
Stories over 3,000 words will receive $10 USD.
Stories over 4,000 words will also receive a paperback copy of the anthology.
Submit to : short-stories@blackharepress.com

Ensure you include the word BODIES in your email subject – see our submission guideline for all other requirements.