Horror Anthology Submissions

Arbutus Studios is planning our first prose horror anthology, “Consumed” for publication in 2025.

The anthology’s title alludes to a central theme of food and eating. Itching to tell a twisted cannibal tale? Have a unique take on zombies? Cursed birthday cakes? All the above are in line with what we’re looking for.

What we want

For this anthology, Arbutus Studios seeks original horror stories that fit snugly within the imagery, concept, and theme of food.

Tales submitted to Consumed can encompass more than one horror subgenre or blend other speculative genres into the narrative. We want to read stories we can’t put down, and thoughtful tales that linger with you long after the final page.

Original, compelling stories will grab our attention. Retreads of familiar horror clichés will be privately mocked, and the tales sent straight to hell. We want to see interesting characters, unique worlds, and unsettling atmosphere. Surprise us. Scare us. Tickle our imagination.

Arbutus Studios will automatically reject stories with extreme gore or stories that glorify sexual violence, child abuse, cruelty to animals, body-shaming, or other deviant behaviour.

AI Statement

Arbutus Studios does not accept submissions written, developed, or assisted by AI tools such as ChatGPT. We want stories created and written by real, living human beings. Any attempts to submit AI-assisted work will result in a permanent ban from future submissions to Arbutus Studios.

Submissions

All submissions must be emailed to submissions@arbutusfilms.com

Please structure your email subject line as follows: Your story title/Your name/Horror anthology.

Stories must be between 1,500 and 7,500 words in length. Submissions falling outside either end of this range will be automatically rejected. For reference, hyphenated words will be counted as one word and paragraph breaks are not included in word counts.

Submission format

All manuscripts must be in .doc/.docx format.

In the header section of your manuscript, please include your story title and the manuscript word count (excluding header section information).

Font: Times New Roman 12 point

Spacing: Double line spaced. Indent new paragraphs.

Scene breaks: ***

Language: English

All submissions will be read blinded. Do not include personal information IN your manuscript (no name, no pen name, no email, no address).

Do not include personal information in the name of your document.

In the body of your email, please include:

• Your name and pen name (if different);
• A brief bio (150-200 words) in the body of your email;
• A brief one-paragraph story summary; and
• A paragraph explaining why you feel the story is a good fit for the anthology.

Deadline

The window for submissions will remain open until April 30, 2025 at 1pm Pacific time. Story submissions after that time will automatically be rejected.

Compensation

All selected authors will receive a complimentary eBook edition of the anthology.

Stories selected for the anthology and between 1500-4000 words will be paid $10 (USD) via Paypal upon publication.

Stories selected for the anthology and between 4001-75000 words will be paid $20 (USD) via Paypal upon publication.

Publication

The anticipated publication date is late 2025 in both physical and digital formats. We will likely launch the book using a crowdfunding campaign before going wide.

Rights

Arbutus Studios acquires exclusive first world serial rights, exclusive first electronic rights, and exclusive anthology rights for each story included in the anthology for the duration of one year from the date of publication. We also acquire an option for exclusive worldwide audio rights for the duration of one year from the time the anthology is produced as an audiobook or podcast episode.

All specified rights revert to non-exclusive rights after the specified one-year window has elapsed. If a story is published elsewhere after this window, we request the author includes a note stating that their story first appeared in the Consumed anthology published by Arbutus Studios.

Simultaneous submissions/reprints

Arbutus Studios does not accept any simultaneous submissions or reprints for this anthology. We seek only original unpublished stories. Stories previously posted on blogs, author websites, or platforms such as Medium, Patreon, Substack, and Beehiv are considered to be previously published work and will be ineligible for inclusion in the anthology.

Multiple submissions

Please limit your submission to one story per anthology. Multiple submissions to the same anthology are not allowed.

Response times

Arbutus Studios will respond to every submission within 90 days after the submission window is closed. Due to the anticipated volume of submissions, we cannot offer personalized feedback on every rejected story. If you have not heard back from us after the specified 90-day period has elapsed, direct your inquires to Arbutus Studios.

DO NOT contact our editorial staff through their personal emails or social media accounts.

Privacy

Arbutus Studios will not share author’s personal information (name, address, email, phone etc.) with anyone outside our editorial staff without express written permission from the author.