Submissions
We're always looking for fresh voices and untold stories. Cetera publishes original short fiction that surprises, challenges, and moves readers. If you write stories that explore the unexpected—tales of memory, rebellion, folklore, or worlds that change without warning—we want to hear from you.
What We're Looking For
Genres: Literary fiction, speculative fiction, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, weird fiction, and stories that defy categorization. We love work that blends genres or pushes boundaries. But most importantly, we believe the best stories come from a sincere, honest place.
Themes: While we publish diverse stories, we're drawn to work that explores:
Memory and its unreliability
Quiet acts of rebellion
Folklore and mythology, both traditional and reimagined
Immersive worlds
The strange hiding in the ordinary
Voice: We want stories written with care, intention, and the belief that fiction can be one of the best forms of surprise. Fresh perspectives and unique voices are always welcome.
Submission Guidelines
Length: 1000-5,000 words. We’ll occasionally consider flash fiction under 1000 words if it's exceptional.
Format:
Submit as a .doc or .docx file
Double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar)
Include your name and contact information on the first page
Title your file: "LastName_StoryTitle"
Content:
Previously unpublished work only
No simultaneous submissions
One story per submission
Include a brief cover letter (2-3 sentences about yourself)
AI Policy: We maintain a strict no-AI policy. We do not accept work that has been created, assisted, edited, or enhanced by artificial intelligence tools of any kind. This includes but is not limited to:
AI writing assistants (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
AI grammar and style checkers beyond basic spell-check
AI plot generators or story outlines
AI-generated ideas or prompts that form the basis of your story
Any AI tool used in the writing, editing, or revision process
We believe in the irreplaceable value of human creativity and authentic voice. By submitting to Cetera, you certify that your work is entirely your own creation, written without AI assistance.
How to Submit
Please send your submission to ceterasubmissions [@] gmail.com
Subject line: "Submission: [Story Title]"
Include:
Your story as an attachment
Brief cover letter in the email body (1-2 sentences)
Your preferred name for publication
Any relevant bio information (under 100 words)
Author's notes about your story (inspiration, process, interesting facts, etc.)
The Fine Print
Payment: We are a labor of love and cannot offer payment at this time. What we can offer is careful editorial attention, original artwork to accompany your story, and promotion to our growing community of readers.
Rights: We ask for first serial rights and the right to archive your story on our platform. All other rights remain with you.
Response Time: We aim to respond within 1-12 weeks.
Publication: If your story is accepted, it will be published in our weekly Thursday newsletter and archived on cetera.substack.com. Selected stories may also be featured on our podcast, Worlds Without Warning, where authors have the option of reading their own work if they so choose.
Questions?
Read through our archive at cetera.substack.com to get a feel for what we publish. If you have specific questions about submissions, email us at the address above.
We can't wait to discover your worlds without warning.