Call opens: July 21, 2026

Cal closes: August 6, 2026

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Publication date: Mid-winter 2026/2027

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Pay:

Original fiction: $0.02/word

Reprints: $0.01/word

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Story length: 1500-4500 words

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AI policy: do not use AI

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Simultaneous submissions: yes​

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Multiple submissions: no

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Rights: worldwide First English print rights, exclusive for 1 year from publication, and non-exclusive after

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We're looking for short stories for a small anthology of cozy fantasy. We will be selecting between 3 and 5 stories to be featured in a limited run of paperback books.

 

Cozy fantasy, to us, means gentle and heartwarming stories that still have meaningful stakes. Tea shops and cats are welcome, but it's also okay to forgo those tropes for an original speculative element.

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Villainess is an indie publisher that prints sub-genres of fantasy and focuses on gender representation. Please make sure your submission prominently includes characters that are women or nonbinary.

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Authors of all identities and backgrounds are welcome to submit their work.

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How to submit:

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Submit your story through our Google Form. We aim to respond to all submissions by Nov. 1.​