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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Artificial Muse: Stories Born in the Dark
An Anthology of AI-Assisted Horror & Dark Fiction
OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS OCTOBER 11, 2026
The Artificial Muse: Stories Born in the Dark celebrates horror and dark fiction created through intentional collaboration between human imagination and generative artificial intelligence.
Generative AI must be used at some point during the creation of your story. This may include idea brainstorming, outlining, character creation, worldbuilding, research assistance, developmental feedback, editing, revision, title development, or exploring alternate scenes or endings.
However, we are not seeking stories created entirely or almost entirely by AI. Generative AI should function as a creative tool or collaborator—not as a replacement for the author. Submissions must demonstrate meaningful human authorship, creative judgment, development, and revision.
The AI is the tool. You are the storyteller.
Stories do not need to be about artificial intelligence.
We welcome supernatural horror, psychological horror, gothic horror, creature horror, cosmic horror, body horror, dark fantasy, weird fiction, and other stories born in the dark.
Submission Details
- Submissions open: October 11, 2026
- Deadline: January 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
- Length: Up to 5,000 words
- Submission fee: $20 per story
- Best Story Award: $75
- Previously published work: Not accepted
- Multiple submissions: Allowed; each story requires a separate submission and fee
- Accepted file formats: Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF
- Age requirement: Writers must be 18 or older
- Contributor copy: Accepted authors receive complimentary EPUB and PDF editions of the completed anthology
- Minimum submissions: 25 eligible paid entries are required for the anthology to proceed
Every submission must also include a brief 50–150 word AI Collaboration Statement identifying the generative AI tool or tools used and explaining how AI contributed to the creative process.
You do not need to provide prompts, screenshots, transcripts, or AI interaction logs.
The amount or type of AI assistance used will not determine which story wins the Best Story Award. Stories will be judged on the strength of the finished fiction.
Content Restrictions
Dark, disturbing, violent, frightening, and mature horror is welcome.
We will not accept material containing child abuse, animal abuse, racist material, or material promoting hatred toward protected groups.
Submission Fees
The $20 submission fee covers consideration of the story and helps support the anthology’s administration, production, promotion, and $75 Best Story Award.
Payment of the submission fee does not guarantee acceptance or publication.
Submission fees are nonrefundable if a story is rejected, withdrawn, or found ineligible. If the anthology is ultimately canceled because the minimum submission requirement is not reached, submission fees will be refunded.
There are no additional publication fees for accepted writers.
Publication
Selected authors retain copyright to their work and will receive a contributor agreement before publication.
The anthology is tentatively scheduled for publication in Spring/Summer 2027.
Acceptance and rejection notifications are currently scheduled to be sent by March 1, 2027, provided the submission period is not extended.
Ready to Enter the Dark?
Bring us the ghosts. The monsters. The impossible places. The things waiting behind closed doors. The nightmares that refuse to stay buried.
Use the machine somewhere along the way. Then make the story unmistakably yours.
Submit to The Artificial Muse: Stories Born in the Dark at https://tally.so/r/kdDydZ
