Last updated: July 2024
So you wrote a weird west short story and are wondering where to send it? We’ve got you covered. Below are markets that may be open to Weird West stories, either because they mention the genre explicitly in their guidelines or because they have published weird westerns in the past.
PLEASE: check guidelines before submitting, as guidelines and sub dates change constantly.
Short Story Markets
*Again, because it’s important: market guidelines change constantly. Magazines and publishers close without warning. So always check the latest updates on the publisher website to confirm before submitting.
An Australian publication, Andromeda Spaceways Magazine accept submissions of unpublished stories under 10,000 words (or under 20,000 in some cases), submitted as an RTF, anonymous file. They state: “We accept anything considered speculative fiction. This includes science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and any sub-genres that fall into these categories.”
Aurealis
Also an Australian publication, Aurealis is looking for speculative stories between 2000-8000 words. They state: “All types of science fiction, fantasy and horror that are of a “speculative” nature will be considered, but we do not want stories that are derivative in nature. We do not publish horror without a supernatural element.”
Beneath Ceaseless Skies is a U.S. publication looking for stories under 15,000 words focused on literary adventure fantasy, which are “stories with a secondary-world setting and some fantasy feel, but written with a literary approach.” Their guidelines state that they are looking for the following:
- Secondary-World Setting: We want stories set in what Tolkien called a “secondary world”: some other world that is different from our own primary world in some way. It could be different in terms of zoology (non-human creatures), ecology (climate), or physical laws (the presence of magic).
- Steampunk / Weird West / Sixguns & Sorcery / Etc.: In addition to classic settings of pre-tech fantasy, we also enjoy stories set in other types of secondary world that likewise don’t have modern technology, including steampunk, Weird West, etc. Feel free to send us anything that you think might fit.
Hexagon Magazine
Hexagon is an online Canadian magazine looking for character-driven stories, specifically with the below guidelines:
- We accept only previously unpublished short stories, flash fiction, and comics, in English.
- We are looking for narratives no longer than 10,000 words, and comics of 1-5 pages.
- We currently publish only speculative fiction. This includes science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, cyberpunk, sword and sorcery, magical realism, paranormal horror, dystopian epics, eldritch horror, superhero, space opera, afrofuturism, weird west, etc.
Their submission window is the first 7 days of every second month. Open Months: January, March, May, July, September, November.
Pulp Lit Mag
Pulp Lit Mag doesn’t have a set word count or formatting guidelines. Description from the magazine:
“Pulp is a lit mag for low brow filth found in the pages of penny dreadfuls and strewn in the back of stores with privacy curtains. Send us your manifestos, your 3 am love letters to toxic exes, queer westerns, subverted neo noires, romance/scifi hybrid experimental stories, and whatever else you made in the dumpster behind the 7/11.”
https://pulplitmag.com/#submissions
Three-Lobed Burning Eye
Three-Lobed Burning Eye, or 3LBE for short, is an online and print magazine. They are interested in original speculative fiction (horror, fantasy, science fiction). They state:
“We’re looking for short stories from across the big classifications and those shadowy places between: magical realism, fantastique, slipstream, interstitial, and the weird tale. We will consider suspense or western, though we prefer it contain some speculative element. We like voices that are full of feeling, from literary to pulpy, with styles unique and flowing, but not too experimental. All labels aside, we want tales that expand genre, that value imagination in character, narrative, and plot. We want to see something new and different.”
https://www.3lobedmag.com/submissions.html
Pro tip: Check out The Grinder at Diabolic Plots’ search function for more suggestions here.
Book Publishers (Novels, Anthologies and Novellas)
These are publishers that have recently or are actively publishing weird western novels, novellas and/or anthologies. NOTE: most of these DO NOT accepted unsolicited submissions unless specified. Make sure to check if a publisher is open for submissions and all of the requirements listed before sending a manuscript.
Give them a look, buy their books, and (again) CHECK if they’re open to unsolicited submissions before sending anything.
Brigids Gate Press (closed to unsolicited submissions as of this posting)
Cemetery Dance (closed to unsolicited submissions as of this posting)
Crystal Lake Publishing (closed to unsolicited submissions as of this posting)
Dark Titan publishing (closed to unsolicited submissions as of this posting)
Dead Sky Publishing
“We are always on the lookout for fiction, noir fiction, thriller, mystery, gothic fiction, dark magical realism, literary horror, science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction stories. As a publisher, we value unique perspectives and different ways of interpreting the world.”
Evil Cookie
“I am always on the lookout for unique, fast-paced, GORY stories.”
Timber Ghost Press (closed to submissions as of this posting)
“We especially love cosmic horror, wilderness horror, and Old West mixed with horror.”
White Cat Publishing
“We accept the following genres: mystery, romance, thrillers, suspense, ghost stories and horror stories (no slasher stories, please), westerns, steampunk and fantasy.”
Know of any others? Drop them in the comments!
Weird West Fiction 
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