Guidelines
We are looking for speculative fiction stories, poetry and original translations, which may broadly inform South Asian experiences. For us, speculative fiction is that which provokes a genuine alternative, and encompasses science fiction, fantasy, horror and alt-history, as well as blended genres like obscure, weird and slipstream fiction.
We love publishing newer authors and innovative storytelling, anything that charts the unfamiliar. We want to think about politics and climate, but we like being conventionally scared once in a while. Sexual themes, profanity and violence are not frowned upon, but please do not send us hard erotica or gore.
General
| Submissions Form | Click here |
| Emailed Submissions | Not Allowed |
| Simultaneous Submissions | Allowed On acceptance elsewhere, update us immediately. |
| Multiple Submissions | Not Allowed Wait for 3 months before sending a new piece. |
| Re-submissions | Not Allowed Do not resubmit unless expressly requested to do so. |
| Styleguide | Click here |
| Publishing Rights | First World Rights for original fiction First World English Rights for original translations |
| Read about First World Rights here Do not send us works already published on the web. We are not looking to publish reprints. | |
| Translation Credits | Original Author name, followed by Translator name Independent bios in the same order. |
| Please ensure that the original author is informed about the submission when you reach out to us. In cases where the author does not retain the rights, we reserve the right to decide further course of action. For works in the public domain, please check the appropriate box in the form. | |
| Withdrawals | Contact us via email |
| Response Timelines | 4 Weeks |
| Contact | editor@stateofmatter.in |
Fiction
| Limit (per submission) | 1 short fiction |
| Word Count | 1000-15000 words |
| File Type | .doc/.docx |
| Font | Times New Roman, 12 pt |
| Spacing | Double-spaced |
Poetry
| Limit (per submission) | up to 5 poems max length 15 pages |
| File Type | .doc/.docx |
| Font | Times New Roman, 12 pt |
| Spacing | Single-spaced |
Translations
| Limit (per submission) | 1 short fiction up to 5 poems | max length 15 pages |
| Files Required | Translated work Original text / sample of original text |
| File Type | .doc/.docx for translated work .doc/.docx/.pdf for original text |
| Font | Times New Roman, 12 pt |
| Spacing | Double-spaced for short fiction Single-spaced for poetry |