These magazines / anthologies pay for fiction; a few also accept other genres, like non-fiction and poetry. They pay up to around $700 for short fiction, and one magazine pays more for longer fiction. Please see the separate section on themed calls. – S. Kalekar

Inner Worlds Zine
They want “Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose with a strong emotional or psychological focus. We are mainly interested in fiction, but we’re open to speculative memoir or creative non fiction, as long as it has speculative elements.” They have detailed guidelines, please read them carefully. They are specially interested in stories of neurodiversity; experiences of psychological struggle or distress, madness, and extreme states; and the voices and perspectives of marginalised groups. Their guidelines also say, “Usually, we want stories in English, between 500 and 2,500 words. BUT our July 2024 submission window is for a special issue of 2,500 to 5,000 word stories” (see ‘What to submit’). They also accept reprints. And, the first two weeks of each reading period are reserved for members of marginalised groups, primarily BIPOC, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women and other marginalised genders, neurodivergent authors, Deaf and disabled authors, and authors with lived experience of mental health challenges or who identify as Mad; the second half of each reading period is for general submissions and is open to everyone. They’ve listed all their reading periods on the website.
Reading periods: 1-14 July for marginalized writers only; 15-31 July 2024 for all writers
Length: 2,500 to 5,000 words (for the July reading period)
Pay: £0.02/word
Details here.

Solarpunk Magazine
This is a magazine of solarpunk fiction. The magazine “publishes hopeful short stories and poetry that strive for a utopian ideal, that are set in futures where communities are optimistically struggling to solve or adapt to climate change, to create or maintain a world in which humanity, technology, and nature coexist in harmony rather than in conflict. We also publish solarpunk art as well as nonfiction that explores real world, contemporary topics and their intersection with the solarpunk movement for a better future.” Also, “Any genre of science fiction, interstitial fiction, magic realism, or fantasy has potential as a solarpunk forum—we welcome robots and elves with equal excitement.” The kind of work they want is described on their Moksha submission page, as well as the guidelines page. Also, “In 2024, we are particularly looking for stories between 1,500 and 3,000 words. While our word limit remains 7,500, stories that fall between 1,500 and 3,000 will have a better chance of being selected for at least the first few submission periods in 2024.” Non-fiction is open on an ongoing basis. All the 2024 fiction submission periods are listed on their website.
Deadline: 14 July 2024 for fiction
Length: See above
Pay: $0.08/word for fiction; $40/poem; $75/essay or article
Details here (guidelines) and here (Moksha submission portal).

The Ex-Puritan
This Canadian literary magazine publishes fiction, non-fiction, experimental/hybrid work, interviews, reviews, poetry, and poetry in translation. The deadline is 15 July, or until filled, for the next issue; they accept a limited number of fee-free submissions every month, and read year-round.
Deadline: 15 July 2024, or until filled
Length: Varies
Pay: CAD200 per essay; CAD150 for fiction; CAD100 per interview or review; CAD50 per poem, capped at CAD100; CAD50+ per experimental or hybrid work, at an increasing scale depending on the nature of the piece.
Details here and here.

If There’s Anyone Left
They want science fiction and speculative fiction only for Volume 5 – proceeds from this volume will go toward Palestinian relief organizations. They are also open for translations of science fiction and speculative fiction for marginalized writers only (people of color, the LGBTQ2S+ community, members of marginalized genders, and disabled and neurodiverse people; see guidelines).
Deadline: 15 July 2024
Length: Up to 1,000 words
Pay: $0.08/word for original fiction; for translations, $0.08/word each for the writer and translator
Details here.

Cthonic Matter Quarterly
This is a fiction magazine. “Chthonic Matter is a quarterly offering of tales from the darkside. Its contents range in tone from the quiet horror of Shirley Jackson to the bleak stylings of Thomas Ligotti — and everything in between.” This is a new magazine; their first edition was in Spring 2023. They publish in eBook and print formats. Deadline: 15 July 2024
Length: 2,000-6,000 words
Pay: $10 per 1,000 words
Details here.

Diabolical Plots
This award-winning magazine publishes science fiction, fantasy, and horror (everything must have a speculative element, even horror). Scroll down the guidelines page for the list of things they like, including weird fiction, sense of wonder, and strong character and plot arcs. They also accept translations. They have recently opened a brief submission period.
Deadline: 22 July 2024
Length: Up to 3,500 words
Pay: $0.10/word
Details here.

Asian American Writers’ Workshop: The Margins
The Margins, the flash fiction series by the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW), is back after a hiatus. They want work by Asian, Asian American, and Asian diasporic writers only; and they only want submissions from writers who have not already been published in the series. They want “Short fiction that luxuriates in capaciousness and bursts with urgency
Forms that subvert what “flash fiction” means
Memorable characters and moments that appear in brevity but linger long afterward
Writing that embraces humor, sensuality, irreverence, and audacity
Work that interrogates the zeitgeist, evokes history, and imagines bold futures”.
Deadline: 22 July 2024
Length: 500-1,000 words
Pay: $150
Details here.

Mysterion
They want science fiction, fantasy and horror stories that engage meaningfully with Christian themes, characters or cosmology. The stories need not teach a moral, or be close to an approved theological position, or be pro-Christian. They are especially interested in stories that show Christians from cultures beyond those of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. They also accept translations and reprints. They have two annual reading periods for fiction, January and July.
Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: Up to 9,000 words
Pay: $0.08/word
Details here.

Litmosphere
This is a publication of Charlotte Lit Press, the imprint of Charlotte Center for Literary Arts, Inc. They accept short fiction and non-fiction (including flash in both genres), poetry, and artwork. For flash, they prefer works that speak to each other; for poetry, they want work that is ideally topically, thematically, or stylistically related. They read submissions in January for the Spring issue, and in July for the Fall issue. Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: Up to 5,000 words for short fiction and nonfiction; up to 5 poems
Pay: $100 for short fiction and non-fiction, $50 per flash prose and poem
Details here.

Escape Artists: PodCastle
This is a fantasy podcast and online magazine. “We’re open to all the sub-genres of fantasy, from magical realism to urban fantasy to slipstream to high fantasy, and everything in between. Fantastical or non-real content should be meaningful to the story. … Ideally, fiction should have strong pacing, well-defined characters, engaging dialogue, clear action, and still be beautiful. Above all, we’re looking for stories that are fun to listen to. Humor is encouraged. … We’d particularly like to see more stories set outside America, and stories that feature characters who represent a range of backgrounds and ethnicities.” They also accept translations, as well as reprints; writers can send one original story and one reprint at a time.Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: Up to 6,000 words (longer for reprints – see guidelines)
Pay: $0.08/word for original short fiction
Details here and here.
(Also, Escape Artists’ PseudoPod wants horror reprints only, of stories published/to be published in 2024, deadline 31 July, submit here; and their Young Adult magazine, Cast of Wonders, will open 15-31 July 2024 for speculative fiction by young writers only, see their schedule; their submission portal will open during the reading period.)

THEMED CALLS

Calendar of Fools: Intergalactic Rejects
This is a fiction anthology. They want “speculative short stories (science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, cosmic horror, etc.) that have been rejected from multiple markets.” Please note, the story you submit should have been rejected at least three times.
Deadline: 12 July 2024
Length: Up to 5,000 words
Pay: $0.08/word
Details here.

Spooky: Halloween
This cozy horror magazine is reading on the Halloween theme, as well as unthemed horror submissions. They have detailed guidelines about the kind of stories they want, including, “Cozy horror. Fun horror. Classy horror. Dare we say, wholesome horror? … perhaps the easiest way to understand what we mean is to read stories by some of the old masters we love: Ray Bradbury, Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Robert Bloch, Roald Dahl. Watch classic episodes of Thriller, The Twilight Zone, and Night Gallery. Read old horror comics. Listen to radio dramas like Suspense, Quiet, Please, and Inner Sanctum Mysteries. … In short, we’re looking to provide a space for a type of storytelling that has largely gone out of style – dark and scary, but playful and approachable with an emphasis on plot.” They also want horror haiku.
Deadline: 13 July 2024
Length: Up to 5,000 words (prefer 2,500-3,000 words) for fiction
Pay: $0.01/word
Details here and here.

Crone Girl Press: Dark Spores – Stories We Tell After Midnight 4
This is a fiction anthology. About the series, they say, “Stories We Tell After Midnight is a series of horror anthologies celebrating quiet horror. We want stories that will freeze you in your footsteps on a dark basement stair, or wake you from your deepest slumber, only to realize you’re not where you fell asleep. If you lead us into the forest and leave us there, alone and half-dreaming, we will love you forever.” For this anthology, they want stories “that focus on dark lichens, slime molds, mushrooms that grow under the pristine lawn, and all forms of macabre mycelium…”
Deadline: 15 July 2024
Length: Up to 3,000 words
Pay: $0.05/word
Details here and here.

Black Cat Publishing: Black Cat Tales
This is a fiction and poetry anthology. “A black cat approaches, do you eagerly cross its path, or run in the opposite direction? From the superstitious to the unlucky, from a witch’s familiar to a soul stealing grave robber, black cats have captured our imagination and remain solidly in the realm of the dark. Dazzle us with your best black cat story or poem. A black cat or a clowder of black cats must be featured predominantly in your story and not simply set decoration.” Regarding genre, they say, “horror, dark fantasy, sci-fi, erotica, weird westerns, cyberpunk, steampunk…we’re open to all but prefer dark fiction.”
Deadline: 15 July 2024
Length: 500 – 3,500 words for story, max 25 lines for poetry
Pay: $50 for fiction, $25 for poetry
Details here.

Essential Dreams Press: Storyteller: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology
This fiction anthology will open around mid-month for submissions, and has two submission windows; one for underrepresented writers, and another for all writers. “STORYTELLER: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology is a celebration of Lee’s influence in speculative fiction. Not only did Tanith Lee write nearly 90 novels, but she also wrote hundreds of short stories in and across a wide range of genres… Her work has inspired generations of writers and has influenced some of the greatest authors working in speculative fiction today.” And, they want stories “under the umbrella of genre, including but not limited to science fiction, fantasy, horror, YA, romance, and any of their many subgenres. … As part of their submission, you will be required to provide two short statements: 1) how Tanith Lee inspired or influenced your own writing practice and 2) why you submitted this particular story for our Tanith Lee tribute anthology i.e., what makes it a perfect fit.” They have two reading periods; call #1, July 16-22, is open to underrepresented writers only; “We will only be accepting stories from underrepresented and historically marginalized voices including BIPOC, LGBTQAI+, disabled, and neurodiverse writers.”; and call #2, during July 23-29 2024, will be open to all writers.
Reading periods: See above
Length: 2,000-5,000 words
Pay: $0.10/word
Details here.

October Nights Press: GabaGhoul – A Mafia Horror Anthology
This is a fiction anthology. “This anthology will merge the thrills and chills of horror with the dark underworld and dealings of the mafia. A hitman haunted by past contracts? A boss who dabbles in the dark arts? A ghastly horror lurking in the shadows that chills the most hardened capo to the bone? There are so many themes to explore and organized crime groups from around the world. We are accepting stories from all horror sub-genres. Slow burn, splatter, erotica, extreme, etc are all welcomed so long as they marry horror with the mafia.” Stories should be at least 3,000 words, and payment is capped at 5,000 words. Please see their note about contributor copies to international writers. 
Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: See above
Pay: $0.03/word
Details here.

FIYAH: Spacefaring Aunties
FIYAH is a speculative fiction magazine that only takes submissions from Black people of the African Diaspora. They want submissions on the ‘Spacefaring Aunties’ theme. “It’s time to explore the adventures of bold, fearless women who defy societal expectations and embark on daring space voyages. From thrilling space operas to quiet character studies, we want to see Aunties who are scientists,  engineers, pilots, and leaders guiding their crews through uncharted territory. What Kerine is looking for:
Women-led stories, not as sidekicks but fleshed-out protagonists.
SHOW how cool these Aunties are through their actions. Quiet moments on a spaceship are good, but make enough tension to highlight the bravery of these women.
A wide spectrum of women- queer, disabled, etc. – without feeding into the “Strong Black Woman ™” tropes that often dehumanize and stifle characters.” They also want speculative poetry.
Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: 2,000-7,000 words for short stories and novelettes up to 15,000 words; up to 1,000 words for poetry
Pay: $0.08/word for fiction, $50 for poetry
Details here.

New Myths: The Janus Gates
New Myths publishes speculative fiction of every kind, and they like each issue to have a balance of works: science fiction and fantasy, dark and light, serious and humorous, hard and soft science fiction, and longer and shorter works. They also publish reviews. They’re also reading submissions for ‘The Janus Gates’ anthology. “Besides looking back into the past and forward into the future, Janus was also the original gatekeeper, the first god to open the portal between gods and men, the god who guarded every new beginning and ending, every transformation, the god you prayed to every morning before you could speak to any other. A Roman peasant stepping through the Janus Gate in Rome in the spring was transformed into a soldier marching off to conquer the world. The Roman soldier stepping out of the Janus Gate in the fall became the peaceful farmer again.
Who better to inspire our next NewMyths anthology centering around portals, thresholds, transformations–the future and past worlds of our dreams and myths?” Their reading periods are January-February, and June-July.
Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: Up to 10,000 words
Pay: $0.03/word
Details here, here (scroll down to ‘Anthology News’), and here.

Brink Literary Journal: Access
For this issue, they’re accepting hybrid/cross-genre submissions on the ‘Access’ theme. “Access signifies approach. It conveys the ability, right, or permission to engage with practices, places, and people. It is something you fight to gain. It is something you can easily lose. Access can be wide or narrow, public or private. Historically, it implied the onset of an illness or attack.
Access defines boundaries of people and place. It shapes our politics and healthcare, our education and environment. Tell us stories about how access expands specific horizons. Show us not the center but the brink, the threshold, of accessibility. What are the conversations, the decisions, the laws, the beliefs that delineate access? What stories remain stuck in the margins of access?” Their reading periods are January, and July. Deadline: 31 July 2024
Length: Up to 3 poems; work of any length for prose
Pay: $25/poem; $50-100 for prose
Details here and here.

Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.