SUBMISSIONS FAQ

What should be in my cover letter?

Don’t worry too much about your cover letter! We read these last. Just a sentence or two is fine. We’re especially interested in publishing multiply marginalized writers, so if that applies to you and you feel comfortable sharing, you can use your cover letter to let us know. If you have past publications, feel free to let us know two or three of your favorites. If you have life experience relevant to your submission, you can let us know that, too. Please don’t give us a summary of your story. Please don’t use generative AI to write your cover letter. You can address your cover letters to “Dear editors” or “Dear OTHERSIDE team.”

What is speculative fiction?

If you ask ten people, you’ll probably get ten answers. But we can tell you what we mean when we call OTHERSIDE a magazine of speculative fiction. We want stories that break from reality in some way. This includes stories categorized as science fiction or fantasy, or horror stories with an unreal element. But we’re also interested in stories not immediately categorizable as science fiction, fantasy, or horror. Our editors love everything from cyberpunk to slipstream, historical fantasy to fabulism… and all kinds of stories that defy genre labels. In other words, when you’re submitting to OTHERSIDE, make sure your story includes some speculative element, but don’t worry too much about trying to land within the strict bounds of any given genre.

I’m not out as queer. Can I still submit to you?

Absolutely! We understand that some people may be in situations or regions where it’s not safe to openly identify yourself as queer. We are more than happy to work with authors who need to conceal their identity. The only time we need your legal name is if you’re offered a contract, and we never require a headshot/photo. Please feel free to use a pen name on your manuscript and in our submissions form, and know that we’re always willing to work together to figure out a solution that would work for you.

I’m not sure if I’m “queer enough” to submit. What should I do?

If you identify as queer or 2SLGBTQIA+ in any way, whatever that looks like for you, please send us your work! Yes, this means trans people. Yes, this means folks on the ace spectrum. Yes, this means Two-Spirit Indigenous people. If you’re part of our community, you are enough, and we want to read your work. We’re not here to police your identity, and we’ll never ask you to disclose anything you aren’t comfortable sharing. Our submissions form will ask you to check a box confirming that you are eligible to submit. We don’t ask any other questions about your identity, and anything else you choose to share is up to you. 

I don’t identify as queer or 2SLGBTQIA+, but my work has queer characters/themes. Can I submit?

OTHERSIDE is a market exclusively for stories and poems written by queer authors. We are not a market for stories and poems by authors who do not identify as queer or 2SLGBTQIA+, no matter the subject of your work, and we ask that you please respect this policy. There are lots of great magazines interested in queer stories by authors of all identities, and we look forward to the chance to read your work when it finds an excellent home elsewhere! 

I do identify as queer or 2SLGBTQIA+, but my work doesn’t have queer characters/themes. Can I submit?

Please do! While we love work that features queer characters or themes, we’re looking for the very best speculative fiction and poetry by queer authors, no matter the subject. We may be an especially good home for your story or poem that’s “too queer” or “too unrelatable” for another market—but we’re always interested in reading a wide variety of submissions!

I shared my story/poem on my own website, but it hasn’t been published elsewhere. Can I still submit?

When we buy original fiction and poetry, we buy first publication rights, which means we will be the first ones to publish your piece; it cannot have ever been available anywhere else, even if it is/was only on your own website or blog. We do occasionally accept submissions of previously published fiction as reprints. You can read more about the difference in our guidelines!

I’ve never been published. Can I submit to you?

Please do! At OTHERSIDE, we love working with new writers. We’re assessing stories and poems based on their quality—not based on a list of past publications in your cover letter. Publishing can be a jargon-heavy field. If you’re struggling to figure out how to submit to us, or if you have any questions about anything not answered here or in our guidelines, send us an email at submissions@othersidespec.com. We’ll help you figure it out.