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ABOUT THE ZINE
 

         Welcome to Virefire Publishing's flagship zine exploring the world of dark mechanical fiction.
 

        For this volume, we invite you to enter a realm where steam powers impossible machines, brilliant inventors push beyond ethical boundaries, and every advancement carries unforeseen consequences. Whether your story unfolds aboard an airship drifting through haunted skies, within the workshop of a genius consumed by obsession, or across
an alternate Victorian world where technology has rewritten history, we want stories that capture the wonder, danger, and mystery that define steampunk.
 

        We're looking for compelling characters, immersive worlds, and unforgettable stories that linger long after the final page.
 

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SUBMISSION DETAILS

 

Genre: Steampunk Dark Fiction

Theme:  Steampunk, Alternate History, Clockwork, Victorian Horror, Industrial Fantasy

Word Count:  3,000–8,000 words

Submission Deadline:  September 30, 2026
 

Publication Date:  Fall 2026

Entry Fee: None

Compensation:  Royalty Share + Contributor Copy

Hosted By:  Nora B. Peevy

Publisher:   Virefire Publishing

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What We're

Looking For:​

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​We welcome original stories featuringthemes such as:
• Clockwork inventions
• Airships
• Victorian settings
• Alternate history
• Gothic atmosphere
• Dangerous scientific experimentation
• Automata and artificial life
• Industrial fantasy
• Steam-powered worlds
• Creative interpretations of the genre

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SURPRISE US!! 

We encourage fresh perspectives, diverse voices, and imaginative stories that embrace the spirit of steampunk while pushing the genre in exciting new directions.

Whether your tale follows brilliant inventors, daring explorers, mechanical monstrosities, haunted machinery, or entire civilizations powered by steam and ingenuity, we're looking for unforgettable stories
where innovation and imagination collide.

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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

​• Stories must be original and written in English.

• Submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.
• Use standard manuscript formatting.
• 12-point Times New Roman or similar readable font.
• Double-spaced.
• Include your name, pen name (if applicable), email address, story title, and approximate word count.
• Include a brief third-person author biography (100 words or less).
• Please include any applicable content warnings.

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       At this time we do not accept AI-generated stories or manuscripts primarily created using generative artificial intelligence.  Multiple submissions are welcome; however, each story must be submitted separately.  Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

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RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION

 

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        At Virefire Publishing, we believe authors should retain ownership of their creative work.

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         Authors retain the copyright to their stories. For publication within this anthology, Virefire Publishing requests First Anthology Publication Rights and the non-exclusive rights necessary to publish, distribute, and promote the anthology in print, digital, and approved marketing materials. All rights not expressly granted remain with the author and will revert in accordance with the contributor agreement.

 

​Selected contributors will receive:

• Royalty participation (as outlined in the contributor agreement)
• Complimentary contributor copy
• Professional editing and proofreading
• Professional interior formatting
• Inclusion in Virefire Publishing's marketing and promotional campaigns
• Author spotlight opportunities across Virefire Publishing's platforms

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PRODUCTION TIMELINE​​

 

Open Call Opens:  July 2026
 

Submission Deadline: 
September 30, 2026

 

​Cover Art Community Vote:  September 2026

Publication:  Fall  2026

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Dates may be adjusted as production requires.

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ZINE ART COMMUNITY VOTE

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        Once the final anthology has been selected, Virefire Publishing will host a separate Open Call for graphic artists to create the official cover artwork.

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       A panel of finalist submissions will be selected by Virefire before being presented to the community for public voting.

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        The winning artwork will become the official anthology cover and the artist will receive full cover credit inside the published anthology.

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MEET THE HOST

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Nora B. PeEvy

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       Nora B. Peevy is an author, editor, and active member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) whose work spans horror, dark fantasy, nonfiction, and literary criticism. She serves as an editor for Carnage House and Hallōwhartt Publications, a submissions reader for JournalStone/Trepidatio Publishing, a reviewer for Hellnotes, and a script reader for the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. Her fiction, nonfiction, and editorial work have appeared through numerous publishers and publications across the horror community. 

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       In collaboration with Virefire Publishing, Nora is helping bring the Trilogy of Terror to life—a three-part anthology series exploring the worlds of Steampunk, Mythology, and Tarot. Together, Virefire and Nora are committed to creating an anthology experience that celebrates exceptional storytelling, encourages emerging and established voices, and invites readers to become part of the publishing journey through community engagement and cover art voting.

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       Nora looks forward to discovering original stories that surprise, challenge, and leave a lasting impression on readers—and to welcoming talented authors into the Trilogy of Terror.

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FAQ

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• Can I submit more than one story?   
  Yes. Each story must be submitted separately.
   

• Can previously published stories be submitted?
  No. We are seeking original, unpublished work unless otherwise stated.
   

• Can international authors submit?
  Absolutely.
   

• Will I receive editorial feedback?
  Due to submission volume, detailed critiques cannot be guaranteed.
   

• When will I know if my story was accepted?
  Acceptance notifications will be sent after the submission period closes and selections have been completed.​​

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READY TO SUBMIT 

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​Every published story begins with a single submission.

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If your manuscript is complete and you've reviewed the submission guidelines, you're ready to take the next step. Click below to access the official submission form and share your story with Virefire Publishing.

 

We can't wait to discover the worlds you've created.

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