Story Submissions

We aren’t asking for a lot, and we’re providing a ton in return.

Here are the short fiction requirements:
– The story must be original fiction written by you (you own it, you own the rights, you wrote it, no AI, no ghostwriters). Show us you can write well. Let’s see your imagination shine.

– The story must be 2,500-5,500 words in length.

– The story must fit Arkhelian’s genre focus: sci-fi, cyberpunk, post-apoc, space horror, biopunk, solar punk, grimdark, cosmic horror, etc. Feel free to ask about adjacent categories. While we recognize cross-genre elements, we do not work in romance, all horror, high fantasy, etc. at this time. Queries are accepted. We believe in inclusive characters and stories.

– We must be given unrestricted digital publishing rights for the story. The story will be provided as a preview to Arkhelian supporters. After which it’ll be published on the Arkhelian website’s free fiction section. You assume all legal responsibility for plagiarism and/or not holding publication rights and indemnify Arkhelian for any costs associated with your story. Simply put, submit your own original story. If you want to be an author, there’s no point in faking it. We reserve the right to unpublish any work at any time for any reason to protect Arkhelian and/or our other contributors. Works may also be archived or removed from the website in order to align with their author’s projects.

– The story should be a standalone story. It can have a tight plot. It can be a vignette. It can be more of a scene or character study. It should not be the beginning of a series or have a ‘to be continued’ ending. Let it stand on its own legs. This is your battle flag. Hold it up high. Make it your own. You can include a brief single-paragraph summary or introduction with the story, however this will not be published with the story.

This story submission is intended to be a about a 1-2 day creative exercise. Have fun with it. Don’t stress yourself out. You can write something that provides a window into your larger universe. You can write something that exists completely on its own. You can start a pen name. Or, you can experiment outside your existing focus.

We view this process as a way to find people who can write fun and interesting stories—and at the same time, fit with our existing cohort of writers and collaborators. Generally, we’re looking for indie authors or traditional authors, who are looking to grow or branch out. Hobbyists, flash fiction authors, and fan fiction authors aren’t usually going to align with the trajectory of this process.

– It typically takes us 2-6 weeks to read submissions. Be patient. These stories are reviewed between other work and by very busy people. We make a point to give each story attention. Currently, all submissions receive a response—we’re working hard to maintain this policy.

– Stories should be edited, but writers should also expect feedback. To-date, every story has received at least some feedback.

– Formatting: 16 pt Garamond, block alignment, single spaced

– File Type: .docx or .pdf. We need to be able to mark-up the file with highlights and comments.

* Note: due to potential triggers within Grimdark fiction, be mindful that the free fiction section of the website is public-facing. This may lead to editing requirements. We really don’t like doing this, but it’s a legal reality for us. We can discuss it further, if it comes up during review. Does not apply to larger, subsequent works.

What do you get out of this?

– We’re upfront about this—if accepted, this story is unpaid. It costs us a lot more time and energy to review these than we get out of it, often exceeding the work that went into the stories. This process is similar to a book award or film festival review process on our end (and those groups get paid to review submissions).

– You receive exposure. Arkhelian’s current annual reach is more than 4 million. Your story will be promoted to readers across all of our channels.

– Third-party publication. Most authors don’t understand this starting out, but you’ll want a wiki page at some point. That page cannot include anything directly from the author (their website, social media, etc.). Short fiction publication on Arkhelian provides one source of professional reference, which can be used for other paid work, media kits, social media, and websites. Build these references early and often. When you need them, it’s difficult to create them quickly.

– Following publication, you’ll be interviewed for one or more Arkhelian articles (another wiki reference source), which again can be promoted and can also be used as an article for your social media.

– Published authors are given FREE top-tier membership to our Patreon. This provides thought-provoking articles that can be used for genre research, brainstorming, and collaboration.

– Published authors are invited to write articles for Patreon and the website, which may lead to revenue. These are genre-targeted pieces that align with your own writing, further utilizing the Arkhelian platform to build your professional profile, expertise, and cross-promote between audiences.

– As part of the contributor tier of Patreon, you are given invite-only access to Arkhelian’s Writers Group. This is an online writers group that focuses specifically on Arkhelian’s authors’ genres. Writing feedback, indie publishing resources, peer discussions, collaboration, skill trading, and access to Arkhelian services at a discounted rate. This group was requested by and built for authors. Have your science fiction reviewed by another science fiction author… not a nonfiction, romance, children’s book author that doesn’t understand your genre.

– We will then work with you to include your writing in the Arkhelian webstore.

You can send your submission to: ArkhelianStudio@gmail.com.