Arkhelian Submission Guidelines
Arkhelian submission guidelines explain how authors can submit short fiction, review copies, and books for possible inclusion in Arkhelian’s free fiction section or curated shop.
Our Editorial Focus
Arkhelian publishes poignant speculative fiction with strong genre-based themes.
We are looking for stories that fit the editorial direction of Arkhelian Studio: cyberpunk, dark sci-fi, post-apocalyptic fiction, grimdark, cosmic horror, dystopian fiction, biopunk, space horror, weird fiction, dark fantasy, and adjacent speculative work.
We are not looking for broad sci-fi, horror, or fantasy by default. A story does not fit Arkhelian simply because it includes a spaceship, an alien, a monster, a neon-lit future setting, or survival horror elements.
We want character-forward stories with atmosphere, pressure, consequence, and a clear reason they belong beside our existing work. Worldbuilding matters, but it should serve the story, the characters, and the larger genre idea being explored.
Through careful curation, Arkhelian is building a focused collection of speculative fiction and a cohort of collaborating writers whose work understands where genre has been, engages with where it is now, and has something to say about where it might go next.
Whether published as free fiction, featured in articles, or included in the Arkhelian shop, every selected work should feel like it belongs within that larger creative direction.
Short Fiction Submissions
We currently accept short fiction for possible publication in Arkhelian’s free fiction section.
What We're Looking For
We want character-forward stories with depth and editorial stance.
Send us stories that feel at home in one or more of these areas:
- Cyberpunk
- Dark science fiction
- Grimdark sci-fi
- Post-apocalyptic fiction
- Dystopian fiction
- Cosmic horror
- Space horror
- Biopunk
- Weird fiction
- Solarpunk with tension, critique, or speculative depth
- Other dark or strange speculative fiction that clearly fits Arkhelian’s direction
We are especially interested in stories with strong mood, unsettling ideas, broken systems, strange technology, corporate pressure, survival under collapse, body horror, memory, identity, religious or occult undertones, or worlds with a cost.
If you’re crossing genre lines, do so intentionally—not for aesthetics. (For example: Skinning a fantasy story in cyberpunk without picking up any of the latter’s dystopian genre themes will result in rejection.)
What Usually Does Not Fit
We are generally not looking for:
- Straight monster-chase stories
- Generic alien encounter stories
- High fantasy
- Romance-first stories
- Light adventure sci-fi
- Broad horror without a speculative or Arkhelian-adjacent angle
- Fan fiction
- AI-generated fiction
- Stories that read like the opening chapter of a larger book
Cross-genre work is welcome, but the story needs to clearly fit our editorial direction.
We do not allow new contributors to submit serial stories. We want to see self-contained works and proof of consistent project completion first.
Story Requirements
Your submission must be:
- Original fiction written by you (no AI)
- 2,500 to 5,000 words
- Standalone, with no “to be continued” ending
- Fully edited before submission
- Submitted as a
.docxor.pdf - Formatted in 16 pt Garamond, single-spaced, block aligned, .3″ first-line indent
We require a brief two-paragraph note or summary with your submission. The first paragraph should be about you. The second should be a quick summary of your story (not a blurb—be direct about what you want us to read). This note is for review purposes only and will not be published with the story.
Rights and Payment
Accepted short fiction is unpaid. Treat your submission as your calling card. This is your chance to show us your voice, your genre understanding and instincts, and whether your work belongs inside Arkhelian’s editorial world. Authors who clear that threshold may be considered for contributor opportunities, community access, interviews, marketing and promotion, and future shop consideration.
You retain ownership of your story. By submitting your story for publication, you grant Arkhelian Studio non-exclusive digital publishing rights to publish the story on the Arkhelian website and related digital channels.
You are responsible for confirming that the work is original, that you own the rights, and that the story does not infringe on the rights of any third party. By submitting, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Arkhelian Studio from any claims, costs, damages, or legal expenses arising from plagiarism, rights disputes, infringement, or misrepresentation related to your submitted work.
Arkhelian reserves the right to decline, remove, archive, or unpublish work at any time to protect the studio, its contributors, its readers, or the author’s own future projects.
Review Process
Submissions are reviewed between other studio work, so response times vary.
We will confirm receipt of your story. After which, most submissions receive a response within 2 to 6 weeks. We currently try to respond to every submission. After 6 weeks, if you haven’t heard from us, feel free to drop a quick inquiry through our Contact page.
If a story is close but needs work and time permitting, we may provide feedback or request edits. However, submitting a story does not guarantee detailed notes, publication, or further collaboration.
Public-Facing Content
Arkhelian’s free fiction section is public-facing. Grimdark, horror, and dystopian fiction may include disturbing material, but some content may require edits and/or include trigger warnings for publication. This is not censorship; rather it’s being aware of the full breadth of our public audience.
We may request changes related to extreme violence, sexual content, hate speech, abuse, or other material that creates legal, platform, audience, or brand concerns.
What Accepted Authors Receive
Accepted authors receive:
- Publication in Arkhelian’s free fiction section
- Promotion across Arkhelian channels
- A third-party publication credit
- Consideration for an author interview or related article(s)
- Consideration for Arkhelian writers groups, publishing support, and service discounts
- Possible invitation to future contributor and collaborator opportunities
- Prioritized consideration for inclusion in the curated Arkhelian shop
Publication does not automatically guarantee storefront inclusion, paid work, long-term collaboration, or membership in any private Arkhelian group. Access is granted in parallel to activity, involvement, and need.
How to Submit
Send your story to:
Use the subject line:
Short Fiction Submission — [Story Title] — [Author Name]
Include:
- Your name or pen name
- Link to your primary social media
- Link to your website, if applicable
- Story title
- Word count
- Genre fit
- A short two-paragraph summary (about you & about the story)
- Your attached
.docxor.pdffile
Book Review Copies and Curated Shop Consideration
While our primary focus is on in-house works, contributors, and collaborators, Arkhelian also considers books from independent and professional authors for possible inclusion in the Arkhelian webstore.
The Arkhelian shop is a curated collection. Everything in the store have been read, reviewed, and evaluated. This process takes time.
Sending a review copy does not guarantee acceptance, listing, promotion, or a vendor relationship.
What We Consider
We are most interested in books that fit Arkhelian’s genre direction:
- Cyberpunk
- Dark sci-fi
- Grimdark sci-fi
- Post-apocalyptic fiction
- Dystopian fiction
- Cosmic horror
- Space horror
- Biopunk
- Weird speculative fiction
Books should be professionally edited, clearly packaged, and aligned with the quality and tone of the Arkhelian catalog.
How the Process Works
- Send a review copy or query.
- Arkhelian reviews the book for editorial and storefront fit.
- If the book is a possible fit, we may request additional information.
- If selected, the author or publisher will receive Arkhelian’s vendor agreement and storefront requirements.
- Books are only added to the shop after approval and completion of the required agreement.
Important Note
Review copies are for consideration only. They do not create a business relationship.
Arkhelian may decline books for any reason, including but not limited to genre mismatch, quality concerns, brand fit, production issues, rights concerns, pricing, fulfillment complexity, catalog limitations, or if an author’s public behavior—such as hateful or discriminatory rhetoric—conflicts with Arkhelian’s values of inclusivity and respect.
ISBNs, Rights, and Author Relationships
Books do not need to have an ISBN to be considered for the Arkhelian shop.
Arkhelian can work directly with authors, small presses, and independent publishers when rights, files, pricing, and fulfillment details are clear. Our preference is to work as directly as possible with the person or entity authorized to approve storefront placement, provide required materials, and manage the business relationship.
If a book is already published through Amazon, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Kobo, or another distribution platform, that does not prevent it from being considered for the Arkhelian shop. However, the author or rights holder must be able to confirm that they have the authority to provide review copies, approve listing details, and participate in any vendor agreement required for shop inclusion.
Arkhelian may request additional information about rights, editions, formats, files, pricing, or distribution status before approving a book for the shop.
Pricing and Retail Positioning
Books listed in the Arkhelian shop should be priced competitively with the author’s wider distribution channels.
In most cases, the retail price listed through Arkhelian should match or remain close to the book’s standard retail price on major platforms. Arkhelian may also recommend shop-specific pricing, bundles, signed edition pricing, launch promotions, or seasonal discounts when appropriate.
Because Arkhelian provides curated placement, promotional support, and direct storefront visibility, pricing must support both the author’s goals and the long-term health of the studio. Final pricing will be reviewed as part of the vendor setup process.
Digital Books
To submit a digital book for consideration, email:
Use the subject line:
Shop Consideration — [Book Title] — [Author Name]
Include:
- Author name
- Book title
- Genre(s)
- Format(s) available
- For print, we expect paperback and welcome hardcover
- For digital, we will need .epub and .pdf
- We do not sell audiobooks at this time
- Retail price
- Short description
- Link to the book or attached digital review copy
- Any relevant website, press kit, or social links
If you’re submitting a story for physical book consideration as well, You don’t need to submit the digital version separately. Send us the physical book format(s) only. We can review digital formatting later.
Physical Books
To submit a physical book formats for consideration, mail them to:
Arkhelian
2119 W. Juneau Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Include a letter and use the subject line:
Shop Consideration — [Book Title] — [Author Name]
Include:
- Author name
- Book title
- Genre(s)
- Format(s) available
- For print, we expect paperback and welcome hardcover
- For digital, we will need .epub and .pdf
- We do not sell audiobooks at this time
- Retail price
- Short description
- Any relevant website, press kit, or social links
If your story is available in digital format, you do not need to submit the digital format separately.
Review copies will not be returned.
Review copies are not used for resale, however they may be used for future promotional imagery if selected and in excellent condition.
Signed Editions
Signed editions have a prominent place in the Arkhelian shop.
Authors are encouraged to provide signed books or signed tip-in pages in regular limited quantities when possible. These editions help create a more collectible storefront experience and give readers a stronger connection to the authors featured through Arkhelian.
Signed editions should be planned in advance and approved before listing. Arkhelian may request specific quantities, format details, signing instructions, packaging requirements, or timing based on shop needs, promotional plans, and available inventory.
Signed editions are not required for shop consideration, but they may receive stronger placement during launches, seasonal promotions, and featured collection updates.
Translations
Arkhelian supports multilingual publishing and currently offers books in both English and French.
When appropriate, Arkhelian can help facilitate translation between English and French for selected works. Translation opportunities are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may depend on genre fit, author interest, production timing, rights availability, and storefront strategy.
Important: Arkhelian does not use or accept AI-generated translations. Misrepresentation of translated work may result in removal from consideration, delisting, or termination of future business relations.
Contributors: Authors who have submitted short fiction and been published in the Free Fiction section of the Arkhelian website may receive priority consideration and discounted translation rates.
Authors who already have translated editions should include available languages when submitting a book for shop consideration. Authors interested in future translation support may note that during the review process.
Translated editions may be considered for digital, paperback, hardcover, and promotional placement within Arkhelian’s French-language collections.
After Acceptance
If your book is selected for the curated Arkhelian shop, Arkhelian will provide the next steps before any listing goes live.
This may include vendor guidelines, payout information, marketing requirements, asset requirements, inventory expectations, release timing, pricing review, signed edition planning, translation opportunities, and any other details needed to prepare the book for the storefront.
Selection for the shop does not automatically mean immediate listing. Books are added after the required materials, agreements, pricing, files, metadata, and inventory details are reviewed and approved.
