Mystery markets

Last checked Oct 10, 2026

Leafmines tracks 156 magazines publishing mystery. 105 are open to submissions right now, and typical response time is 60 days. Filter by length, pay, and response time →

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Superheroes Super ProblemsScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction, poetry · closes Oct 15 · responds in ~92 days
Superheroes, Super Problems is an original anthology seeking superhero-centered fiction and poetry across several speculative and genre categories.
WordFire PressScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction, poetry · closes Oct 15 · responds in ~92 days
WordFire Press is seeking original superhero-centered fiction and poetry for the Superheroes, Super Problems anthology.
Passages NorthScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction, flash fiction · closes Oct 15
Passages North is a literary magazine publishing fiction, poetry, nonfiction, hybrids, and short-shorts, with an emphasis on innovative, experimental, and genre-diverse work.
The Hoolet's NookScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction, flash fiction · closes Oct 15 · responds in ~14 days
The Hoolet's Nook is a literary magazine publishing fiction, poetry, and micro-poetry or haiku three times a year.
Every Day FictionScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for flash fiction · closes Oct 27 · responds in ~90 days
Every Day Fiction publishes very short adult flash fiction in any genre and pays a token amount for accepted stories.
Elegant LiteratureLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · closes Oct 31 · responds in ~31 days
Elegant Literature is a fiction magazine publishing new or unpublished writers’ themed stories and paying ten cents per word.
Whitaker LyonScience Fiction · Mystery · Literary · Fantasy
Open for fiction, flash fiction · closes Oct 31
Whitaker Lyon Press publishes speculative-fiction anthologies and is accepting several themed short-fiction and flash-fiction submissions on stated schedules.
Ps and Qs PublishingFantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · closes Oct 31 · responds in ~55 days
Ps and Qs Publishing solicits 5,000–10,000-word fictional stories for themed paranormal and speculative anthologies, paying royalties through PubShare.
The Ranger's AlmanacScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · closes Nov 1 · responds in ~7 days
The Ranger's Almanac is an annual literary journal seeking work inspired by national or state forests and parks.
After MidnightScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · closes Nov 1 · responds in ~28 days
After Midnight is a literary magazine seeking fiction, flash fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, pedagogy, and book reviews for Issue II, themed “New Beginnings & Letting Go.”
SunSpot LitScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction, other work, flash fiction · closes Nov 1 · responds in ~14 days
Sunspot Literary Journal accepts unpublished fiction, nonfiction, poetry, scripts, translations, and genre or literary work through several paid, length-specific submission categories.
Timeless ReflectionsLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery
Open for fiction, poetry · closes Nov 1
Timeless Reflections is a semiannual online and print anthology seeking themed short stories and poetry for Volume 8.
Behind the Shadows Anthology SeriesScience Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Horror
Open for fiction · closes Nov 15 · responds in ~62 days
Inkd Publishing is soliciting speculative-fiction anthology stories, including fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, suspense, and horror themes.
Vestal ReviewLiterary · Humor · Science Fiction · Fantasy
Open for flash fiction · closes Nov 16 · responds in ~30 days
Vestal Review is a flash-fiction magazine that also accepts proposals for interviews and reviews and maintains a flash-fiction book list.
WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction ContestScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for flash fiction · closes Nov 30 · responds in ~38 days
WOW! Women on Writing runs quarterly global contests for flash fiction and creative nonfiction essays, with cash prizes and publication opportunities.
F(r)ictionLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry · closes Nov 30 · responds in ~219 days
F(r)iction is a genre-inclusive literary magazine and publishing project accepting fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, and related editorial work through several routes.
Black Fox Literary MagazineScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · closes Nov 30 · responds in ~120 days
Black Fox Literary Magazine is an international biannual print and online publication seeking fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, with additional year-round submission options.
The Haiku Shack MagazineScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for flash fiction · closes Nov 30 · responds in ~30 days
The Haiku Shack Magazine publishes very short poetry and microfiction inspired by a theme and photograph.
Common House MagazineLiterary · Fantasy · Mystery
Open for fiction, flash fiction · closes Nov 30 · responds in ~120 days
Common House Magazine is a volunteer-run literary magazine accepting fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and other written work for seasonal issues, with a preference for literary fiction while also publishing genre fiction.
WallstraitLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · closes Dec 1 · responds in ~60 days
Wallstrait is a journal of hard-to-define fiction publishing original, unpublished stories across genres.
Best Horror of the YearScience Fiction · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · closes Dec 1 · responds in ~210 days
The Best Horror of the Year is an all-reprint anthology seeking horror stories and poetry published during 2026 for Volume Nineteen.
C&R Press Poetry Book AwardLiterary · Mystery · Romance · Science Fiction
Open for other work · closes Dec 1 · responds in ~365 days
C&R Press publishes full-length books in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, essays, and experimental or hybrid forms through open submissions and genre prizes.
DefenestrationHumor · Literary · Fantasy · Science Fiction
Open for fiction · closes Dec 5 · responds in ~28 days
Defenestration is a humor magazine publishing funny short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and fake nonfiction online.
Ominous ThrillHorror · Mystery
Open for fiction · closes Dec 15 · responds in ~16 days
Ominous Thrill is an award-nominated audio fiction anthology seeking dark feminist, sexually explicit horror and thriller stories for dramatized production.
Grimalkin PressHorror · Mystery
Open for fiction · closes Dec 31
Grimalkin Press publishes dark speculative short story collections and anthologies focused on disturbing aspects of the human condition.
Mystery TribuneMystery · Horror
Open for fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction · closes Dec 31 · responds in ~730 days
Mystery Tribune is a crime, mystery, noir, and suspense publication accepting fiction and nonfiction submissions for its online, mobile, and print editions.
SFWP (Santa Fe Writers Project) Literary AwardsLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction, nonfiction · closes Jan 4, 2027 · responds in ~276 days
The SFWP Literary Awards Program is an international English-language competition seeking fiction and creative nonfiction, with publication opportunities and cash prizes.
Next Generation Short Story AwardsLiterary · Mystery · Romance · Humor
Open for fiction · closes Jan 28, 2027 · responds in ~79 days
The Next Generation Short Story Awards is an international, not-for-profit awards program accepting English-language short stories for its 2027 award season.
Margery Allingham Short Mystery CompetitionMystery
Open for fiction · closes Jan 29, 2027
The Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition is an international competition for original unpublished mystery and crime short stories in English.
ConfrontationLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction, flash fiction · closes Apr 15, 2027 · responds in ~120 days
Confrontation is a literary magazine open to submissions from any writer, publishing poetry, fiction, flash fiction, and nonfiction.
TriQuarterlyLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · closes May 31, 2027 · responds in ~180 days
TriQuarterly is Northwestern University’s student-edited literary journal publishing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, video essays, short drama, hybrid work, craft essays, interviews, and book reviews.
InkandescentScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · closes Jun 1, 2027
Inkandescent’s Green Light Prize seeks unpublished, bold and imaginative full-length genre-fiction novels from underrepresented writers for a royalty-based publishing pathway.
Tractor BeamScience Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Romance
Open for fiction · closes Jun 30, 2027
Tractor Beam is a speculative science-fiction publication focused on soilpunk visions of hopeful, anti-apocalyptic futures on Earth and harmonious relationships between humans and nature.
Gumshoe ReviewMystery
Open for fiction, nonfiction · responds in ~1 days
Gumshoe Review publishes mystery-focused short fiction and nonfiction essays for readers, writers, and students of the mystery genre.
Body ShotsScience Fiction · Horror · Mystery · Literary
Open for fiction
Body Shots is an annual short-fiction anthology seeking ambitious, voice-driven unpublished fiction across genres, with selected authors paid by word count.
Torch Literary ArtsLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
Torch Literary Arts accepts original creative work by Black women writers for its online Torch Friday Feature on a rolling basis.
Lady Churchill's Rosebud WristletScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~180 days
Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet is an open literary zine accepting fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, with a strong interest in speculative fiction and new writers.
After Dinner ConversationScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
After Dinner Conversation publishes short stories that stimulate ethical and philosophical discussion across genres, including children’s and young adult fiction.
Dirty Magick MagazineFantasy · Horror · Mystery · Humor
Open for fiction · responds in ~77 days
Dirty Magick Magazine publishes original short speculative fiction, especially urban fantasy, sword and sorcery, and gothic or supernatural horror.
Orion's BeltScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for nonfiction · responds in ~30 days
Orion’s Belt is a literary speculative magazine publishing fiction, poetry, translations, and reviews.
Tales of Sley HouseScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~79 days
Tales of Sley House publishes genre-focused novels, short stories, poetry, and podcast scripts in speculative and mystery-oriented categories.
Berkeley Fiction ReviewLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~365 days
Berkeley Fiction Review is an annual literary journal seeking innovative, reflective, previously unpublished short fiction from writers worldwide.
Et Sequitur MagazineLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~74 days
Et Sequitur Magazine publishes short stories that connect creatively with an element of its latest story.
Horrorsmith Monthly NewslettersMystery · Romance · Horror
Open for fiction, flash fiction · responds in ~63 days
Horrorsmith Publishing accepts novel submissions for horror, thriller, and young-adult imprints, as well as horror and thriller short stories for monthly subscriptions and newsletters.
Stone's ThrowMystery · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~51 days
Stone’s Throw is a monthly online companion publishing short, sharp dark fiction, crime, and noir stories before collecting them in an annual print anthology.
The Wild UmbrellaScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction
The Wild Umbrella is an Irish literary magazine publishing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, with optional feedback, contributor promotion, and an annual print anthology.
Brilliant Flash Fiction ContestsScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for flash fiction · responds in ~84 days
Brilliant Flash Fiction is an international quarterly magazine publishing unusual flash fiction in English.
SequestrumLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~180 days
Sequestrum is a competitive, paying literary magazine publishing short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and occasional genre work.
Teach. Write.Literary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction, flash fiction, poetry
Teach. Write. is a literary journal for writing teachers that publishes fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, dramas, screenplays, and writing-prompt-inspired work.
Thriller MagazineMystery · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~35 days
Thriller Magazine publishes suspense-forward short stories in thriller, mystery, crime, suspense, and noir.
Red Raven BooksHorror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~30 days
Red Raven Books is a publisher seeking unsettling horror, dark crime, and speculative fiction, including short horror stories for its Mixed Bag anthology series.
Hollow Oak Presents: AcornsScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for flash fiction · responds in ~30 days
Hollow Oak Presents: Acorns publishes digitally short, speculative flash fiction for adults.
City Owl PressScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~84 days
City Owl Press is seeking adult and New Adult romance and speculative-fiction novels, with queries currently open to three named editors.
101 WordsLiterary · Humor · Mystery · Horror
Open for flash fiction · responds in ~86 days
101 Words publishes fiction stories that are exactly 101 words long and offers editorial feedback.
Aethon BooksScience Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Romance
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
Aethon Books is an open-door publisher seeking novel-length genre fiction, especially science fiction, fantasy, and thrillers.
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery MagazineMystery
Open for fiction
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine uses this submissions system to process fiction submissions and let authors track their stories.
Assemble Artifacts MagazineScience Fiction · Horror · Literary · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~206 days
Assemble Artifacts Magazine accepts short story submissions featuring high-concept wonder and suspense, with particular interest in horror and grounded science fiction.
Baobab PressLiterary · Mystery · Fantasy · Science Fiction
Open for fiction · responds in ~81 days
Baobab Press seeks inventive, thoughtful book-length fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and children's picture or board books, often with a strong sense of place.
BookoutureFantasy · Mystery · Romance
Open for fiction · responds in ~31 days
Bookouture accepts unsolicited full-length commercial fiction and some text-led nonfiction manuscripts for its digital publishing list.
Brian's BookcaseScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~42 days
Brian's Bookcase accepts donated fiction of all genres for its supporters-only online library, supporting mental health awareness.
Camcat BooksScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~60 days
CamCat Books is an independent publisher seeking novel-length, unpublished genre fiction for adult and YA audiences via Submittable.
CommuterLitScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
CommuterLit.com accepts short stories, memoir, novel excerpts, and poetry in any genre for online publication.
Dragonblade PublishingFantasy · Mystery · Romance
Open for fiction · responds in ~56 days
Dragonblade Publishing is a romance-focused publisher accepting novels featuring happily-ever-after endings in historical romance, romantasy, paranormal romance, and selected fantasy and mystery genres.
ECW PressLiterary · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~120 days
ECW Press is a Canadian independent book publisher seeking proposals for an eclectic list of nonfiction, poetry, and fiction, with completed manuscripts required for novels, poetry manuscripts, and memoirs.
Ellery Queen Mystery MagazineMystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~180 days
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is a mystery-fiction publication that processes fiction submissions through its online submission system.
Emberwick PressHorror · Mystery · Young Adult
Open for fiction · responds in ~99 days
Emberwick Press periodically accepts full-length novel and novella submissions directly from authors.
Enough TropeScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for nonfiction · responds in ~60 days
Enough Trope is an Australian literary magazine focused on commentary, essays, and reviews of Australian genre fiction, including horror, romance, crime, science fiction, and fantasy.
Entangled PublishingRomance · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~191 days
Entangled Publishing is a commercial publisher seeking novel-length manuscripts in romance and related genres.
Five on the FifthLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~30 days
Five on the Fifth is an online magazine publishing five previously unpublished works across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and related categories on the fifth of each month.
Flame Tree PublishingScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~60 days
Flame Tree Publishing is an independent global publisher seeking speculative novels, anthology short stories, and themed flash fiction opportunities.
Freedom Fiction JournalScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
Freedom Fiction Journal is an online magazine publishing novella and novel-length genre fiction across a wide range of genres.
Fringe Press (Novels)Science Fiction · Literary · Mystery · Romance
Open for fiction · responds in ~21 days
Fringe Press seeks unconventional, genre-blending novels built around hyper-original concepts.
Golden Storyline BooksScience Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Young Adult
Open for fiction · responds in ~42 days
Golden Storyline Books is an independent traditional publisher accepting direct submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and book proposals by email.
Guilty Crime Story MagazineMystery
Open for flash fiction · responds in ~60 days
Guilty Crime Story Magazine publishes original crime fiction focused on criminals’ perspectives, with a separate flash-fiction series.
HellBound BooksHorror · Fantasy · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~82 days
HellBound Books Publishing seeks completed novels and short stories for current horror anthologies, while excluding novellas, poetry, and short story collections from novel submissions.
Internet AngelzScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction, flash fiction · responds in ~90 days
Internet Angelz is an online horror press publishing spooky, strange, creepy, and related fiction.
KestrelScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~180 days
Kestrel is a Fairmont State University literary magazine publishing fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, reviews, and work by emerging and established writers.
Level Best BooksMystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~180 days
Level Best Books is an independent publisher seeking mystery and thriller novels, including agented and unagented submissions.
Literally StoriesScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~42 days
Literally Stories is a free literary magazine publishing short fiction of 500–3,000 words from writers around the world.
Literary WanderlustScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~34 days
Literary Wanderlust is an independent traditional publisher accepting novel submissions from U.S.-based authors in several speculative and genre-fiction categories.
Lotus-eaterScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction, flash fiction · responds in ~90 days
Lotus-eater is a free literary magazine accepting year-round English-language poetry, prose, nonfiction, and literary reviews for its online issues.
Lyrical PressRomance · Mystery · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
Lyrical Press, an imprint of Kensington Publishing, seeks submissions of novels and novellas in romance (all genres), psychological suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, new adult, and cozy mysteries, but does not accept poetry, children's, middle grade, or young adult work.
MonkeybicycleScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~112 days
Monkeybicycle publishes online stories and one-sentence stories, accepting work across all genres.
Nat 1 Publishing LLCScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction, poetry · responds in ~270 days
Nat 1 Publishing is a niche science-fiction and fantasy micro-publishing house accepting anthology short stories and poetry as well as full-length standalone works.
Okie ModernLiterary · Mystery · Romance · Humor
Open for fiction, flash fiction · responds in ~15 days
Okie Modern is a biannual literary journal publishing Oklahoma-connected literature, art, and cultural writing.
Quill & Crow Publishing HouseHorror · Fantasy · Young Adult · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~56 days
Quill & Crow Publishing House is an independent traditional small press currently accepting unagented novel and horror novella queries.
Razzle Dazzle CafeScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~30 days
Razzle Dazzle Cafe is an audio zine seeking short stories across genres, especially speculative, mystery, horror, and humorous work.
Running Wild PressScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for flash fiction, other work · responds in ~141 days
Running Wild Press accepts full-length manuscripts for its 2028 catalog and submissions for novella and short-story anthologies across all genres and forms.
Sea Crow PressScience Fiction · Literary · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~84 days
Sea Crow Press is an independent traditional publisher seeking unpublished, place-centered fiction, poetry, and contemplative writing.
Severn HouseMystery · Fantasy · Romance
Open for fiction · responds in ~90 days
Severn House, an imprint of Joffe Books, publishes commercial English-language genre fiction, especially crime, mystery, thriller, fantasy, historical fiction, and romance novels.
Shiraki PressScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~30 days
Shiraki Press seeks adult hopepunk-leaning genre-fiction novellas and short novels.
Sky Island JournalScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for flash fiction · responds in ~18 days
Sky Island Journal is an independent, international, free-access literary journal publishing original poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction online.
SolsticeScience Fiction · Mystery · Literary
Open for fiction · responds in ~184 days
Solstice Literary Magazine is a magazine of diverse voices publishing fiction, poetry, translations, nonfiction, and graphic literature.
Storm PublishingMystery · Romance · Science Fiction · Fantasy
Open for fiction · responds in ~14 days
Storm Publishing seeks gripping commercial fiction with dramatic plots, compelling characters, distinctive voices, and strong reader appeal across several genres.
StoryBottleScience Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary
Open for fiction, flash fiction · responds in ~227 days
StoryBottle Co. publishes literary and speculative fiction, including flash fiction, and accepts regular submissions.
The Freak!Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery
Open for fiction · responds in ~7 days
The Freak! is a Canadian magazine publishing strange, speculative short fiction.
The Lit NerdsLiterary · Fantasy · Science Fiction · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~84 days
The Lit Nerds is a hopeful literary magazine seeking uplifting fiction, poetry, and specified forms of creative nonfiction.
The Tusculum ReviewLiterary · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Horror
Open for fiction · responds in ~180 days
The Tusculum Review publishes risk-taking poetry, fiction, essays, plays, translations, and other literary writing in traditional and experimental modes.
The Yard: Crime BlogMystery · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Romance
Open for fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry · responds in ~61 days
The Yard: Crime Blog accepts crime-related poetry, fiction, flash fiction, and nonfiction submissions by email.
Torrey House PressMystery · Horror · Science Fiction · Fantasy
Open for fiction · responds in ~183 days
Torrey House Press is a mission-driven nonprofit publisher seeking literature connected to place, the natural world, and environmental advocacy in the western United States and beyond.

Showing the first 100 of 105 open markets, closing soonest first. See all 105 with filters →

Some response-time data on this page, and part of the median above, comes from The Submission Grinder.

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