Whitaker Lyon

Open to: Stories must contain a Virginia element; writers worldwide may submit. Submitters must be 18 by January 1, 2027, or have parental or guardian permission.

Virginia Sideways seeks original alternate-history short stories with a Virginia element, including blended science fiction, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, or light speculative fiction; 3,000–10,000 words; PG-13 content; submissions run August 1–October 31, 2026, and acceptances or rejections will not be sent until after October 31.

Open to: current high-school students in Virginia or West Virginia may submit; homeschooled students ages 14–18 are also welcome.

High School Fantastic: Magic, Mayhem, and Midterms seeks original unpublished speculative short fiction about weird, wonderful, terrifying, or hilarious high-school experiences; 700–5,000 words; PG-13 content. Submissions open October 1 and close December 31.

Open to: Stories must take place in New Jersey; writers worldwide may submit. Submitters must be 18 by January 31, 2027, or have parental or guardian permission.

New Jersey Fantastic seeks original speculative flash fiction set in New Jersey, including fantasy, horror, science fiction, slipstream, or magical realism; 700–1,000 words, strict limits; PG-13 content. Submissions are open until filled or December 31, 2026.

Chesapeake Fantastic seeks original speculative fiction set in or near the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including fantasy, horror, science fiction, slipstream, or magical realism; 2,000–5,000 words, strict limits; PG-13 content. The page states a submission window of January 1–13, 2027.

The main guidelines state that Whitaker Lyon Press is currently closed to novel submissions.

The main guidelines state that Whitaker Lyon Press is currently closed to novella submissions.