OPEN CALL: Hatching Season

HATCHING SEASON: A CHARITY HORROR ANTHOLOGY

Hatching Season is a horror anthology exploring the terror of infestation — the creeping moment when something unwanted begins to spread.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

June 28th 2026

WORDCOUNT:

2,500--5,000 words

PAYMENT:

Ebook Contributor copy -- the funds raised will go to Mind charity.

LINK TO ORIGINAL CALL

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WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR:

Something is multiplying.

Something is nesting.

Something is about to hatch.

Hatching Season is a horror anthology exploring the terror of infestation — the creeping moment when something unwanted begins to spread.

Eggs beneath the skin. Parasites in the bloodstream. Swarms in the walls. Fungal tendrils in the lungs. Creatures breeding in forgotten spaces. A mind slowly taken over.

Infestation horror works because it is intimate. It gets inside us. It grows where it shouldn’t.

For this anthology, we’re looking for stories that capture that unsettling sense of invasion, multiplication and loss of control.

Make readers itch. Make them squirm. Make them check the dark corners of the room.

Stories that explore infestation in any form, including but not limited to:

• parasites or insects

• fungal or biological infection

• alien organisms

• supernatural broods or ancient creatures

• body horror transformations

• swarms or spreading entities

• psychological or metaphysical infestation

Original ideas are strongly encouraged. If it crawls, breeds, spreads or consumes, it may belong here.

PLEASE DON'T SEND

• To help shape the anthology, please avoid:

• extreme sexual content

• splatterpunk without story substance

• fan fiction

• AI-generated stories

Dark, disturbing and strange is welcome. Gratuitous shock for its own sake is less likely to be accepted.

REPRINTS?

Yes!

Reprints are welcome (please provide details of previous publication on submission form).

MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS?

Yes!

(max 3 per author).

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS?

Yes!

Simultaneous submissions welcome.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All profits from the book will be donated to Mind, which provides vital support for people experiencing mental health challenges.

FORMATTING GUIDELINES:

• Times New Roman font

• Size 12pt font

• Double line spacing

Do not include your name or any identifying information in the document. Submissions will be read blind to ensure fairness.

You will be able to include your name and contact details in the submission form.

Submit via Form on the Original Call Page