Submissions

We're always looking for fresh voices and untold stories. Cetera publishes original short fiction and poetry that surprises, challenges, and moves readers. If you write stories that explore the unexpected—tales of memory, rebellion, folklore, or worlds that change without warning—we want to hear from you.

What we’re looking for

Cetera is currently accepting short fiction and poetry submissions. Please review the guidelines below to get a betters sense of what we're looking for.

Short Fiction Genres we're most interested in: Literary, speculative, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, weird fiction, and stories that defy categorization. We love work that blends genres or pushes boundaries. But most importantly, we believe the best stories come from a sincere, honest place.

Poetry: Lyric, narrative, speculative, surreal, formal, experimental, hybrid, and pieces that resist easy labels. We love work that blends genres or pushes boundaries in form and feeling.

Themes: While we publish diverse work, we're especially drawn to pieces that explore:

  • Memory and its unreliability
  • Quiet acts of rebellion
  • Folklore and mythology, both traditional and reimagined
  • Immersive worlds
  • The strange hiding in the ordinary
  • Experience-driven verse that feels lived-in, specific, and human

Voice: We want stories written with care, intention, and the belief that fiction and poetry can be one of the best forms of surprise. Fresh perspectives and unique voices are always welcome.

Submission guidelines

Length: 1000-5,000 words for short fiction and up to 3 poems per submission. We’ll occasionally consider flash fiction under 1000 words if it's exceptional.

Format:

  • Submit as a .doc or .docx file; if you're submitting both fiction and poetry, please send in separate files
  • Fiction must be double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar)
  • Poetry may follow your preferred spacing and formatting
  • Include your name and contact information on the first page
  • Title your file: "LastName_StoryTitle" for fiction and "LastName_PoemTitle" for poetry (even if you're sending 3 poems, just pick the title of the first one)

Content:

  • Previously published work is OK, but please let us know where else the piece has been published
  • Simultaneous submissions are OK, but please let us know if the piece has been accepted elsewhere
  • One fiction piece OR one packet of poems per submission
  • Include a brief cover letter (2-3 sentences about yourself)

AI Policy: We maintain a strict no-AI policy. We do not accept work that has been created, assisted, edited, or enhanced by artificial intelligence tools of any kind. This includes but is not limited to:

  • AI writing assistants (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
  • AI grammar and style checkers beyond basic spell-check
  • AI plot or poem generators
  • AI-generated ideas, prompts, outlines, or conceptual frameworks
  • Any AI tool used in the writing, editing, or revision process

We believe in the irreplaceable value of human creativity and authentic voice. By submitting to Cetera, you certify that your work is entirely your own creation, written without AI assistance.

How to submit

Please send your submission to ceterasubmissions [@] gmail.com

Subject line: "Fiction Submission: [Story Title]" for short fiction and "Submission: Poetry — [Your Name]" for poetry.

Include:

  • Your story or poem packet as an attachment
  • Brief cover letter in the email body (1-2 sentences)
  • Your preferred name for publication
  • Any relevant bio information (under 100 words)
  • Optional author's notes about your story (inspiration, process, interesting facts, etc.)

The fine print

Payment: We are a labor of love and cannot offer payment at this time. What we can offer is careful editorial attention, original artwork to accompany your story, and promotion to our growing community of readers. Additionally, if a reader "tips" your story or poems, all proceeds go directly to you.

Rights: We ask for first serial rights and the right to archive your story on our platform. All other rights remain with you.

Response Time: We aim to respond within 1-2 weeks.

Publication: If your story is accepted, it will be published in our weekly Thursday newsletter and archived on cetera magazine.com. Selected stories may also be featured on our podcast, Worlds Without Warning, where authors have the option of reading their own work if they so choose.

Questions?

Read through our archive to get a feel for what we publish. If you have specific questions about submissions, email us at the address above.

We can't wait to discover your worlds without warning.