OCEAN OF THE DEAD
Horror Stories on the High Seas
Wicked Shadow Press invites horror fiction submissions for publication in its anthology “OCEAN OF THE DEAD” (Expected release: July). The submission deadline is May 20, 2026.
Wicked Shadow Press is diving into the abyss, and we want you to join us.
We are seeking original works of ocean horror for our forthcoming anthology, Ocean of the Dead, to be edited by special guest editor Chad Anctil.
We are looking for stories that include haunted shipwrecks and drowned crews that still hunger; monsters born of pollution, pressure, or primal rage; cults of the abyss, leviathans older than language, dark gods that sleep in trenches; Psychological horror from isolation, sonar madness, or the slow realisation that something down in the abyss is looking back.
Feel free to come up with your own storyline or get started with one of our WRITING PROMPTS:
- A cartographer specialising in maritime charts discovers that certain regions of the ocean subtly shift position over time. Entire islands appear and disappear. Not geographically, but existentially, from records, photographs, memories…
- A coastal village in India notices that after every full moon, the tide brings back objects that were lost at sea. Then it begins returning people. Not exactly corpses. Not entirely alive either.
- Divers find a legendary pirate ship that sank with an emperor’s fortune, perfectly preserved in anoxic brine. But the brine is a natural pickling agent. The pirates aren’t dead… they’re dormant, waiting
- A recovered 18th-century ship’s log describes a priest who convinced the crew that drowning is baptism, preparing wicked souls for ascension into heaven. Every entry ends with one fewer crew member.
- Mutiny may not have been the best idea, but what could the crew do? The captain, smitten by a siren’s song, was desperate to find the mermaids’ nest, refusing to turn around despite dwindling rations & mystery deaths.
- The leviathan’s scales are perfectly reflective, curved like funhouse mirrors. When a ship sees it, the crew doesn’t see the monster. They see themselves, distorted into monstrous shapes. Paranoia erupts.
All Horror subgenres welcome. The story must feature the ocean in a prominent/meaningful way.
WE ARE ACCEPTING
Short Stories: (between 1500-8000 words) Please send no more than ONE fiction
Flash Fiction: (between 100-1500 words) Please send no more than TWO flash fictions
We are considering TRANSLATED WORKS as well. Submission of translated works must be accompanied by a statement declaring that the translator has obtained the author’s permission and their publisher’s, if required.
Simultaneous Submissions are welcome but the author must inform us by e-mail as soon as the submitted piece is accepted elsewhere. Pieces cannot be withdrawn once Wicked Shadow Press informs the author of its acceptance for publication.
We consider reprints but generally do not publish them unless they are exceptional. Please mention in the mail body in case your submission is a reprint.
At present, we are unable to pay our contributors. Each contributor shall receive a COMPLIMENTARY DIGITAL COPY of the anthology as soon as it publishes.
Manuscripts should directly be sent to WickedAnthology@gmail.com
Please write Submission for OCEAN OF THE DEAD in the subject line of your submission email.
Please submit your files in the following formats: .doc /.docx /.txt. DO NOT submit PDFs.
Wicked Shadow Press uses non exclusive rights to publish in its anthologies. Authors are free to republish their work anywhere else once it has been published.
Please submit only original pieces. Wicked Shadow Press or the editor/s of the anthology shall not be responsible for any disputes arising due to plagiarism or copyright infringement.
Each piece MUST be attached with a short bio of the author, preferably within 100 words, and if possible, a photograph of the author to go along with publication.
NOTE: We typically reply within a month after receiving submissions. However, replies can be delayed under unforeseen circumstances.
