BODY SHOTS is now OPEN for submissions. Our annual short‑fiction anthology returns with the same core belief that has guided it from the beginning: genre is a construct; genre does not exist. Once again, we are seeking bold, voice‑driven short fiction and striking black‑and‑white photography.

Please read the guidelines below carefully. Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will be unread or unviewed.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR:

From a genre standpoint, anything goes. Across BODY SHOTS and Body Lines, we’ve published everything from slice‑of‑life, stream‑of‑consciousness, horror, comedy, science fiction, slipstream, transgression, crime fiction, weird fiction, contemporary realism, historical fiction, and surrealism — the light, the dark, the soft, the edgy, the experimental, and the traditional.

We do not curate our selections to make the book adhere to any particular label or aesthetic throughline.

What matters to us is ambition. We want writers’ big swings — the work you write when you’re most in tune with your own voice and willing to push that voice to its limits.

WORD COUNT:

We prefer stories in the 5,000–7,500 word range, though this is not a hard line; shorter pieces have appeared in previous issues.

If your story is significantly longer, we encourage you to consider submitting to our sister publication, Body Lines, which focuses exclusively on long fiction (novelettes and novellas). Your chances may be stronger there.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Each issue of BODY SHOTS also features black‑and‑white photography. Photographers are encouraged to submit their work for consideration. We will select the photo(s) that resonate most strongly with the issue and may feature them on the front and/or back cover.

RIGHTS (WORDS):

Subtle Body Press acquires First Worldwide Rights for print, e‑book/digital, and audiobook, with a one‑year exclusivity. If your work is accepted by a recognized “Year’s Best” anthology within that timeframe, that is acceptable as long as Subtle Body Press is credited as the first publisher, as detailed in the publishing agreement.

RIGHTS (PHOTOS):

We acquire nonexclusive worldwide rights and transformative rights for use on the print, e‑book/digital, and audiobook covers. Previously released work will be considered, but please ensure your other licensing agreements are nonexclusive and do not conflict with our usage.

COMPENSATION:

  • $150 for works of 5,000+ words

  • $75 for works of 2,500–5,000 words

  • $35 for works of 2,500 words or fewer

  • $150 per photo for photography selected for the issue

SUBMISSION FORMAT & WHERE TO SUBMIT:

We only accept short fiction that has not been previously published in any medium.

Please send your work (DOCX only, Shunn format only: 12‑point, double‑spaced, Times New Roman or Courier) or your photographs to: bodyshots (at) subtlebodypress (dot) com

Submissions that do not follow these formatting guidelines will not be read.

We do accept simultaneous submissions, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

WHAT TO INCLUDE (AND NOT INCLUDE):

  • You do not need to pitch the story; let the work speak for itself.

  • You may include a general sense of genre or genre intersections if you wish.

  • Please do not include trigger warnings — our editor prefers to enter the text unguarded and spoiler‑free.

  • Please do include your name, a short bio, social‑media links and/or website, your story’s title, and its word count.

  • Subject line format: BODY SHOTS SUB — [TITLE] — [YOUR NAME]

NOTIFICATION:

BODY SHOTS receives a high volume of submissions for such a small team — and our editor reads everything himself. We do not offer feedback or send rejection emails for Body Shots.

If your story is accepted, you will be notified by email.

If we begin announcing the authors selected for the issue and you have not heard from us, it means your story was not accepted for this issue. However, unless you withdraw it, your submission remains in our queue for consideration for future issues.

If your story is not accepted, please do not take it as a reflection on you or your writing. We are writers too, and we know how subjective this process is. Never let it discourage you from writing.

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY WRITING!