Horror Magazines

The Most Comprehensive Horror Magazine Listing Online Since 1999

Our Authority in Horror Publishing

Every Writer has been listing literary magazines online since 1999, making us the web's original and longest-running directory of publication opportunities for writers. For over 25 years, we've been connecting horror authors with publishers, building a reputation as the most trusted source for horror market information on the internet.

As pioneers in the online literary market space, we've watched horror publishing evolve from print-only periodicals to today's diverse ecosystem of digital publications, podcasts, and multimedia platforms. Our decades of experience and relationships with editors give us unparalleled insight into the horror publishing landscape.

Welcome to the internet's most extensive directory of horror magazines and publications. Whether you're seeking a home for your terrifying tale or researching the current horror publishing landscape, our comprehensive database puts the entire horror magazine ecosystem at your fingertips.

How to Use This Directory

Our horror magazine listings are organized alphabetically and fully searchable. We've implemented the following system to help you navigate:

• Active Links: Magazine names followed by ">" link directly to their submission pages
• Defunct Publications: Marked with "X" or "DEFUNCT" for historical reference
• Search Filters: Filter by payment rates, submission periods, or horror subgenres
• Last Updated: Each listing shows when we last verified its accuracy

Found a broken link? Email us at everywriter@outlook.com with "Horror Directory Update" in the subject line.

Our Quality Standards

While our directory aims to be comprehensive, we maintain strict standards for which publications we include. Every horror magazine in our listings must demonstrate sustainability and professionalism:

• Established Presence: We only list publications that show staying power in the industry
• Institutional Backing: Magazines must either have organizational support or be independently stable
• Professional Web Presence: Publications must maintain their own official domain (no free hosting sites)
• Editorial Standards: Evidence of consistent editorial oversight and quality control
• Reliable Publication Schedule: Demonstrated history of meeting announced publication dates

These criteria ensure that writers submitting to our listed magazines have the best possible chance of a professional experience and actual publication if accepted. We regularly review all listings to maintain these standards.

The Vital Importance of Horror Magazines

Horror magazines have shaped our nightmares since the 1600s, when early horror pamphlets circulated tales of the macabre among eager readers. These publications directly influenced classics like Dracula and Frankenstein, as Bram Stoker himself was known to devour these frightening periodicals.

Today's horror magazines continue this legacy as the beating heart of the genre. They serve as laboratories where emerging horror conventions first take form before spreading to novels, film, and television. Stephen King's "Creepshow" paid homage to the horror comics and pulp magazines that influenced him, demonstrating how these publications nurture the seeds of tomorrow's horror landmarks.

While they may appear small in circulation, horror magazines wield outsized influence. They are the true innovators—read religiously by hardcore fans, established authors, and tomorrow's horror visionaries. These publications aren't merely repositories of terror; they're the cornerstone of the entire horror ecosystem.

Categories of Horror Publications

Professional Horror Markets

Publications paying 8¢+ per word (SFWA professional rates)

Semi-Professional Horror Markets

Publications paying 3-7¢ per word

Token Payment Horror Markets

Publications paying below semi-pro rates but offering compensation

Exposure Horror Markets

Non-paying publications offering visibility

Specialized Horror Publications

• Cosmic/Lovecraftian Horror
• Gothic/Victorian Horror
• Body Horror
• Folk Horror
• Psychological Horror
• Supernatural Horror

Featured Horror Publications

Cemetery Dance

The premier horror publication running since 1988, featuring works by Stephen King, Peter Straub, and emerging voices. Published in both print and digital formats with competitive payment rates.

Nightmare Magazine

A monthly digital publication of horror and dark fantasy, edited by Wendy Wagner. Pays professional rates and has been nominated for multiple genre awards.

The Dark Magazine

A monthly electronic publication of dark fantasy and horror, paying professional rates for fiction up to 6,000 words.

Complete Horror Magazine Directory

All listings are alphabetical and updated monthly. Click on any title to visit their submission guidelines.

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Resources for Horror Writers

Submission Guidelines Decoder

Understanding what horror editors want isn't always straightforward. Common terms you'll encounter:

• Dark Fiction: Typically broader than pure horror, including dark fantasy and supernatural elements
• Psychological Horror: Focus on mental/emotional terror rather than gore or monsters
• No Gore Porn: Violence should serve the story, not be the story
• Lovecraftian: Cosmic horror, unknowable entities, existential dread

Essential Resources

• Horror Writers Association - Professional organization for horror writers
• The Submission Grinder - Free submission tracker and market database
• Horror Tree - Regular listings of horror submission calls

Community and Updates

Have questions about a specific horror magazine? Post in the comments below. Our community of horror writers often shares insights about response times, editor preferences, and acceptance rates.

Want to help keep this resource current? Email us about new horror magazines or status changes to existing listings at everywriter@outlook.com. Together, we can maintain the web's most valuable resource for horror publication opportunities.

Last updated: March 2025

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