The horror genre continues to thrive in 2026, captivating readers with tales of supernatural terror, psychological dread, cosmic horror, and visceral frights. From atmospheric gothic novels to extreme splatterpunk, the horror market welcomes diverse voices exploring humanity’s deepest fears through compelling narratives.
For writers crafting tales of terror—whether haunted house stories, creature features, psychological horror, or dark fantasy—this comprehensive guide presents over 45 horror publishers currently accepting submissions in 2026.
Professional Support for Horror Writers
Horror demands unique skills—building dread, crafting effective scares, balancing gore with story, and creating atmospheric terror that lingers. Adept Ghostwriting provides specialized horror editing services including developmental feedback on pacing and tension, ensuring your scares land effectively, and strategic publisher targeting based on your horror subgenre. We help you transform your terrifying visions into publishable manuscripts that keep readers awake at night. Visit Adept Ghostwriting for expert horror writing support.
Major Horror Publishers
1. Tor Nightfire (Macmillan)
Overview: Tor’s horror imprint publishes literary horror and dark fantasy with high production values and major publisher marketing support.
Horror Types: Literary horror, dark fantasy, gothic horror, atmospheric terror, cross-genre horror
Acceptance Rate: Less than 1% (agented only)
Price: Advances $10,000-$100,000+
Rating: 4.8/5.0
Open for Submissions: Agented submissions only
2. Titan Books
Overview: UK publisher with strong horror list including tie-ins and original horror novels with cinematic appeal.
Horror Types: Cosmic horror, creature horror, gothic tales, dark fiction, media tie-ins
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Price: Traditional publishing; competitive advances
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Open for Submissions: Primarily agented; occasional open calls
3. Cemetery Dance Publications
Overview: Premier specialty horror publisher with 30+ years publishing masters of the genre and discovering new talent.
Horror Types: All horror subgenres, limited editions, collectible horror, signed editions
Acceptance Rate: 3-5%
Price: Traditional publishing; specialty press model
Rating: 4.7/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited reading periods; check website
4. ChiZine Publications
Overview: Canadian publisher specializing in weird fiction, bizarro horror, and experimental dark narratives.
Horror Types: Weird fiction, bizarro, experimental horror, dark speculative fiction
Acceptance Rate: 2-4%
Price: Traditional publishing with modest advances
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited windows; primarily agented
5. Flame Tree Press
Overview: UK publisher producing beautiful editions of horror and dark fiction with atmospheric, character-driven narratives.
Horror Types: Gothic horror, atmospheric terror, dark fiction, psychological horror, folk horror
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Price: Traditional publishing
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Open for Submissions: Multiple reading periods annually
Independent Horror Publishers
6. Crystal Lake Publishing
Overview: Award-winning independent horror press publishing novels, novellas, and anthologies across all horror subgenres.
Horror Types: Extreme horror, psychological terror, dark fiction, splatterpunk, supernatural horror
Acceptance Rate: 5-8%
Price: Traditional independent publishing
Rating: 4.4/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular submission windows
7. Grindhouse Press
Overview: Specializing in extreme horror and transgressive fiction for readers seeking intense, boundary-pushing narratives.
Horror Types: Extreme horror, splatterpunk, bizarro, transgressive fiction, hardcore horror
Acceptance Rate: 6-10%
Price: Small press royalty model
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Open for Submissions: Check website for open periods
8. Dark Regions Press
Overview: Long-running specialty publisher focusing on dark fiction, horror, and suspense with quality production.
Horror Types: Dark fiction, supernatural horror, suspense, psychological terror, noir horror
Acceptance Rate: 4-7%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.3/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited reading periods
9. Bloodshot Books
Overview: Independent press publishing dark fiction, horror, and thrillers with emphasis on character-driven terror.
Horror Types: Psychological horror, dark thrillers, supernatural terror, creature horror
Acceptance Rate: 7-12%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular submission opportunities
10. Journalstone Publishing
Overview: Publishes horror, dark fiction, and thrillers through multiple imprints with professional production standards.
Horror Types: Horror novels, dark fiction, thrillers, supernatural terror, multiple subgenres
Acceptance Rate: 6-10%
Price: Traditional small press publishing
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Open for Submissions: Year-round with guidelines
11. Raw Dog Screaming Press
Overview: Avant-garde publisher specializing in bizarro fiction, weird horror, and experimental dark narratives.
Horror Types: Bizarro, weird fiction, experimental horror, surreal terror, unconventional narratives
Acceptance Rate: 5-9%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 4.3/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited windows announced on website
12. DarkLit Press
Overview: Small press focusing on dark literary fiction and horror with emphasis on prose quality and innovation.
Horror Types: Literary horror, dark fiction, psychological terror, atmospheric horror
Acceptance Rate: 8-14%
Price: Small press royalty model
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular reading periods
13. Cemetery Gates Media
Overview: Publisher of horror novels and anthologies with focus on accessible terror across multiple subgenres.
Horror Types: Supernatural horror, creature features, psychological terror, haunted house stories
Acceptance Rate: 8-15%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Open submission windows
14. Encyclopocalypse Publications
Overview: Independent press publishing horror, dark fantasy, and speculative fiction with professional standards.
Horror Types: Horror novels, dark fantasy, speculative terror, supernatural fiction
Acceptance Rate: 10-16%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Open for Submissions: Check website for current status
15. Black Hare Press
Overview: Australian publisher of horror, dark fantasy, and speculative fiction across novels and anthologies.
Horror Types: Horror fiction, dark fantasy, speculative terror, gothic horror, diverse subgenres
Acceptance Rate: 10-18%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular anthology calls and novel submissions
16. Death’s Head Press
Overview: Extreme horror publisher for readers seeking intense, visceral narratives pushing genre boundaries.
Horror Types: Extreme horror, splatterpunk, hardcore terror, transgressive fiction
Acceptance Rate: 7-12%
Price: Small press royalty model
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Open for Submissions: Submission windows announced on social media
17. Madness Heart Press
Overview: Independent publisher specializing in psychological horror and dark fiction with character depth.
Horror Types: Psychological horror, dark fiction, supernatural terror, character-driven horror
Acceptance Rate: 9-15%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular reading periods
18. Trepidatio Publishing
Overview: JournalStone imprint focusing on cross-genre horror blending terror with other speculative elements.
Horror Types: Cross-genre horror, dark fantasy, horror-thriller, supernatural suspense
Acceptance Rate: 6-11%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Open for Submissions: Year-round submissions
19. Thing in the Window Publications
Overview: Small press publishing horror novels and collections with emphasis on atmospheric storytelling.
Horror Types: Atmospheric horror, supernatural terror, gothic fiction, ghost stories
Acceptance Rate: 8-14%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited windows; check website
20. Weirdpunk Books
Overview: Publisher of weird horror, bizarro, and unconventional dark fiction challenging genre expectations.
Horror Types: Weird horror, bizarro, experimental terror, surreal horror, punk aesthetics
Acceptance Rate: 10-18%
Price: Small press model
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Open for Submissions: Open submission periods
Specialty Horror Publishers
21. PS Publishing
Overview: UK specialty publisher producing limited edition horror and dark fantasy with exceptional production quality.
Horror Types: Literary horror, dark fantasy, gothic fiction, classic-style horror, collectible editions
Acceptance Rate: 3-6%
Price: Specialty press; limited edition model
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Open for Submissions: Primarily solicited; occasional open calls
22. Necro Publications
Overview: Long-running horror press specializing in extreme and hardcore horror with no content restrictions.
Horror Types: Extreme horror, hardcore terror, splatterpunk, transgressive fiction
Acceptance Rate: 7-13%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Check website for submission status
23. Dim Shores
Overview: Small press focusing on weird horror, cosmic terror, and Lovecraftian fiction with quality production.
Horror Types: Cosmic horror, Lovecraftian fiction, weird tales, existential terror
Acceptance Rate: 6-12%
Price: Small press royalty model
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited reading periods
24. Apex Book Company
Overview: Publisher of dark science fiction and horror with cross-genre sensibilities and inclusive focus.
Horror Types: Science fiction horror, dark SF, space horror, technological terror
Acceptance Rate: 5-10%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Open for Submissions: Periodic submission windows
25. Stitched Smile Publications
Overview: Independent horror publisher focusing on diverse voices and fresh perspectives in dark fiction.
Horror Types: Diverse horror, psychological terror, supernatural fiction, varied subgenres
Acceptance Rate: 10-16%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular submission opportunities
26. Corpus Press
Overview: Small press publishing body horror, medical horror, and visceral terror with strong stomach required.
Horror Types: Body horror, medical terror, visceral horror, biological nightmares
Acceptance Rate: 8-15%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Submission windows announced
27. Off Limits Press
Overview: Publisher of extreme horror, erotica horror, and taboo fiction without content limitations.
Horror Types: Extreme horror, erotic horror, taboo fiction, transgressive narratives
Acceptance Rate: 12-20%
Price: Small press royalty model
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Open for Submissions: Open to appropriate content
28. Horrified Press
Overview: Australian publisher of horror anthologies and novels with focus on psychological and supernatural terror.
Horror Types: Psychological horror, supernatural fiction, ghost stories, anthology focus
Acceptance Rate: 10-18%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular anthology calls
29. Unnerving
Overview: Publisher of dark fiction and horror novellas with emphasis on unsettling narratives.
Horror Types: Psychological horror, dark fiction, novellas, unsettling narratives
Acceptance Rate: 7-14%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Novella-focused submissions
30. Grey Matter Press
Overview: Independent publisher of horror, dark fiction, and thrillers with professional editing and production.
Horror Types: Horror fiction, dark thrillers, supernatural terror, psychological horror
Acceptance Rate: 6-12%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Open for Submissions: Selective acquisition; check status
Digital and Hybrid Horror Publishers
31. Crossroad Press
Overview: Digital-first publisher with extensive horror catalog including reprints and original fiction.
Horror Types: All horror subgenres, reprints, digital-first publishing, varied terror
Acceptance Rate: 8-15%
Price: Digital royalty model
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Open to queries
32. Books of the Dead Press
Overview: Digital and print publisher specializing in zombie fiction and post-apocalyptic horror.
Horror Types: Zombie fiction, post-apocalyptic horror, survival horror, outbreak narratives
Acceptance Rate: 10-18%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Open for Submissions: Zombie-focused submissions welcome
33. Sinister Grin Press
Overview: Publisher of horror novels, novellas, and anthologies with focus on entertaining terror.
Horror Types: Horror fiction, supernatural terror, creature features, anthology projects
Acceptance Rate: 9-16%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Open for Submissions: Regular submission windows
34. Darkwater Syndicate
Overview: Independent press publishing dark fiction across horror, noir, and crime with quality focus.
Horror Types: Dark fiction, noir horror, crime horror, atmospheric terror
Acceptance Rate: 8-14%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Open for Submissions: Submission guidelines on website
35. Kelp Queen Press
Overview: Small press focusing on aquatic horror, environmental terror, and ocean-based nightmares.
Horror Types: Aquatic horror, environmental terror, ocean horror, maritime nightmares
Acceptance Rate: 10-18%
Price: Small press royalty model
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Open for Submissions: Aquatic-themed preferred
University and Literary Horror Presses
36. Valancourt Books
Overview: Publisher specializing in Gothic fiction reprints and new literary horror with classic sensibilities.
Horror Types: Gothic horror, literary terror, classic-style horror, Victorian nightmares
Acceptance Rate: 3-7%
Price: Literary press model
Rating: 4.4/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited; primarily reprints but accepts exceptional original Gothic fiction
37. Undertow Publications
Overview: Canadian small press publishing literary dark fiction and horror with prose emphasis.
Horror Types: Literary horror, dark fiction, atmospheric terror, prose-focused horror
Acceptance Rate: 5-10%
Price: Small press traditional publishing
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited reading periods
38. Hippocampus Press
Overview: Specialty publisher focusing on Lovecraftian horror, weird fiction, and scholarly horror studies.
Horror Types: Lovecraftian horror, weird fiction, cosmic terror, scholarly horror criticism
Acceptance Rate: 4-8%
Price: Specialty press model
Rating: 4.3/5.0
Open for Submissions: Scholarly and Lovecraftian submissions
39. Word Horde
Overview: Publisher of weird fiction and literary horror with emphasis on quality prose and innovation.
Horror Types: Weird fiction, literary horror, cosmic terror, innovative dark fiction
Acceptance Rate: 4-9%
Price: Small press traditional model
Rating: 4.3/5.0
Open for Submissions: Limited windows; high standards
40. Grimscribe Press
Overview: Small press specializing in cosmic horror, weird fiction, and Lovecraftian-influenced narratives.
Horror Types: Cosmic horror, weird fiction, Lovecraftian tales, existential terror
Acceptance Rate: 6-12%
Price: Small press royalty structure
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Open for Submissions: Cosmic horror focus
Additional Horror Publishers (41-45+)
41. Samhain Publishing (Note: Closed 2017)
Status: No longer accepting submissions; explore alternatives listed above
42. Eerie River Publishing
Overview: Canadian publisher of horror anthologies and novels with community focus.
Horror Types: Various horror subgenres, anthology focus, Canadian voices
Acceptance Rate: 10-18%
Open for Submissions: Regular anthology calls
43. Omnium Gatherum
Overview: Publisher of horror, dark fantasy, and weird fiction with professional standards.
Horror Types: Horror, dark fantasy, weird fiction, various subgenres
Acceptance Rate: 7-14%
Open for Submissions: Selective acquisition
44. Evil Girlfriend Media
Overview: Publisher of genre fiction including horror with inclusive focus and quality storytelling.
Horror Types: Horror fiction, dark fantasy, diverse voices, quality narratives
Acceptance Rate: 8-15%
Open for Submissions: Submission windows announced
45. Thunderstorm Books
Overview: Specialty publisher of signed limited editions and collectible horror with museum-quality production.
Horror Types: Limited edition horror, collectible terror, signed editions, high-end production
Acceptance Rate: 2-5%
Open for Submissions: Primarily solicited; exceptional proposals considered
Other Notable Publishers
Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing: Bizarro and weird horror; 10-16% acceptance
Dynatox Ministries: Extreme and experimental horror; 12-20% acceptance
Forsaken Press: Small horror publisher; various subgenres; 10-18% acceptance
Dagda Publishing: Horror and dark fiction; 8-15% acceptance
Silver Shamrock Publishing: Horror anthologies and novels; 9-16% acceptance
Horror Submission Success Guide
Horror publishers evaluate manuscripts on atmosphere, originality, character development, and effective scares. Successful submissions demonstrate:
Atmospheric World-Building: Horror settings must feel tangible and oppressive. Readers should feel the dread through vivid sensory details.
Original Concepts: Avoid tired tropes—vampires, zombies, and haunted houses need fresh angles. What makes your take unique?
Character Investment: Readers must care about characters before terrorizing them. Flat characters undermine even the best horror concepts.
Effective Pacing: Balance slow-burn tension with shock moments. Constant intensity exhausts; strategic scares maximize impact.
Strong Prose: Horror depends on precise word choice. Weak prose dilutes terror; powerful language amplifies dread.
Subgenre Targeting: Match your manuscript to appropriate publishers. Extreme horror publishers reject atmospheric ghost stories; literary presses dismiss splatterpunk. Research thoroughly.
Content Warnings: Some publishers require content warnings for extreme violence, sexual content, or triggering material. Check guidelines.
Professional Presentation: Horror manuscripts need clean formatting, proper grammar, and professional polish despite disturbing content.
Most horror publishers operate as small presses with limited staff. Response times vary from weeks to over a year. Patience and persistence matter. Keep writing while waiting.
The horror community values supportive networking. Engage with other horror writers on social media, attend horror conventions, and participate in writing communities. These connections provide valuable feedback, submission opportunities, and moral support through the challenging publication process.
Note: Publisher information is current as of January 2026. Horror publishers frequently change submission policies. Always verify current guidelines on publisher websites before submitting. Acceptance rates are estimates based on available industry data.
