Are you an aspiring writer looking for a platform to showcase your weird and wonderful tales? Look no further than the Drabblecast! This award-winning online speculative fiction magazine and podcast is the perfect home for your unique stories. With a focus on science fiction, fantasy, and horror, the Drabblecast seeks out powerful stories that are simultaneously relatable and delightfully off the beaten path.
In this post, we’ll dive into what the Drabblecast is, what they’re looking for, how to submit your story, and more. So, if you’re ready to share your strange stories with a community of like-minded listeners, keep reading!
What is the Drabblecast?
The Drabblecast is an online speculative fiction magazine and podcast that publishes “Strange Stories for Strange Listeners”. It’s an award-winning platform that features a wide range of genres, but mostly Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. The Drabblecast publishes short stories, Drabbles, Twabbles, and episode art. They aim to feature powerful and original stories that are both relatable and off the beaten path. The stories are treated with full-cast audio production and are often humorous, bizarre, gross, disturbing, badass, interesting, and original.
The Drabblecast has been around since 2007 and has since become a well-respected platform in the world of speculative fiction. It was created by Norm Sherman, who also served as the host and producer until 2019. The Drabblecast has won multiple awards, including the Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast in 2010, 2011, and 2012. It has also been a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The Drabblecast has a loyal fanbase and has featured stories from both established and up-and-coming writers in the genre.
What is the Drabblecast looking for?
The Drabblecast is looking for powerful stories that are simultaneously relatable and a good degree off the beaten path. They are particularly interested in stories that will work well when read aloud and treated with full cast audio production. They are open to a wide range of genres, but they mostly publish Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. The Drabblecast is looking for submissions that are humorous, bizarre, gross, disturbing, badass, interesting, and original. They want stories that will captivate their audience and keep them listening until the very end.
Specifically, The Drabblecast is looking for:
- Short Fiction between 500-4,000 words
- Drabbles, which are exactly 100 words in length and challenge writers to tell a complete story within a tight word limit
- Twabbles, which are exactly 100 characters in length (including spaces) and challenge writers to tell a complete story within a tight character limit
- Episode Art submissions, which can be viewed on their Art page
Who can write for the Drabblecast?
The Drabblecast is open to submissions from anyone who has a knack for telling strange stories. They welcome submissions from writers of every race, religion, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation. Whether you are an established author or just starting out, The Drabblecast wants to hear from you. As long as your story is original and meets their submission guidelines, anyone is welcome to submit their work for consideration.
They also encourage submissions from marginalized groups and writers with diverse perspectives. They are committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in their content and are always looking for new voices to add to their platform. If you have a unique story to tell and a passion for speculative fiction, then The Drabblecast is the perfect place to submit your work.
How much can I earn for my story?
The Drabblecast pays its writers for original fiction at a rate of $.06/word, with a cap of $300.00. They also accept reprint submissions at a pay rate of $.03/word, with a cap of $300.00. However, stories under 500 words (including drabbles and twabbles) are published on a pro bono basis.
In addition to payment, getting published on The Drabblecast can also provide exposure and the opportunity to build your writing portfolio. As an award-winning online speculative fiction magazine and podcast, The Drabblecast has a dedicated audience of “strange listeners” who are always on the lookout for new and exciting stories.
So, if you have a great story to tell and you’re interested in earning some extra money while getting your work out there, The Drabblecast may be the perfect place for you to submit your writing.
Why should I write for the Drabblecast?
There are plenty of reasons why you should consider submitting your work to the Drabblecast. For starters, the Drabblecast is a well-respected publication that has won multiple awards for its content. This means that if your work is accepted and published by the Drabblecast, it will be seen by a large audience of readers and listeners.
Another great reason to write for the Drabblecast is the opportunity to experiment with your writing. The Drabblecast is looking for stories that are unusual, bizarre, and offbeat, which means that you have the chance to explore new genres, styles, and themes that you might not have tried before. Additionally, the Drabblecast is known for its high-quality audio productions, so you can be sure that your work will be presented in the best possible light.
Of course, another big reason to write for the Drabblecast is the compensation. While the Drabblecast is a non-profit organization, they do offer payment for original fiction submissions, and they have a generous pay rate of $.06/word with a cap of $300.00. This means that if your work is accepted, you’ll not only get the satisfaction of seeing your work published, but you’ll also be paid for your efforts.
Ultimately, the Drabblecast is a great publication to write for if you’re looking to expand your writing portfolio, get your work seen by a wider audience, and get paid for your efforts. With its focus on strange and unusual stories, its commitment to high-quality audio production, and its reputation as a respected publication, the Drabblecast is definitely worth considering for any writer looking to make a name for themselves in the world of speculative fiction.
How do I submit my story?
To submit your story to The Drabblecast, follow these steps:
- Send an email to submissions@drabblecast.org with your story attached as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file.
- Include your name and story title in the subject line of the email.
- In the body of the email, provide a brief bio that includes your preferred gender pronouns, story word count, and any information regarding the submission’s publication history or indication if the work is original and unpublished.
- You do not need to submit a cover letter.
- Wait for a response from the editorial team. The Drabblecast aims to respond within three months, but it’s often sooner. If you haven’t received a response after 90 days, feel free to inquire about the status of your submission.
- If your story is accepted for publication, The Drabblecast will request first world electronic rights (text and audio), first print rights, and non-exclusive anthology rights for any print and electronic anthologies.
Remember, The Drabblecast welcomes submissions from writers of every race, religion, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation. And don’t forget to check out the Drabblecast website for more information about submission guidelines and other details.
