Emerald City Ghosts is a new online publication of paranormal writing and horror. They publish fiction and poetry, as well as movie and book reviews. Based in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, they especially love spooky writing that evokes aspects of that region (without necessarily being set there): “We do have a special place in our hearts for the rain, the gloom…the cold slime of the banana slugs oozing along the forest floor.”

That said, Emerald City Ghosts loves “ghost stories of any kind” as well as monster stories: “especially if it’s an obscure monster or a monster created by you.” You can read the journal online to get a sense of what they like.

Emerald City Ghosts is published monthly online, and each issue contains around five pieces of writing. They also publish weekly installments of longer ghost stories. Right now, they’re publishing parts of a story called “The Haunting of Swinomish Channel” each week.

Emerald City Ghosts accepts general submissions year-round. They also accept submissions for themed calls throughout the year. Now through October 31, they’re accepting submissions on the theme of “Signs and Omens.” After that, their upcoming themes will include: “Oceans,” “Winter and Winter Solstice,” “Cosmic Horror and Old Gods,” “Curses,” “The Haunted House,” and “Summer Camp.” They also accept general submissions both during and after themed calls.

Authors are required to subscribe to the journal’s free Substack newsletter before submitting. Authors of fiction may submit flashes up to 500 words, or short stories up to 2,000 words. Poets may submit poems up to 50 lines (though they prefer poems under 20 lines). They also accept movie and book reviews up to 1,000 words.

Emerald City Ghosts encourages authors to submit work that doesn’t quite fit these parameters if it’s a good fit in other ways: “We’ll make exceptions for the right piece!” That said, all writing submitting should have a paranormal element, and they prefer stories with “grungy, rainy, coastal vibes” or a strong sense of place.

Emerald City Ghosts accepts submissions using an online form, not via email or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions, but they ask that authors let them know if the submission is published elsewhere. They also accept reprints.

Emerald City Ghosts does not accept writing generated by AI. They only accept submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online, so please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you’d like to learn more or submit to Emerald City Ghosts, please visit their website here.