Official information
Overview
- Publication
- Clarkesworld Magazine
- Eligibility
- Official: stories from all over the world. Translations welcome even if previously published in another language. English-language rights.
- Writing
- Science fiction or fantasy short story
- Payment
- 14¢ per word
- Currency
- USD
- Payment conditions
- Official fiction rate: 14¢ per word. Payment via PayPal or check. International authors may request wire transfers.
- When paid
- Not publicly stated on the guidelines page beyond the payment methods.
- Word count
- 1,000–22,000 words, no exceptions
- Response time
- Average typically under two days; query after two weeks
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Not publicly stated
- How to submit
- Official online submissions tracker — do not email stories
- AI policy
- AI-generated work prohibited
What they want
- Well-written science fiction or fantasy. Dark SF/F is allowed. Horror as a genre is not.
- Standard manuscript format, .RTF or .DOCX, via the online tracker only.
- A cover letter that follows Neil Clarke’s published cover-letter guidance.
What they don't want
- Email or postal submissions. Simultaneous submissions. Re-submitting a rejected story.
- Another story within seven days of a rejection.
- Work translated, written, developed or assisted by AI writing tools. Official: that can get you banned.
- A long official list of hard sells includes zombies, sexy vampires, talking cats or swords, and pun-dependent humour. Read the page.
Requirements
- Online tracker only
- 1,000–22,000 words
- No simultaneous submissions
- No AI
Rights
First world electronic rights (text and audio), first print rights, and non-exclusive anthology rights for the annual Clarkesworld anthology. English-language unless stated otherwise.
How to submit
- Read https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/.
- Submit at https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions_tracker/.
- Keep your tracking number.
Official source
Clarkesworld — Submission Guidelines (official)
Last verified 2026-08-19. Always re-read the official page before you send work.
Information can change. Payment rates, submission requirements, eligibility, deadlines and response times are subject to change. Always check the publication's official guidelines before submitting. BRYME verifies listings as carefully as possible but does not guarantee acceptance or payment.