Story Format Guidelines
Length: 7,000 words or less
Type of story: Any genre as long as it fits the scary theme.
Theme: Scary, horror, ghosts, vampires, aliens, haunting
File type: .docx or .doc
File format: Times New Roman-12 point-Double spaced with 0.25 indentation on paragraphs.
Margins: 0.5" all around.
Header should Include page numbers, author’s name as it appears on the story, and story title.
​Manuscript must be throughly proof-read for grammar, spelling, punctuation.
All guidelines must be followed or will be rejected.
 
Story Submission
Only online submissions will be accepted. Due September 1, 2024.
Anything after Sept. 1, 2024 will be automatically rejected.
​Maximum of 3 submissions per author. Fee per submission.
Manuscript will be published as is. All punctuation, spelling, and grammar must be correct.
Allow up to 2 weeks for decision. You will be notified via email of results regardless of acceptance for publishing.

Submission fee
A fee is required to submit your work, payable online. Your receipt will show Nearwood Winery, our parent company, as the payee. This fee covers story evaluation and response. Accepted authors will receive a free printed book (doesn't include shipping).

Publish date
Autumn 2024

​Awards
Stories accepted for publication will receive a free copy of the Back Roads Literary Review. One exceptional story will be chosen as Editor's Choice and will receive an honorarium of $500 worth of our publication services.
 
Terms and Agreements
Work must be original and unpublished. Authors using any form of AI must disclose that information. Please include both your legal name and any pen name on the manuscript. All submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by our team. Author will receive a response with review. Punctuation, grammar, spelling is to be correct as it will be published as received if accepted. Upon submitting your story, you give the Backroads Literary Review permission to communicate with you via email or phone and agree to these terms. All rights remain with the author. Must be at least 18 years old.