Submission Guidelines
Only online submissions will be accepted. Due September 15, 2026. Anything after that date will be automatically rejected.
​Maximum of 3 submissions per author. 
Please provide author name and pen name if you have one (see form).
Allow up to 2 weeks after deadline for decision. You will be notified via email of results regardless of acceptance for publishing. If accepted, you'll receive a free copy of the publication by mail. Please include your full mailing address in the form. Only authors residing in the continental US will be considered.

Story Format 
Theme: Scary Story
Length: 7,000 words or less
Type of story: Any genre as long as it fits the theme.
File type: .docx or .doc. PDFs will not be accepted.
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. 
Title: Use a creative title, not the theme name.
Manuscript: Proof-read for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Errors may result in rejection.
All guidelines must be followed for consideration of acceptance.

Submission fee
None

Publish date
October 2026
 
Terms and Agreements
Work must be original and unpublished. Generative AI in the form of text generation will be rejected. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar assist is acceptable. Read more about our AI policy on FAQ.
All submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by our team. Author will receive a response 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.