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🔚 Final Thoughts
Thank you for considering The 13th Floor. We know submitting your work is never a small thing, and we're honoured to read every story that finds its way to us.
If you have any questions at all—about the guidelines, the theme, or the submission process—please feel free to reach out at:
👉 Kerry@darkholmepublishing.uk
Until then, trust the elevator, ignore the missing floor… and keep writing what haunts you.
We’ll see you between the cracks.
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Genre: Horror—specifically psychological, supernatural, speculative, or cosmic horror with emotional or philosophical undercurrents.
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Length: 30,000 to 50,000 words.
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Theme: The thirteenth floor—interpret this however you like. It could be literal, metaphorical, historical, or metaphysical, but it must be central to the story’s structure and horror.
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Tone: Atmospheric, eerie, and unnerving. No reliance on gore or shock. We’re drawn to character-driven horror, slow revelations, uncanny spaces, and worlds that crack just enough to let something unspeakable through.
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Connection: Each novella must work as a standalone piece. However, we’ll work collaboratively post-selection to build light thematic or narrative links for a cohesive anthology experience.
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There’s a floor that shouldn’t exist—yet it does.
We’re Thrilled You’re Considering Submitting Your Short Story!
Hidden between levels. Left off the blueprints. Sometimes sealed behind walls. The 13th Floor is a psychological horror anthology rooted in the idea of a floor that was never meant to be there—and never truly left.
Some say it’s cursed. Others say it’s a threshold: a place where time frays, memories shift, and the boundaries between the living and the dead grow thin.
We’re seeking three slow-burning, atmospheric novellas—each between 30,000 and 50,000 words—that explore the strange and terrifying manifestations of this floor. Think elevator rides that don’t end, rooms that remember, buildings that deny their own architecture, and people slipping through cracks in reality.
This is horror for readers who love creeping dread, surreal twists, and haunted spaces that feel far too real. If you’re inspired by the tension of Stephen King, the eerie distortions of Koontz, or the uncanny quiet of Jackson—this is for you.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Dark Holme Publishing, we celebrate the unique power of diverse voices and perspectives in horror and dark fantasy. We actively seek submissions from authors of all backgrounds, sexualities, and genders, especially those yet to be published. Your voice matters, and we are committed to giving a platform to stories that deserve to be heard. Share your chilling tales that grip, terrify, and redefine the boundaries of the genre!
Unleash Your Nightmares