The Cookout is an anthology of science fiction and fantasy stories by Black authors from the African Diaspora, centering on the beloved traditions of the cookout: the joy, drama, and delicious food!
Submissions are currently CLOSED. We will make an announcement when we are ready to accept submissions. In the meantime, please check out our Kickstarter campaign.
This anthology is open only to Black individuals of the African Diaspora. This definition is globally inclusive (Black anywhere in the world) and also applies to mixed/biracial and Afro-appended people regardless of gender identity or orientation.
Stories must be speculative (sci-fi, fantasy, and/or horror) uplifting, and centered on the culture and traditions of the Cookout from the African diaspora. Here are some examples/ideas of what we are looking for.
Submitted stories must be between 500 and 5000 words.
All submissions should be in standard manuscript format (modern preferred, classic accepted) and can be submitted in either .RTF or .DOCX format.
Please submit only original stories that have not been previously published anywhere. We will not accept reprint submissions of any kind, including stories that you have self-published or previously published on your blog, website, or any web-fiction platform.
Only stories written, in entirety, by human authors will be considered for publication. Please do not submit AI generated works. We will not accept any submissions produced with the aid of Generative AI, Large Language Models, etc. This restriction does not include spelling and grammar checkers.
Please do not send us simultaneous submissions (having a story under consideration at another market while it is under submission here), multiple submissions (submitting more than one story to us at a time) or unsolicited revisions.
Please do not submit any works that contain erotica, sexual assault, gratuitous violence, or extreme gore. We do not welcome works that glorify hate, abuse, harassment, or discrimination against any persons, especially marginalized groups or individuals.