Submission Call: A Year of Horse Fantasy
As the year turns into 2026, the Chinese zodiac changes and this upcoming year is the year of the horse. As an equestrian author I couldn’t let this moment pass by without putting out a call for submissions for an upcoming fantasy anthology featuring stories where horses play a major role.
What we are looking for: All genres of fantasy are welcome (see more information below), but the horse MUST play a major role. Horses do not have to be talking/speaking characters, but they do have to have personality, be considered at least a secondary character, and be involved in the story. They cannot be just transportation with a name.
Horses can be represented by actual horses, unicorns, pegasus, donkeys, mules, and other equines, as well as mythical creatures such as centaurs. If it’s horse-adjacent, we’ll happily read it.
Preferred genres are contemporary fantasy, magic realism, cozy fantasy, high fantasy. Science fiction will be considered if it’s horse-centric with an actual horse (not just a spaceship named like one).
What we’d like to avoid: Please no stories in which the horse is killed/harmed, no animal abuse on the page, and no horror, gore or explicit sex/erotic content.
Length: 1000-6000 words.
Reprints? Original works preferred. Reprints may be considered if the story has been out of print for at least three years and has not been available elsewhere.
NO Generative AI WRITTEN or PROMPTED WORKS!
No simultaneous submissions and no multiple submissions. Authors, please only send one story.
Rights and usage: Epona Muse Publishing requests the exclusive rights to publish the story in print and ebook for one full year after publication. Beyond that, the anthology will remain in print for a minimum of 2 years, and then the publisher reserves the right to retire the anthology. The story can be reprinted/republished after the first year of exclusivity is up. We will also ask for audio rights for the short story (nonexclusive). We will not ask for any other rights or the rights to any subsequent/related works. Any questions, please ask!
Payment: Authors will receive royalties based upon their share of 70% of the royalties received from each sale. The remaining 30% remains with the publisher to cover costs associated with the anthology.
Other requirements: It is suggested that authors share the anthology in their newsletter (if applicable) and on social media at least once a month. Remember a rising tide lifts all boats.
Authors will sign a publication agreement outlining the responsibilities of both publisher and author. A W9/W8 (non-US authors) will be required for tax purposes.
Due dates and how to submit:
Submissions are due by Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026.
To submit, send a brief cover letter indicating your writing experience (new writers encouraged to submit), the title, word count, and a 1 paragraph or less blurb for your story. The story should be in standard manuscript format (Times New Roman, double spaced, 1″ margins). Please put your pen name and a good contact email address at the top of the story document. (I will ask for payment/additional contact information including legal name for payment when the publishing agreement is signed.) Please email to eponamuse(a)eponaauthorsolutions.com
Anticipated publication date is Spring Equinox 2026 (March 20, 2026).
If you have any questions, please also send them to the email address listed above. Thank you.
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