Uncanny – Write on the World

Beautiful and Terrifying: Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny, the newest anthology from Elderfly Press, will be released on April 23, 2026, bringing together haunting fiction, poetry, and black-and-white artwork that explore the strange space where beauty and fear collide.

*The cover of* *Beautiful and Terrifying: Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny*, Elderfly Press’s upcoming anthology of eerie fiction, dark poetry, and black-and-white art, releasing April 23, 2026.

I’m thrilled to finally share the release date for this collection, which has been such a meaningful project to bring into the world. From eerie woods and submerged cities to folklore retellings, grief-soaked landscapes, and intimate encounters with the supernatural, this anthology embraces the unsettling and the sublime in equal measure.

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Call for Submissions

Submissions open for Beautiful and Terrifying: Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny

October 12, 2025 Mandy Webster

There’s beauty in the things that unnerve us. Beautiful and Terrifying is the next anthology from Elderfly Press—an exploration of the eerie, the intimate, and the in-between. Submissions are now open for short stories, poetry, and black-and-white art that linger in the shadows of the strange and the sublime.

**There’s beauty in what haunts us.**
Submit to Beautiful and Terrifying today!

This collection seeks work that blurs boundaries—between beauty and fear, humanity and monstrosity, love and decay. We’re drawn to dark, literary narratives and haunting imagery that leave readers with a sense of wonder and unease. Not every story needs to fit neatly into horror or realism; the best pieces often live in the uncanny space between.

What Elderfly Press is looking for:

This anthology invites a wide range of voices and forms with themes of transformation, obsession, decay, beauty, violence, or the supernatural:

Genre fiction: horror, speculative, gothic, dystopian, weird, sci-fi, supernatural—anything that chills, disturbs, or unsettles
Literary fiction: moody, shadowed, emotionally raw
Poetry: rooted in chaos, shadow, or change
Visual art: black-and-white art that captures the eerie, surreal, or dreamlike

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Call for Submissions, Writing Prompts

Sharpen your skills: Why writers need regular exercises (Plus a 350-word prompt!)

June 15, 2025June 14, 2025 Mandy Webster

Even the most seasoned authors need practice. Just like athletes train their bodies, writers must train their minds and creative muscles. Regular writing exercises aren’t just a warm-up—they’re essential for growth. Whether you’re working on a novel, poetry, or short fiction, small prompts can help you hone your voice, explore new ideas, and build confidence on the page.

Hey, writers! We want YOU to submit your writing to our upcoming Bad Moon on the Rise anthology! Learn more here!

One of the most valuable benefits of regular writing practice? It teaches you to write concisely. When you’re forced to distill a story down to its essence, every word matters. You learn to tighten your prose, heighten your stakes, and let your ideas breathe in a limited space. That’s a skill that serves you well whether you’re submitting to literary journals, writing query letters, or polishing your latest manuscript.

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