Issue Six Theme: Play

Extended Submission Deadline: November 7, 2025

Our friends at Chill Subs recently described the vibe of a Bloodletter piece, and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves:

“Bloodletter is for the artful unwell. It curates work that’s not just intense, but ritualistic, aestheticized, and wild n’ feral. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill sad girl lit or horror-adjacent trauma dump. It’s carefully constructed madness, stitched from myth, rot, sex, and…at least to me…a touch of the divine. Every piece feels like it knows its lineage (Plath, Bataille, body horror Tumblr) but still manages to invent its own voice in the dark. If your work explores desire and destruction as twin instincts, or reads like something a Victorian medium might whisper mid-possession, Bloodletter will probably want it.

“Pro Tip: Send work that bleeds on purpose (I mean…the name’s a giveaway lol). Bloodletter thrives on intensity and aesthetic clarity, so don’t be shy and let your submission perform its damage. But be smart about it—they aren’t after edge for edge’s sake. Instead, give them writing that’s willing to rot a little in beauty, or beauty that’s been stung by something uncanny. Avoid anything that reads too polished or too ‘MFA-y.'” — Chill Subs’ Sub Club Manager

Sound like you? Send us your work below.

For Writers:

At Bloodletter, the definition of horror is expansive, cooperative, and inclusive. We seek writing that pairs the personal with the analytical, exploring the theoretical underpinnings of the genre through an experiential perspective grounded in feminism. All forms of writing are welcome.

Bloodletter is a digital magazine that is published biannually. Each issue is organized around a guiding theme, which contributors are encouraged to engage with, deconstruct, or reject.

• New and established writers of all disciplines who identify as women, trans, and/or non-binary are encouraged to submit
• Biannual themes are designed to be generative, not restrictive
• Length and style should be determined by the needs of the piece
• Full articles and pitches accepted for review
• Previously unpublished work only
• Past Bloodletter contributors should wait one calendar year (two submission cycles) to submit new work

Issue Six: Play will be published in March 2026. Selected pieces will be illustrated by artist Michelle Perez, featured on the front page of the Bloodletter website, and spotlighted on Bloodletter social media channels. 

A maximum of 20 pieces are selected per issue.

Bloodletter submissions are and always will be free, but we offer optional paid editorial feedback for writers through our submission form. If your piece is selected for publication, we will refund the fee. 

Bloodletter is an entirely volunteer-run organization. If you like the work we do, please consider contributing to our Duosuma Tip Jar. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you!

For Artists:

Each issue of Bloodletter is illustrated by one artist identifying as a woman, as trans, and/or as non-binary. The featured artist will create artwork in response to each written piece in the issue, thereby defining the visual language of the issue. Featured artists will be promoted extensively on the Bloodletter website and across all social media channels, and their illustrations will remain in our permanent archive.

Featured artists will be required to:

• Produce a maximum of 22 illustrations within a three-month period
• Work with strict deliverable deadlines
• Work collaboratively with the editor-in-chief throughout the issue’s development

All 2D art mediums are welcome. Submissions are accepted year-round. Artists in contention will be invited for a follow-up meeting with the Bloodletter editor-in-chief before selections are made.

Featured artists will receive a $250 stipend.

Bloodletter uses Duotrope’s trusted submission platform Duosuma for all open calls. To submit, you must first create a free personal Duotrope Account. For questions, read Duosuma’s Guide to Submitting.