Death Camas: Best New England Crime Stories 2026
edited by
Christine Bagley, Susan Oleksiw, Ang Pompano, and Leslie Wheeler
Crime Spell Books
crimespellbooks@gmail.com
This anthology is open to writers who currently live in one of the six New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). Stories do not need to be set in New England.
We are seeking original short fiction in the following genres: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, historical, and horror. Stories must be between 1,000 and 5,000 words. Authors may submit up to two stories, but only one story per author will be accepted. The editors will not consider stories that feature gratuitous violence or sex.
Submissions must be entirely original, human-authored work. Stories generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence (AI) are not eligible. Authors may use assistive tools such as spellcheck, grammar check, or dictation software, but all creative content including plot, characters, prose, and dialogue must be written by the human author.
Submissions will be accepted from
January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026.
Please email your submissions to crimespellbooks@gmail.com
Please type "Death Camas story submission" as the subject line of your email. Submissions without this subject line may not be opened).
In the body of your email include your name, address, phone number, email, story title, word count, and a brief bio. Attach your story as a Word document.
The manuscript should follow standard formatting (see the Shunn manuscript formatting guide if needed). Include your name and story title in the header; paginate your story in the header or footer. End your story with ### or "The End."
The editors will acknowledge the receipt of all submissions.
Authors will be notified of acceptance by June 2026. Accepted authors will receive a formal contract by email as a PDF, which must be printed, signed in ink, and returned by postal mail. No story will be published without a signed contract.
Crime Spell Books purchases First North American serial rights. Rights revert to the author after one year. If the story is later reprinted elsewhere, authors are asked to credit its original publication in Death Camas from Crime Spell Books.
Payment is $25 per story.