✦ Quarterly horror in print ✦
A small horror magazine out of nowhere in particular. Four issues a year (or more), in paperback and EPUB. Themed reading periods. We publish what scares us.
▸ Theme: American Horror
Last Exit is coming at a breakneck speed. In the third issue of Crooked Spine, the road stretches past empty towns, forgotten motels, and exits that do not appear on any map. These twelve stories of American horror find something waiting just beyond the headlights. Cover Art by Ed M
▸ Buy this issue▸ Theme: devotion and the price it demands
What You Worship is seeking horror about devotion and the price it demands. Familiar cults, religions, and ancient gods are welcome when the work finds something unexpected inside them; however, what you worship can mean a lover, a body, a career, money, fame, tradition, technology, grief, etc. Give us rituals, offerings, obsession, obedience, doubt, conversion, blasphemy, and sacrifices that cannot be taken back. We are drawn to character-driven horror, a strong atmosphere, and creative theme interpretations.
▸ Theme: completed horror manuscripts of up to 40,000 words.
See all upcoming windows for full guidelines.
Crooked Spine contest archive
After the Last Exit
Meet the writers behind After the Last Exit, read their stories, and download the free contest edition.
Meet the winners →Jul 28, 2026
Amazon shut down our account days before release. So we built our own shop.
Jun 17, 2026
We want to express a heartfelt thank you to all of you who shared your work with us. To feel connected to so many people and unique voices is truly a humbling, human, and beautiful thing. Thank you all so much.
May 13, 2026
Water, soil, and what doesn't stay buried.
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