OPEN CALL — Hybrid Horror Anthology
About the Project
This is an independent collaborative horror anthology bringing together original short-form work by writers, artists, illustrators and comic creators.
The project explores the space between written storytelling and visual art. Rather than following one fixed format, the anthology will combine different approaches to horror storytelling — from illustrated prose and full-page artwork to manga, comics and experimental sequential art.
Across the anthology, we want text and image to have an equally important presence, although individual contributions may lean more heavily toward one or the other.
The anthology will combine invited contributors with creators selected through this international open call.
We are interested in work with a strong individual identity, atmosphere and point of view, rather than one particular artistic or writing style.
Possible approaches include:
Prose + Illustration — written fiction accompanied by full-page or partial-page artwork.
Sequential Art — traditional or experimental manga/comic storytelling.
Hybrid Storytelling — stories moving between prose, illustration and comic panels.
Experimental Formats — other ways of combining words and images that suit the story.
These are examples rather than strict categories. We are open to other approaches.
Who Can Apply?
Both emerging and established creators are welcome.
International submissions are encouraged.
You may apply as:
Writer — proposing an original story that could be paired with an artist.
Artist / Illustrator / Comic Artist — applying with a portfolio and interest in developing or illustrating a story.
Writer + Artist — creating the complete contribution yourself.
Creative Team — applying together with a shared concept.
What Should I Propose?
An original short horror work intended specifically for the anthology.
We are open to different forms of horror, including psychological, supernatural, surreal, grotesque, body horror, folk horror, dark fantasy, experimental horror and work that is difficult to categorise.
Your proposal does not need to follow a traditional comic format.
It might be:
a prose story with several large illustrations
a manga or comic
a story that begins in prose and moves into sequential art
illustrated fragments, diary entries, documents or other narrative forms
an experimental combination of text and image
Recommended Length
Approximately 4–12 finished pages.
If your idea genuinely needs a different length, you may explain this in your application.
Please do not create the complete finished work before selection.
For selected projects, we would like to discuss the visual and textual structure together before the final piece is produced.
What Should I Submit?
Please include:
Basic Information
Your name or artist name
Country
Email / contact information
Portfolio, website and/or relevant social links
Your Proposal
Story synopsis — 150–300 words
Estimated page count
Preferred format — briefly explain how you imagine text and image working together
For example:
"Mostly prose with several full-page illustrations."
"Traditional manga/comic panels."
"A mixture of prose, illustration and sequential pages."
You do not need to have the final layout decided yet.
Work Samples
Please provide 3 relevant examples of your work, or a portfolio link.
Depending on your role, these may include:
illustrations
comic or manga pages
sequential art
writing samples
previous hybrid text/image work
About Your Work
Include a short description of your artistic practice, visual style or writing approach.
If you are applying as a team, please also tell us who is involved and what each person will contribute.
Originality
Please confirm that the submitted proposal is original and that you hold the necessary rights to submit and develop the work.
Important
This is a curated anthology, and submission does not guarantee inclusion.
Selected projects will be considered not only individually, but also in relation to the overall balance, visual variety, themes and structure of the anthology.
You do not need to fit into one particular style.
We are looking for work that feels distinctive, atmospheric and genuinely its own.
Payment and project funding
This is an unpaid independent collaborative project.
Contributors will not be charged to participate.
All revenue generated through sales of the anthology will be reinvested into the project rather than distributed as profit. This may include printing, production, distribution, promotional campaigns, press outreach, event participation, exhibition/presentation costs and other expenses directly connected to developing and promoting the anthology and its participating artists.
Participation should therefore be understood as a creative publishing collaboration rather than paid commissioned work.
Copyright and ownership
Creators retain copyright and ownership of their individual original stories and artwork.
Selected contributors will grant the anthology/project permission to reproduce, publish, distribute and promote their contribution as part of the anthology and its related publicity.
The project may also reproduce excerpts, pages or images from accepted works for press, social media, exhibition and promotional purposes, always with appropriate creator credit.
Full publication terms will be provided to selected contributors before final participation is confirmed.
Promotion
We intend to actively promote the completed anthology and its contributors.
This may include:
social media campaigns
editorial and magazine outreach
press releases
review copies
interviews/features
exhibitions
art/comic events
festivals
presentations
online promotion
collaborations with cultural organisations
External coverage, exhibition invitations and other third-party opportunities cannot be guaranteed.
Dates
Open call launches: 20 August 2026
Submission deadline: 15 October 2026
Selected contributors contacted: approximately late October / early November 2026
Final artwork deadline: 28 February 2027
Publication: TBA
How to apply
Complete the submission form here: