FAQ - The Dark Sire

Following are fourteen (14) common questions that we have received from writers and artists:

1) Do you pay writers and artists for their work?
At this time, TDS is not a paying publication. However, we promote our creatives through author events, social media outreach, and the TDS podcast (in development). For poets, TDS collaborates with Italian musician Fernando Fidanza, who transforms the poem into a folk song. All of this is a concentrated effort on the editor's part to bring your work beyond the page, to promote your work for more than just an issue.

In addition to the above, the editor is constantly seeking other opportunities for TDS creatives, which includes getting the magazine (and its content) reviewed by Booktubers and Twitterzen Reviewers. Currently, TDS has received three reviews and is awaiting more to come in soon. Every issue from now on will be reviewed by at least one reviewer.

Lastly, the editor personally create trailers for select works that are printed in TDS. So, anyone accepted may have a customized trailer for their short story or poem placed across our social media platform, which will further promote your work beyond the page.

Hopefully, you'll notice that TDS is different than most magazines and that we fight to promote the talented individuals that we print. Understandably, payment is important. But it's hoped hope that what we do for our creatives is just as valuable - if not more so - than just payment. ​

If you wish to be paid for your work, it is suggested that you wait to submit when payment is announced. No guarantees will ever be made to future payment options until pay policies have been established and announced on our website.


2) Who owns the work and/or copyright of the work when published, composed as a song, or recorded as an audio short story?
The author/poet/artist retains the copyright of all original work. In fact, we believe that the author/creator should always be in control of the work produced. That said, the instrumentals composed remain copyright of Fernando Fidanza. No selling of the songs or audio short stories is permitted by any party. **All songs and recordings are for promotional use for TDS, Fernando, and the writers/poets.**


3) How long do you withhold the use of material once accepted?
We withhold the published material for three (3) months, which means the author/artist cannot further publish the material elsewhere during the time it is published in The Dark Sire. After this time period, the material is released back to the original author or artist. Note: The Dark Sire retains the first-publication rights for all its published works.


4) How often is The Dark Sire published?
The Dark Sire is published quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer). The first issue was launched for Fall 2019 on October 31, 2019.


5) I cannot submit my work in WORD or JPG. Can I submit in a different format?
Most of the time, yes, but, it is best to contact the editor to ask for special permission. Simply email darksiremag@gmail.com OR use the contact form on the main site.


6) Do you accept multiple, simultaneous, and reprint submissions?
We accept multiple and simultaneous submissions but do NOT accept reprint submissions.

For multiple submissions, there is a limit. We accept upto five (5) total works from a single creative per quarter. This means that the writer/artist can submit what they want, and in a mix of art, poetry, and short fiction, as long as they don't submit more than five (5) total pieces in one seasonal period.

For example: If a creative submits five (5) pieces in March (Spring), The Dark Sire would not accept any further submissions until June (Summer). At that time, the author could resubmit up to five (5) more pieces.

For simultaneous submissions, please indicate this in your query letter and be sure to immediately withdraw any work that has been accepted elswhere by contacting us through email.


7) What is the wait time to submit again after a rejection?
If you are rejected, we want you to hone your craft and reflect on your writing. We also want to see new work. For those reasons, there is a ninety (90) day waiting period before another submission will be accepted for consideration.


8) Can I get feedback on my work if I've been rejected?
There is a possibility, but not likely. Upon email request, the editor may give you feedback that will help your success rate of being selected for publication in the future. If this happens, notes about why a piece was rejected will be included. However, this is at the discretion of the editor and cannot be guaranteed.


9) Do I have to sign any type of waiver or agreement?
No. By submitting your work, you give us permission to publish your work under The Dark Sire name for a total of three months, with the copyright remaining with the author. This also pertains to poetry composed to songs and short fiction recorded to audio, which you gave your permission for by submitting. If you don't wish for the extra promotional benefits, simply decline them in your query letter.

The Dark Sire will contact the selected authors to congratulate them on getting published and to inform them as to which issue the work will be published in.

REMEMBER: The author retains copyright and ownership. The Dark Sire only has the right to print, compose, and record selected works in its own magazine, for purposes of a literary journal. Nothing more.


10) Do you rewrite people's work or edit it in any way?
No. Hence, the creative must proofread and edit their own work, hiring a professional editor if need be. The Dark Sire editor will reject any piece that is not polished and publication ready. This includes erroneous punctuation, spelling, and word usage (that does not have a creative license behind the usage). To assure that your piece is as successful as possible, be sure to submit only polished work - which includes works of art. This is a professional magazine, so be sure to submit only polished, mastered works.


11) Do you print stories, poetry, and art depicting angels, demons, abusiveness, violence, and foul language?
ABSOLUTELY! There are too many literary journals who accept speculative work but then put limitations on content. The Dark Sire is dark for a reason. We want the nitty-gritty horror, gothic, fantasy, and psychological work. Of course, it doesn't have to contain gore, violence, language, and angels/demons to get accepted, but it won't be rejected for it either. You create the genre specific work without refrain or fear, and we'll decide which stories, poetry, and art best suit the genres we represent.


12) Do I have to use the submission form for each title I submit?
YES! The submission process is a two-step process per work submitted. This is because each work should be self-contained. Since every submission must have individual information attached to the material, it is necessary that each piece of work be separated into individual submission forms. The specific required information is explained on the submission form (hover over the ? in each section of the form). If the form is not completed correctly or fully, the editor will disregard the submission without further notice. Be sure to follow ALL the guidelines and directions listed on this site. 


13) Which genres do you accept?
We accept all fantasy, gothic, horror, and psychological short fiction, poetry, and art that is dark in tone and/or theme. We also love submissions that combine the genres (a gothic fantasy, a psychological horror). Be sure to mark your submission form for the category and genre in which your work falls. If your piece does not fall into these categories, do NOT submit work. We are only interested in works that delve into the above listed categories.


14) Do you accept cross-over work outside of the four genres you list, like sci-fi horror?
It's possible but we do NOT want sci-fi at all, not in the slightest. If the cross-over is between anything else, you should contact the editor with the synopsis of the story and explain the genres used. The editor will consider if the story and outside genre serve the readership or not, then will advise you whether the submission will be accepted. Contact the editor via darksiremag@gmail.com.


IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS NOT ANSWERED, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE DARK SIRE LITERARY MAGAZINE EITHER BY CONTACT FORM ON THE MAIN SITE OR VIA darksiremag@gmail.com.