 short stories & essays by Black women writers

Founded in 2018, midnight & indigo is a literary magazine dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of Black women writers. We focus on short fiction and essay writing, contributing to the rich tapestry of Black literature. In addition to publishing anthologies and a print literary journal, we publish via our digital lit mag at midnightandindigo.com, facilitate online writing classes for Black women writers, and provide Developmental editing services. To date, we have published 375+ emerging and established Black storytellers across the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, Asia, and Australia. Launched in 2022, our online Writing Program has served 500+ Black women writers since its inception. We are 100% Black woman-owned.

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Navel-gazing highly encouraged. These mags are actively seeking personal essays & narrative nonfiction.

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Curated by community member Caitlin Behrens and endorsed by Chill Subs. These mags actively seek stories of female rage and power.

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Flash fiction meets speculative worlds. Science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, futuristic—anything that transcends reality in very short form.

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midnight & indigo

Are you a Black woman writer with a story to tell that’s bursting with emotion, grit, and soul? We want to hear from you!
midnight & indigo is excited to announce an open call for submissions for personal essays. We’re looking for previously unpublished, personal, and evocative first-person essays that forge an immediate connection with readers.
Personal essays offer a window into the soul, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of individual experiences. They provide a powerful platform for Black women to share their truths, challenges, triumphs, and everything in between. We want to celebrate and showcase writing that resonates on a deep level.
Need context? Check out our previously published essays.
 
 General Guidelines

  Essays must meet our minimum 1,200 word count requirement.
  We pay for all accepted pieces. Our rate is $150 for Essays accepted for publication. Rate based upon the final, edited piece. We pay upon publication.
  Submissions should be submitted in proper manuscript format with your name, email address, and the story’s total word count on the first page. For our purposes, you do not need to include a mailing address or phone number. Click here for an example of proper manuscript format.

We accept only previously unpublished work. Responses will be provided by December 31, 2025.

Creative non-fiction & Personal Essays

Are you a Black woman writer passionate about crafting beautifully written, character-driven short stories?

midnight & indigo is excited to announce an open call for submissions for personal essays. We’re looking for previously unpublished short stories that capture the essence of the human experience. Literary fiction delves deep into the human condition, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the intricate nuances of everyday life. These stories should resonate emotionally, offering readers a window into the world’s complexities and the richness of personal experiences.

Subject matter and plots can run the gamut, but we want emotion, grit, soul, and writing that forges an immediate connection with the reader. We want to celebrate the artistry and depth of Black literary fiction through your work.

Need context? Check out our short story section and previous issues. 


General Guidelines

Word count: Minimum: 1,500. Max: 7,000
We pay for all accepted pieces. Our rate is $0.07 per word for Short Stories. Rates and word count based upon the final, edited piece. We pay upon publication
Submissions should be submitted in proper short story manuscript format with your name, email address, and the story’s total word count on the first page. For our purposes, you do not need to include a mailing address or phone number. Click here for an example of proper short story manuscript format.
All submissions will be considered for publication on midnightandindigo.com, in our print literary journal or in our upcoming long-form anthology (est. December 2025)
If you are submitting a Speculative/Horror piece, please DO NOT use this form. Click HERE for details.
We accept only previously unpublished work. Responses will be provided by June 30, 2026.

Short Stories

Are you a Black woman writer with a passion for speculative fiction and horror? 
Do you dream of worlds beyond the ordinary? Stories that defy the laws of nature, bend time, or take readers to the edge of their imagination?
If so, we want to hear from you.
We’re looking for previously unpublished, character-driven short stories that transports readers to the unknown. Whether your story delves into the eerie, explores dystopian futures, unveils supernatural wonders, or unfolds in fantastical realms, we’re here for it.
Speculative fiction is a broad genre encompassing elements that transcend the boundaries of our everyday reality. These stories have the power to captivate and provoke thought.
Check out our Speculative Section and past issues to see how m&i writers have contributed to the genre—and then make it your own.

  Word count: 2,000-7,000
  All submissions will be considered for publication on a rolling basis on midnightandidigo.com or in our Speculative fiction special issue (online and/or print).
  We offer $0.07 per word for Short Stories accepted for publication in our annual Speculative issue and on midnightandindigo.com. Rates and word count based upon the final, edited piece. We pay upon publication
  Submissions should be submitted in proper short story manuscript format with your name, email address, and the story’s total word count on the first page. Click here for an example of proper short story manuscript format.
  We accept only previously unpublished work. Responses will be provided in 3-4 months.

midnight & indigo

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