CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
A Dark Hours Books Anthology of Crime Fiction from the World of Music
Every song has a story. Some end in murder.
Dark Hours Books is seeking original crime fiction for BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, an anthology exploring the seductive, ruthless, dangerous world of music and the people who inhabit it.
We’re looking for compelling crime stories first and foremost—mystery, suspense, noir, psychological crime, thrillers, investigations, disappearances, corruption, obsession, betrayal, revenge, and murder—all connected in some meaningful way to music.
Stories might take us inside recording studios, nightclubs, concert halls, dive bars, record labels, tour buses, radio stations, rehearsal rooms, festivals, or onto the road. They might center on musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, managers, roadies, record executives, club owners, DJs, journalists, fans, groupies, or anyone else whose life intersects with music.
The music can be any genre, from any era.
We want stories with complexity, humanity, darkness, wit, tension, and emotional truth.
Stories may include:
Mystery and detective fiction
Noir and neo-noir
Literary crime fiction
Psychological suspense
Thrillers
Historical crime
Revenge stories
Missing-person stories
Music-industry crime
Stories about fame, ambition, obsession, exploitation, addiction, betrayal, and the price of success
The music world should be more than decoration. It should matter to the characters, the crime, the setting, or the story itself.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Editor: Aaron Bearden
Submissions Open: October 1, 2026
Deadline: March 30, 2027
Notification: By June 30, 2027
Length: 2,500–7,500 words
Submission Fee: None
Previously unpublished stories are preferred, although exceptional reprints may be considered.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please notify us immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.
Writers may submit up to two stories.
PAYMENT & RIGHTS
Payment will be individually negotiated with selected contributors. Contributors will also receive complimentary copies of the anthology.
Authors retain copyright to their work. Specific publication rights and terms will be clearly defined in the contributor agreement.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Email submissions to:
submissions@darkhoursbooks.com
Attach your story as a Microsoft Word document. Please do not send PDFs.
Manuscripts should be:
Double-spaced
12-point readable font
One-inch margins
Paginated
Include the author’s name and contact information
Include the story title and approximate word count
Selected stories may receive developmental, line, and copy editing. Any significant editorial changes will be discussed with the author, and revision may be requested before final acceptance.