Well, body invasion is a frequent theme. This might involve parasites or alien entities taking over a human body. It makes the reader feel uneasy as it challenges the idea of the body as a private, self - contained entity. Also, body dysmorphia - like themes can be present. Stories may play on the fear of one's body not being as it should be, whether it's an extreme mutation or a distortion of the normal physical form.
One good market could be indie horror magazines. They often look for unique and edgy content like body horror short stories. Another option is online horror platforms that specifically target horror enthusiasts. Some small press publishers that focus on horror genre also provide good markets as they are always on the lookout for fresh and disturbing stories.
Well, there are a few places. 'Nightmare Magazine' is a great market for horror stories in general, and they do not shy away from body horror. It has a dedicated readership interested in all kinds of horror sub - genres. There are also some niche literary journals that focus on the macabre, like 'The Darkest Woods Journal'. They might be interested in body horror short stories. Additionally, horror conventions often have their own zines or collections where you could submit your body horror short stories.
Sure. 'The Thing on the Doorstep' by H.P. Lovecraft is a great example. It involves body - swapping and the horror of losing control of one's own body. There's also 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream' by Harlan Ellison. In this story, the characters are trapped in a nightmarish situation where their bodies are subjected to extreme torture and their minds are trapped in eternal agony.
One common theme is the loss of control over one's own body. In many of these stories, the characters find their bodies changing or being manipulated against their will, like in 'The Thing on the Doorstep' where the body is invaded. Another theme is the fear of the unknown in a scientific context. For example, in 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream', the super - computer's technology is so advanced and malevolent that it creates a sense of horror as the characters don't understand how it's affecting their bodies. And the theme of body modification gone wrong is also prevalent, as seen in stories where scientific experiments on the body lead to grotesque results.
Mutation is a common theme. For example, in stories where characters are exposed to some strange radiation or experimental technology, their bodies mutate in horrifying ways. Another theme is the loss of control over one's own body. This could be due to alien possession or a malfunctioning experiment that makes the body act against the will of the character.
Start by searching online for horror publishers. Use search terms like 'body horror short story publishers'. Check out horror - related forums and groups on social media, where writers often share information about markets. Another way is to look at the 'acknowledgments' section in body horror books you like. Authors usually mention where their stories were first published.
You can start by searching online for horror publishers. Use search engines and type in 'body horror short story publishers'. Another way is to check out horror writing forums. Writers there often share information about markets they know. Also, follow horror authors on social media. They may mention markets they've had success with for body horror short stories.
One great body horror science fiction short story is 'The Thing on the Doorstep' by H.P. Lovecraft. It involves a man whose body and mind are invaded in a very disturbing way. Another is 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream' by Harlan Ellison. It presents a nightmarish future where the last humans are tortured by a malevolent super - computer, with elements of body horror as it messes with their physical and mental states. And 'The Jaunt' by Stephen King has some body horror aspects within its science - fiction setting, especially regarding what happens during the 'jaunt' through space.
There's also 'The Colour Out of Space' by H.P. Lovecraft. Although not strictly body horror in the traditional sense all the time, it has elements where the bodies of the characters are affected in strange and grotesque ways by an otherworldly force. It's a great example of how science fiction can be used to explore body horror themes in a more subtle, yet still very effective way.