Submissions

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE MIRROR ISSUE (Samhain 2025)

In myth and folklore, mirrors can trap souls, show the future or open portals to the Otherworld. They are associated with the unconscious and the unseen, with a world of illusion, or with the true nature of things. 

In The Mirror Issue we want to examine ideas of identity, the self and the unconscious through folklore, myth, magic, and narratives of the supernatural and the occult in Britain. Examples include doubles, the split self, sculptures, masks, and the uncanny, scrying, phantasmagoria, illusions, and mirrors in rituals, performances and superstitions.

We’re looking for well-researched non-fiction pieces (approx. 2000 words) with an academic flair, directed at a popular audience, on the theme described above, with a focus on Britain. It is important that your piece preserves the mystery and enchantment of the themes we’re dealing with. If you’re unsure about the tone, please refer to our previous issues.

Please read carefully the section on HOW TO SUBMIT below. Submissions that don't follow our guidelines will not be considered. 

We love:

-Articles about folklore, archaeology, weird history, or beliefs which have influenced or directly feature in folk horror, occult and supernatural fiction.

-Psychogeography of remote corners of the UK, rooted in history and folklore, with references to the themes that drive the issue.

We’re NOT looking for:

-Film, book, music, or videogame reviews.

-Pieces that discuss why a film, book, or cultural product are/aren’t folk horror.

-Your personal experiences of magic, folklore, or the occult.

-Poetry or fiction.

-Art or illustrations

HELLEBORE is a love letter to the British landscape and the beliefs it inspires. We’re interested in how beliefs from other cultures may have influenced British culture and in post-colonial perspectives, but ultimately we remain focused on Britain.

 

HOW TO SUBMIT

Send us a short pitch (no more than 200 words), followed by your selected sources, a 2-line bio, and links to your published work, to helleborezine(at)gmail(dot)com, with MIRROR WRITING as the subject, before Friday the 16^th of May.

Please understand that we only have one editor and due to the high volume of submissions we can’t provide individual feedback. If we’re interested in publishing your piece, we’ll contact you by Monday the 19^th of May. If you haven’t heard from us by then, please understand your submission hasn’t been successful this time. All our contributors are paid. Articles will be due by Friday the 11^th of July.