Short story open call for new Cornwall Writers anthology
The first short story anthology published by Cornwall Writers was Cornwall Misfits Curiosities and Legends by various Cornish writers in 2020
The second anthology Cornwall Secret and Hidden came out two years later in 2022 and the third anthology Cornwall Beneath and Beyond hit the bookshelves 2024.
Following in this tradition Hermitage Press, now the home of Cornwall Writers, will be publishing the next anthology in the series of short stories from Cornish writers - called Cornwall Salt & Stone in 2026.
Salt & Stone will be a short story anthology that seeks to capture the raw essence of Cornwall - its weathered coastlines, tight-knit communities, quiet storms, and enduring beauty. The title evokes contrast: the shifting, fluid nature of life (salt), and the hard, unmoving truths we carry (stone). Stories may be contemporary, historical, speculative, or surreal, but all must be rooted in the atmosphere of Cornwall and its emotional terrain.
We’re looking for fiction that explores what it means to endure: people shaped by isolation, erosion, tradition, change, or the power of place. Whether set by windswept harbours or within crumbling granite walls, these stories should feel grounded in Cornwall’s spirit, even when the setting isn’t literal - tales of people enduring, transforming, or confronting the forces that shape them. Interpret the theme broadly, but all submissions should feel emotionally or atmospherically grounded in Cornwall.
Submission guidelines
Word count: 3,000–5,000 words
Genre: Fiction - literary, speculative, historical, surreal most genres are welcome (no horror, sci-Fi or pornographic material)
Submission window: 01st October - 31st December 2025
Eligibility: Writers over 18 born in Cornwall or currently living/working in Cornwall.
The work must be original and unpublished elsewhere.
Format: .doc/.docx or .pdf, 12pt font, double-spaced, name in header, page number in footer
Submit to: hermitagepresscornwall@gmail.com with short synopsis and author bio (including email address) - 250 wds max
It is free to enter a submission. However, once chosen the author will be asked to contribute £50 towards the cost of professionally editing their story.
This fee also entitles the author to two free copies of the book. And the option to purchase extra printed copies at a reduced price for sale at promotional events.
Authors will retain their story rights, however, their submission should not be published elsewhere for up to five years. And Hermitage Press will retain the right to reprint the anthology whenever required for up to five years and use any of the material within the anthology for promotional reasons.
Authors will also be required to help at promotional events, give interviews etc.
A crowdfunding scheme will be organised to cover the design, illustrating and printing costs. Authors will be asked to support this fundraising scheme by sharing the details with friends, family and/or colleagues.
Please do not submit your story to be considered in this anthology unless you can commit to being involved in the marketing/fundraising for the book, and can contribute funds to cover the editing cost of your story.