Get Involved With AFM

Be Part of AFM

​Arena Fantasy Magazine is built around writers, screenwriters and storytellers at every stage of their creative journey. AFM is designed to offer practical opportunities to develop your craft, share your work and connect with a wider creative community. From competitions and submissions to articles, features and contributor opportunities, there are several ways to become part of the magazine. Each one is intended to give emerging and established voices a platform to be seen and heard.


Whether you want to test yourself against a creative challenge, submit work for consideration or contribute to a future issue, there is a place for you to get involved. AFM will continue to introduce new opportunities as the magazine grows, giving writers more ways to participate throughout the year. Explore the options below, find the route that suits you, and take the next step with Arena Fantasy Magazine.

Our Current Open Competitions

Do we run writing competitions? Absolutely.

Throughout the year, AFM hosts a range of competitions for writers and screenwriters, with challenges designed to test creativity, technique and originality. From short fiction and dialogue-focused contests to themed screenplay competitions, each one offers a different way to put your skills to work and try something new. Selected competitions also include cash prizes, AFM subscriptions and the opportunity to have your work featured in Arena Fantasy Magazine.

New competitions will be introduced across the year, giving you regular opportunities to take part. Whether you prefer prose, screenwriting or short-form challenges, there will be something to suit different styles and experience levels. Explore the current competitions below, choose your challenge and see where your writing takes you.

After Payment: Please complete the entry form and upload your screenplay. Your payment confirmation will be used to match your submission to your entry.

5 Page Script - The Door​​

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Format – Max 5 page screenplay Based on – The screenplay must feature a door that changes the direction of the story. The door should be physical and have a meaningful impact on the narrative.  
Entry - £8 for 1 entry, £14 for 2 entries or £18 for 3 entries 
Closing date - 7th November 
Publication date – 10 December 
Winner (subject to 20 minimum entries)– £80, plus featured
in Decembers AFM issue and website. Winner will also receive a 2 year annual subscription to AFM 
Runner up - £40 Plus featured in December's AFM issue and website. The runner up will also receive an annual subscription to AFM. 
Highly commended (Max 3)-  Will receive a free issue
Judging criteria - Originality, structure, character, dialogue, visual storytelling and use of theme  

Picture That!

Format – Prose Max 3k words 
Title - Picture that – White Noise
Based on The image opposite. 
Entry - £8 for 1 entry, £14 for 2 entries or £18 for 3 entries 
Closing date - 7th November 
Publication date – 10 December
Winner (subject to 20 minimum entries)– £80, plus featured in Decembers AFM issue and website. Winner will also receive a 2 year annual subscription to AFM 
Runner up - £40 Plus featured in December's AFM issue and website. The runner up will also receive an annual subscription to AFM.
Highly commended (max 3) -  Will receive a free issue 
Judging criteria - Originality, structure, character, dialogue, visual storytelling and use of theme

After Payment: Please complete the entry form and upload your entry. Your payment confirmation will be used to match your submission to your entry.

Competition Terms & Conditions
Please read the full AFM Competition Terms & Conditions before entering. They cover eligibility, entry requirements, judging, prizes, refunds and publication rights.

Call for Submissions

Arena Fantasy Magazine is open to submissions from writers, creatives and artists who would like to contribute to future issues. We are particularly interested in thoughtful articles, opinion pieces, writing-craft features and original artwork that would appeal to writers, screenwriters and storytellers. Pieces should be engaging, relevant and offer readers either practical insight, a fresh perspective or something visually distinctive.

As AFM is currently in its relaunch stage, we are not yet able to offer payment for accepted contributions. Instead, selected contributors will receive a complimentary advertising placement with AFM for up to three months, which can be used to promote a book, service, website, creative project or other relevant work. As the magazine grows, we hope to expand what we are able to offer contributors.

All submissions are considered on an editorial basis and acceptance is not guaranteed.

Short Fiction

AFM welcomes original short fiction for consideration in future issues and online features. We are particularly interested in imaginative, character-led stories with a strong sense of voice, atmosphere and narrative direction, whether they sit within fantasy, science fiction, horror, speculative fiction or related genres.


Submissions should be complete, carefully proofread and presented in a clear, readable format. Writers should include the story title, genre, word count and a short author bio with their submission. Previously published work may be considered where the writer retains the necessary rights and clearly states its publication history.

Screenplays

AFM welcomes screenplay submissions for consideration in future issues and online features. We are particularly interested in short scripts, opening scenes, distinctive standalone scenes and screenplay extracts that demonstrate strong character, dialogue, structure or visual storytelling.


Submissions should be professionally formatted and supplied as a PDF. For longer works, AFM may request an extract rather than the complete screenplay, depending on the feature or issue requirements. Writers should include the title, format, genre, logline and a short synopsis with their submission.

Articles or Opinion Pieces

AFM welcomes original articles and opinion pieces exploring writing, screenwriting, publishing, storytelling and the wider creative industries. We are particularly interested in pieces with a clear viewpoint, strong supporting ideas and something useful or thought-provoking to offer readers.

Submissions should be well structured, carefully proofread and written for a broad creative audience. Writers should include a title, approximate word count and short author bio, and clearly distinguish personal opinion from factual claims where relevant.

 

Artwork

Submit any original artwork for consideration in future issues and online features. We are particularly interested in fantasy, science fiction, horror, speculative and storytelling-inspired pieces that complement the magazine’s creative focus, including illustrations, concept art, character work and atmospheric scenes.


Submissions should be high quality and supplied in a format suitable for publication. Artists should include the title of the piece, a short description where relevant and a brief artist bio, and clearly state whether the work has been published elsewhere or is part of an existing project.

Writing Craft 

AFM welcomes practical writing-craft pieces for future issues and online features. We are particularly interested in clear, useful advice covering character, dialogue, structure, pacing and world-building. Pieces may also explore planning, editing, developing ideas and overcoming common writing challenges. The aim is to give readers practical insight they can use in their own work.


Submissions should be focused, accessible and written with a broad creative audience in mind. Advice should be supported by clear examples or experience where appropriate. Writers should avoid overly academic language unless the subject requires it. Please include a title, approximate word count and a short author bio with your submission.

 

Interview Requests

AFM welcomes interview requests from authors, screenwriters, filmmakers and other creatives with experiences or insights to share. We are particularly interested in conversations about creative journeys, current projects, industry challenges and the practical realities of developing work. Interviews should offer readers something informative, engaging or thought-provoking. Promotional discussion is welcome where it supports a wider creative conversation.


Requests should include the proposed interviewee, their background and a brief outline of the intended angle. Please also include any relevant links, current projects or subjects you would like the interview to explore. AFM may suggest additional questions or areas of discussion where appropriate. 

Frequently asked questions

Have a question before submitting your work to AFM? The answers below cover some of the most common queries about submissions, rights, payment, competition entries and what happens after you submit.


If your question is not covered here, you can contact AFM directly and we’ll be happy to help.

How do I enter AFM competitions?

Choose the competition you would like to enter, select the appropriate entry option and complete the required payment. Once payment is complete, use the competition submission form to upload your work and provide the requested entry details.


Please make sure you use the same email address for both your payment and submission so we can match your entry correctly. Full competition details, deadlines, judging criteria and Terms & Conditions are provided with each competition

What happens if there are not enough entries?

AFM competitions may require a minimum number of paid entries for the full advertised cash prize to be awarded. If the minimum is not reached, the prize fund may be reduced on a pro-rata basis to reflect the number of eligible entries received.


For example, if a competition reaches 75% of its required entry level, the cash prizes may be reduced to approximately 75% of the advertised amount. Any adjusted prize amounts will be confirmed before judging is completed. Non-cash prizes, such as publication, subscriptions or complimentary issues, will remain unchanged unless otherwise stated.

Do you pay Contributors?

At present, AFM is unable to offer payment for accepted submissions while the magazine is in its relaunch stage. Selected contributors will instead receive complimentary advertising with AFM for up to three months, which can be used to promote a book, website, service or creative project.

What type of work can I submit?

AFM currently welcomes short fiction, screenplays and screenplay extracts, articles and opinion pieces, original artwork, writing-craft features and interview requests.

Can I submit previously published work?

Yes, previously published work may be considered provided you still hold the necessary rights. Please tell us where and when the work was previously published when submitting.

Do I retain copyright to my work?

Yes. Copyright remains with the original writer or artist. If AFM accepts your work, the specific permission required to publish it will be agreed with you as part of the acceptance process.

Can I submit my work elsewhere at the same time?

Yes. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know as soon as possible if the work is accepted elsewhere so we can update our records.

Can I submit more than one piece?

Yes. You may submit more than one piece for consideration, although each submission should be complete and clearly identified. Where possible, submit separate works individually so they can be reviewed properly.

Which file formats should I use?

Written submissions should be supplied in a clear, readable format, with screenplays preferably submitted as PDF files to preserve formatting. Artwork should be supplied as a high-quality image suitable for publication.

What happens if my submission is accepted?

AFM will contact you to discuss publication, any edits that may be required, contributor information and the complimentary advertising available to you. No work will be published without the appropriate permission.

Will every submission receive feedback?

AFM will review all submissions, but detailed editorial feedback may not always be possible. Acceptance decisions will be based on suitability, quality, available space and the needs of the relevant issue.

Is acceptance guaranteed?

No. All submissions are considered on an editorial basis and acceptance is not guaranteed.