MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 61: Timberghostpress.com
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “Timberghostpress.com” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to Timberghostpress.com.
You will learn what Timberghostpress.com wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Submit to Timber Ghost Press (Beginner → Paid Contributor)
This step-by-step guide explains what Timber Ghost Press looks for, how their submission process works, how payment and rights are typically handled, and a practical checklist so you can write, format, and submit confidently.
I include direct links to the official submissions page, example anthology pages (like Dead Stars), and trusted formatting help (for example Shunn’s manuscript format) so you can follow along with official guidance.
Section 1 · What the press publishes
Timber Ghost Press: the short version
Timber Ghost Press is an indie publisher and small press dedicated primarily to horror, weird fiction, cosmic horror, gothic and related subgenres. They publish anthologies, individual titles (novellas and novels), and they occasionally run open calls for flash fiction and poetry. Visit their official site to see their catalogue and current calls: timberghostpress.com.
Two important things to note right away:
- Open calls are time-limited. They publish submission windows (for example, flash and poetry calls) and list whether submissions are open or closed on their submissions page.
- They favor cosmic and weird horror — look at anthologies like Dead Stars and Stone Arches for examples of tone and theme.
Before you submit, read at least 3–5 pieces from Timber Ghost’s past titles or anthology calls (their site has a “Past Titles” and book pages). Pay attention to:
- Tone and voice (cosmic dread, creeping atmosphere, uncanny details).
- Length and pacing (flash vs short story vs novella).
- Formatting used in accepted anthologies (how they present chapter breaks, headers).
Section 2 · The official submission rules (scan this first)
Quick checklist of what the submissions page says
Always start by opening the official Timber Ghost Press Submissions page and reading it word for word. The following points are pulled directly from that page and reflect the rules you must follow when they have open calls.
Flash & Poetry window
Timber Ghost publishes flash (≤ 1000 words) and poetry (≤ 45 lines) for their open flash & poetry rounds. When selected, they publish on the site and newsletter and pay $5 USD for accepted flash/poetry pieces. Reprints are acceptable if you have rights. They explicitly state: Absolutely no AI-generated stories or poems.
Longer works
Timber Ghost accepts novels (50k+ words) and novellas (25k–50k) during specific reading periods. They say submissions are closed sometimes, and when open they ask for first three chapters or first 5000 words plus a synopsis and author details. They ask for clean formatting and say they may take up to 120 days to respond.
Payment & contract basics
For ebooks Timber Ghost pays 50% net royalties, and for paperbacks 30% net royalties. They mention advances: typically a $50 advance on novellas and $75 advance on novels. Exact offers are confirmed at acceptance.
Formatting rules & blind reading
They ask authors to follow Shunn formatting for short fiction/submissions where appropriate and to remove identifying information for blind reads. If the call is a blind read (e.g., anthology), ensure your manuscript itself has no name or contact info.
Section 3 · Formatting (practical step-by-step)
How to format exactly like editors expect (Shunn + quick checklist)
Timber Ghost directs you to use Shunn’s manuscript format. If you are unfamiliar, here is the boiled-down, practical checklist that will get your manuscript into acceptable shape for most short fiction and anthology submissions.
- Use a standard readable font (Times New Roman 12pt or Courier for “classic” submissions if specifically requested).
- Double-space the text for short fiction submissions unless instructed otherwise.
- Set 1-inch margins on all sides; indent paragraphs, do not add extra spaces between them.
- Number pages and include a simple header on subsequent pages (but remove identifying info for blind reads).
- Submit in .docx, .doc, or .rtf if the call asks for those formats (Timber Ghost mentions those explicitly).
- If the call is a blind read, put your contact info only in the cover letter or form fields — not in the story file.
- Save a copy as a final-clean .docx; don’t submit with tracked changes or comments.
- Use simple section breaks and plain scene breaks (*** or a blank line), not decorative headers.
- For poetry, follow the line/length rules and avoid special spacing — Timber Ghost specifically requested “no special formatting or spacing”.
Section 4 · Payment, rights & contracts
Money: how Timber Ghost pays and what you sign up for
Timber Ghost’s submissions page lists specific payment and royalty terms. Here is how to understand those numbers and what they usually mean in practice.
The submissions text states: if selected for site/newsletter flash or poetry, writers are paid $5 USD. This is a flat fee per accepted micro-piece. Think of it as a small immediate payment plus exposure and a contributor copy.
Timber Ghost lists royalties as 50% net for ebooks and 30% net for paperbacks. The page also mentions an advance: typically $50 for novellas and $75 for novels — though exact terms are negotiated at acceptance.
A few practical takeaways:
- Flash pay is small ($5) — treat it as an entry-level paid market. If you produce many flashes or build a following, the cumulative value (plus exposure) can be meaningful.
- Royalties are where longer-form authors earn ongoing income — learn the royalty schedule and ask how the publisher defines “net” (sales channels, returns, distribution fees).
- Advances listed are modest; consider them an advance on royalties rather than a full-time income. Look at the contract carefully before signing exclusive rights.
Section 5 · How to write a strong flash / poem / short submission
From idea → polish → submission (practical steps)
Pick the right sub-genre & constrain the idea
Timber Ghost favors cosmic, weird, wilderness, old west horror, hauntings, possession, and similar tones. Pick a small, specific image or emotion (e.g., “an abandoned mine with an old star map”) and build your flash around one strong idea rather than many.
Write a tight draft — keep it focused
For flash (≤ 1000 words) make every sentence earn its place. Open with a sensory image or action. Keep arcs compressed: setup → strange event → small reversal or lingering dread.
Polish: sound, line breaks, and trim
Read aloud. Cut cliché lines and redundancies. For poetry, follow Timber Ghost’s “no special spacing” guideline — keep lines clean and avoid experimental spacing that won’t render properly in web publication.
Format using Shunn (or the requested style) and save as .docx
Follow the earlier checklist. If the submission page asks for .docx/.doc/.rtf, use those. Ensure the manuscript file itself does not include your name if the read is blind.
Write a short cover note for the form
Keep the cover letter 2–4 sentences: title, one-sentence blurb of the piece, any rights info (reprint? simultaneous?), and a short bio line (if asked). If the call is blind, put bio in the form fields, not in the story file.
Section 6 · Build a portfolio & reuse work
Don’t fixate on one submission — grow a body of work
If a piece is rejected (normal), you can revise and resubmit elsewhere. Timber Ghost accepts reprints for flash/poetry (they ask you to disclose reprints), so you can submit previously published flashes if you own the rights — check the specific call details.
- Trim or expand to meet word limits.
- Shift the title and opening image to match a new market’s tone.
- Keep clear records of where and when you submit (spreadsheet recommended).
Section 7 · Sample cover letter & pitch templates
Copy-paste-ready templates you can adapt
Flash/Poem — blind or non-blind (short)
Title: [Your Title] Word count: [e.g., 720 words] Form: Flash fiction / Poem Reprint: [Yes/No — if yes, where published] Notes: [Optional short note, e.g., "This piece explores cosmic dread in a desert setting."] Bio (if requested in form): [One short line about you — your writing credits or "Emerging writer based in X."] Cover note (2 lines): Dear Timber Ghost team, Please find attached "[Your Title]" for your flash/poetry call. Thank you for considering it. Sincerely, [Your Name or Pen Name]
Novella / Novel — submission email outline
Subject: Submission — [Title] — [Novella/Novel] — [Word Count] Dear Timber Ghost Submissions, Please consider my [novel/novella], "[Title]" ([word count] words), for your upcoming list. Synopsis (short paragraph): [2–4 sentence synopsis] Included: - First three chapters or first 5000 words (attached as .docx) - Synopsis (attached/in the body) - Short author bio and previous publishing history Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Email] [Website or short credits]
Section 8 · Ethics, AI & final checklist
Non-negotiables before you hit submit
Timber Ghost clearly states absolutely no AI-generated stories or poems. If you used AI to brainstorm phrases, heavily edit and verify originality before attempting to submit anywhere that forbids AI. When in doubt, do not submit AI-generated text.
- I formatted the file (1″ margins, readable font, double-spaced when requested).
- I removed my name from the manuscript if the reading is blind.
- I saved the file as the format requested (.docx/.doc/.rtf).
- I included accurate reprint information and simultaneous-submission status if relevant.
- I wrote a short, polite cover note and filled the official form fields correctly.
- I have a clean credit-ready bio (1 line) if requested.