Winter contest submissions are open!
Winter contest submissions are open!
The Hillsather Press
A quarterly journal of gothic and dark literature
Ink stains. . .
Memories linger. . .
Hillsather publishes both.
Where moonlight meets pages…
The Hillsather Press is a quarterly delivered literary magazine dedicated to horror, gothic, and dark literary voices. We publish fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, opening criticism and praise that explores the unconventional. We aim to provide an outlet for indie voices considered too niche and unconventional for traditional or market publication.
Founded from a love for horror and dark academia, The Hillsather Press seeks to break away from traditional acceptance and preserve/expand the canon of dark storytelling. We welcome any and all works that carry the weight of history and works that dare to reinterpret it.
Each issue is a carefully curated archive, something part literature, part cabinet of curiosities.
With our debut issue, Inheritance (set to release January 2026), we at Hillsather have decided the best opening is a short story contest.
Three stories that best embody the contest theme will be selected and provided with cash prizes alongside publication and free editions of the magazine.
Feel free to check the submission page for contest guidelines and submission rules.
Our Inagural Contest
Coming January 2026
Theme: Inheritance
Our first issue will be the foothold of The Hillsather Press, opening the door to new gothic fiction, poetry, analysis, interviews, and more. Pre-orders will be announced soon.
Contact Us
Have questions about the press? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
We try our hardest to answer all inquiries in a timely fashion and appreciate your patience, please allow at least 24 hours for a response. Thank you.