Open Call for Indian Speculative Fiction Writers: Between Worlds Announces Second Anthology

Indian writers of science fiction, fantasy, horror and other forms of speculative fiction have an opportunity to submit their work for consideration in the upcoming second volume of Between Worlds: The IF Anthology of New Indian SFF.

Edited by writer and editor Gautam Bhatia, the anthology series seeks to showcase new and distinctive voices in Indian speculative fiction.

The first volume of Between Worlds, published by Westland Books in 2025, brought together 11 stories by writers exploring imagined futures, technology, society, identity and the changing relationship between humans and the world around them.

What makes the anthology particularly interesting for emerging writers is its focus on discovering voices beyond the established publishing circuit. The first edition followed an open-submission process and received 233 submissions, with 30 stories eventually making the shortlist. Several of the writers selected for the final anthology went on to make their first professional fiction sale with the collection.

What are they looking for?

The anthology is open to Indian speculative fiction, with the definition extending across genres and styles. Writers working in science fiction, fantasy, horror, magical realism and other forms of speculative storytelling are encouraged to consider submitting.

The anthology’s previous edition demonstrated the breadth of contemporary Indian SFF, with stories using speculative ideas to explore subjects including technology, artificial intelligence, climate change, surveillance, politics, identity and human relationships.

Rather than being limited to a particular kind of futuristic or fantastical story, the anthology provides space for writers to approach speculative fiction in imaginative and unexpected ways.

An opportunity for emerging voices

Open calls such as this can be particularly valuable for writers who have not yet had the opportunity to publish professionally.

The first Between Worlds anthology was deliberately structured to give new writers a chance to be discovered. Its double-blind reading process meant that stories could initially be considered without the readers knowing the identity of the authors.

For writers from different parts of India—including those whose work may not always find space in mainstream literary publishing—such opportunities can provide an important route to reaching a wider readership.

How to submit

Writers interested in being considered for the second volume should read the complete submission guidelines carefully before submitting their work.

Read the official guidelines and submission details here:

Between Worlds — Official Submission Guidelines

The anthology is edited by Gautam Bhatia and is being developed in association with Westland Books.

If you have a speculative fiction story that explores an unusual idea, challenges conventional ways of seeing the world, or imagines what India—or humanity—might look like in another possible future, this is a call worth checking out.

Writers, take note: your next story could be part of Between Worlds.