Hub City Shorts is a series of publications edited by Gabriel Bump, Mesha Maren, and M. Randal O’Wain, coming in 2027 from Hub City Press. This design-forward, collectible series of small-format books celebrates short forms from new, established, and rediscovered Southern writers. Hub City Shorts will feature roughly six stories from six writers, collated by state. Our first two editions will feature South Carolina and Mississippi writers. Both editions will be published together in 2027.

With a distinctive design and collectible format, Hub City Shorts offers readers an elegant, portable way to experience the South’s most compelling stories—both new and rediscovered. The books will be slim and elegant–ideal for travel, gifting, or dipping into between longer reads. Beyond this initial states project, Hub City Shorts will enable Hub City Press to accommodate hybrid forms, novellas, book-length essays, and other works outside of the standard format.

Our first two editions will feature South Carolina and Mississippi. Both editions will be published together in 2027.

Submissions

For our initial launch of Hub City Shorts, we'll be looking only for stories for our state editions. The editors will host an open a call for submissions for fiction from emerging writers for each state edition. The editors are looking for stellar short stories from early career writers who have been living in their home state for a total of 10+ years. The editors will solicit work for this series as well.

Submissions Open: November 15
Submissions Close: February 15
Submission Fee: Free
 

Submit

Eligible writers must meet the following criteria:

1. Have not published a book or appeared in major national publications.
2. Were raised in South Carolina or Mississippi, or have lived in either state for at least 10 years.

Guidelines:

1. Submission must be a piece of short fiction that does not exceed 10,000 words.
2. Writers may submit up to two pieces of short fiction per entry.
3. Work previously published in regional or small circulation journals will be considered. Stories published in journals with major national reach are not acceptable for this call.
4. Please title your file with your last name, home state (SC or MS), and the title of your piece.
5. Submissions will be accepted in .doc, .docx, and .pdf formats and should be double spaced, paginated, and in Times New Roman or comparable font. Incorrect formatting will not result in automatic rejection, but be respectful of requirements for ease of reading for our editors.
6. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please let us know if the piece is accepted elsewhere. We prefer that unpublished pieces not be out with major national journals.
7. If the piece is accepted elsewhere, we may ask you to withdraw from consideration. Submissions must be sent via Submittable only. Mailed submissions will not be read.