Weird videos you didn't take showing up on your phone... Haunted books no one else remembers reading... Strange audio cassettes that won't let you stop listening... [RECORDED] showcases weird, spooky, and disturbing "found media" stories to haunt you!
Found footage is one of my favorite genres. I especially love it in prose fiction—seeing how text can extrapolate, twist, and break the conventions of visual and audio signals.
There's always more room in the world for found media fiction... and that's why I'm creating [RECORDED]!
My name is Merc Fenn Wolfmoor (they/them), and I'm an award-winning author of over 100+ short stories. My work has appeared in a multitude of awesome venues over the years—you can check out my bibliography—and one of my all-time favorite things to write is "found footage."
Want to be part of this? Whether you're a reader or a writer (or both!), I hope you'll like this project. Submissions will be open June 15th-30th, and all accepted stories will be paid a flat fee (see below for specifics).
[RECORDED] will be published in both ebook format and paperback (5.5" x 8.5" softcover), under the FennWolf Press banner, with an exclusive HARDBACK edition just for BackerKit supporters! (Meaning the special edition will not be available in retail after the campaign.)
I estimate fulfillment of backer rewards to happen in October 2026, and the retail version of the book will be published wide near the end of December 2026. (That way, stories are eligible for the calendar year's various industry awards!)
Intrigued? Help us make this an epic anthology and back [RECORDED] at any level!
...with books. Rewards are books, just so we're clear. (There's also stickers and postcards!)
EARLY BIRD BACKERS!
PLEDGE EARLY! GET GOODIES!
Pledge at any of the physical reward pledge levels in the first 48 hours and you will get (2) post cards and (2) stickers (of your choice) for FREE! 😍
THE HORRORS TIERS:
FOUND FOOTAGE: $8USD - an ebook, your name in the acknowledgments (if you wish), and our eldritch/eternal gratitude! [Digital only reward.]
SPOOKY PAPERBACK $20 USD - a paperback copy [shipping is charged separately after the campaign], plus your name in the acknowledgments and our forever thanks!
LOST MANUSCRIPT $25 USD - an ebook AND a paperback copy [shipping is charged separately after the campaign], plus your name in the acknowledgments and our forever thanks! ⬆️ (BEST DEAL!)
OCCULT LIBRARIAN $55 USD - need multiple copies? This level gets you (3) paperback copies and (2) ebook copies to share as you please! [Shipping is charged separately after the campaign.]
HAUNTED FILM REEL $75 USD* - a special edition hardcover of [RECORDED] with all the fancy, non-haunted upgrades to make it a true collector's item! (You'll also get an ebook, postcards, stickers, and the susurrations of mysterious signals praising your name.) [Shipping is charged separately after the campaign.]
*Note this edition is dependent on the funding of the campaign!
HAUNTED MOVIE PREMIER $100 USD - get the Special Edition Hardcover of [RECORDED] along with a paperback copy and the ebook! (You'll also get postcards, stickers, and the susurrations of mysterious signals praising your name.) [Shipping is charged separately after the campaign.]
ELDRITCH BOOK CLUB $150 USD - looking for even more multiple copies of the paperback? How about 10? This tier is for folks who want so many copies that they can inflict this anthology on a book club or unsuspecting bystanders. Or maybe give them as gifts! You'll also get an ebook for yourself, and the nightmares may avoid you during the first six months you possess the anthology. (We hope. Sorry, can't guarantee that.) [Shipping is charged separately after the campaign.]
[RECORDED] will be a paid anthology, and all stories will come directly from slush (meaning I have not solicited any stories for this—everything will be chosen in the equanimity of the slush pile).
The full guidelines are available HERE. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ BEFORE SUBMITTING!
READING PERIOD: JUNE 15th - 30th 2026
Replies will be sent after the reading period closes; you should hear back by the end of July. Please wait to query about your submission until end of July if you have not yet heard back by then. Submissions sent outside of the window will not be read.
FORMAT: Please include your story as an attachment (.rtf, .doc, .docx or .txt only). No PDFs.
Don't stress the format of the story itself. I prefer a legible font, but as long as I can read it we're good.
You do not need to include your mailing address or legal name (if different than your pen name), or your phone number. (I'm not going to call or text you.) Please do include your email address on the first page of your submission.
SIM SUBS & MULTI SUBS: Simultaneous submissions are fine! Just let me know if the story is picked up elsewhere as soon as possible.
Authors may submit a total of two (2) stories (though I will only accept one per author); please send each submission separately using the Duosuma submissions portal.
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL WRITERS (18 or older). I would especially love to see work from newer and/or unpublished writers! (However, I cannot accept stories from persons under 18 years of age. Sorry.)
No "generative AI" written or assisted work will be considered.
Spellcheckers are fine. Basically, if you prompted an LLM for some/all of the story, it will be considered "gen AI" derived and I do not wish to see it. Use your best judgement and your own inherent creativity!
LENGTH:
500 words - 3,000 words
Stories must be original and written in English.
I'm flexible on the upper end of the short story word count, but the longer the work over the 3k threshold, the harder the sell. Payment remains the same.
No reprints will be considered (including Patreon, your blog, audio-only venues, and limited print runs).
Translations from other languages into English for the first time are cool! Please make sure the translator and original author are both included in the submission email, and that the rights for translation into English are available. (The payment fee is the same for original English works, and will only be sent do one person—whether translator and original author wish to split the fee is up to those parties.)
GENRES:
Horror, science fiction, fantasy, noir, weird—I have a preference for speculative but will read anything as long as it's about found media!
PAYMENT:
500 -1,200 paid at a flat rate of $50USD per story.*
1,201 - 3,000 words paid at a flat rate of $150USD per story.*
Payment will be sent upon acceptance and the return of a counter-signed contract. I can utilize PayPal or Venmo (or paper check if you are in the U.S.), and I will cover any transaction fees.
*NOTE: If we hit specific stretch goals, this rate may increase! This is the minimum for accepted stories. This anthology does not offer royalties.
RIGHTS:
I'm seeking exclusive first world-wide English language print and electronic print rights for three months upon publication (in order to publish the anthology digitally and in print); non-exclusive print and electronic rights to keep the story in the anthology after that, while the book is in print (ebook and paperback/hardcover); all other rights belong solely to the author.
Author always retains full copyright of their own story. Each author will be credited in the byline and listed as the copyright holder of their own story in the anthology's backmatter and copyright page.
The publication date for the anthology is planned for October 2026 (for BackerKit supporters; in December 2026 the anthology will be available in retail).
Authors will receive (1) ebook copy and (1) paperback copy (plus postcards and stickers!) when [RECORDED] is published.
HOW TO SUBMIT
We are using Duosuma as a submissions manager! You will need to have a Duotrope account which is FREE; there are no fees to submit.
Attachment formats accepted: .rtf, .doc, .docx, .txt; you can submit in plaintext or Markdown if you like, just ensure you indicate any formatting appropriately. PDFs will not be accepted or opened.
Cover letters should be simple at to the point—please don't summarize your story. You can address them to "Dear Merc" or "Dear editor" or skip the greeting entirely. It's all good.
(Don't address me as "ms/miss/mz," however.)
You are welcome to include a short bio if you want, but it's not required. If you are an unpublished author, feel free to note that too! (Credits are fine if you wanna list them, but they will not influence the decision in any way.)
I appreciate the inclusion of your pronouns but it is not required. Please do not submit headshots or other images with your submission; we will not be including any author pics or avatars in the anthology.
WHAT DO I WANT? 👀
I wanna see weird formats and interesting takes on "found media" — not really looking for standard prose (i.e. a traditional narrative told in first, second, or third person without any kind of additional "found" artifacts) or epistolary-only style works (i.e. a single letter or diary entry) at this time.
While I am strongly biased towards horror, any genre is fair game.
Here's some things I DO want (followed by some I don't)...
YES, GIMME!
Weirdness! I love weird and unhinged ideas.
Creepy! Hell yeah. Go for it.
Unusual formats? Absolutely. Do note that it needs to be able to work in print (ebook too), but I can absolutely work with you on strange formatting if it serves the story!
Subjects I dig (but are by no means necessary):
- cursed books/movies/art
- weird animals (including deer)
- unsettling underwater settings
- "lost" TV episodes (just make up the show it's from)
- glitchy or haunted video games
- creepy music/sounds.
I also absolutely dig campiness, so don't be shy in leaning into that if it suits your story!
NOPE
No excessive gore/violence for the sake of it. We're not doing extreme horror here.
No rape/sexual assault on screen. Preferably not at all.
No erotica or explicit sexual material. This isn't the market for it.
No stories that focus on exploitation of minors in any form.
No child abuse or graphic violence towards children.
No fanfiction (i.e. works derived from copyrighted properties or IP).
No actual video, audio, or other media content. I will not open any attachments with embedded media.
No "AI" or LLM generated stories. (You can certainly write about those things, but the words on the page should be yours.)
IT DEPENDS...
IF your story contains harm/violence against animals, please include a content note at the start of your document.
Real-world bigotry exists but if it features in your story (racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, etc.) please denote that in your document or cover letter. It's not an automatic "no", but I'd rather be forewarned—each story will be listed with content notes as applicable in the final anthology.
If your idea really, really works as interactive (like hyperlinked or CYOA type "go to page X" type formatting), you're welcome to query me about it. Remember that there will be a print (paperback) version, so no actual hyperlinks will work. But if you have something that otherwise fits, I'm willing to consider it! Email me at the submissions address and use the subject line OTHER FORMAT QUERY. (You're also welcome to just send it as a submission with a note, if you like.)
TO SUM UP:
Stories from 500 words to 3,000 words in length; must be in "found media" format; all genres welcomed and horror is preferred; submissions are open June 15-30th, 2026 ONLY; responses will be sent in July 2026; payment via PayPal or Vimeo (or check if in U.S.); all stories must be original and in English; no reprints. (Translations into English are okay!)
No generative AI written or assisted work will be considered.
We operate on the honor system; you are agreeing to send me work that you, a person, wrote. I will NOT run any submitted material through an "AI detector." I respect your privacy and your intellectual property. You are giving me (and my slush readers) permission to read your work as submitted, and solely for the purposes of consideration for the [RECORDED] anthology. Once all submissions have been responded to, any rejected works will be deleted.
Submissions to [RECORDED} do not guarantee an acceptance in any capacity.
So, you may wonder, how will the money be used? I'm so glad you asked. 📊 If you don't care, feel free to skip! This is for transparency so you can get an idea of how the money gets spent.
I'm paying out of pocket for the originally slated number of stories (10 short stories, 5 flash fiction)—so regardless, the anthology will happen. I've also made the cover and can do ebook and print formatting.
While I'd love to be able to recoup some of the investment with stretch goals, my main intention with the base funding goal is to help offset the costs of producing a book like this. Then I can focus more on selecting stories, editing the anthology, and delivering a finished product to all you lovely people!
BASE FUNDING GOAL: $1,000
What's it for?
Production costs: printing books, shipping materials, proof copies of the anthology, shipping coverage for mailing author copies, purchasing ISBNs (3), bank fees and currency conversion buffer costs for author payments.
Fee for proofreading the finished manuscript (depends on the total number of words in the final anthology).
Backerkit's fees (5%) + taxes (15%).
Once we hit this threshold, we can set our sights (and lenses) on some stretch goals for even more goodies!
If we reach this goal, we will be able to raise the pay rate for ALL authors!
Flash fiction will be paid at $75 per story!
Short fiction will be paid at $200 per story!
(Associated processing fees, taxes, etc.)
STRETCH GOAL #3: $4,500
At this stretch goal, it will cover most of the out-of-pocket costs for buying stories! Which would be amazing! We'll have at least 14 short stories and 8 flash fiction stories!
STRETCH GOAL #4: ???
If we pass $4,500, I'll budget in accepting several more short stories and flash fiction, depending on the amount raised. If we reach astronomical heights, monies will go towards author payment boosts!
And maybe interior illustrations??? 👀
Stretch Goals!
Backers will get to participate in a poll to decide the next stretch goal!
Shipping will be calculated and collected after the campaign through the Pledge Manager—please note that at time of this campaign (June 2026), the shown rates are estimates and exact total (minus VAT fees, local taxes, or other costs) will be calculated at time of fulfillment, based on your shipping address and the number of books in your order.
Digital items (ebooks) are always free and do not incur any shipping.
Add-ons such as stickers and postcards bundled with paperback books, if in the U.S., will not incur any additional shipping (because I'll be packaging books + add-ons and shipping them that way); add-ons (stickers and postcards) ordered without a physical book (i.e. ebooks only) or if ordered to international addresses will be charged at a different rate for envelopes. (International orders that want add-ons will get postcards and stickers shipped separately in envelopes regardless.)
📚 Estimated shipping for 1 paperback book 📚
$5 — United States
$15 — Canada
$25 — UK
Other international destinations: please inquire for shipping costs to your location.
Additional paperback copies add approximately +$2 per book to your shipping total.
📚 ATTENTION: IF YOU ARE ORDERING THE PAPERBACK ONLY 📚
We will try to use local dropship services and POD (print on demand) such as IngramSpark, to reduce the cost of shipping significantly! Again, final shipping costs will be calculated after you fill our your Backer Survey.
If you have any questions, feel free to message us through BackerKit.
📖 Estimated shipping for 1 special edition hardcover book 📖
$10 — United States
$25 — Canada
$35 — UK
(These will be shipped from the U.S.; if you are backing the level with an added paperback, cost will be slightly increased due to weight.)
The Occult Librarian tier (3 paperbacks):
$10 — United States
$35 — Canada
$45 — UK
The Eldritch Bookclub (10 paperback books):
$15 — United States
$40 — Canada
$55 — UK
(Bulk shipping will be utilized if at all possible for larger orders.)
Keep in mind that the world could implode into a space-time anomaly by October, so this timeline is the best estimate at time of launch! Things are subject to change.
July 2026: all final decisions will be made from the slush pile, then acceptances and rejections will be sent out by the beginning of August.
August 2026: Authors will be sent any requested edits, contracts, and payments. (Authors: I will need you to be fast on the turn-around!)
September 2026: [RECORDED] will be assembled, formatted, and proofread. Authors will receive electronic galleys. Proofs for the paperback will be ordered from the printer.
October 2026: Ebooks will be sent to all backers as soon as the anthology is finished, and print books will be shipped to backers and authors by the end of the month. (Special editions may take several weeks longer to print/ship. If you've ordered both paperback and hardcover and wish to save on costs, they will be shipped together in November.)
November 2026: Aim to have all physical orders shipped! Copies will be sent to industry reviewers and Year's Best editors for consideration.
December 2026: [RECORDED] goes on sale at all major retailers as both an ebook and paperback. Huzzah! The anthology, and all its individual stories, are now eligible for any awards considerations for the year 2026!
When you fill out your survey after the campaign, you'll be able to choose from a variety of add-ons if you so choose.
We will have cool-looking stickers and post cards shaped like haunted VHS tapes, troubling audio cassette tapes, and infernal vinyl records! It's retro!
audio cassette sticker and postcard design
VHS tape sticker and postcard design
(left) CD sticker design; (right) vinyl record sticker design
(top) color version of the radio design;(bottom) black & white version of the radio design, available as both postcards and stickers
(top) color version of the TV set design; (bottom) black & white version of the TV set design available as stickers and postcards
BACK [RECORDED] header image
With YOUR support, we can make [RECORDED] an incredible success — authors get paid for their stories! Readers get a fantastic anthology to devour! We all win!
Thank you for helping me make [RECORDED] a hauntingly good time.
![[RECORDED] — An Anthology of Found Media Fiction!](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/bt14eo1i83hyz0fid7du7obnsnlf?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&w=896)
![About [RECORDED] header](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/dzabdnot4hnohtgvapplz30jiszj?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![FOUND FOOTAGE graphic for the $8 ebook tier; it shows an e-reader frame with the cover of [RECORDED} and the text "(1) copy of the [RECORDED] ebook! Your name in the acknowledgements! We thank you for your support"](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/ky4rte0mxwz6odkqefp30r8y7gpm?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![SPOOKY PAPERBACK graphic for the $20 paperback tier; it shows a paperback mockup image with the cover for [RECORDED} and the text "(1) copy of the [RECORDED] paperback edition! Your name in the acknowledgements! We thank you for your support; shipping charged separately"](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/fd7mur96x907u9vo4s0sv5jt2ds7?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![LOST MANUSCRIPT GRAPHIC graphic for the $25 paperback and ebook tier; it shows a paperback mockup image with the cover for [RECORDED] as well as an e-reader with the same cover, and the text "(1) copy of the [RECORDED] paperback + (1) ebook copy of [RECORDED]! Your name in the acknowledgements! We thank you for your support; shipping charged separately"](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/4pxf24cm9fslmq903dg9wpitxac3?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![OCCULT LIBRARIAN graphic for the $55 tier; it shows a paperback mockup image with the cover for [RECORDED] as well as an e-reader with the same cover, and the text "(3) paperback copies of [RECORDED] + (2) ebook copies of [RECORDED]! Your name in the acknowledgements! We thank you for your support; shipping charged separately"](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/cwgmnlxg88yoh5fduo1wj6pmij0p?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![HAUNTED FILM REEL graphic for the $75 tier; it shows a hardcover mockup image with the cover for [RECORDED], and the text "(1) Special Edition Hardcover copy of [RECORDED] + (1) ebook copy + POSTCARDS & STICKERS of choice + and your name in the acknowledgments! We thank you for your support; shipping charged separately" The special edition will have a foiled dust jacket, sprayed edges, and a ribbon bookmark, and this is a limited collector's item that will not be available in retail](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/t0qc6t8lg0axgv7eo6p4eb3rnh16?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![HAUNTED MOVIE PREMIER graphic for the $100 tier; it shows a hardcover mockup image with the cover for [RECORDED] overlaying an ebook and paperback, and the text "(1) Special Edition Hardcover copy of [RECORDED] + (1) paperback copy +(1) ebook copy + POSTCARDS & STICKERS of choice + and your name in the acknowledgments! We thank you for your support; shipping charged separately" The special edition will have a foiled dust jacket, sprayed edges, and a ribbon bookmark, and this is a limited collector's item that will not be available in retail](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/oju1anf2e7t1wnmlfi8myc5s228i?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![ELDRITCH BOOK CLUB graphic for the $150 tier; it shows a paperback mockup image with the cover for [RECORDED] overlaying an ebook, and the text "(10) paperback copies of [RECORDED] + (1) ebook copy + (10) POSTCARDS (5 of each design) & all stickers! We thank you for your support; shipping charged separately"](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/o6tyhi3set53k5hnum6wa93i63kz?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![the audio cassette sticker and post card design looks like an analog cassette tape with rainbow banding over the tape reels and a label that reads [RECORDED]; a piece of masking tape on the corner has "DON'T PLAY!" written in red ink](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/t5ixtadf8d63e9fex91zi5boeh1o?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1098)
![the VHS cassette sticker and post card design looks like an analog VHS tape with a white label that reads [RECORDED]; a piece of masking tape on the center has "WARNING! HAUNTED!" written in faded red ink](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/bo9hifqnplys6lpeismno70jp36k?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![the CD sticker and vinyl record sticker designs look like an shiny CD-ROM (left) with a half-skull image superimposed onto the surface, the title [RECORDED] on the upper third, and a sound wave design on the lower half, with a a piece of masking tape that reads "DO NOT PLAY! DANGER!" in faded red ink; the record (left) shows a black vinyl record with a red label in the center that has [RECORDED] in black and white mirrored text, as well as a darker piece of masking tape that reads "CURSED! DESTROY IT!" with what appears to be blood stains over the tape and the vinyl](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/a4eflowsurjhnu1toisxzsph9wi8?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
![two versions of the radio sticker and post card design (top is in sepia color, the bottom is in black and white) shows an old-fashioned radio unit with a mesh speaker screen that has [RECORDED] in bold font; a piece of masking tape under one of the dials reads "DO NOT TURN ON!!!" in faded print](https://images.backerkit.com/active_storage/backerkit_production/blob/9qdef6bpkddkuhgc5r9bltevrayr?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&auto=compress%2Cformat&cs=srgb&q=80&fit=max&w=1600)
