It's time to look into the future.
We’re officially announcing the theme of our next short story anthology, and honestly this one feels pretty appropriate for what’s happening in the world right now.
What we're looking for
So here’s the deal: our next anthology is called Utopia/Havoc and we’re looking for stories that are set in the very near future that fall into one (or both) of these genres:
First, cyberpunk: this is where high-tech meets low-life—think neon-soaked cities, rogue hackers, corrupt corporations, and a gritty fight for freedom in a world dominated by tech gone wild.
But the world can do with a bit of hope, so we’re balancing it out with stories that are considered solarpunk, an optimistic sci-fi genre where green tech meets a brighter future—imagine lush eco-cities, solar panels everywhere, thriving communities, and people working together to heal the planet and live sustainably.
As always we’re looking for strong characters, compelling narratives and underrepresented voices.
Submission guidelines
We are looking for English language (fiction) stories between 5 000 and 10 000 words in length, clearly identifiable as cyberpunk, solarpunk or a blend of the two. We only consider stories that have not been published before (including self-published, on blogs, newsletters and the like). In bullet format for the lazy reader:
5 000 to 10 000 words
English
Strong genre representation (cyberpunk, solarpunk or both)
Never-before published, even by yourself.
Got it? Good.
More on the genres
We're not too prescriptive on what the stories are about, but they need to be clearly linked to these genres. We define them as follows:
Cyberpunk: At its core, cyberpunk asks "What happens when technology evolves faster than morality? " The answer? A world that’s equal parts thrilling and terrifying, where the line between human and machine blurs in a haze of code, chrome, and corporate greed.
Solarpunk: At its core, solarpunk asks: What happens when technology evolves alongside nature, not against it? The answer? A world that’s equal parts visionary and vibrant, where the line between science and sustainability blurs in a canopy of leaves, light, and limitless possibility.
We encourage you to do some research on both genres – there are great resources out there. The Netflix series Arcane is a great example of a blend of both these genres.
How many stories will be included, and will I get paid?
We will extend an offer to publish eight stories. We'll sign standard publishing agreements with all the selected authors. This means each selected author will receive royalties from each print and ebook sale.
Who can submit and where will you publish?
Anyone from anywhere can submit. The anthology will appear in print in South Africa and the UK, and worldwide as an ebook.
How do I submit?
Send a Word document of your short story to hello@miraripress.com with the subject line UTOPIA/HAVOC.
When do submissions close?
Submissions close 30 June 2025 at midnight (GMT+2).
What's the timeline?
We'll announce the selected stories on 1 December 2025, and the anthology will be published in June/July 2026.