Killer Nashville Magazine - Terms and Conditions

KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE – Submission Guidelines

Killer Nashville Magazine publishes literature that inspires and craft articles that challenge, move, and transform.

We are attracted to work that pulls readers in, stories that carry tension, mystery, danger, discovery, consequence, and emotional stakes, and nonfiction that changes lives. Whether subtle or explosive, quiet or fast-paced, the work must engage the reader and not let go.

We publish fiction and nonfiction that captivate readers through mystery, thriller, suspense, action, horror, and romance. These elements span across genres, and we welcome submissions that bring them to life in innovative, engaging ways.

Selections from KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE have been included in both The Best Mystery Stories of the Year and The Best American Mystery Stories anthologies.

We appreciate storytelling that is intentional, captivating, and unforgettable, and we seek writers who are serious about their craft.

We only accept original, unpublished work.

WHAT WE ACCEPT

We accept submissions in these categories:

  • Short Stories (up to 5,000 words)

  • Flash Fiction (up to 1,000 words)

  • Poetry (up to 3 poems per submission)

  • Novel Excerpts (up to 5,000 words)

  • Craft Articles (1,200–2,500 words)

  • Creative Nonfiction (up to 5,000 words)

  • Book Reviews (600–1,200 words)

If your work explores, reflects on, examines, or builds upon mystery, thriller, suspense, action, horror, and/or romance, we want to see it.

EDITORIAL STANDARDS

KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE upholds professional editorial standards aligned with the tone and expectations of our readership.

We do not publish material that contains:

  • Biased political messaging

  • Gratuitous sexual content

  • Gratuitous graphic violence

Stories can include tension, danger, fear, or emotional intensity, but these elements should support the story rather than exist solely for shock value.

We appreciate purposeful storytelling where intensity enhances narrative meaning instead of spectacle.

RESPONSE TIME

We strive to respond to submissions within 30–60 days.

PAYMENT

KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE pays contributors upon publication.

Short Stories$50 per accepted story

Flash Fiction$15 per accepted piece

Poetry
$10 per poem

Novel Excerpts$50 per accepted excerpt

Craft Articles$35 per accepted article

Creative Nonfiction$50 per accepted piece

Book Reviews$15 per accepted review

Payment is issued after publication of the accepted work.

Payment constitutes full compensation for the rights granted under this agreement.

Payment is contingent upon publication. If a work is accepted but not published, no payment obligation shall arise.

These rates apply to works published after June 1, 2026. Prevailing payment terms for earlier published works remain in effect.

SUBMISSION METHOD

All submissions must be submitted via Submittable.

We do not accept submissions through email or online forms.

DEFINITION OF WORK

For purposes of this agreement, the term “Work” refers to the submitted material, including all text, images, artwork, graphics, multimedia elements, and any associated materials provided by the author as part of the submission.

RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS

Except for First North American Serial Rights, which remain exclusive until first publication, all other rights granted under this agreement are non-exclusive.

The rights granted under this agreement include the authority to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, perform, preserve, and archive the work across print, digital, audio, video, and multimedia platforms associated with KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE.

Copyright stays with the author. KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE only obtains the rights explicitly granted in this agreement. All other rights remain the sole property of the author.

Upon acceptance, contributors grant AMERICAN BLACKGUARD, INC., doing business as KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE (“KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE”), its successors, assigns, affiliates, and licensed publishing partners, the following rights:

  • First North American Serial Rights (Electronic and Print)

  • The right to publish the work on KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE websites and digital platforms indefinitely

  • The right to publish the work in KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE digital editions, including editions that are distributed, archived, or sold through retail outlets

  • The right to publish the work in KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE print editions, including standard issues, special editions, and future print publications

  • The right to archive and permanently maintain the work in KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE’s digital and print archives

  • The right to reproduce the work in future KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE compilations, collections, anniversary editions, or retrospective publications

  • The right to format, reformat, and adapt the work as needed for publication across print, digital, audio, archival, and retail distribution platforms

  • The right to produce, publish, reproduce, and distribute non-exclusive audio recordings of the work, including spoken-word or narrated versions, as part of KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE publications, collections, anthologies, anniversary editions, retrospective publications, or related branded projects, in audiobook, streaming audio, or other audio formats now known or later developed

  • The right to use brief excerpts from the work for promotional, advertising, and marketing purposes related to KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE's publications and activities

  • The right to translate the work into other languages as part of KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE's collections, anthologies, or retrospective editions

  • The right to include the work in searchable databases, indexes, and archival systems associated with KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE

  • The right to publish and distribute the work in formats now known or later developed.

  • The right to use excerpts from the work in connection with cover design, promotional materials, and marketing content.

  • The right to create descriptive metadata, summaries, and promotional descriptions related to the work.

  • The right to use the work for educational and instructional purposes within KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE and its affiliated educational programs.

  • The right to publicly perform or broadcast audio versions of the work as part of KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE podcasts, broadcasts, or related audio programming

  • The right to accompany the work with illustrations, artwork, design elements, or visual formatting as part of publication and promotional presentation

  • The right to reproduce portions of the work in editorial, instructional, or retrospective materials produced by KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE

  • The right to publish the work in successor or related publications operated by AMERICAN BLACKGUARD, INC.

  • The right to make minor editorial revisions for clarity, formatting, grammar, and house style, provided the meaning of the work is not materially altered

  • The right to license the work as part of KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE publications to libraries, educational institutions, and archival services

  • The right to group and organize the work into themed collections, curated selections, or topical groupings within KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE publications and platforms

  • The right to display excerpts, previews, or sample portions of the work in connection with retail listings, digital previews, or promotional displays

  • The right to transfer and preserve the work across technological systems as necessary to maintain archival continuity and accessibility

  • The right to produce, publish, reproduce, display, and distribute video recordings of the work, including narrated readings, visual presentations, or multimedia adaptations, as part of KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE publications, collections, promotional materials, educational programs, or related branded projects, in video or multimedia formats now known or later developed

  • The right to publicly perform, record, stream, and distribute readings or presentations of the work as part of live or recorded KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE events, programs, or educational offerings

  • The right to incorporate the work into multimedia or interactive presentations combining text, audio, video, or visual elements

  • The right to use the author’s name, approved biography, and likeness (if provided) for purposes of publication, promotion, marketing, and educational presentation related to the work

  • The right to create captions, transcripts, subtitles, or accessibility adaptations of the work as necessary for publication or distribution

  • The right to distribute the work through third-party distribution platforms, retailers, and content delivery services associated with KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE publications

  • The right to use automated tools and technologies to format, preserve, and distribute the work across supported publishing platforms

  • The right to correct, revise, suspend, or remove the work if required for legal, ethical, or operational reasons

  • The right to correct typographical, formatting, or technical errors discovered after publication, provided the meaning of the work is not materially altered

  • The right to modify or remove the work as necessary to comply with legal requirements, court orders, or regulatory obligations

  • The right to create backup and recovery copies of the work for purposes of system redundancy, disaster recovery, and archival preservation

  • Authors agree that subsequent republication of the work shall include acknowledgment of its first publication in KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE

  • Accepted works may remain available as part of KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE’S permanent archive in both digital and print formats. Authors remain free to republish their work elsewhere after its initial publication in KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE, provided original publication credit is given to KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE.

  • All rights granted herein shall survive termination of this agreement and remain in effect for all published versions of the work.

  • Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to limit the author's moral rights in the work, including the right to attribution and integrity

KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE will credit the author by name in all published formats of the work, including online, digital, and print editions.

PUBLICATION DISCRETION

KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to decline publication of any accepted work if legal, editorial, ethical, or operational concerns arise. Acceptance of a submission does not guarantee publication.

RIGHTS NOT ACQUIRED

Apart from the specific rights mentioned above, KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE does not gain ownership of the work or authority over the author’s broader intellectual property rights.

This agreement aims to grant publication rights while maintaining the author’s long-term ownership and creative control of the work.

Unless it is negotiated separately in writing, KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE does not acquire:

  • Film or motion picture rights

  • Television rights

  • Rights for dramatic or stage adaptations

  • Merchandise rights

  • Rights for standalone audiobooks

  • Rights for artificial intelligence or machine learning training

  • Any rights not specifically listed in this agreement

Copyright remains with the author at all times.

EDITORIAL COOPERATION

Authors agree to cooperate in reasonable editorial revisions. If an author declines requested revisions necessary for publication standards, KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE reserves the right to withdraw acceptance.

NO CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP

Submission of a Work to KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE does not create any confidential, fiduciary, or implied relationship between the author and KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE or AMERICAN BLACKGUARD, INC. Submitted material shall not be considered confidential.

AUTHOR WARRANTY AND INDEMNIFICATION

By submitting work to KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE through Submittable [https://killernashvillemagazine.submittable.com/submit], you represent and warrant that:

  • The submission is your original, unpublished work

  • The work contains no material that is libelous, unlawful, or in violation of any contractual obligation

  • The work has not been previously published, in whole or in part, in any form, including print, digital, or online platforms

  • You hold full authority to grant the rights described above

  • The work does not infringe upon the rights of any other person or entity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AMERICAN BLACKGUARD, INC., d/b/a KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE, its successors, assigns, affiliates, and licensed publishing partners against any claims, liabilities, or damages arising from breach of these warranties.

FORCE MAJEURE

KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE shall not be liable for failure to perform obligations under this agreement where such failure results from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, system failures, or interruptions in communication or digital infrastructure.

NO AGENCY RELATIONSHIP

Nothing in this agreement shall be deemed to create any partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between the author and KILLER NASHVILLE MAGAZINE or AMERICAN BLACKGUARD, INC.

SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties concerning the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior discussions, communications, or understandings, whether written or oral.

GOVERNING LAW

This agreement shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the State of Tennessee. Any disputes arising under this agreement shall be resolved in the courts located in Williamson County, Tennessee.