Drabble The Dark, The contest #8 - August 2026

Available free

Drabble the Dark: The Contest is a monthly mini zine dedicated to showcasing the winning stories of the Drabble the Dark competition. Following the temporary break of The Mag, this new format keeps the contest alive by bringing together five selected tales each month, offering readers a collection of dark fiction inspired by a unique theme.

Each issue explores new corners of horror, dark fiction, and unsettling imagination through the voices of emerging and established writers alike. From psychological dread to supernatural terror, every volume delivers short but haunting experiences designed to linger long after the final page.

Beyond the monthly winners, finalists selected throughout the year may also be considered for publication in the annual Drabble the Dark anthology, celebrating the strongest stories and contributors of the competition season.

Drabble The Dark, The contest #8 - August 2026

Theme: Voodoo Doll

Featuring stories by:

• “Malta Voodoo Doll” by Tanja Cilia

• “Playing House” by C.R. Masters

• “Rachel's Revenge” By John Russell

• “Let There be light ” By J. M. Harris

• “You Do - I Do - Voodoo” By Steven Lemprière *

*Trigger Warning

At WATG Press, we generally avoid trigger warnings. As stated on our website, we publish fiction that is dark, disturbing, unsettling, and intended to challenge readers. If that is not the kind of experience you are looking for, we genuinely encourage you to seek out a publisher whose catalogue better matches your preferences.

However, if you are new to WATG Press and haven't yet explored what we publish, please be aware that the following story: “You Do - I Do - Voodoo” By Steven Lemprière, contains themes of child sexual abuse, incest, sexual assault, trauma, and graphic psychological distress. Reader discretion is advised.