What happens when the sun sets on your favorite theme park?

Does the chipper music continue to play? Do the shuttered ticket booths keep guests out, or keep something else in? Can you peek beneath that smiling mascot head?

… Has anyone stayed behind to find out?

Scream Parks is a theme park horror anthology that imagines what lurks under the run-down rollercoaster, behind the animatronics’ glassy stare, and within the murky pool at the end of the rusted waterslide.

Each story must take place at a fictional theme park/attraction of your own creation.

We are seeking FIFTEEN terrifying short stories.

Please avoid only using Disney’s theme parks as your point of reference; there are many other regional attractions to pull inspiration from. Examples of themed entertainment destinations: theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, carnivals and fairs, family fun centers (arcades, mini golf, etc.), dark rides, funhouses, wax museums, zoos, piers, themed restaurants, seasonal haunted houses… if it can hide something frightening or uncanny beneath its façade, it’s fair game! In other words, less Dismaland and more Defunctland.

Whether your attraction is closed for the night and left in the dark, or closed years ago and left to rot, the majority of your story should take place in the shadows of normal operations. Additionally, the majority of your story must take place during or before the decade often seen as the golden age of themed entertainment: the 1990s.

Although your story may take place at a “scary” attraction (such as a haunted house or dark ride), there are unlimited sources of theme park horror to brainstorm with: killers on the loose, animatronic horror, abandoned parks/urban explorers, ghosts, clowns, good-gone-bad, unsavory food, two-faced employees, ride accidents and malfunctions, mysterious park history, unsanitary working conditions… and any other nightmares you can dream up.

NO AI Allowed! Submissions generated, co-written, rewritten, or substantially assisted by generative AI tools are not permitted. This includes the use of AI for story generation, plotting, prose writing, scene expansion, stylistic imitation, or large-scale revision.

In 1977, something is wrong in Black Pines, Colorado. Maybe it starts at Rosco’s Pet Emporium.

The bell above the door jingles as customers step inside under fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. The black-and-white checkered floor stretches between rows of aquariums, stacked cages, heat lamps, and hand-painted sale signs. The air smells like fish water, dry pet food, cigarette smoke, as well as damp and musky newspaper.

Behind the counter stands Rosco himself. A balding, slightly overweight guy, wearing oversized glasses and a patterned shirt with rolled sleeves. He's the kind of man customers barely remember after leaving.

But people who buy pets from Rosco’s Pet Emporium sometimes bring something else home with them.

We are seeking FIFTEEN terrifying short stories.

We want stories that are horrifying, atmospheric, violent, disgusting, suspenseful, and genuinely frightening. The horror does not necessarily need to come from the animal attacking or biting people. We are equally interested in stories where the animal simply begins acting strangely or unnaturally, creating paranoia, dread, obsession, psychological terror, disease, infestation, or the slow realization that something is deeply wrong with the pet brought home from Rosco’s Pet Emporium. Keep it grounded, believable, and terrifying.

We do NOT want comedy, parody, campy wink-at-the-camera horror. Supernatural horror is strongly discouraged. Stories may become as extreme as necessary, but they must remain serious in tone. The fear should feel real.

Stories MUST take place in 1977, involve a pet obtained from Rosco’s Pet Emporium, must be a pet-store animal or plausible exotic pet for the era. No wild-animal stories. No parody names or references to famous evil animals from existing media. Originality matters. Stories may take place inside the pet store, but the store itself cannot be completely destroyed. Stories can take place at any location, but references to Black Pines, Colorado will be edited for consistency.

Multiple submissions are allowed, though only one per author could be chosen. Reprints may be considered if disclosed.

Stories should focus on animals that could realistically be purchased from a 1970s pet store or independent pet shop. Dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, snakes, turtles, lizards, tarantulas, ferrets, rats, mice, and other plausible exotic pets for the era are all acceptable. We are not looking for stories involving wild animals or creatures that would never realistically be sold through a pet store, including lions, sharks, bears, wolves, crocodiles, or similar wildlife.

NO AI Allowed! Submissions generated, co-written, rewritten, or substantially assisted by generative AI tools are not permitted. This includes the use of AI for story generation, plotting, prose writing, scene expansion, stylistic imitation, or large-scale revision.