Call for Submissions
FEED THE BEAST - An In The Grotto Issue
The beast within demands indulgence. It craves decadence, desire, and the untamed pleasures of life. For our upcoming issue of In The Grotto, Feed the Beast, we are seeking writing and artwork that explores the intersection of esoteric philosophy and hedonistic living—where indulgence is a ritual, and pleasure is sacred.
We invite contributors to delve into themes of desire, excess, sensuality, and the occult. How does the pursuit of pleasure transcend the mundane? How do the aesthetics of indulgence, from lavish feasts to provocative art, connect to deeper spiritual or mystical philosophies? This issue revels in the lush, the opulent, and the untamed, embracing both the carnal and the cerebral.
What We’re Looking For
Writing: We welcome essays, poetry, short fiction, and experimental prose that explore indulgence as an act of defiance, enlightenment, or liberation. Topics can include (but are not limited to):
Esoteric hedonism and occult philosophies of pleasure
Rituals of indulgence—food, art, sex, power
The dark beauty of excess, temptation, and desire
Historical or mythological figures who embodied the philosophy of indulgence
The alchemy of pleasure—transforming sensation into something transcendent
Art: We seek visually striking, lush, and immersive artwork—pieces that feel rich, tactile, and evocative. We are especially drawn to:
Vibrant, decadent compositions
Mystical imagery infused with themes of indulgence and desire
Sensory overload: intricate patterns, lush colors, layered symbolism
Dark, romantic, and hypnotic aesthetics
Opulent, surreal dreamscapes
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Publishing 2025. Want to join the waitlist? Click "Notify Me" to add your email, and you'll be informed when the complete issue is released for both digital and print distribution.
Submission Guidelines
Written pieces: Up to 2,500 words (shorter works and poetry are welcome)
Visual art: High-resolution digital files (minimum 300 dpi) in PNG or JPG format
All submissions must be original and unpublished
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere
Deadline & Submission Details
Deadline: May 15, 2025
Send submissions to: info@inthegrotto.com with the subject line “Feed the Beast Submission – [Your Name]”
Submissions can be submitted as individual attachments, PDF compilations, or publicly viewable Drive or Dropbox links. Use a private browser window to test whether or not your link is publicly viewable. Please include a short bio (50–100 words) with your submission.
Payment
Rates for image licensing start at $50 USD for a single image, higher rates will be offered for a series of multiple images. Rates for new commissions will vary based on the scope of work and number of final images needed.
Rates for written pieces start at $.15/word, negotiated as a flat fee upon commission. This means that we will set the rate based on the expected length of the piece. We do not recalculate the fee based on the final word count of your piece.