UNPOPULAR Publications

About the Zine

Where Horror Meets Art

Born from the underground zine scene of 2011, Tales of Blood and Roses carved out its place in the indie publishing world with three critically acclaimed issues. Now, after more than a decade of silence, the darkness returns.
The fourth issue will explore the theme of Dangerous Games—stories where the stakes are mortal, and the rules are written in blood.

This installment features a story by acclaimed author Kevin David Anderson, and an interview with author/editor John Gregory Betancourt who're joining our other twisted ToBaR authors and artists in the dark fun. Step into a world where a Dungeon Master can reshape reality with a roll of the dice, and another where a gardening competition turns deadly. At more than 100 pages, there are plenty of surprises waiting. Come on and play—you know you want to.
Unsolicited submissions are open until June 30, 2026. though some players have already joined the game with art, poetry, prose, and puzzles.

featuring
Kevin David Anderson
and an interview with
John Gregory Betancourt
alongside
AMS
Becky Urban
Darkman
E. Doyle-Gillespie
Earl Crown
The Enigmatic MZ
Fernando Quijano III (The Word Pimp)
Ghastly
Jeffrey L. Shipley
Jordan Wells
Lux Kane
Nasta Martyn
Sarah Robbins
Shirley Smothers
Scott P. Odle
Wesley Olson

What the Critics Said

"A Zine to Set the Brains of Horror Fans on Fire"

"I hope they get to keep publishing this for the rest of their lives...and beyond!"
~ Jake Austen, ROCKTOBER MAGAZINE

"[A] zine to set the brains of horror fans on fire...62 pages packed full with poetry, prose, art, pics, and cartoons loosely based around hallmarks of this genre, all delivered with exceptional post-normal bleeding-edge quality."
~ Zack Kopp, THE EXAMINER

"I do always enjoy good writing, which this zine provides."
~ Eric Lyden, XEROGRAPHY DEBT

"[A]n erotic/horror/goth version of Reader's Digest"
~ Andy Conway, RAZORCAKE

"[Y]ou're not going to find a collection of work this diverse, interesting, and thought-provoking anywhere else."
~ Slade Grayson, BOOKGASM

"Tales' maiden issue flexes plenty of literati muscle."
~ Jerard Fagerberg, THE BALTIMORE CITY PAPER

Submissions

Submissions Open January 15 to June 30, 2026

We are seeking art, cartoons, poems, and stories that engage with the theme, Dangerous Games.
Tales of Blood and Roses showcases works of a disturbing and disquieting nature.
Prose should be presented in the Shunn manuscript format and approximately 1500 words or less.
Poetry may utilize special spacing as necessary for your poem.
Include a brief third-person bio (of aproximately 50-words).
Creators from any country and of any background are welcome.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please email jeff@unpopularpublications.com with WITHDRAW in the subject line to immediately let us know if your work is accepted elsewhere. If a story or poem is accepted by us while still under consideration for other publications, please remember to withdraw your submission from those publications.
Payment will be in the form of a contributor's copy.

Please send inquiries and submissions to:
Jeff@UnpopularPublications.com
Jeffrey L. Shipley, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Unpopular Publications
6720 G Ritchie Hwy #452
Glen Burnie, MD 21061