Submissions are now open for our upcoming anthology, "The New Hotness"!
Tieflings!
Mysterious, mystical, sensual, magnetic.
Born to human families but possessed of infernal bloodlines, tieflings have a demonic appearance that makes them social outcasts. They’ve found particular resonance in the queer tabletop community, whose members are used to the idea of feeling alienated even within their own families and unfairly stigmatised by strangers. There’s some kind of unspoken rule that almost every queer D&D player has a tiefling OC!
The New Hotness invites you to tell stories that reveal the humanity at the heart of the fiend. We’re inviting creators with a queer sensibility to tell personal stories through their tiefling avatars across a range of genres, including romance, action, sci-fi, comedy, and horror.
The stories will star adult and teen hornfolk pursuing adventure and romance, embracing their identities, and living their best lives in fantasy and sci-fi settings.
What we’re looking for
Stories
- 8-12 full-colour pages
Book
- 6.75" x 10.25" softcover
- 160 pages
We welcome stories set in unusual genres like historical romance, sports romance, Westerns, steampunk, superheroes, Gothic horror, crime noir, fairy tale, high adventure, space opera, urban fantasy, et cetera., as long as they have a tiefling star!
The primary protagonist of each story must identify as queer, or whose story speaks directly to a queer experience. That includes (and is not limited to) transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, two-spirit, intersex, and third sex identities and experiences, and any combination thereof.
We also encourage creators to consider other forms of diversity and representation, including and not limited to race and ethnicity, gender, ability, neurodiversity, body diversity, religion, and socioeconomic status.
Every story in the anthology will be chosen based on merit; it must meet an expected standard of quality based on the strength of the pitch and the evidence of the creators' previous works.
Once we've chosen stories that meet those criteria, we will also consider the overall balance of the book in terms of diverse representation of characters, diverse representation of creators, and diversity of genre.
Content Rating
Stories should be aimed at older teens and up.
Stories cannot be sexually or violently graphic, and cannot contain strong language or explicit nudity. However, stories can be about sex or romance, and can contain sexual themes.
Because the word “Tiefling” is a registered trademark, within the printed book we’ll be calling them “Horned folk,Infernals” though you’re welcome to use your own language!
The book will be printed with a list of content warnings.
Page rate and comp copies
Writers will be paid $20 CAD per page, to a maximum of $240 ( 12 pages ). Artists will be paid $50 CAD per page for pencils and inks, to a maximum of $600 ( 12 pages ). Colorists will be paid $30 CAD per page, to a maximum of $360 ( 12 pages ).
Creators who perform multiple roles will be paid for each, to a maximum of $1,200 ( 12 pages ).
If a script receives first-draft approval, even if it is not illustrated or included in the final book, the writer will be paid the page rate.
If a comic is drawn, but for content, quality or space reasons is not included in the final book, all creators involved will be paid for their work.
Comp Copies
All contributors will receive 3 free copies of the printed book, and will be able to order additional books at a reduced cost. The publisher will cover the cost of shipping for the three free copies.
Fast Track Bonus
If the comic is fully complete before February 9th, 2026, so that it can be used in marketing, each member of that creative team will receive an additional ten complimentary copies for a total of thirteen copies.
Payment Schedule
Creators will be paid the first half on receipt of a signed contract. The remaining payment will be sent one month after the Kickstarter completes, or October 1st 2026, whichever is first. Creators will still be paid the full amount if the Kickstarter is not successful.
Rights and ownership
Artists and writers retain all rights to their work, and give us indefinite reprint license to include it in this anthology and reprints, as well as for use in digital copies and marketing materials. You will always be credited for the work.
You’ll grant us the right of first publication until May 1st, 2027. After that, you can submit the piece to other anthologies, display it in your website, or distribute it however you please. If you need a special exemption, just give us a shout and we can work something out.
Use of AI
Work created through AI will not be considered. TO Comix publishes works for humans by humans.
Apply now!
Submissions close end-of-day Sunday, July 20
Submitting a Story Pitch
We will pair unattached writers and artists, so you can submit without having a full creative team.
You can submit up to 3 pitches.
1. Plot summary
One to three paragraphs describing what happens. You don’t have to list everything in detail, but include enough to explain why an audience would be intrigued, and why the resolution will satisfy them.
2. Story length
An estimate of how many pages long the story will be.
3. Brief bio
One to three paragraphs describing yourself and your writing experience. If you’ve been previously published, let us know!
4. Artist details
If you’re intending to draw the story yourself, or have an artist already interested in working with you, mention that as well!
Applying as an Artist
We will pair unattached writers and artists, so you can submit without having a full creative team. Artists will be submitting their work in 300dpi CYMK TIFF files to a Google Docs folder.
1. Portfolio URLs
If you don’t have a portfolio site, please upload the images to www.imgur.com and send us a link.
2. Brief bio
One to three paragraphs describing yourself and your art experience. If you’ve been previously published, let us know!
3. Writer details
If you have a writer in mind you’d like to work with, please mention it!
Milestones
Scripts
Artwork
Roles
Editor ( Andrew Wheeler )
- Coordinate artists and writers
- Review pitches for acceptance
- Review scripts and help writers build strong pieces.
- Review artwork and help artists deliver great stories
- Resolve conflicts.
Writers
- Write an email pitch
- Write a first draft for the editors to review
- If approved, write a final draft.
- Work with artists to create a great story
Artists
- Work with their paired writer to develop character designs for the stories.
- Work with the story’s editor to create a great story.
- Create 2-12 pen and ink pages.
- If possible, letter those pages.
Colorists
- Colour 2-12 pages.
Publisher
- Pay out all parties
- Handle pre-press and publication
- Manage and fulfill Kickstarter distribution
- Publish a financial disclosure showing where money was spent
About us
Andrew Wheeler
Andrew Wheeler is a Shuster- and Eisner-winning writer and editor, whose D&D credits include eight volumes in the Dungeons & Dragons: Young Adventurers Guides series, and Puncheons and Flagons: The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cocktail Book. He also has two decades of comics experience, including Hey, Mary! from Oni Press, Sins of the Black Flamingo from Image Comics, and the Prism-nominated all ages LGBTQ+ anthology Shout Out from TO Comix Press.
TO Comix Press
TO Comix Press publishes comics celebrating upcoming creators and diverse voices. We're dedicated to transparency, and helping build a supportive and kind comics community.
Special Thanks
