New tales of

The “cold open” is a storytelling technique which throws the reader directly into the action to build up a sense of danger, humour, or mystery.

Discover immersive fiction meant to thrill fans of Love, Death & Robots, Memories, Heavy Metal, and Black Mirror.

Latest releases

Telling independent stories

READ

The short story is an exercise in brevity, tension, and technique. Explore new worlds and characters who are quirky, artisanal, weird, or unconventional - all within a quick read.

SUBMISSIONS

We promote new authors and their tales of dark fantasy, unsettling near-futures, and genre-mashups where humanity's instincts are displayed in weird and strange ways.

LISTEN

Audio dramas are not just an audio version of a text – they are a dramatization of it. Go beyond the traditional narration or audiobook. Enter an auditory space for your imagination.

Promoting new voices

Cold Open Stories has collaborated with authors and voiceover artists from around the world. With an emphasis on character and immersive fiction, we’ve created a home for emerging talent and veterans to find their voice, show off their skills, and take the next step in their creative journey.