We’re publishing our second print issue! Introducing: SCARYCUTE— a month-long digital and print series all about being both Scary and Cute (at the same time!).
SCARYCUTE is an aesthetic and a cultural movement where sweetness and horror, innocence and unease, softness and rebellion coexist. With roots in the Japanese slang term “kimokawaii” which translates to creepy (kimo), cute (kawaii), we’ve noticed an uptick in things like Labubus, gothic Lolita fashion, monster girlfriends, eldritch plushies, horror games with pastel color palettes, beauty trends inspired by vampires, dolls, and ghouls! We’re increasingly drawn to imagery and storytelling that is simultaneously comforting and unsettling — is it a way of processing a world that feels increasingly uncertain? Or is it simply not that deep?
That’s what we want to explore with this second issue. As always, we’re looking to bring in new voices, storytelling mediums, and art into our digital and print world. If you have an existing work or idea you think might fit this issue, please pitch us!
***DEADLINE for pitches: AUGUST 31st, 2026**
Here’s a taste of what we’re looking for:
Cultural criticism on how “scary cute” shows up across industries. Think: Food, fashion, film, K-pop, toys, and more.
Scene reports at fan-led, indie, or otherwise relevant events
Original flash fiction, particular horror and magical realism
Original or existing poetry
Existing 2D art pieces within our theme including drawings, comics, photographs, art objects such as stuffies, ceramics, dolls, and more.
how to pitch💌
If you are interested in contributing, please email hi@mixedfeelings.earth with your pitch.
How should you pitch? We’d love for you to send along a concise description of how you plan to structure your piece, inclusive of potential sources or art elements, along with a proposed headline. Please put the words “SCARYCUTE” in the email subject line.
A note about our AI policy: We do not publish stories or artwork with text or visuals generated by AI. We also do not accept pitches that have been written with AI. Let us see your voice and work shine on its own!
**mf writing opportunities are paid. If accepted, our editorial team will reach out to you via email to discuss your pitch and offer you our standard editorial rate.**