The Fiction Desk See other projects related to this listing. About We are short story publishers, devoted to encouraging and promoting short story writing. Our regular anthologies of new short fiction feature a diverse range of established award-winning authors and newcomers, all brought together by the love of a well-written short story. Most of the short stories we publish might loosely be considered 'general' or 'literary' fiction, but we regularly feature ghost stories and some science fiction. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee is GBP £5. Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication United Kingdom Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationUnknown publication frequency Fiction Temp Closed We run a series of short story submission calls through the year. These always include a call for general short fiction, and usually a call for stories on a given theme as well. We also run an annual ghost story call in winter. One other thing to note is that we're looking for stories about people and places, rather than about writing itself. If the most important thing about your story is its quirky narrative structure, or if the protagonist is a writer who's writing a short story about the challenges of writing a short story about the challenges of being a writer, then it may not be for us.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: Open to all/most Genres including... General. Horror Open to all/most Subgenres. Science Fiction Open to all/most Subgenres.Lengths: Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words; Up to 3 pieces. Novelette: 7,500 - 15,000 words; Up to 3 pieces.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Folklore/Mythology: Ghost stories. Other: May vary.Payment:Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Details: GBP £25 per 1,000 words.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to project webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @thefictiondesk.com For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Support this Publisher: Purchase Issue(s) The Fiction Desk Submission Statistics Free Preview! The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Accuracy: We have received 80 reports from 61 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported: 12 min | 28.8 mean avg | 26.0 median | 236 max days (171.1 std dev) Responses 93.75 % Acceptances: 0.00 % No publication has a 0% acceptance rate. This data is based on submission reports sent to Duotrope, and we have not received reports of any acceptances yet. Rejections: 93.75 % (26.2 avg. days per rejection) | 2.7 % personal, 84.0 % form, 13.3 % unspecified Non-Responses 6.25 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals: 6.25 % (64.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 6 responses are pending (1 min | 61.3 mean avg | 57.5 median | 139 max days waiting | 1,274.8 std dev) from 5 different members This only includes pending reports from users who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The editors will try to make a decision within 28 days. (42.5 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 28 days.) Do not query on the status of your submission before 60 days have passed. The most common submission fee paid: GBP £5.00. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 14 Jul 2025. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 22 Jun 2025. Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsThe Fiction Desk Flash Fiction Competition CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Fiction Desk Ghost Story Competition CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsThe Fiction Desk Newcomer Short Story Prize ON HIATUS Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 10 Jul 2025Last Audited: 17 Mar 2025 Date Added: 10 Jan 2011We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.