Darker Intentions Press Short Story Contest

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions. We provide the following information as an archive.

About

Our theme "A Mystery to Die For???" dares you to craft a well-written piece on the unraveling of a mystery no one would care about. What does this mean? Let us give you a few examples: Haven't you ever wondered how pairs of socks mysteriously vanish after they enter your clothes dryer? How about why your dog bonds with the same tree each time you let him out? * What kinds of foul thoughts run through the minds of unhappy trolls? HERE'S the key: It has to have a dead body in it somewhere. We want to see black humor at its best. Yes, it can be silly, but it has to have a dark slant to it somewhere. Nothing is worse than a lame murder mystery.

No Fees! This contest does not charge mandatory fees.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Contest Frequency

Print Publication Print Publication: One-time contest

Fiction Closed

Audience:

Unknown

Genres:

Mystery/Crime

Lengths:

Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words.
Novelette: 7,500 - 8,000 words.

Styles:

Dark, Humorous.

Topics:

None found.

Winner's Prize:

Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) Token payment (under 1 US cent per word).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than prize specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
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.

No recent cover image available for Darker Intentions Press Short Story Contest

Go to contest webpage

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Correction/Update

Darker Intentions Press Short Story Contest Submission Statistics

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.

This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months.

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Before Submitting

We 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.

Dates

Last Updated: 22 May 2026