Failbetter About Failbetter is a journal of literature and art from Richmond, VA and New York, NY. Founded in 2000, our journal’s latest iteration was launched in January 2017. Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2000 Publication Medium & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationUnknown publication frequency AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Failbetter's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. More ChallengingFailbetter's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. More ResponsiveFailbetter's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: No specific word count limits known (our definition: up to 1000 words). Short Story: No specific word count limits known (our definition: 1000 to 7500 words). Novelette: No specific word count limits known (our definition: 7500 to 15000 words). Novella: No specific word count limits known (our definition: 15000 to 40000 words). Novel Excerpt: No specific word count limits known.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; 4 - 6 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Visual Art Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Artwork: Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Methods: Email. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Image. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookMastodon Mastodon For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Failbetter 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. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include outliers Accuracy We have received 56 reports from 44 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 7 min | 55.1 mean avg | 51.0 median | 227 max days (394.6 std dev) Responses 87.50 % Acceptances: 3.57 % of submissions accepted (43.5 avg. days per acceptance) | 4.55 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here. Rejections: 83.93 % (57.0 avg. days per rejection) | 55.3 % personal, 40.4 % form, 4.3 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 12.50 % (23.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 25 responses are pending (5 min | 73.0 mean avg | 70.0 median | 246 max days waiting | 718.7 std dev) from 24 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The editors will try to make a decision within 84 days. (19.6 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 84 days.) The editors request that you don't query on the status of your submission. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 17 Jun 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 26 May 2026. Date compiled: 09 Sep 2026 22:46 UTC (1 hour, 47 minutes ago). 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! 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: 07 Aug 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only