Book of Matches A Literary Journal About Book of Matches is the passion project of two lovers of Story. In an age dominated by our worst tendencies for tribalism, it is more important than ever to celebrate the best in humanity through the very real magic of words. Book of Matches is always interested in protest—interested in protest against the unknowing alive in human existence, in protest against the knowing, too. In essence, Book of Matches both celebrates what burns against the dark, and the assurance of how little it illuminates before going out. Send us your most meaningful lies, your real lives, and the poetry of both that we may see a bit more clearly the stormy seas around us all. Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2020 Publication Media & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 3 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationPublished 3 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Book of Matches's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. More ApproachableBook of Matches's overall acceptance rate is higher than most magazines. Less ResponsiveBook of Matches's overall rate of non-response is higher than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words. Short Story: 1,000 - 2,100 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 2,100 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. 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; Up to 3 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. 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 Facebook For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Book of Matches 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 Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Accuracy We have received 66 reports from 56 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 1 min | 55.6 mean avg | 44.0 median | 223 max days (73.5 std dev) Responses 83.33 % Acceptances: 18.18 % of submissions accepted (29.9 avg. days per acceptance) | 21.43 % 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: 65.15 % (57.9 avg. days per rejection) | 25.6 % personal, 55.8 % form, 18.6 % unspecified | 1.5 % shortlisted Non-Responses 7.58 % Lost/Returned: 1.52 % (133.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as lost or returned) Never Responded: 6.06 % (179.8 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 9.09 % (25.5 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 9 responses are pending (4 min | 93.4 mean avg | 84.0 median | 204 max days waiting | 491.7 std dev) from 9 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information Most recent response reported was received on 07 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 13 Aug 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:10 UTC (52 minutes ago). View report of recent responses from this project 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. 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