Fence See other projects related to this listing. About Fence is committed to publishing from the outside and the inside of established communities of writing, seeking always to interrogate, collaborate with, and bedevil all the systems that bring new writing to light.As a non-profit, Fence is mandated to make decisions outside of the requirements of market force or capital concern, and only in keeping with its mission:to maintain a dedicated venue for writing and art that bears the clear variant mark of the individual’s response to their context; and to make that venue accessible to as many, and as widely, as possible so that this work can reach others, that they may be fully aware of how much is possible in writing and art; such that Fence publishes almost entirely from its unsolicited submissions; and is committed to publishing the literature and art of queer writers and writers of color. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. (Note: About 8% of magazines always charge fees.) The fee is USD $5 (above average for magazines that charge). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1998 Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationUnknown publication frequency AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Slower Fence's overall average response time is slower than most magazines. More ChallengingFence's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. More ResponsiveFence's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words. Novelette: 7,500 - 8,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Pay ranges from Token payment to Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $50.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 3,000 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 3,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.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: USD $50.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed 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: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Provides free copy/copies Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $50.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. 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:Bluesky @fencebooks.bsky.socialFacebook FacebookInstagram @fencetagramX (Twitter) @fencebooks Support this Publisher: Become a Member Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Fence 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 project ranks among the 25 Slowest Nonfiction Publishers in our database. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 88 reports from 84 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 20 min | 178.6 mean avg | 178.0 median | 339 max days (113.6 std dev) Responses 84.09 % Acceptances: 1.14 % of submissions accepted (145.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 1.19 % 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: 82.95 % (191.8 avg. days per rejection) | 19.2 % personal, 58.9 % form, 21.9 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 15.91 % (88.3 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 73 responses are pending (3 min | 61.1 mean avg | 57.0 median | 102 max days waiting | 766.2 std dev) from 67 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 270 days. (12.5 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 270 days.) The most common submission fee paid: USD $5.00. Most submissions are acknowledged within one day. Most recent response reported was received on 04 Oct 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 21 Feb 2026. Date compiled: 26 Oct 2026 21:54 UTC (2 hours, 1 minute 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! Related ProjectsFence Modern Poets Series Charges fees for all submissionsFence Modern Prize in Prose ON HIATUS Charges fees for all submissionsOttoline Prize 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: 21 Oct 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