Horrific Scribes MATURE CONTENT A project of Horrific Scribblings (see other related projects). About Horrific Scribes is an expanding online archive of dark short fiction (and some poetry) by various authors who share the Horrific Scribblings imprint’s dedication to the provocative, scary, and strange. Most of the stories will have elements of horror, ranging from bloodless slow burns to raucous extreme romps, but related genres–dark fantasy, dark sci-fi, surrealist and other experimental writing with dark tendencies–are likely to appear. Ordinary, formulaic fiction conceived to please the masses has its place, but it is not here. If it’s here, it offers a challenge. If it’s here, the author deserves your attention. Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 52 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis FasterHorrific Scribes's overall average response time is faster than most magazines. Normal AcceptanceHorrific Scribes's overall acceptance rate is within a normal range for magazines. More ResponsiveHorrific Scribes's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open We want dark fiction, mostly horror (all subgenres, bloodless to extreme, nothing off limits as long you really have a good story not driven by hate, e.g. racism, homophobia, etc.) but also the horror-adjacent, e.g. dark fantasy, dark sci-fi, and surreal and experimental work with dark edges. However you’d classify it, it should be unconventional, challenging, and worth thinking about.Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults.Genres: Fantasy Subgenre: Dark Fantasy Horror Open to all/most Subgenres Science Fiction Subgenre: Science Fiction HorrorLengths: Short Story: 1,500 - 5,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Dark, Experimental, Mainstream, Surrealist.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pay ranges from Token payment to Semi-pro payment. Details: USD $25 per story.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults.Genres: Fantasy Subgenre: Dark Fantasy Horror Open to all/most Subgenres Science Fiction Subgenre: Science Fiction HorrorLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Unknown number of pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Dark, Experimental, Mainstream, Surrealist.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) Semi-pro payment. Details: USD $25 per accepted submission.Submissions:Method: Online form. 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 FacebookInstagram @horrificscribblingsX (Twitter) @horrificscribs Support this Publisher: Buy Book(s) For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Horrific Scribes 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 Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 140 reports from 104 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 0 min | 9.0 mean avg | 9.0 median | 96 max days (10.3 std dev) Responses 95.71 % Acceptances: 10.00 % of submissions accepted (10.6 avg. days per acceptance) | 8.65 % 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: 85.71 % (8.8 avg. days per rejection) | 13.3 % personal, 73.3 % form, 13.3 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.71 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 0.71 % (78.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 3.57 % (6.2 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 17 responses are pending (1 min | 21.4 mean avg | 8.5 median | 77 max days waiting | 55.3 std dev) from 16 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 21 days. (2.1 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 21 days.) Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 01 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 24 Aug 2026. Date compiled: 04 Sep 2026 15:03 UTC (5 hours, 44 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! Related ProjectsExtremely Weird Splatter Anthology CLOSED MATURE 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 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