Matchlight Mystery Fledgling Listing: This project is new and has been listed with us for less than six months. About Matchlight Mystery is an annual mystery anthology dedicated to showcasing the best in classic and contemporary detective fiction. Each issue brings you impossible crimes, ingenious solutions, and detectives as brilliant as they are unforgettable. We remember the sensational tales of Detective Story, Black Mask, and Dime Detective. Matchlight is their modern day heir, a sharp and stylish twenty-first century pulp magazine in electronic and limited print editions. Whether they're inspecting a locked room, tracking a killer, or unraveling an impossible alibi, Matchlight’s detectives will thrill you until the final reveal. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. (Note: About 8% of magazines always charge fees.) The fee is USD $1.99 (below average for magazines that charge). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2026 Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationPublished 1 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Matchlight Mystery's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. More ApproachableMatchlight Mystery's overall acceptance rate is higher than most magazines. More ResponsiveMatchlight Mystery's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Fiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fiction submissions through 30 September 2026 11:59 PM EDT (in 15 days).1Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: Mystery/Crime Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Cozy, Crime, Detective, Noir, Police Procedural, Private Investigator, SupernaturalLengths: Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words. Novelette: 7,500 - 8,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) Provides free copy/copies Token payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $10-$50.Submissions:Method: Duosuma submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are 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 Platforms:None known For the Editor(s): Link to Duotrope Matchlight Mystery 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: Group by submission Include outliers Accuracy We have received 24 reports from 23 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 | 59.2 mean avg | 54.0 median | 112 max days (27.2 std dev) Responses 91.67 % Acceptances: 29.17 % of submissions accepted (75.4 avg. days per acceptance) | 30.43 % 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: 62.50 % (56.9 avg. days per rejection) | 86.7 % personal, 13.3 % form, 0.0 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 8.33 % (23.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 8 responses are pending (3 min | 32.7 mean avg | 34.5 median | 79 max days waiting | 27.3 std dev) from 8 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 90 days. (12.5 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 90 days.) The most common submission fee paid: USD $1.99. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 09 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 19 Jun 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 02:50 UTC (6 hours, 56 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. DatesLast Updated: 22 May 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