Tales to Terrify

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About

Since 2012, Tales to Terrify has curated the best short horror fiction from established and emerging writers, and turned each story into simple, spine-tingling audio.

Important: Length requirements may vary in different submission periods. Also, some submission periods may be open only to specific demographics. As always, check their current submission guidelines before submitting.

Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s).

Country of Publication & Year Established

Canada

Established in 2012

Publication Medium & Frequency

Audio Publication Audio Publication: Published 52 x per year

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed

236 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Faster: Tales to Terrify's overall average response time is faster than most magazines.
Normal Acceptance: Tales to Terrify's overall acceptance rate is within a normal range for magazines.
More Responsive: Tales to Terrify's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines.

Learn more about our statistics

Fiction Temp Closed

We encourage you to challenge the definition of horror. Standard tropes and monsters are welcome, but give us your own unique take. Avoid the cliche and expected, unless as devices used purposefully and cleverly to further your story. Drag us deep into the unsettling atmosphere of a crumbling Gothic mansion. Show us the gritty, real-world horrors of evil people with dark intentions. Make our blood run cold and our breath catch in our throats as we’re hunted by ravenous creatures. Unhinge our minds with reality-bending, psychological horrors. Make us feel the pain and sorrow of a long-suffering spirit. We do our best to honour the diversity within the genre and you should, too. We want to be terrified by your concepts, by your implications, by your story’s possibilities. We want to read works that threaten to bleed into our reality and corrupt something as ordinary as a toaster. Anything is allowed as long as it’s well-conceived and well-written.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Horror Open to all/most Subgenres

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Dark, Literary, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pays occasionally, up to Semi-pro payment. Details: No payment for fiction under 2,000 words; USD $0.02/word for originals, $0.01/word for reprints.

Submissions:

Method: Moksha 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.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Tales to Terrify

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Make a Donation

For the Editor(s):
Request Interview
Duosuma Submission Manager
Link to Duotrope

Tales to Terrify 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.

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Accuracy

We have received 55 reports from 47 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 | 36.7 mean avg | 37.5 median | 68 max days (54.8 std dev)

Responses

83.63 %

Acceptances:

7.27 % of submissions accepted (45.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 8.51 % of submitters accepted

Rejections:

76.36 % (40.8 avg. days per rejection) | 0.0 % personal, 88.1 % form, 11.9 % unspecified

Non-Responses

0.00 %

Lost/Returned:

Never Responded:

Withdrawals

16.36 % (13.0 avg. days per withdrawal)

Pending

15 responses are pending (35 min | 57.4 mean avg | 48.0 median | 139 max days waiting | 196.0 std dev) from 15 different members

Other Information

The editors will try to make a decision within 90 days.
Do not query on the status of your submission before 120 days have passed.
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 08 Sep 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 25 Jul 2026.
Date compiled: 14 Sep 2026 04:09 UTC (5 hours, 24 minutes ago).
View report of recent responses from this project

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Folded Space

Tales to Terrify Flash Fiction Contest

Before Submitting

We 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.

Dates

Last Updated: 08 Sep 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.