The Fiddlehead See other projects related to this listing. About The Fiddlehead was first established in 1945. What began as a mimeographed 8-page journal stapled together by Alfred Bailey is now a veritable institution of literary culture in Canada. For 75 years, The Fiddlehead has continually upheld its mandate to publish accomplished poetry, short fiction, and Canadian literature reviews; to discover and promote new writing talent; to represent the Atlantic region's lively cultural and literary diversity; and to place the best of new and established Canadian writing in an international context. The editors particularly welcome submissions from Indigenous writers, writers of colour, writers with disabilities, LGBTQQIA+ writers, and writers from other intersectional and under-represented communities. If you are comfortable identifying yourself as one or more of the above, please feel free to mention this in your cover letter. Important: Postal submissions are accepted year-round. Submissions from non-Canadians only accepted during certain periods. Country of Publication & Year Established Canada Established in 1945 Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationPublished 4 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Slower The Fiddlehead's overall average response time is slower than most magazines. More ChallengingThe Fiddlehead's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. Less ResponsiveThe Fiddlehead's overall rate of non-response is higher than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 15 September 2026* (approx. 2 days from now) through 15 October 2026.7Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words. Short Story: 1,000 - 6,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Payment:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: CAD $65 per published page.Submissions:Methods: Submittable submission manager. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 15 September 2026* (approx. 2 days from now) through 15 October 2026.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Article: Up to 6,000 words. Essay: Up to 6,000 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 6,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Payment:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: CAD $65 per published page.Submissions:Methods: Submittable submission manager. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed Dates:Will be open to submissions from 15 September 2026* (approx. 2 days from now) through 15 October 2026.7Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 6 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) Provides free copy/copies Semi-pro payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: CAD $65 per published page.Submissions:Methods: Submittable submission manager. Postal. 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.* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @fiddlehd.bsky.socialFacebook FacebookX (Twitter) @TheFiddlehd Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope The Fiddlehead 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 Fiction Publishers in our database. This project ranks among the 25 Slowest Poetry Publishers in our database. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 89 reports from 82 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 | 285.2 mean avg | 351.0 median | 577 max days (161.5 std dev) Responses 77.53 % Acceptances: 3.37 % of submissions accepted (64.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 3.66 % 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: 74.16 % (313.0 avg. days per rejection) | 59.1 % personal, 27.3 % form, 13.6 % unspecified | 1.1 % shortlisted Non-Responses 5.62 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 5.62 % (295.8 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 16.85 % (207.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 18 responses are pending (224 min | 329.4 mean avg | 343.0 median | 537 max days waiting | 1,175.7 std dev) from 18 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 180 days. (67.4 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 180 days.) Do not query on the status of your submission before 180 days have passed. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 10 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 27 Feb 2026. Date compiled: 12 Sep 2026 01:37 UTC (5 hours, 53 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 ProjectsThe Fiddlehead Creative Nonfiction Contest Charges fees for all submissionsThe Fiddlehead Fiction Contest Charges fees for all submissionsThe Fiddlehead Poetry Contest 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: 30 Jul 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