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The Headlight Review

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We list other projects with similar titles. Please check that you report any submissions under the correct listing.

About

The Headlight Review features new creative writing that demonstrates the persistent value of imaginative literature.

We seek submissions that push the boundaries of form, language, plot, character, and prosody, especially from new and emerging writers of diverse backgrounds.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for some submissions. They charge fees for some submission periods.
The fee is USD $5 (above average for magazines that charge).
Important: Length and number of pieces requirements may vary; as always check current guidelines before submitting.
Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s).

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States
Established in 2017

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication
Published 2 x per year

AI Policy

Unknown AI policy
93 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Faster
The Headlight Review's overall average response time is faster than most magazines.
More Challenging
The Headlight Review's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines.
More Responsive
The Headlight Review's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines.
Learn more about our statistics

Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 - 5,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

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

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

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:

Review: 750 - 1,500 words.
Essay: Up to 5,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 5,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Personal.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Literature/Books: Theory/Analysis/Criticism, See guidelines.
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

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:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 3 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:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Visual Art Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 10 pieces.
Graphic Narrative: No page limits known.

Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media, including...
Digital art.
Cartoon/Comic strip.
Painting.
Photography.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

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

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Image.

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 The Headlight Review

Go to publication's website

Report:
Submission/Response
Correction/Update
New Cover Art

Social:
Instagram @the_headlight_review
X (Twitter) @HeadlightReview

Support this Publisher:
Shop their Store

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

The Headlight Review 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:
Accuracy
We have received 21 reports from 18 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported
5 min | 19.9 mean avg | 12.0 median | 96 max days (339.7 std dev)
Responses
95.24 %
Acceptances:
4.76 % of submissions accepted (9.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 5.56 % 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:
90.48 % (18.4 avg. days per rejection) | 0.0 % personal, 68.4 % form, 31.6 % unspecified
Non-Responses
0.00 %
Lost/Returned:
-
Never Responded:
-
Withdrawals
4.76 % (43.0 avg. days per withdrawal)
Pending
9 responses are pending (32 min | 97.0 mean avg | 76.0 median | 238 max days waiting | 275.7 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 60 days. (14.3 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 60 days.)
The most common submission fee paid: USD $5.00. (40.0 % of reports specified whether they paid a fee; of those, 66.7 % paid fees.)
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 21 Aug 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 13 Aug 2026.
Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:46 UTC (less than a minute ago).
View report of recent responses from this project

Work submitted here was also submitted to...

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Your Submissions

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Anthony Grooms Short Fiction Prize DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions
The Headlight Review Poetry Chapbook Prize DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions

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: 30 Aug 2026

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

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