Unlikely Stories We list other projects with similar titles. Please check that you report any submissions under the correct listing. About At Unlikely Stories, we believe in change. We believe in literature and art as a focus for change—a transformative force that is powerful, but also subtle and complex, capable of not only challenging political regimes, but also the emotional and spiritual issues that enable toxic political regimes to thrive. We don’t believe in change through platitudes, but rather through art that’s as bloody and passionate as it is original. Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1998 Publication Medium & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 12 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Unlikely Stories's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. More ApproachableUnlikely Stories's overall acceptance rate is higher than most magazines. More ResponsiveUnlikely Stories's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words; Unknown number of pieces. Novelette: 7,500 - 8,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary, Transgressive.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Politics/Political Science. Society/Culture: General, Social issues.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Review: No specific word count limits known. Essay: Up to 8,000 words; Unknown number of pieces. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 8,000 words; Unknown number of pieces.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Critical, Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Film/Television: Theory/Analysis/Criticism. Literature/Books: Theory/Analysis/Criticism. Politics/Political Science. Society/Culture: General, Social issues. Visual Arts: Theory/Analysis/Criticism.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 6 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms, including: Experimental poetry.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary, Transgressive.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Politics/Political Science. Society/Culture: General, Social issues.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. Reprints: Unknown.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Visual Art Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Artwork: 6 - 9 pieces.Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles, including: Experimental, Transgressive.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Politics/Political Science. Society/Culture: General, Social issues.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Email. Reprints: Unknown.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. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @unlikely-stories.bsky.socialFacebook FacebookInstagram @unlikely.storiesX (Twitter) @USdotorg Support this Publisher: Support on Patreon For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Unlikely Stories 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 Nonfiction Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include outliers Accuracy We have received 10 reports from 9 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 8 min | 74.5 mean avg | 75.5 median | 170 max days (46.1 std dev) Responses 80.00 % Acceptances: 60.00 % of submissions accepted (97.8 avg. days per acceptance) | 55.56 % 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: 20.00 % (77.0 avg. days per rejection) | 50.0 % personal, 50.0 % form, 0.0 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 20.00 % (16.5 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 5 responses are pending (13 min | 36.4 mean avg | 31.0 median | 76 max days waiting | 603.7 std dev) from 5 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. (60.0 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 60 days.) Do not query on the status of your submission before 60 days have passed. Most recent response reported was received on 02 Aug 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 15 May 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 03:10 UTC (6 hours, 36 minutes ago). 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: 17 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