Aurealis

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Fiction, Articles. Official guideline: Aurealis guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Science fiction, fantasy or horror short stories between 2,000 and 8,000 words.
• All types of science fiction, fantasy and horror of a genuinely speculative nature.
• Non-fiction articles and queries by email to nonfiction@aurealis.com.au — these must stay unpublished for 12 months after appearing in Aurealis.

Subjects they avoid

• Derivative work, or horror without a supernatural element.
• Reprints, poetry, novel extracts or serials — none of these are published.
• AI-generated work: they state a no-AI policy.

Key requirements

• Open reading period
• 2,000–8,000 words
• No reprints
• No AI

Who can submit

Official and window-dependent: Australian writers and subscribers from anywhere may submit 1 February – 30 September. Everyone else, anywhere in the world, may submit only during 1–14 March. Subscribers are fast-tracked through assessment, though stories are selected anonymously on merit regardless of subscriber status.

Rights

They buy first digital rights for publication in the magazine, plus non-exclusive online, audio and print rights, with a twelve-month exclusivity window after electronic publication (apart from 'Best of' anthologies).

AI policy

Prohibited

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Online submission during an open reading period

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Online submission during an open reading period
• Submission email: nonfiction@aurealis.com.au

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Check which window applies to you at https://aurealis.com.au/submissions/ — non-Australians outside 1–14 March must be subscribers.
• Submit a 2,000–8,000 word speculative story through their form.
• For non-fiction, email nonfiction@aurealis.com.au instead.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Not stated

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.