Kill Your Darlings

What this publication wants

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

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Short fiction between 2,000 and 5,000 words, previously unpublished.
• Submissions from established and emerging writers alike, year-round.
• A current KYD membership — fiction submissions are members-only.

Subjects they avoid

• Previously published work.
• Fiction submissions from non-members — they are not accepted.

Key requirements

• KYD membership required
• 2,000–5,000 words
• Previously unpublished

Who can submit

Official and restrictive in a way that costs money: "We only accept fiction submissions from KYD Members." Membership is a paid subscription (advertised at under $5 a month) which also gives free entry to their writing prizes. No nationality restriction is stated.

Rights

Not stated on the write-for-us page.

AI policy

Not stated in the guideline

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

Submission portal, members only

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submission portal, members only

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/submission-guidelines/ in full.
• Become a KYD Member — fiction submissions are members-only.
• Submit your 2,000–5,000 word story through the members' portal.

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.