News & Pitch Calls from Kill Your Darlings

Wednesday, June 18th 2025

Kill Your Darlings

Pitches are open to Australian citizens (at home and abroad) and Australian residents; they prioritize works from KYD members. They publish short fiction alongside commentary, essays, memoir, reviews, profiles and interviews that examine books and ideas, creative practice and the publishing industry.  Fiction is closed now. For the current non-fiction call, they say, “we’re looking specifically for pitches for work between 1500–2000 words that examine the rise and influence of literary YouTubers and BookTok. We’re open to all angles on this subject, but we’re particularly interested in how this content informs critical discourse, how it enhances (or puts the squeeze on) more traditional outlets that are struggling to retain readership, and who is carving out a genuine authority in this space. We are also keen to examine pitches that explore literary podcasts, especially (but not only) in the Australian context.” They’re also interested in “essay/commentary .. that analyses a cultural, political or societal issue of interest to KYD's progressive and engaged readership. … Memoir or personal essay … that reflects on or tells us something broader about society, identity and/or culture” and “cultural criticism that illuminates or engages with works and trends in art, literature or pop culture.” They’re also open to “Work that doesn't quite fit within the above categories but you think would be a good fit for us!” Pay starts at AUD700 for nonfiction, and the pitch deadline is 15 June 2025. Details here.

Deadline: June 15th, 2025

Tuesday, September 14th 2021

Kill Your Darlings is Open for Non-Fiction Pitches

Kill Your Darlings is an Australian online magazine that is dedicated to arts and culture. They are open for non-fiction pitches. They want “weird and wonderful ideas across culture, society, memoir and commentary.” This month, they are particularly looking for feel-good or funny pitches. They offer a minimum standard pay rate of $300 for articles of 1,000 to 1,500 words, and $100 for book reviews of 400 to 500 words. To learn more, refer to their Twitter thread, their tips on pitching, and this page.

Deadline: September 26th, 2021

Saturday, April 24th 2021

Kill Your Darlings is Accepting Submissions for their Vietnam Showcase

Kill Your Darlings is an online magazine that is dedicated to arts and culture. They are accepting pitches and completed pieces for their first ever Vietnam Showcase. They are seeking essay/commentary (short 1,000 to 1,500 words, or long 1,500 to 3,000 words); memoir or personal essay (1,000 to 1,500 words); cultural criticism (1,000 to 1,500 words); and short fiction (1,500 to 3,000 words). They are looking for “writers from, living in or with a significant personal connection to Vietnam and/or the Vietnamese diaspora.” They will pay at least A$300. To learn more, refer to this Tweet and this page.

Deadline: May 21st, 2021

Saturday, March 13th 2021

Kill Your Darlings is Accepting Non-Fiction Pitches

Kill Your Darlings is an online magazine that is dedicated to arts and culture. They are open for non-fiction pitches. They are looking for essay/commentary (1,000 to 2,000 words), memoir or personal essay (1,000 to 1,500 words), and cultural criticism (1,000 to 1,500 words). According to payment reports, they pay at least A$250 per piece. To learn more, refer to this Twitter thread and this page.

Deadline: March 19th, 2021

Sunday, October 25th 2020

Kill Your Darlings is Open for Non-Fiction Pitches

Kill Your Darlings is an online magazine that is dedicated to arts and culture. They are open for non-fiction pitches. They want “your weird and wonderful ideas for pieces across culture, society, and memoir.” According to payment reports, they pay at least A$250 per piece. For details, refer to their Twitter thread and this page. For tips on how to pitch them, refer to this page.

Deadline: November 14th, 2020

Friday, April 10th 2020

Kill Your Darlings is commissioning uplifting pieces from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers

Kill Your Darlings is an online magazine that is dedicated to arts and culture. Their First Nations editor-in-residence is commissioning uplifting pieces from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers. They want essay/commentary (1,000 to 2,000 words), memoir or personal essay (1,000 to 1,500 words), and cultural criticism (1,000 to 1,500 words). Payment reports indicate that they pay at least A$250 per piece. To learn more, refer to this Tweet and this page.

Deadline: April 17th, 2020