Kill Your Darlings magazine regularly publishes short fiction alongside commentary, essays, memoir, reviews, profiles and interviews that examine books and ideas, creative practice and the publishing industry.
The next pitching window for non-fiction will open on Monday 2 June 2025.
We strongly encourage you to read our magazine before submitting fiction or pitching non-fiction to get a good sense of our tone, style and interests.
Want to Make Your Pitch Stand Out?
KYD has put together a short course called How to Pitch. This resource examines key pitching tips, how to develop your pitch and manage deadlines, and explores what kind of material the magazine looks to publish—all designed to improve your chances of publication. This online resource is available free for all KYD Members.
For upcoming projects, opportunities and other submission dates, visit our Write for KYD page.
Now in its seventh year, the KYD School Writing Prize gives a voice to young people exploring aspects of contemporary life and society that concern them.
In 2025, we are seeking entries from students that explore the theme of ‘leadership’.
We are looking for writing entries of between 1000 and 1500 words that responds to this theme as widely and creatively as possible in the following genres:
- Short fiction
- Essays
- Personal reflections
- Memoir and biography
- Genre pieces (fantasy, sci-fi, historical, romance, crime)
Entries open: 10am AEST, Monday 12 May 2025
Entries close: 5pm AEST, Friday, 1 August 2025
Judge: KYD Editor Suzy Garcia
Prize: $500 cash prize and publication in KYD magazine
Entry to the KYD School Writing Prize is open exclusively to KYD School Members and their students. There is no additional entry fee.
KYD School Members also have free access to two 45-minute online courses designed to assist students in writing pieces to submit to the Prize.
For full terms and conditions on the 2025 Prize, click here.
Extra resources:
- View our School Writing Prize pdf
- Download a poster/flyer to print for your school
- Download social media tiles to share information about the prize
- Download our guide to preparing work for submission to the prize
- Download previous winners’ stories in a user-friendly pdf
- Download the full 2025KYD School Writing Prize Submission Guidelines and Terms & Conditions
Please email info@killyourdarlings.com.au if you have any questions!