SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

We are looking for original fiction and poetry with strong character arcs and immersive description. Build worlds and break hearts. We do accept previously published work; just be sure to let us know who pubbed you first!

In non-fiction, we prefer pieces that are factual, in a more personal essay and/or journalistic style, but not academic. Keep the people in your story front and center.

Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please withdraw your work if it is accepted elsewhere.

If we have rejected your work, please wait 90 days before submitting again, unless we request you to send us another piece for consideration.

We will not respond to any work sent to our email inbox. If you are having issues with Submittable, please let us know, but do not attach your work.

We do not accept multiple submissions in any category. Multiple submissions will be rejected immediately.

Due to an influx in submissions, our wait times have changed a bit. We will try to get back to you on your submission within six months. If you have not heard from us in 180 days, you may follow up on the status of your submission with an email to drunkmonkeyseditorial@gmail.com.

The exclusive rights for every work published on Drunk Monkeys belong to the contributing writer, not to the website or its owners. Your piece will always be yours; we are grateful that you are allowing us to showcase it! Please be aware of the extended wait between acceptance and publication, especially for fiction and poetry. There is about a year wait! We know that is a long time, but that is how it is. Please do not inquire about the status of your piece until a year has passed.

Any piece found to be plagiarized will be removed from the site immediately.

Here are some more specific guidelines by category: 

24-HOUR RESPONSE 

Tired of long wait times? Tired of refreshing Submittable, hoping to see "In-Progress" turn into "Acceptance"? 

For a $3.00 fee, our editorial staff will read and respond to your submission within 24 hours* from when you submit it! 

For Fiction, there is a strict word-limit of 3,000 words. Only one story at a time, please.

For Poetry, only one poem at a time is allowed. Please be mindful that we rarely accept rhyming poems.

For Non-Fiction the word-limit is 3,000 words, and no queries are allowed. 

All submissions will receive careful, but speedy, consideration. Rejected submissions will also receive a brief, personalized feedback statement. 

*Due to an influx in submissions, turnaround may flow into the 48th hour. Please be patient with us, it’s only one gal reading the 24 hour subs!

FICTION

There is an up to one year wait for the publication of your fiction piece upon acceptance.

You will find three fiction categories on our Submittable page:

Flash Fiction

Fiction (under 3,000 words)

Fiction (over 3,000 words)

Flash Fiction is for short stories from between 1,000 to 1,500 words only. If your story is over 1,500 words, please submit to the appropriate fiction category.

Fiction (under 3,000 words) is where the bulk of our published fiction comes from. 

POETRY

There is an up to one year wait for publication of your poetry upon acceptance.

Poetry submissions should be in the form of a document containing up to five poems. Submissions containing over six poems or more will not be considered for publication. Please note we rarely accept rhyming poems.  

FILM

We are currently seeking Film Essays for the upcoming issues of our online magazine. Essays should be at least 1,000 words long, and no longer than 5,000 words. 

If you have an idea for an essay or retrospective series over 6,000 words long, please query first. 

MUSIC 

We are currently seeking Music Essays for the upcoming issues of our online magazine. Essays should be at least 1,000 words long, and no longer than 5,000 words. 

If you have an idea for an essay or retrospective series over 6,000 words long, please query first. 

NON-FICTION

Drunk Monkeys is looking to expand its essays and articles section with pieces on pop culture, politics, and societal issues in general. We are more than happy to look at experimental essays or articles that take a new, unique spin on an old issue. Pieces can be written in a friendly, casual way or in a more academic way; different subjects call for different tones.  

We love you. I just thought you’d like to know.