Elizabeth Tan is a master of the experimental and the weird. Read a new exclusive short story from one of our favourites about a being born for magic.

ICYMI: Senior editor @katewhitfield.bsky.social on the hidden potential of the romantasy phenomenon. Read more: bit.ly/4mqANMq

Read an excerpt of Plastic Budgie by Olivia De Zilva, out now via Pink Shorts Press. bit.ly/3VFLX5b

Today in KYD, read an excerpt from Plastic Budgie, a genre-defying autofiction that proves debut author Olivia De Zilva as a ‘literary force’ (Readings). It subverts expectations around Asian diasporic coming-of-age narratives. And it’s very funny. bit.ly/3VFLX5b

Applications for the February–June 2026 KYD Mentors Program are now open! We are so excited to announce this round's brilliant new mentors. Applications close at 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 5 October 2025. 🔗 Find more details here: bit.ly/3V6fh4q

Natalia Figueroa Barroso brings the Uruguayan diaspora and Western Sydney’s melting pot to the page. In this interview, she discusses her debut novel Hailstones Fell without Rain, a pacy, multi-generational story about a migrant struggling to raise her three daughters. bit.ly/3KdPXqM

What can we glean from the last bastion of regular television book coverage? @samtwyfordmoore.bsky.social finds out. killyourdarlings.com.au/article/brin...

Printing costs are up, conglomerations are in and workers report burnout in increasing numbers. Senior Editor Alaina Gougoulis @radiomoderation.bsky.social explores the dire state of the publishing industry. www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/the-...

Senior book editor @KateWhitfield.bsky.social on the rise of romantasy. Read more: buff.ly/j4ygSMk

Calling all last minute pitches: Our non-fiction submissions close tomorrow!

As a senior book editor and a reformed lit snob, writes Kate Whitfield, I’ve watched the rise of romantasy with interest. Beyond sex and dragons, the revitalisation of genre fiction has hidden potential. buff.ly/j4ygSMk

Need some weekend reading? Today, we're resharing Nina Culley’s essay on what society's shifting perspectives on love and marriage have meant for contemporary literary fiction. bit.ly/3IiLHFU

It's our favourite time of year—the Emerging Writers Festival is on! This weekend, come see our editor, Suzy Garcia, chat about the literary landscape with lit agent Grace Heifetz, writer-bookseller Marina Sano and author-publisher Marilyn Miller at the National Writers’ Conference. bit.ly/3JXB103

Melanie Cheng’s advice to short story writers in our latest What I Wish I’d Known. Read more: bit.ly/4m2sx5d

First forays into crafting fiction often lean towards the shorter side. But concision is its own skill set. We asked writers what they’ve learned along the way about keeping it brief. Featuring Laura Jean McKay, Tony Birch, Melanie Cheng and more! bit.ly/4m2sx5d

The closure of Meanjin is real blow to the Australian literary community. We're sad to see the loss of another place where writers, thinkers, and culture-makers have a voice and platform. Our thoughts are with staff and contributors.

✏️ Would you like to write for us? We’re taking non-fiction pitches until 11.59pm, Tuesday 16 September. For more details on our submission guidelines and to submit your work 👉 bit.ly/4gb73Sm

🎉 Submissions are now open for Kill Your Darling’s Creative Non-Fiction Essay Prize. Entries close: 11:59pm AEST, Sunday, 28 September. To submit: bit.ly/4mFnBUQ. Good luck!

Nina Culley explores love in contemporary literary fiction. Read more: bit.ly/4lOl9u1

Once upon a time, the marriage plot served the inevitable happy ending. What happens when the institution—and with it, the tidy narrative—slips out of fashion? Read more: bit.ly/3JwSLPt

Today in KYD, we’re sharing an essay from the archive. Read this by Aleks Hammo, host of the Normal podcast, on Marcus Aurelius, Jordan Peterson and the manosphere’s Stoic revival. Read more: bit.ly/421oPBt

Journalists @arielbogle.bsky.social and @camersonwilson on their new book, Conspiracy Nation. Read more: buff.ly/dTxn79C

Journalists @arielbogle.bsky.social and @camersonwilson.bsky.social are the authors of Conspiracy Nation, an investigation into Australia’s radicalised fringes. In this interview, they talk to us about media ethics and why anyone could be susceptible to disinformation. bit.ly/47NuQFy

From a new exclusive story from Melanie Cheng, author of The Burrow. Read more: bit.ly/3VhoZ3L

Introducing the first story in our New Short Fiction series, a new space for Australia’s best short fiction writers! Grief is a four-winged creature in this exclusive new story by award-winning author Melanie Cheng.

‘Editors are allies, advocates, therapists, cheerleaders, collaborators, mentors, managers, midwives (I hate that particular one); they are readers, writers, number crunchers, first-aiders, seconds in a duel.’

“I once worked for a lit publisher who, when I asked for time in a pub schedule to allow for a single round of copyediting, said, ‘You moving a few commas around isn’t going to sell any more copies.’” @radiomoderation.bsky.social @kydmagazine.bsky.social www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/the-...

this, from the brain of perfect genius @radiomoderation.bsky.social , whips, as one would expect

Alaina Gougoulis, an experienced senior editor, explores the dire state of the publishing industry. Read more: buff.ly/FzQSBzv

Alaina Gougoulis, an experienced senior editor, explores the dire state of the publishing industry. Read more: buff.ly/bvRibNi

Printing costs are up, conglomerations are in. Alaina Gougoulis, an experienced senior editor, explores the dire state of the publishing industry. bit.ly/3V2tcbx

Sale extended for 48 hours! Members save $50 on this practical new course by an award-winning writer. You'll access a blueprint to map out your non-fiction manuscript. Enrol or become a member: buff.ly/6PI5XM5

Today in KYD, we’re sharing an essay from the archive. Read this funny piece by @Nina.Oyama on the challenges of succeeding as an artist. Read more: bit.ly/45O2ycB

Eloise Grills on giving up on smartphones. Read more: buff.ly/0p6uY8a

Eloise Grills on giving up on smartphones. Read more: bit.ly/47mZ9Tm

An iPhone detox didn’t make me more productive, but I did feel free, writes Eloise Grills. I don’t want to wake up one day and realise that my most devoted relationship has been with a screen.

It's been a big few weeks at KYD! 🎉 We’ve been working behind the scenes to keep KYD your go-to for great Australian writing, as well as the place for practical, hands-on resources for writers. PS. We revamped our website, check it out: buff.ly/6PI5XM5

Today in KYD, read an excerpt from Miriam Webster’s The Slip. Brimming with dark humour, empathy and a sharp eye for the uncanny, this is an electrifying debut from an original new voice. bit.ly/40R38DH

A subscription to the world’s most popular streaming service comes with artist exploitation, writes Cher Tan. But its business is also pseudoscience, surveillance and the funnelling of profits into the war machine. Read more:

Read an extract of The Birds Began to Sing, a funny, warm and tender queer coming-of-age story by Jeffrey Buchanan—out now via Text Publishing! bit.ly/4mpLaAF

Sydneysiders, have you read Max Porter's beloved verse novel, Grief is the Thing with Feathers? It's been beautifully adapted for the stage, playing until August 24 at Belvoir St Theatre. More info & tickets here: bit.ly/3TiKccU

Adolfo Aranjuez on the decline of nightclub culture. Read more: bit.ly/4onD4KC

Adolfo Aranjuez on the decline of nightclub culture. Read more: bit.ly/4kS9OIQ

Nightclubs were a crucial part of my coming-of-age, writes Adolfo Aranjuez. Current trends show a global decline in venues, but is Gen Z really to blame?

Today we chat with Chloe Adams, our #DebutSpotlight author for July, about her book The Occupation—a moving work of historical fiction set in Japan and Australia in the wake of World War II. Read our conversation: buff.ly/0VIhkdz

Save the date: The KYD Creative Non-Fiction Essay Prize is back! Find out more: buff.ly/DtOd0Fj

From 'Revelation' by Tui Butler, a runner-up of the KYD Flash Fiction Prize 2025. Read more: bit.ly/4kx22UL

Read a new story from the KYD Flash Fiction Prize 2025! In this story by runner-up Tui Butler, a Facebook marketplace exchange takes an unexpected turn after an angry encounter.

Declan Fry on the craft of criticism. Read more: bit.ly/3Ti0hQ7

Declan Fry on the craft of criticism. Read more: bit.ly/3Ti0hQ7