Getting a murder mystery story published isn't about gatekeeping — it's about making sure a stranger who buys it can actually run a good night with it. Here's what that looks like in practice, and how to get through the process smoothly.
What Reviewers Are Actually Checking For
- Every character has a clear secret, motive, and enough material to play for the full runtime
- The solution is internally consistent — no contradictions a sharp player could catch
- Instructions are clear enough for a first-time host to run without you there
- The player count, running time, and description match what's actually in the script
Common Reasons Stories Get Sent Back
Most revisions come down to a handful of recurring issues: a side character with almost nothing to do, an ending that depends on information no one had access to, or a description that oversells what the story actually delivers. None of these are hard to fix once you know reviewers are looking for them.
Before You Submit
If possible, run your story with a real group first. Watching actual players get confused, bored, or figure out the ending too early is the fastest way to find problems you'd never catch just rereading your own script.
The Submission Process
Once your story is ready, you submit it through your creator account along with an accurate description, player count, and price (or mark it as your one free story). Paid stories require Stripe Connect to be set up first, so it's worth completing that step before you finish writing.
Read the Full Guidelines
For the complete, up-to-date submission requirements, read our creator guidelines. If you're still deciding whether to publish for free or set a price, our guide on how much you can earn selling murder mystery games breaks down the numbers.