Submissions closed, but response delayed. There is a pandemic, winter storms, and so much more looping through our lives.
Please be ever so patient. Opening this summer.
Please be ever so patient. Opening this summer.
Like a full moon, we are both bright and dark. Each piece of catharsis will be paired with something light, lovely, soft, and/or intensely joyous.
This is not to contrast. This is to remind us that life is both difficult and worth the difficulty. We want to acknowledge both the struggle and the prizes, no matter how small.
These struggles and victories can come from anywhere, whether you have something to say about mental health, politics, nature, or the way you're feeling. Be free.
This is not to contrast. This is to remind us that life is both difficult and worth the difficulty. We want to acknowledge both the struggle and the prizes, no matter how small.
These struggles and victories can come from anywhere, whether you have something to say about mental health, politics, nature, or the way you're feeling. Be free.
Say Something Real
you are necessary and brave, and you are strong. you are smart. you are worth every step it takes to stay alive. you are capable, significant, and brave, even when it feels like you’re not. your story is worth hearing.
Tell us about your seeds. About the dark your seeds are pushing against. Remind us of home, and the battleground, and maybe even the victory wreath. Hand over your unresolved anger and your deepest voids. Hear something back. Tell us about the spirals. Outline your shadows. Take up space.
Give us dejavu, in a shocking otherworld. Hack your way through the undergrowth. Take us with you. Tell us if you'll wash your knees after it all.
Tell us about your seeds. About the dark your seeds are pushing against. Remind us of home, and the battleground, and maybe even the victory wreath. Hand over your unresolved anger and your deepest voids. Hear something back. Tell us about the spirals. Outline your shadows. Take up space.
Give us dejavu, in a shocking otherworld. Hack your way through the undergrowth. Take us with you. Tell us if you'll wash your knees after it all.
Remind Us of the Light
As you move through darkness, what light are you growing towards? Tell us about what keeps you here. What are you thankful for? What do you bask in? What is your truth?
How do you know you're alive? Tell us what makes your heart explode. Celebrate every little victory. Tell us about your favorite sky, how love feels, and why you're here.
How do you know you're alive? Tell us what makes your heart explode. Celebrate every little victory. Tell us about your favorite sky, how love feels, and why you're here.
Email [email protected]
General Guidelines
- Finished pieces, and/or small descriptions/thoughts on light and loveliness. We want your observations, thoughts, musings, feelings, and it all.
- Subject: [Form]-[Name]
- Up to 5 pieces at once, varying forms, all in one email, in files according to forms (one for poetry, one for essay, etc).
- PDF's or links to Google Doc's. Please ensure that a Google Doc is set to be viewed by anyone.
- Previously published work not accepted, unless noted excerpts from a book or contest. Work published on a personal website or social media welcome.
- Simultaneous submissions welcome and encouraged. Let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere. We're happy to congratulate you.
- Include a third person bio, and a photo, if you like.
Poetry + Lyrics
- Up to 5 poems, up to 20 pages. Yes, that means one poem may be 20 pages. Send us your epics. One document/PDF.
- All forms welcome. Get weird.
Prose
- Up to 3 pieces, from one sentence up to 5,000 words. Up to 10,000 words welcome, but must be able to be serialized.
Art
- Up to 5 pieces of art.
- JPEG + PNG.
- All forms welcome.
Absolutely no work...
- that is racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, anti-semitic, sexist, ableist, fetishizing, fat-shaming, appropriating, "edgy" for the sake of shock value, or anything of the sort. be angry, but don't be a prick.
- that does not originally belong to you. We have absolutely no tolerance for plagiarism, and we will check. Work inspired by others' is happily accepted- please note this in your work! It is respectful, leads us to more poems, and prevents either of us from looking stupid.
- by abusers.
Are you...
A woman? A person of color? Trans? An immigrant? Nonbinary? Gay, ace, bi- or pansexual? Other abled? We want you to know that you are loved, welcomed, and necessary. Your work matters, and is given priority.
Rights + Payment
- We request one-time nonexclusive rights to your work. After this, all rights revert back to you. Mention us when you publish again.
- We would love to pay contributors some day. For now, have our love, support, and possibly squeals.
Questions? Pitches? Dog pictures? Brighten our day and send an email to [email protected]
Stuff We Love
To the Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Next Stall by Kim Addonizio
Will You? by Carrie Fountain
Notebook Fragments by Ocean Vuong
Richard Siken. Generally.
Make Believe by Pádraig Ó Tuama
A Memory by Saeed Jones
Soup by Sam Ahmed
Angel of the Get Through by Andrea Gibson
Keep Forgiving by Levi the Poet
Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky
Self Portrait with No Flag by Safia Elhillo
My Mother was a Freedom Fighter + forward by Aja Monet + Maytha
A Master Class in Women's Rage by Kate Harding
Fear of Missing Out by Courtney Kiolbassa
(Soma)tic Poetry Rituals: The Basics in 3 Parts by CA Conrad
Ocean Vuong on being generous in your work
Ellen Harding Baker’s “Solar System Quilt”
An amateur orchid grower by Gordon Gahan, National Geographic
Thirty Years by Taylor Leong
Radical Softness + Platonic Intimacy by Lora Mathis
Will You? by Carrie Fountain
Notebook Fragments by Ocean Vuong
Richard Siken. Generally.
Make Believe by Pádraig Ó Tuama
A Memory by Saeed Jones
Soup by Sam Ahmed
Angel of the Get Through by Andrea Gibson
Keep Forgiving by Levi the Poet
Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky
Self Portrait with No Flag by Safia Elhillo
My Mother was a Freedom Fighter + forward by Aja Monet + Maytha
A Master Class in Women's Rage by Kate Harding
Fear of Missing Out by Courtney Kiolbassa
(Soma)tic Poetry Rituals: The Basics in 3 Parts by CA Conrad
Ocean Vuong on being generous in your work
Ellen Harding Baker’s “Solar System Quilt”
An amateur orchid grower by Gordon Gahan, National Geographic
Thirty Years by Taylor Leong
Radical Softness + Platonic Intimacy by Lora Mathis