WRITERS’ NEWS
http://www.writers-online.co.uk MARCH 2020^101Wards is a South
African literary
journal with a special
focus. Every issue
‘invites writers from
different, specific
demographics to
submit fiction,
poetry, creative
nonfiction, and
research articles’.
The title ‘wards’ is
important because ‘wards are storied places,
and warding is an act of defence or self-
preservation’. Submissions for issue 5 are open
until 31 March and the theme is ‘Native’.
The team promise ‘personal, detailed
feedback’. They particularly want ‘literary
work from indigenous and First Nations
authors from any continent’ but all work is
accepted if it is to the theme. Flash fiction
and short stories are wanted. Submit no more
than three stories, up to 5,000 words. Poetry
should be under fifteen pages, no more than
five poems. Creative non-fiction and personal
essays are always welcomed. Submit one piece,
up to 10,000 words.
Use of a native language is accepted. Follow
the specific guidelines to upload it and an
English translation.
Response time is reasonable. Payment: ‘One
author in each genre will receive a $50 prize.’
Simultaneous submissions are accepted;
previously published work is not. Multiple
subs are allowed in different genres. Submit
through the website, http://www.wardslitmag.com
Launched in January,
2019, Sunspot Literary
Journal publishes
diverse multinational
voices from around
the world. New works
are published in their
original language side-
by-side with English
translations.
Its mission is ‘to
amplify every voice’.
It needs submissions of microfiction, flash
fiction, poetry, short stories, plays, scripts,
literary works and well-written genre pieces
up to novella length. Non-fiction, ‘essays,
opinions, articles, reviews, memoirs, and travel
stories’ are welcomed. They love ‘thoughts
that blind’.
Check the guidelines carefully as different
length work must be submitted through the
correct online portal via the correct form. For
example ‘one poem up to two pages’ has to be
submitted through the standard Submittable
form but longer poems through another form.
The team also offer a ‘Fast Flux Response
Option’ and for a small fee work will ‘receive
an answer in two weeks or less.’
Submit longer works – up to 49,000 words
for fiction and nonfiction, including scripts
and screenplays, and up to fifty pages for a
single poem – using the special form on the
Submittable portal. Response time is ‘within
three months’. There is no payment other
than ‘an Editor’s Prize of $50 for one work
selected’ for first rights.
Website: https://sunspotlit.comMumberMag is a quirky new literary zine.
The editorial team want work ‘to share with
your friends. Something that makes you
laugh or cry while you check your phone on
your break at work.’ They publish ‘only what
we truly love, and think you’ll love. There
is no filling empty pages here. Only filling
prescriptions.’ Do check out the website
guidelines, there are no back issues to read as
yet. Currently submissions are open for prose
only, poetry subs will open soon.
For fiction, non-fiction or translations,
submit up to 2,000 words; give them work
‘that is short and sweet enough to click on
and read through’. They like ‘stuff suited to
the internet. That could mean short. It could
mean it makes use of hyperlinks. Whatever.
Surprise us. Make us laugh.’
Simultaneous and multiple subs in different
genres are accepted, but no reprints
Submit via a personal google account using
their online link or use the correct email
address. Response time is ‘as fast as possible’.
Payment is US $25-$50 for prose for first
North American serial rights.
Details: email prose subs to fiction@
mumbermag.me or nonfiction@mumbermag.
me; guidelines: http://www.mumbermag.me/
submit-2/Causeway Lit is
the online zine of
Dogwood: A Journal
of Poetry and Prose,
the literary magazine
published by
Fairfield University.
Run by the
graduate studentsCauseway Lit is unusual in that it only
accepts submissions for a free entry into
their monthly competition. The zine does
not accept general subs. Each month the
zine seeks entries for fiction, non-fiction and
poetry and publishes the winners the next
month. For fiction and non-fiction submit no
more than 25 pages. For poetry submit one
poem no more than ten pages. Response time
is ‘within two months’. Payment is a prize of
$50.
Website: https://causewaylit.comSplit Lip Magazine is a
zine with attitude and
youthful pop culture
twist. Free submissions
are permitted in January,
March, May, September
and November, and the
advice is to get in early when submitting
during those months. Otherwise there is a
small fee, in February, April, June, October
and December. Writers in a hurry to receive
a decision can apply for an expedited
submission, costing $5.
For fiction, 1,000 to 2,500 words, submit
the ‘best unpublished literary, mainstream, or
experimental writing’; no profanity, sex, SF,
romance, mystery and adventure, or genre
fiction. Flash fiction, no more than 1,000
words is also accepted. For poetry submit
just one poem. Memoir, no more than 2,000
words, should, ‘Give us the dirty lowdown...
shine a new light on the human condition.
There are no limitations on subject matter.’
Response time is ‘up to twelve weeks’.
Payment is $50 per author (via PayPal) plus a
one-year subscription for first-time electronic
publication rights.
Website: https://splitlipthemag.comLitbreak is a
monthly online
literary journal of
fiction, book reviews and essays, 500-5,000
words, and poetry. They might be tempted to
publish 1,000-word excerpts from new novels
or other material.
Fiction needs heart and soul and honest
writing. Book reviews should ‘avoid hyperbole
or generic, unsubstantiated praise or censure,
directed at either the work or individuals’. For
poetry, up to three poems, the poetry editor
suggests (‘but doesn’t require’) a minimum of
100 words.
Follow the guidelines and submit through
the website: http://litbreak.com. Response
time is ‘within three months’. Payment is on a
‘case-by-case basis from $25 upward’.ZINE SCENE
INTERNATIONAL
by PDR
Lindsay-Salmon