Where to submit your writing and artwork

We love literary journals that also publish original artwork. Writing and visual art go hand in hand. In the literary world, there are graphic novels, comic books, illustrated editions and children’s books. Visual artists often take inspiration from literature. For example, the Pre-Raphaelites depicted scenes and characters from Dante, Shakespeare, and Arthurian Legends. Here are some places that are looking for submissions for writing and/or artwork.

Currently, none require fees. As always, read their guidelines carefully and take a look at previous issues to make sure your work is a good fit.

For more great places to submit as well as our best tips on getting published, check out our other lists and resources.

Note: We are a creative writing school and compile these lists for the benefit of our students. Please don’t send us your publishing queries or submissions :). Click on the green links to go to the publication’s website and look for their submissions page.

Makerelle is a new electronic literary and creative arts magazine. They publish themed issues containing fiction (max 2000 words) creative nonfiction, poetry (max 3 poems of up to 40 lines each) and artwork (max 3 pieces). Their current theme is Tattoo. Submissions close 11 June 2021.

Afternoon Visitor is an online quarterly publication of poetry, lyric essays, hybrid text, visual poetry, and visual art. They want original work that “work that investigates and divines, that searches out and wants”. You can submit up to eight pieces of art at a time. Poetry can be three to eight poems per submission, but no more than ten pages. Other submissions should be under 3,000 words. They aim to respond to all submissions within three months.

Stirring is an electronic quarterly journal. Founded in 1999, it is one of the oldest continuously publishing journals on the web. Open for creative work in all genres and a variety of visual mediums. Simultaneous submissions are allowed but previously published work is not. Fiction and nonfiction submissions need to be under 5,000 words. Up to five poems can be submitted. Visual art is between five to ten submissions. Responses can take up to six months.

Disorder Press is a New Orleans-based publisher. They publish one to two books a year and are looking for poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction manuscripts. Replies are only given in case of acceptance.

Grieving Ghosts is based out of Boston and has been going since 2007. They are looking for short travelogues, radical/experimental poetry, manifestos, translations, unique nonfiction, cultural critiques, essays, essays on art and design, and essays on architecture in the range of 15 to 25 pages. For art, they will consider submissions that contain black and white photography, collage, illustration, comics, hand-drawn maps, etc. Individual works of art may be considered for their art/print series.  Simultaneous submissions are not allowed, there is not a submission fee but they do ask that you purchase a past edition to get a feel for the type of work they are looking for. Responses generally take four to six weeks.

Empty Mirror is an online literary magazine publishing nonfiction, poetry, and art. They publish on Fridays. Poetry submissions should be three to six poems. Nonfiction between 1,000-20,000 words. Visual art between three to twelve images with a common theme. Fiction is currently not being considered. Response time is generally between one to twelve weeks.