the winnow is a bi-annual magazine published May 15th and November 15th. Our pop-up issues, which are much shorter in comparison to our bi-annual issues, are published September 15th and January 15th. Submitters will be notified within three (3) months of submission. We accept simultaneous submissions, but please inform us if your work is accepted elsewhere.
These are our bi-annual issue open submission periods:
12/15 to 2/15
+
6/15 to 8/15
12/15 to 2/15
+
6/15 to 8/15
These are our pop-up issue submission periods:
04/01 to 05/01
+
09/01 to 10/01
04/01 to 05/01
+
09/01 to 10/01
Direct your submissions to thewinnowmag@gmail.com.
We ask for the First North American serial rights to publish the creator's work and then archive it; however, all rights revert back to the original writer or artist upon publication. This also means that we are not open to publishing already published works. This doesn't include on your blog/social media platforms, but it does include in other literary magazines, a book, a podcast, or similar venues. Please credit the winnow magazine as the first place your work has appeared if you publish it elsewhere after placing it with us.
Submissions are CLOSED!
The theme for our 7th issue is nightscapes. Submissions open on June 15th.
Here are some words for inspiration: twilight / gloom / dark / soft / sultry / fatal / dismal / blue dusk / transparent / somber sky / cold / restless / bright / nightclubs / moonflower / vampire / werewolf / cats / moths / bats / incubus / nightmare / apparitions of memory / nightshade / late night Sheetz run / moon-stained nightgown / scary Sims burglar music / date night / parasomnia
Here is a Spotify Playlist for inspiration: nightscapes playlist
For General Submission Guidelines
We strongly believe that everyone has something important to say. From the marginalized, to the disillusioned, to the unpublished, we want to hear your voice. We accept a broad range of themes, but we are particularly interested in works grounded by personal experience. We wish to go somewhere unexpected, somewhere wanting, somewhere unheard.
You may submit to more than one category! Please title your submission as "Genre Submission, Your Name." For example, if you're submitting poetry, it would look like: "Poetry Submission, Jane Doe." Moreover, if you submit multiple genres, please title your submission as "Poetry and Artwork Submission, Jane Doe." You can submit to each category once during a submission period.
Cover Letter: A simple greeting, a short third-person biography, and maybe some cool facts about yourself. You may include previous publications, awards, your favorite music artist, or any other information you deem imperative for us to know. Please include the cover letter in the submission email or as a .docx or .doc attachment.
For All Submissions: please title each piece, utilize Times New Roman or a sans serif font (such as Arial) size 12, and it must be inspired by our dreamscapes theme. For written pieces, send us Microsoft Word or Google Docs documents only. If your written work has special formatting, you can submit a .png or PDF in addition. Please include any trigger or content warnings for your submission. Do not include identifying information in your submission document. Also, we do review simultaneous submissions, but if your work has been accepted elsewhere, please let us know.
Additionally, please note that we are currently not a paying market because we don't have any reliable revenue streams; therefore, the magazine is almost entirely funded by staff and ko-fi donations. If you'd like to help us realize our dream of becoming a paying market and expanding our brand, check out our support us page with ways to help. Above all, thank you for your love and support.
If accepted, your written work may be paired alongside visual art or vice versa.
Here are some words for inspiration: twilight / gloom / dark / soft / sultry / fatal / dismal / blue dusk / transparent / somber sky / cold / restless / bright / nightclubs / moonflower / vampire / werewolf / cats / moths / bats / incubus / nightmare / apparitions of memory / nightshade / late night Sheetz run / moon-stained nightgown / scary Sims burglar music / date night / parasomnia
Here is a Spotify Playlist for inspiration: nightscapes playlist
For General Submission Guidelines
We strongly believe that everyone has something important to say. From the marginalized, to the disillusioned, to the unpublished, we want to hear your voice. We accept a broad range of themes, but we are particularly interested in works grounded by personal experience. We wish to go somewhere unexpected, somewhere wanting, somewhere unheard.
You may submit to more than one category! Please title your submission as "Genre Submission, Your Name." For example, if you're submitting poetry, it would look like: "Poetry Submission, Jane Doe." Moreover, if you submit multiple genres, please title your submission as "Poetry and Artwork Submission, Jane Doe." You can submit to each category once during a submission period.
Cover Letter: A simple greeting, a short third-person biography, and maybe some cool facts about yourself. You may include previous publications, awards, your favorite music artist, or any other information you deem imperative for us to know. Please include the cover letter in the submission email or as a .docx or .doc attachment.
For All Submissions: please title each piece, utilize Times New Roman or a sans serif font (such as Arial) size 12, and it must be inspired by our dreamscapes theme. For written pieces, send us Microsoft Word or Google Docs documents only. If your written work has special formatting, you can submit a .png or PDF in addition. Please include any trigger or content warnings for your submission. Do not include identifying information in your submission document. Also, we do review simultaneous submissions, but if your work has been accepted elsewhere, please let us know.
Additionally, please note that we are currently not a paying market because we don't have any reliable revenue streams; therefore, the magazine is almost entirely funded by staff and ko-fi donations. If you'd like to help us realize our dream of becoming a paying market and expanding our brand, check out our support us page with ways to help. Above all, thank you for your love and support.
If accepted, your written work may be paired alongside visual art or vice versa.
Submission guidelines by genre
For Artwork Submissions
1. You may submit up to six pieces during the submission period.
2. Submit .jpeg/.jpg or .png files only.
3. You must provide a title, even if it is "Untitled."
4. It must be inspired by or it must utilize our nightscapes theme.
For Prose Submissions
1. Please write the title at the top of the page for the piece.
2. Submissions must be in English.
3. You may submit one prose piece during the submission period, and it must be within 500-2500 words.
4. The prose genre encompasses both fiction and creative non-fiction. Please denote whether you're submitting fiction or CNF.
5. It must be inspired by or it must utilize our nightscapes theme.
For Poetry Submissions
1. Please write the title at the top of the page for each piece.
2. Submissions must be in English.
3. You may submit up to three poems during the submission period.
4. It must be inspired by or it must utilize our nightscapes theme.
Anything you've winnowed from the world, dreams, and everything in between, we look forward to the opportunity to review your work.
1. You may submit up to six pieces during the submission period.
2. Submit .jpeg/.jpg or .png files only.
3. You must provide a title, even if it is "Untitled."
4. It must be inspired by or it must utilize our nightscapes theme.
For Prose Submissions
1. Please write the title at the top of the page for the piece.
2. Submissions must be in English.
3. You may submit one prose piece during the submission period, and it must be within 500-2500 words.
4. The prose genre encompasses both fiction and creative non-fiction. Please denote whether you're submitting fiction or CNF.
5. It must be inspired by or it must utilize our nightscapes theme.
For Poetry Submissions
1. Please write the title at the top of the page for each piece.
2. Submissions must be in English.
3. You may submit up to three poems during the submission period.
4. It must be inspired by or it must utilize our nightscapes theme.
Anything you've winnowed from the world, dreams, and everything in between, we look forward to the opportunity to review your work.
**New** submission responses with feedback
Note: our regular submissions will always be free, and submitters will be notified regarding the status of their submission within (3) months. However, we now offer a few options in exchange for donations via Ko-Fi.
Please include your name in the donor box and mention it when you submit. That way, we'll be able to give you your special response!
Please include your name in the donor box and mention it when you submit. That way, we'll be able to give you your special response!
Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
Tier 3 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
USD |
USD |
USD |
We will provide at least (3) suggestions of authors/poets to read based off of your writing style. |
We will provide general feedback per submission genre. |
We will provide detailed feedback per page. |
Note: If you donate an additional $2, we will explain why we chose those writers! |
Note: If you donate $6 and submitted to two genres, we will provide general feedback for only one genre. Please denote which to review. |
Note: If you donate $8, we will only provide detailed feedback for the first page of your submission. |
All of these tiers are available for writing submissions only.
the winnow nominates for Best of Net and Pushcart.
