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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
These are our pop-up issue submission periods:
04/01 to 05/01
+
09/01 to 10/01
In order to submit your work, please fill out the appropriate Google Forms that are categorized by genre.​
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 OPEN!

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
While we are devoted to giving a voice to LGBTQAI+ creatives, we also want to give a voice to women creatives, disabled creatives, and neurodivergent creatives. We also wish to give a voice to creatives with mental illness(es), invisible illness(es), and/or trauma.

For All Submissions: 
  • Please title each piece, utilize Times New Roman or a sans serif font (such as Arial), size 12.
  • It must be inspired by our nightscapes 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.
  • We review simultaneous submissions, but if your work has been accepted elsewhere, please let us know at thewinnowmag@gmail.com 
  • You may only submit to one genre per submission period.

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

Artwork Submissions
1. You may submit up to five 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 couple options in exchange for tips 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!
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Tier 4
3
5
6
8
USD
USD
USD
USD
Expedited Submission: 48-hour response time
Expedited Submission: 24-hour response time
We will provide general feedback for your submission.
We will provide detailed feedback per page.
Note: Your submission will be reviewed by our editors, and you'll receive a decision within 48 hours upon the receipt time of your submission
Note: Your submission will be reviewed by our editors, and you'll receive a decision within 48 hours upon the receipt time of your submission
Note: This includes a paragraph from our genre editor and EIC.
Note: If you donate $8, we will only provide detailed feedback for the first page of your submission; therefore, it is $8 for detailed feedback per page.
  • Tiers 1 and 2 are available for all types of submissions, while tiers 3 and 4 are available for writing submissions only.
  • If you select any of these tiers, please submit using the "Paid Submission Form" which can be found below.
the winnow nominates for Best of Net and Pushcart.