Submit your writing & art
iō Literary Journal aims to embrace all forms of creative writing and artistic expression, even those works that expand the genre beyond the conventional interpretations. In doing this, we hope to showcase the spectrum of experience of all people, especially those in underrepresented groups whose voices are silenced in mainstream culture. 

How to submit

Annual print volume

We are interested in diverse works that speak to your individual experience, narrative, and culture. We especially welcome contributors whose work exceeds the boundaries of traditional literary journals and aims to showcase underrepresented voices and issues.

All submissions must be received on Submittable. We do not accept submissions via email.
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General Submission Guidelines:
  • All submissions should be doc or docx files, double spaced, 12pt, and in either Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana, or Georgia font. Experimental pieces can be flexible regarding font and size. 
  • All submissions must include a short 3rd person bio.
  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Indicate this in the bio section. All other submissions MUST be formally withdrawn if you decide to publish with us.
  • We do not accept previously published work.
  • Authors may submit to any and all categories at once, but cannot submit more than allowed for any one category.
  • Page or word count limit applies to a single piece.
  • Works in other languages are welcomed. Author MUST provide an English translation.

Deadline

Submissions to our print volume are currently closed.
We are proud to be a journal that pays! Accepted print contributors receive $20 per published piece.
We accept the following genres:

Poetry
Submit up to three poems per submission.
  • 5 pages max. per poem

Fiction, Nonfiction & Essays
Submit up to one piece per submission.
  • Fiction - 15 pages max.
  • Nonfiction - 15 pages max.
  • Essays (Personal, Narrative, Craft, etc.) - 10 pages max.
  • Literary Criticism - 15 pages max.
  • Screenplays - 1 act or 15 pages max.
  • Book Reviews - 5 pages max.
  • Experimental Work - 10 pages max.

Flash Fiction/Nonfiction & Microfiction/Nonfiction
Submit up to three pieces per submission.
  • Flash Fiction and Nonfiction - 750 words max.
  • Microfiction and Nonfiction - 100 words max.
  • Experimental Work - 750 words max.​

Visual Art
Submit up to two pieces per submission.
  • 2-D Art (Drawings, Paintings, Digital, etc.)
  • Photography
  • Comics

Refractions​, an online publication

Submission to our online publication, Refractions, are featured on our website and are separate from submission to our annual printed volume. Online submissions have the added capability of being visually and technologically dynamic, so get creative! Refractions calls are generally centered on a theme.

All submissions must be received on Submittable. We do not accept submissions via email.

General Submission Guidelines:
  • Submissions must include a short 3rd person biography. We also recommend including a photo of the contributor.
  • Photos/media to accompany written submissions are encouraged but not required.
  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Make a note of it in your bio, and if your piece is accepted elsewhere, please let us know as soon as possible by messaging us through Submittable. If you submitted more than one piece, you do NOT have to withdraw your whole submission. 
  • Contributors may submit to any and all categories or genres at once (e.g., submitting a piece of poetry, micro-fiction, and photography at once for the given theme).
  • Page limit applies to a single piece (i.e. each fiction submission can have up to 15 pages max). Limits for each piece are listed below.
  • Social media handles are encouraged for social media promotion. You got published, why not let us tell your friends and ours?
  • Works in other languages are welcomed. Author MUST provide an English translated version as well.
  • Send us specific art & multimedia pieces for consideration. If you send us a link to your entire portfolio with a "choose what you want", we will NOT consider it.

Deadline

Submissions to our online publication are currently closed.
We accept the following genres:
Submit up to three pieces total for any theme.

Poetry & Prose
  • Fiction & Non-fiction:  15 pages max.
  • Poetry: 5 pages max.
  • Screenplays:  1 act max.
  • Book Reviews: 5 pages max.
  • Literary Criticism:  15 pages max.
  • Personal/Narrative Essays:  10 pages max.
  • Flash Fiction/Nonfiction: 750 words max.
  • Microfiction/Nonfiction: 100 words max.

Art & Multimedia
Art submissions may be an individual part of a continuing series (e.g., a weekly comic panel, 3-part video essay, etc.). Inform us of this intent. At your discretion, such submissions may be submitted in full and published gradually. 
  • ​2-D Art 
  • Photography
  • 2-D Comics: 5 pages max.
  • ​Videography (video essays, blogs, performance art, etc.)​
Art & multimedia submissions must include titles for each piece of work. 

Experimental
  • Any works that do not adhere to traditional labels or artistic genres.
  • Within these classifications, we do not exclude nor prefer any particular genre and look forward to receiving a variety of works!
  • Avoid explanation your entire work—part of the fun is exploring the mix between genres—but do make us aware if you consider your work "experimental".
Note: We do not accept print and online submissions at the same time. When print submissions are open, online submissions are closed, and vice versa.
Find us on Submittable for upcoming calls.

Your rights
iō Literary Journal acquires First Serial Rights for accepted work(s) for print and online publications. Upon acceptance(s) of publication, iō Literary Journal retains the right to be the sole publisher of the work(s) for the first year from the initial date of publication. Thereafter, contributors may republish their work(s), with iō Literary Journal credited as the initial publisher. 
The contributor confirms that the work(s) submitted for print and online is/are their own, the contributor owns the copyright(s), the work(s) are not in violation or infringement of any existing copyright(s) or license(s), and the work(s) submitted have not been previously published elsewhere.
Read our full statement of author's rights

Contact us
Have a question about the submission process? Let us know!