Submission Guidelines & Forms

Submissions are currently OPEN!

The theme is COMMUNITY

We want stories and imagery of large gatherings, kind gestures, forming bonds, reaching out, nostalgic memories, uplifting strangers & friends. Anything at all that reminds of you of community & resistance.

Deadline: July 30th 11:59 PM Central Time Zone

click below to submit

WRITING

ART

Messy Misfits Club zine is looking for stories with out of bounds content– We want to be raw, rebellious and let our voices be heard. The Messy Misfits are meant to be downright dirty!

We encourage people of all backgrounds to submit to our zine! Any LGBTQIA+ identity, racial or ethnic background, gender identity, religious affiliation, neuro-diverse and differently abled peoples, and economically disadvantaged (among more) are welcome to submit.

WE ACCEPT

WRITING

(Flash) Fiction
Creative Nonfiction
Personal Essay
Poetry/Prose Poetry

ART

Illustrations
Photography
Mixed Media

If you aren’t sure about your creative medium, email us!

We would be happy to work something out with you.

THINGS WE WILL NOT CONSIDER any material that promotes/is racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, fascist, or promotes any hatred, abuse, or nonconsensual acts. We want to be real and honest, but there are limits. Be Respectful! INCLUDE TRIGGER WARNINGS EXCESSIVLEY.

All submissions should be your OWN work. It is okay if it has been previously published, just let us know so we can make sure they are okay with it! Additionally, Simultaneous Submissions are allowed, but tell us in your submission form, and email us if you are accepted elsewhere and need to be removed from consideration!

Translated Works are great, but make sure to include an English translation if it is entirely in another language. Pieces with English and another language interwoven are fine as well.

You are welcome to submit to multiple sections, but please fill out the form separately for each submission. Additionally, if submitting multiple pieces (within the same section), put them into ONE document, if possible.

Include a short (~60 words) third person bio with your submission, including your pronouns and any social media links you want to promote.

Specific Guidelines Per Genre:

Fiction: 600 words or fewer (max of 2 pieces)
Short Non-Fiction/Essays: 600 words or fewer (max of 2 pieces)
Flash Fiction: 200 words or fewer (max of 2 pieces)
Poetry: up to 3 poems (do not exceed three pages)
Photos: Up to 5 single page images
Illustration: Up to 5 single page images
Mixed Media: Up to 5 pages of content

Images MUST be high-res in

.PNG, .TIFF, or .PDF formats only
Titled “FirstnameLastname_Title”

Written work MUST be formatted in

12pt Times
New Roman or Arial (just a readable font)
Double spaced
.PDF preferred, or google link, .doc, .docx files also work.
Titled “FirstnameLastname_Title”

What happens if you are published by us and want to republish elsewhere in the future?

Upon publication, your rights revert back to you! We want you to promote your work and publish it anywhere you believe it fits. We ask that you tell the other publication it has been previously published by us, just to confirm that they are okay with that, and so we can get some credit for publishing it first/previously.