When are your submissions open?
Our submissions are open year-round, but we have 4 yearly deadlines to determine which submissions to consider for which issues.
Deadlines:
• Feb 1st – Spring issue.
• May 1st – Summer issue.
• August 1st – Autumn issue.
• Nov 1st – Winter issue.
What categories and types of works do you accept?
You can submit:
• Up to 2 poems / 40 lines
• Flash fic 100-1K, Short stories up to 3K words
• CNF 100-3K words
• Stage & Screen Plays up to 5 A4 pgs / Yes to monologues
• Visual Art (up to 3), themed
Importantly, we consider:
• Simultaneous subs (but let us know if it’s published somewhere);
• Works by previous contributors and previously rejected creators (more info in submission guidelines).
And you must not:
• Submit to multiple categories or more than one submission per sub window;
• Submit previously published work (includes personal social media account, blog, website).
What kind of submissions are you looking for?
We have set submission guidelines to ensure a certain uniformity in the works we receive, but we are pretty open to all genres, styles and themes. We do not set themes for written works because we want our submitters to express themselves in whatever way they deem necessary. We may set themes for photography and art works to create a cohesive gallery in the publication. We have particularly enjoyed receiving submissions with interesting and unusual themes, as well as insightful and original ideas. We also love to read and see works from all over the world as we strongly value the opportunity to provide a platform for writers and artists from all backgrounds and cultures.
Do you have any requirements regarding who is allowed to submit?
None at all! We welcome submitters of all ages, expertise, and backgrounds and it is free to submit to Spellbinder.. We welcome both emerging and established creatives. We do not ask for bios or headshots until after making a decision on your piece so we can be as objective as possible. In addition, if you would like to be published anonymously or by a pseudonym, or would prefer to not have a bio and/or headshot included, we can accommodate this for you.
Should I submit my work to you?
If you are still doubting whether Spellbinder is a good match for your work, we would really enjoy reading and seeing your work either way. So yes, send it!
What happens if my piece is accepted somewhere else?
If this happens (yay!), but do please let us know at your earliest convenience. If you wish, you can submit us another piece instead and we will be happy to consider it. If it is within the submission window, it will be considered for the upcoming issue but, if the submissions have already been closed, it will be considered for the next issue after that.
How many people submit to Spellbinder?
The number of submitters is the most well-kept secret of any literary journal. Each of your submissions is read by one primary and one secondary editor to ensure fair and objective reviewing. To pull that off, we need many editors and readers – have a look at our masthead for more details.
How long do I need to wait for a response?
We look at and make decisions on pieces after our submissions have closed. You should hear from us within 6 weeks of our submissions closing date. If you have submitted while our submissions were closed, please wait until the next submissions window closes because we will consider your piece then.
How often is an issue released?
We release quarterly (every 3 months), usually around the beginning of: January, April, July, and October. Our issues are available in paperback on all Amazon marketplaces. We also publish our issues digitally on our website – these become available through monthly or yearly subscription one month after print publication.
Are you a paying market?
We pay a £3 honorarium per contributor after print publication. We are a non-profit organisation and have only recently gathered enough funds to become a paying market.
Will I receive a complimentary contributor copy?
We currently are not able to provide contributor copies but we hope to be able to once we have the funds.
Can I win prizes?
Once you are accepted, you are automatically entered in our yearly category-specific competition. We announce winners in October every year and you can win a Spellbinder Annual Award. Pretty neat, right? Also, with your permission, we plan to submit the works that win a Spellbinder Annual Award to more famous awards such as The Pushcart Prizes and The Best American Series among others.