We publish, poetry, short fiction (inc. excerpts from longer works), NF/essays, hybrid work, & art, quarterly.
Seasonal themes: They vary, but are always broad and open to interpretation; they exists to serve an overall cohesion for a better reading experience, but not meant to be restrictive. To read more on the current themes and gain insight into our style visit our website or Substack. We love promoting writing that interrogates the world and engages with philosophical, metaphysical, ethical, & existential themes. Please read the submission guidance carefully before sending your work. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@phillitjournal.com.
During each reading period, we accept:
- 1 work of prose: FICTION OR NF/ESSAY (up to 2000 words)
- 1-3 poems (no more than 5-6 pgs total)
- 1-3 works of art + must include artist statement (method & materials)
- 1-2 hybrid pieces (no more than 2 pgs total)
Each writer may submit ONCE per quarterly reading periods; however, each writer/artist may submit in every major genre (poetry, prose, art). If you plan to submit in multiple genres, please compile everything into a single file, and label your genre. (e.g., a single submission might include an essay, 2 poems, and a work of art; all within a single document.)
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GUIDELINES:
- Content Warnings: Please refrain from submitting work that includes erotica, excessive gore, hate speech, or animal abuse outside the frame of activism. Such submissions will be immediately rejected.
- Submissions must be in English, OR accompanied by an English translation.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- We do not accept AI-generated writing.
- We do not accept work that has been previously published.
- You do not need prior publication experience to submit—new and emerging writers are encouraged.
- We aim for a 2 month turn around, but please allow up to 4 months for a response.
- There is no general submission fee. Only our contests have a reading fee.
FORMATING:
– Submit all writing, all genres, as a single file.
– Each submission should be titled w/genre, and each piece start on a new page.
– PROSE should be double-spaced, in Times or Time New Roman, 12pt font
– If submitting to a contest, then no identifying information should be IN the file.
Payment: At this time, PHIL LIT JOURNAL is a volunteer-run publication. We do not currently offer payment outside of our Winter & Summer contests. However, if published in our online issue, contributors will also be acknowledged on our substack, supporter spaces, & potentially featured in our annual poetry anthology, via Readers Choice or editorial selection. As we grow, it is our goal to compensate our writers monetarily.
Rights: Author grants PHIL LIT Journal First Serial Rights with a 90-day exclusivity from first publication. After publication & exclusivity, all rights revert to the Author; However, PHIL LIT retains a non-exclusive, perpetual license to archive and promote the work in various media outlets. During the 90-day exclusivity, THE FULL TEXT may not appear elsewhere, with the exception of personal social media as long as it is accompanied have a proper credit and link. Excerpts are allowed anywhere, at anytime, with the credit and a link to the journal.”
Paid Substack Subscribers: will receive feedback on unselected submissions, ONLY IF REQUESTED IN THE COVER LETTER. Paid Subscribers also receive a copy of the PHIL LIT Annual Poetry Anthology print edition, included with their membership.*
*must be active at publication.
PHIL LIT is accepting featured artist submissions for `26 issues(4). We select one artist per season for an Artist Highlight Feature (a two-four page interview and promotional spread inside the issue) & corresponding cover art.
We welcome all forms of art, including but not limited to:
• Photography • Painting • Illustration • Sculpture • Textile art & needlework • Mixed media • Printmaking • Collage • Ceramics • Experimental work, etc
As long as your work aligns with PHIL LIT’s ethos—fearless, human-first—we want to see it.
What to Submit:
Please include: Your name, Portfolio link or website, 3–5 sample images, and a short note on how your work aligns with PHIL LIT.
What Selected Artists Receive:
A contributor copy, cover placement, a two-four page Artist Highlight Segment inside the issue, an interview or short statement published with your work, social media features & newsletter promotion, full credit and links to your portfolio/shop.
No fee to submit. All backgrounds and experience levels welcome.
--PHIL LIT Journal Fearless & Human First
SPRING `26 General Submissions
THEME: A QUESTION OF CARE: Ethics, empathy, and the burden of tenderness.
We Accept The Following in a Single Document Per Submission:
- Poetry: 1-3 poems (5-6 pgs total) per submission.
- Prose - FICTION OR NONFICTION/ESSAY (up to 2000 words) per submission.
- Hybrid / Experimental: up to 2 pieces (2 pgs total) per submission
- Visual Art: (up to 3 works) per submission + must include brief artist statement + process and media/medium.
Guidelines:
- Submissions must be in English OR accompanied by an English translation.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- We do not accept AI-generated writing.
- We do not accept work that has been previously published.
- New and emerging writers are encouraged to submit.
- Please refrain from submitting work that includes erotica, excessive gore, animal abuse, or hate speech. Such submissions will be immediately rejected.
- Please only submit ONCE per general submissions reading period. (Multiple submissions for contests is okay)