PHIL LIT Journal Submission Guidelines
We publish poetry, fiction, essays/creative nonfiction, hybrid work, & visual art.
Our seasonal themes vary but are intentionally broad and open to interpretation. Themes are meant to create cohesion within each issue and contribute to the overall reading experience—not to restrict what writers can send us. To read more about our current themes and get a sense of our editorial style, visit our website or Substack.
Please read the submission guidelines carefully before sending your work. If you have questions that are not answered below, contact us at info@phillitjournal.com.
GENERAL SUBMISSIONS
There is no fee to submit.
General submissions open during our quarterly reading periods, and are decided on a rolling basis. While some work may be held for further consideration, definite decisions may be sent before the submission window closes. During an open reading period, we accept one submission per writer, per genre, with the exception of Visual Art.
- Poetry: 1–3 poems, per open reading period.
- Fiction OR Essay / Creative Nonfiction: 1 work of prose, up to 2,000 words. Clearly labeled (Fiction or Nonfiction), per open reading period.
- Hybrid: 1–2 pieces, submitted to either Poetry or Prose, labeled Hybrid, per reading period.
- Visual Art: 1 submission per volume. All artwork submitted is considered for the cover and interior publication. Cover placement comes with an interview.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- If submitting prose, clearly identify the submission as FICTION or NONFICTION / ESSAY in the Submittable submission title.
- Submissions must be written in English or accompanied by an English translation.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If an individual poem or piece is accepted elsewhere, please withdraw it through Submittable or message us through the portal asap.
- Previously published work is not eligible. This includes work that has appeared in literary journals, anthologies, books, or other formal publications. That said, we will not automatically decline a general-submission piece simply because it has appeared on a personal website, social media account, newsletter, or similar platform, though we do ask that any prior public posting be disclosed in your submission materials or CV. We do, however, prefer work that has not previously been shared publicly. There is a particular energy around introducing new work, and we hope our contributors bring that excitement to the release of each issue. That collective enthusiasm helps generate visibility not only for your own work, but for the work of your co-contributors as well. *For contests, the work must never have appeared publicly anywhere; this helps preserve the integrity of our blind review process.
- We do not accept AI-generated writing or artwork. Writers and artists must be the creators of the work they submit.
- You do not need previous publication experience to submit. We enthusiastically welcome work from new and emerging writers alongside established writers.
- Please submit only work for which you hold the necessary rights. This includes quoted material and photography.
Content
PHIL LIT is interested in a broad range of subjects and approaches, but we do not publish erotica, gratuitous or excessive gore, hate speech, or work that depicts animal abuse primarily for shock and/or outside the frame of activism. Submissions that fall clearly outside our content guidelines may be declined without additional consideration.
Work engaging difficult subjects—including violence, abuse, discrimination, grief, sexuality, or other potentially distressing material—is not automatically excluded, but please provide a content warning, especially if you would feel uncomfortable reading it aloud to a group of strangers. Context, artistic purpose, and ethical impact are all considerations in our decision.
FORMATTING
Poetry
- Submit all poems together in one file.
- Each poem should have a title.
- Begin each poem on a new page.
- Do not include identifying information in the manuscript or file name.
- 12-point, Times New Roman, Arial, or EB Garamond.
Fiction & Creative Nonfiction
Please use a clean, readable version of Standard Manuscript Format:
- 12-point, Times New Roman
- Standard 1-inch margins
- Indented paragraphs
- No extra space between paragraphs
- Single or double spacing is acceptable
- Do not include identifying information in the manuscript or file name
Visual Art
Visual art submissions are accepted year-round, but artists should submit once per volume (our publishing cycle runs from Sept to August). All artwork submitted is considered for cover and interior publication. Because our covers remain visually associated with an issue long after publication, art selected for a PHIL LIT cover may not appear as the cover of another publication during the six months before or six months after the PHIL LIT issue's publication date. This restriction applies to cover use only and does not prevent the artwork from appearing elsewhere in other contexts.
A NOTE ABOUT OUR CONTESTS
Our prizes and contest submissions, including the semi-annual PHIL LIT Poetry Prize and the LIT Lantern Chapbook Prize, have their own eligibility requirements, deadlines, fees, judging procedures, and prize packages. Read more about contests here.
PAYMENT & CONTRIBUTOR BENEFITS
Published contributors receive publication in PHIL LIT and may also be featured through PHIL LIT's website, newsletter, social media, readings, contributor programming, and other promotional channels. We nominated for five major awards and host an internal award, thus your work may become eligible for future recognition, including Pushcart, Best New Poets, Best Small Fictions, and the Best American Essays, as well as Best of Net and our internal Reader's Choice Award. Because PHIL LIT Journal is a nonprofit, volunteer-run literary organization, at this time, we do not offer monetary payment for general issue publication (outside of our designated contests and prizes which offer $1400 annually). Our goal as the organization grows, is to expand our ability to compensate the writers and artists whose work we publish.
RIGHTS
- For written work accepted for publication, the author grants PHIL LIT Journal First Serial Rights, including a 90-day period of exclusivity beginning on the date of first publication.
- During this 90-day exclusivity period, the full text of the published work may not be republished elsewhere. Authors may share excerpts after publication, and link readers back to PHIL LIT. After the exclusivity period ends, all publication rights revert to the author.
- PHIL LIT retains a non-exclusive, perpetual right to archive the published work and reproduce excerpts or images of the work for purposes directly related to the journal, its issues, its contributors, organizational promotion, and historical documentation.
- Any subsequent publication of the work should acknowledge its first publication in PHIL LIT Journal.
- Additional permissions may be requested separately for uses outside the rights granted in the contributor agreement.
A FEW FINAL NOTES
We encourage writers at every stage of their careers to submit, but please send us work you genuinely believe is your best. We especially align with work that uplifts or inspires, with a strong handle on craft, that’s rooted in a love of literature. We want our readers to encounter work that is emotionally honest, ethical, expansive, dizzyingly creative, nature-allied, and/or existential. We value fresh language, intellectual movement, surprise, and work that continues to resonate after the final line.
> SUBSCRIBE to PHIL LIT (free and patron memberships* available.)
*Patron Members (or paid subscribers) are recognized as supporters in every issue under the name of their choice and receive a print copy of the PARAGON, Poetry Anthology on annual plans or active monthly plans during publication. Members also receive feedback on submissions that are not selected for publication when requested on the submission form.
(POETRY) 2026 WINTER General Submissions
IMPRESSIONS & INHERITANCE Themes are widely open to interpretation.
We Accept The Following in a Single Document Per Submission:
- Poetry - 3 Poems (6 pages max)
- Hybrid / Broadsides / Experimental: up to 2 pieces (2 pages max)
Guidelines:
- Submissions must be in English OR accompanied by an English translation by owner.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please withdraw 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. However, multiple submissions for the Summer & Winter Contests is okay!
(PROSE) 2026 WINTER Issue General Submissions
IMPRESSIONS & INHERITANCE (Themes are widely up to interpretation. They exist for a cohesive reading experience and are not meant to be restrictive.)
We accept the following prose in STANDARD MANUSCRIPT FORMAT (double spacing optional). Submissions NOT in Standard or Classic Manuscript Format, may be declined.
- FICTION: Micro, Flash, Short, or excerpts from longer works. (up to 2000 words)
- CNF or ESSAY (up to 2000 words)
Guidelines:
- Please clarify NF or Fiction in your submission title.
- Submissions must be in English.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please withdraw immediately through the portal if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- We do not accept AI-generated writing. For details, please read our AI POLICY
- We do not accept work that has been previously published. (Blogs/social/websites included)
- 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 submit ONCE per general submissions reading period.
- Submitter must be 18 at the time of publication.
PHIL LIT is accepting featured artist submissions for 2026-2028 issues (12). We select one artist per season for the Cover Art + Artist Highlight Feature: a two-four page interview and promotional spread inside the issue. The cover art determines our entire theme for that issue. All Art Submissions will be considered for interior publication if not selected for the cover/interview.
- We welcome all forms of visual 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—we want to see it.
- What to Submit: Please include: portfolio link or website, 3–5 sample images that are available to be published for the cover and/or inside your folio, an artist statement, with name, date, dimensions, materials/medium/media, etc. & a short note on how your work aligns with PHIL LIT.
- IMPORTANT: Selected cover art may have not been published on the cover of another publication within 6 months of accepted issue pub-date or 6 months after, so please disclose any former or forthcoming pubs in your submission. We will use this to inform our decision on which issue to place cover art.
- What Selected Artists Receive: Cover placement, a two-four page Artist Highlight Folio inside the issue, an interview or short statement published with your work, social media features & newsletter promotion, full credit and links to your portfolio/purchase work (if applicable).
NOTES: Free to submit. All backgrounds and experience levels welcome. Please note that cover art acceptances can take up to 10 months from submission to reach a final decision. Best of the Net Nominations: Each year, PHIL LIT Journal nominates 2 cover artworks and 1 interior artwork for the Best of the Net Anthology.
STATUS UPDATE: (SUBMISSION >> INTERVIEW >> CONFIRMED)
2026
#6 WINTER Dec 15th- Congrats Jacob Cherry!
2027
#7 SPRING March - Congrats Bird Delaney!
#8 SUMMER June - Congrats Ara Deinde!
#9 FALL Sept - Congrats Cynthia Yatchman!
#10 WINTER Dec - Congrats Jessica Pixie
2028
#11 SPRING - Congrats GJ Gillespie
#12 SUMMER - INTERVIEW STAGE
#13 FALL - INTERVIEW STAGE
#14 WINTER - ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS!
2029 - Will Open for Submissions Jan 1st 2027
PHIL LIT Poetry Prize
Awarded twice yearly — Winter & Summer Cycles
Send us your best poem. (Submit only one poem per entry. Multiple entries are fine.)
The PHIL LIT Poetry Prize is awarded twice a year, for a $900 cash prize pool. Each cycle recognizes one winner and three finalists for cash award, publication in the annual PARAGON, and mailed contributor copies.
Winter 2026 Cycle PRIZES
One Winner will receive:
- $300 cash prize
- Publication in PHIL LIT PARAGON 2027, annual poetry anthology
- Mailed contributor copy of PARAGON 2027
- Promotion across PHIL LIT’s supported media outlets
- An opportunity to serve as the final judge for a future PHIL LIT Poetry Prize cycle
Three Finalists will each receive:
- $50 cash honorarium (increased from last year)
- Publication in PHIL LIT PARAGON 2027
- One print contributor copy of PARAGON
Shortlisted poems will also be considered for publication in PHIL LIT PARAGON 2027 and sent digital copies.
*Due to multiple submissions, it is possible to place in multiple lists. If your work is selected as a finalist + winner; or holds two finalists spots, you will be awarded for both.
Eligibility:
- Open to all writers over 18yo.
- All work must have never appeared publicly, to maintain anonymity. This includes work published on personal websites, blogs, social media, or other publicly accessible platforms.
- Please only submit one poem per submission.
- Multiple submissions are welcomed, but each submission must be a new entry.
- Winners are asked to wait at least one year before submitting to the semiannual contests again.
- Simultaneous submissions are okay. However, given the nature of this single-poem contest, and the time our editors and final judge invest in each round, we sincerely appreciate when the poem is not submitted elsewhere while under consideration for the PHIL LIT Poetry Prize. We understand that this is not always possible, and simultaneous submissions will not count against you in any way. If your work is accepted elsewhere, please withdraw it as soon as possible through the submission portal as soon as possible.
- If you have a close relationship with the Judge, please do not submit to this cycle. (The PHIL LIT Poetry Prize has 2 cycles a year.) A close relationship is defined by immediate family, coworkers, or any friendships in which the judge would recognize your work from a completely blind read.
Guidelines:
- Submissions must be in English or accompanied by an English translation by the original author.
- We do not accept AI-generated writing.
- New and emerging writers are encouraged to submit.
- Please refrain from submitting work containing erotica, excessive gore, animal abuse, or hate speech. Such submissions will be declined.
- We can not approve revisions or edits for contest submissions.
- We will try our best to respond to every submission within 90 days.
Judging Process:
Round 1: Eligible submissions are read and scored individually and blindly by PHIL LIT Editors and Readers (1, 0, -1). Poems with a total positive score form the Longlist. Approximately the top 25% of the Longlist, with a minimum of 15 poems, advance to the Shortlist. Ties may result in a slightly larger Shortlist. Round 2: PHIL LIT Poetry Editors, re-read and score the shortlisted poems. The 5–6 highest-ranked poems advance to final judging for a blind read. Once scoring is complete, the EIC-only will review submissions for announcements and eligibility. Identifying information and cover letters may be reviewed after this stage but are not provided to the final judge or any other editor. Round 3: The final judge receives only the poems selected for final consideration, without author names, biographies, cover letters, publication histories, or other identifying information. The judge ranks the poems independently. The four highest-ranked poems become the Finalists, with the highest-ranked poem receiving the PHIL LIT Poetry Prize and the rest remain shortlisted. *Due to multiple submissions, it is possible to place in multiple lists. If your work is selected as a finalist, and a winner; or holds two finalists spots, you will be awarded for both.
Blind Judging: All judging is conducted without author-identifying information. If at any point the final judge recognizes a poem, believes they can identify its author, or identifies another potential conflict of interest, they must notify PHIL LIT immediately and refrain from evaluating the affected work while PHIL LIT applies its conflict-of-interest procedure. This is why all submissions must/should be unpublished; including, social media accounts, websites, and blogs.
This Cycle's Judge is Melina Charis!
Melina Charis is a poet who writes at the intersection of grief, womanhood, and the natural world. She holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Southern California. Her work has appeared in PHIL LIT, Hollow and Sky, The Wild Roof Journal, Opol, and others. She lives with her family in Los Angeles. And when she isn’t reading or writing poetry, she is a devoted tea ceremonialist who has spent more than five years immersed in its study and practice. melinacharis.substack.com
What She Looks for in Poetry
“I’m looking for poetry that moves me, poetry that feels true and embodied and comes from a place deep within. I want to see poetry that surprises me, that makes me see the world in a new way, that bridges both careful craft and the wildness of being human.”
NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE
LONGLIST by Dec 7 (Posted on Instagram, Website, and Substack)
SHORTLIST* by Dec 14 (Listed in Winter issue; Posted on Instagram, Website, Substack) *Shortlisted entries are also notified via email when Finalists and Winner are decided.
FINALISTS and WINNER by Feb 1 (Notified via email; Posted on Instagram, Website, Substack: Listed in the following Spring issue)
A Note About Fee Waivers: We offer a limited number of fee waivers for our contests on a first-come, first-served basis. Because we're a young nonprofit, our contests are mostly funded by entry fees and we’re unable to offer unlimited waivers. If a contest entry fee would be a barrier to submitting, we encourage you to request one; and once you receive the link, we recommend using it promptly: waivers are not held or reserved, and another writer may redeem one before you do. Once the available waivers for that contest cycle have been used, we are not able to offer additional ones. However, PHIL LIT’s general submissions are always free to enter.