Submission Guidelines
dirtcakes welcomes writing and art of all genres—the surreal, the 21st century, the conventional.
- we do not necessarily believe the polemic, strident, or didactic makes the best art. While an implicitly activist publication, we prefer works that say some thing before they say Something.
- we are always looking for artistic crackheads—creators capable of inducing a metaphorical skull fissure, letting new light reach the dark recesses of the brain. And the heart, of course.
- our limited budget seeks to lighten the hunger of the starving artist: Payment of $25 and 2 contributor copies will accompany all accepted artists.
- we love work in any language. Please include author-approved English translation. All text will appear in English, original language, and any other author-provided translations.
- previously published work, including publication in an online venue which provides edited image or word content, is not accepted.
- simultaneous submissions are encouraged. Please notify us upon acceptance elsewhere.
- submitting in multiple categories and themes is okay, too.
- dirtcakes acquires First Serial Rights to publish on our website, to print, and the right to keep credited work in our archives.
- dirtcakes is a homegrown and operated.
Guidelines for Creative Nonfiction
- we accept personal narratives, immersion journalism, satires, reflections, meditations, and textual & cultural analyses.
- acceptable formats include.doc, .rtf., .pdf., and .docx
- send submission of up to 5,000 words to dirtcakes.new.nonfiction@gmail.com
Guidelines for Poetry
- all forms, schools, and creeds are considered.
- acceptable formats include .doc, .rtf., .pdf., and .docx
- send up to 5 poems/10 pages to dirtcakes.new.poetry@gmail.com
Guidelines for Visual Media
- we accept photography, paintings, drawings, and computer art.
- photography may not be computer-manipulated in any way.
- all images are considered for cover, which will be printed in full color at 6×9 inches. It will include the name of the journal and the issue number (see examples).
- artwork published within the journal will be printed in b&w, though we make make a limited run of color interiors. The images may also be displayed on our online version, where they will be full color.
- there are no restrictions or thematic guidelines for subject matter.
- acceptable formats include png, jpg, jpeg, or gif file type, and don’t need to be full resolution, 800×600 pixels is fine, and must be smaller than 2mb.
- send no more than 5 images to dirtcakes.new.art@gmail.com
Reading Periods:
Issue #6 – Is there a witchcountryplayingwhoatomicfeelgoodoctopusofstrangelovequinnpepperswithoutborderskevorkianruthbunsenhoneydew in the house?
Dedicated to U.N. Millennium Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases.
- What forms do doctors take in our global societies?
- What kind of healing do we need most?
- What qualifies as medicine?
- How does the advance of/resistance to medical progress shape our world?
- Do doctored items–drinks, documents–promote the antonym of the title?
- Are they really there to just hold your hand?
Reading Until July 31, 2013
Issue #7 — TBD
Dedicated to U.N Millennium Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Reading Until January 31, 2014
Issue #8 — One
Dedicated to U.N Millennium Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
- “We’re one, but we’re not the same”
- How do a multitude of cultures co-exist meaningfully and honestly in the coming century?
- How have multinationals co-opted/corrupted/created the global paradigm?
Reading Until July 31, 2014
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What we’ve published:
Issue #1 — The Hunger Issue: Released 2011
Dedicated to UN Millennium Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger
Issue #2 — School Me: Released 2011
Dedicated to UN Millennium Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Issue #3 — Girls Will Be Women: Released 2012
Dedicated to UN Millennium Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Issue #4 —“Oh Baby!”: Journal Coming soon
Dedicated to UN Millennium Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Issue #5 — Mama Said: Journal Coming soon
Dedicated to U.N. Millennium Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Hi there,
Is there a specific deadline for the ”Oh Baby!“ issue?
Many thanks,
Sarah
Not as yet. Thanks for your interest.
When can we expect to hear from you if our submission is accepted or rejected?
For Oh Baby, we’ll try to have everything done by the end of Sept.
Is there news on no.3, “girls will be women”?
The issue has arrived and will be mailed promptly. Thank you for your patience.
If we submitted a poem for the “Oh Baby” issue, will we hear either way if our work was accepted? Thanks in advance!
Yes. We’ll let everyone know once everything is read. Thanks for sending us your writing.